Firmware updates and erasing data

[dont_panic]

Hi,

After my experience with the H1 a friend was kind enough to hunt down an old GPSMAP 64 he had lying round and this is meeting most of my needs for now. Couple of questions:

* It's still on an old firmware version so I was going to update it to 6.60 manually. What are the chances that this will cause me to lose data, such as the maps?

* When I plug it into my PC only the GARMIN drive mounts in Explorer, not the (definitely working) micro SD card from the slot on the back. Is this normal or is there perhaps a problem with the slot?

* I haven't performed a user reset because I don't wan't to risk losing the built in maps. I saw the new thread about the GLONASS bug and golden uses the following steps to perform a complete wipe:

Repeated **Reset All Settings** and **Delete All/User Data** from the menus several times.

Performed the hardware/master reset using **PAGE + ENTER + POWER**, then confirmed “Erase all user data”.

Should that be safe to follow for a 64 without losing anything vital?

[GPSrChive]

Make certain the microSD card is formatted FAT 32 only.

Back up ALL FILES from the device and the microSD card BEFORE making any changes.

Remove microSD card from device, install latest firmware, perform master reset, and then restore data as necessary.

Once you have everything just the way you like it, MAKE A NEW DEVICE BACKUP.

Please study GPSrChive > GPSMAP 64 > {choose model} > Operation >

• Backup
• Files & Folders

[javawa]

A backup is always a good idea, but you won’t lose data with an update, and maps aren’t erased with a reset.

[WallyGator]

A backup is always a good idea, but you won’t lose data with an update, and maps aren’t erased with a reset.

I agree with the above statement.

[dont_panic]

Make certain the microSD card is formatted FAT 32 only.

It is. There's probably something wrong with the slot.

Back up ALL FILES from the device and the microSD card BEFORE making any changes.

I've created a backup now. There's a EULA folder and reading the British English HTML file shows that this is actually a Garmin map card. I'll ask my friend if he knows which map he purchased for this device.

I have a backup now of the mass storage GARMIN disk so looks like I'm ready to update.

Thanks for the advice guys. If anything goes wrong be sure you'll be the first to hear about it!

[dont_panic]

The update went fine and the device is now on 6.60.

But a few things seem to have gone wrong!

• Unfortunately I'm not receiving GLONASS any longer. I've posted this on the related thread.
• I also seem to have acquired a pink line on the map page stretching between my current location cursor and the bottom-right corner of the screen. Anyone know what this is and how to remove it?

FYI the information on the GPSMAP 64 firmware page seems to be slightly incorrect: I wasn't prompted by the device to install the update by choosing YES, it just proceeded immediately after reboot to install the update.

I'd like to downgrade this device back to 5.30 but that update isn't available from Garmin using the links on that page. I also don't know if that kind of thing is safe to do with this device. Advice welcomed!

[GPSrChive]

FYI the information on the GPSMAP 64 firmware page seems to be slightly incorrect: I wasn't prompted by the device to install the update by choosing YES, it just proceeded immediately after reboot to install the update.

Which firmware update method did you use?

[GPSrChive]

• I also seem to have acquired a pink line on the map page stretching between my current location cursor and the bottom-right corner of the screen. Anyone know what this is and how to remove it?

Clear your current track log and/or stop any active navigation.

[GPSrChive]

The update went fine and the device is now on 6.60.

But a few things seem to have gone wrong!

I'd like to downgrade this device back to 5.30 but that update isn't available from Garmin using the links on that page. I also don't know if that kind of thing is safe to do with this device. Advice welcomed!

Installing older firmware versions is far more common than you might think. It will result in a complete reset of all device setting to the factory defaults for the firmware version being installed, however. Also, any and all user data on the device should be backed up just in case.

Why do you want to jump all the way back to firmware 5.30?

Where are you finding bad links for older firmware versions? I just downloaded 5.30 from the GPSrChive > GPSMAP 64 > Firmware page without issue.