Newbie Help

[hangman67]

Good Morning,

 

I'm new to geocaching and have run into a problem with my GPS (Meridian gold)

 

I'm out here in PA on vacation and was going to try my first run at caching this moring. I turned on my unit and got this messege: "Unit currently contains no maps"

None of the keys on the key pad work. Should I hook it up into my laptop and down load maps from the software? I dont want to start anything in fear of wrecking the GPS.

 

Any advice or insight would help me greatly.

 

Thanks

[hangman67]

bump

[+embra]

Here are a couple of things to try:

 

1. If you have an SD card, try taking it out and powering on. Perhaps a detail map file is corrupted.

 

2. Try to clear memory/all and reinitialize. Since you have no key action to get to the regular menu, you can give the secret menu a try (this from the Meridian FAQs):

 

If your Meridian is turned off, hold down GOTO and NAV and tap the PWR button. In a couple of seconds you should see a box pop up with "00" inside of it. At this point, release GOTO and NAV. Use the direction pad to change the "00" to the number of the menu that you want, and then press ENTER.

 

Then enter: the number 30: Clear Memory (select) ESC

 

Another alternative is to hold down these three keys together (from the power off IIRC): ENTER MENU PWR. This should effect a Clear Memory command as well.

 

If neither of those do it, I would then want to try to reinstall the firmware. Don't know if that's an option for you in the field.

 

(BTW, where in PA are you? I live just outside Gettysburg.)

Edited August 15, 2004 by embra

[hangman67]

Thank you a million times over for a reply

 

I tried the goto/nav/pwr then set to 30 and pushed esc. Restarted and found the same message "Unit currently contains no maps" I’m not sure what idea #2 is I have seen the term (from the power off IIRC) but do not understand what it means. I am currently in State College, PA visiting the wifes family and have their PC to try to reinstall the firmware. However, I’m not having much luck maybe I am doing it wrong. I get a determining data base and elapsed time message the timer seems to be ticking away endlessly not really doing anything. Should I have replaced the memory card for this part? I have only had this GPS for 8 days so I am a real newbie.

 

I'm sure the warranty could/would be handy if I was back in Tacoma Washington, Lol. In the mean time any additional info would be great.

 

We are planning to see Gettysburg next week we have a 12 & 15 year who both want to see the museum and surrounding US history. Then we are going to Flushing NY in Queens area to see my old home and if GPS is working do some more geocaching. I may have to break down and buy a little one to hold me over.. Lol I can call it a early Christmas present for my son.

 

Again many thanks Embra

[+embra]

If you got to the #30 and went through that process, then you need not try the other ways to clear memory...they're just several paths to the same end.

 

I usually leave the SD card out for firmware changes. It keeps things a little simpler (although it shouldn't make any difference one way or another).

 

A couple of questions: which firmware version are you trying to install? Also, did the unit work ok before you encountered this problem? (and if so, anything you can think of that might have brought this undesired behavior on?)

 

If the firmware installation doesn't seem to be going right, first verify that you have the right model type--it's pretty straightforward for the gold because there should be a file like MGOLD512.HEX or something very similar (numbers different only).

 

If that all seems in line, you can try the emergency firmware restoration procedures described in the FAQs link in my signature line. It's a little less automatic, but the instructions are clear. You might want to hold off on that for a little bit, though, till we rule out a few more things. Since you're new to this, it's entirely possible you're overlooking something which a few months from now will seem obvious...but when you're just easing into it, things can be a bit overwhelming.

 

So one last question for now: when you cleared memory, did the unit go through the initialisation process properly when you turned it back on? (I.e., asking you your general location, and time zone?) Or did it go right to that error message?

Edited August 15, 2004 by embra

[hangman67]

Back from dinner and here is what I got so far. After doing the memory clearing steps it went right back to the same "Unit currently contains no maps! Initiating map upload" from which you cannot even turn the GPS off unless you take the battery out. I had just arrived in State college pulled into the folks driveway I had the GPS hooked to the auto power adapter we shut down I took the GPS out to show everyone and it worked fine.. When I shut it down I heard a series of beeps but did not think any thing about it. When we went to turn back on we got that message after it went through the Magellan screen. I tried fresh batteries even the power adapter but nothing worked.

 

The version of Firmware I have is V5.12

 

After I did the goto/nav/Pwr the set to 30 and hit esc I tried running the software update nothing happened. I also tried pwring up and got the no data message. I tried holding Menu/Pwr and that did not work either.

 

So that is it to this point. I’m going to get a little Etrex while I work on this problem, Mostly because my kids are going bonkers with anticipation of their first cache hunt. Well and so am I, Lol kind of like Christmas for adults surprises adventure and a chance to leave a little something of yourself behind.

 

Thanks again

[+embra]

Thanks for the more extensive report. It gives me a little bit stronger feel that the firmware is corrupted; I think it can't find the basemap even though it's there, rather than the map having been mysteriously deleted. Why that would happen is a headscratcher, but funny things do happen.

 

My suggestion now would be to try the emergency firmware restoration process in the FAQs. If that doesn't go, I'd be at the point of either exchanging it when you get home, or giving Magellan Tech Support a call tomorrow (email doesn't seem to work as well as phones).

 

Glad you've got an enthusiastic audience there...too bad you got this glitch right out of the starting bank. FWIW, my impression is that most Meridian users have found their units to be very reliable.

[+The Neverlanders]

I am curious if the issue here ever got resolved, as I have just boughten a Meridian Color which does the exact same thing. I have tried all the things described in this thread to no avail, as well as everything I found on link in the signature.

 

I really don't know what to do. I'd hate to have to send this to Magellan on the second day I've had it.

 

I appreciate any help you guys could give me.