BFG99 Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 After a two-year hiatus, I've decided to get back into geocaching. Due to my unfortunate inattentiveness, I had to send my lead unit, an eTrex Vista HCx, in for repairs--battery corrosion is a VERY BAD THING. At the same time I also got the USB port repaired, which hadn't worked for several years. So, naturally when I got it back the first thing I did was update the software via Garmin WebUpdater. I didn't have any problem with the firmware. But then I tried to make the other update, "GPS Chipset Type 2 (Region File)", listed as "SW Version" on the unit's Software menu. (Currently I'm running 2.10 and it's trying to update to 2.90.) Unfortunately, WebUpdater keeps resetting the unit mid-update, shortly after reporting that it's finished erasing the older version (despite the fact it doesn't actually erase it). This causes a "the Garmin device is not responding" error, always at exactly 13% completion. Online research reveals others have had the exact same issue, right down to getting stuck at 13%, with this unit. Garmin Support, unfortunately, has no suggestions. Has anyone else had a problem like this? Any way around it? Is there any way to download and install the update without going through WebUpdater? Quote Link to comment
BFG99 Posted June 25, 2014 Author Share Posted June 25, 2014 Hmmm...no one has any ideas? It's a very irritating problem. Of course, it might be significantly less irritating if I could find documentation somewhere that states what changed between 2.10 and 2.90. Quote Link to comment
+Lil Devil Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Interesting. According to this page, the latest version of the eTrex HCx/HC Bravo2 GPS Chipset is Ver. 2.30, as of Sep 17, 2007 Quote Link to comment
BFG99 Posted June 25, 2014 Author Share Posted June 25, 2014 This is the chipset WebUpdater is trying to install. (I typoed the opening statement...it should have set "GPS Chipset Type M2", not "...Type 2".) Quote Link to comment
+Timpat Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Your linked site does say to "Use Garmin Express to keep your device software up to date". You mentioned WebUpdater, have you tried Garmin Express? Quote Link to comment
BFG99 Posted June 25, 2014 Author Share Posted June 25, 2014 Your linked site does say to "Use Garmin Express to keep your device software up to date". You mentioned WebUpdater, have you tried Garmin Express? Yep, I've tried it...unfortunately the Vista HCx isn't compatible with Garmin Express, so I have to use WebUpdater instead. Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Take the card out if it has one and do a master reset. Make sure you are using a genuine cable. Then try again. Quote Link to comment
BFG99 Posted June 27, 2014 Author Share Posted June 27, 2014 Thanks for the suggestion, Red90. Done, and...no effect, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment
+splashy Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Try Perry's website http://www.gawisp.com/perry/etrex/ Quote Link to comment
BFG99 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Thanks for the resource! I found the file I need on that website, but it's an .rgn file and I don't know what to do with it. Are there instructions or tips posted anywhere that I can read through, to figure out how to load the file to my GPS unit? Quote Link to comment
+ecanderson Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 This is the chipset WebUpdater is trying to install. (I typoed the opening statement...it should have set "GPS Chipset Type M2", not "...Type 2".) The "M2" refers to the MediaTek MTK3318 chip used in some of the eTrex and Nuvi models. The latest firmware for that chip is 2.90m. Quote Link to comment
BFG99 Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Still no luck...I have the "rgn" file that's needed but don't know what to do with it. Quote Link to comment
+Timpat Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Drag the rgn file onto the WebUpdater exe file and follow the steps. I don't have a Vista HCx but this is the method I've seen used. Quote Link to comment
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