I replaced my laptop several years ago but had never updated my Garmin Nuvi GPS. Unfortunately, I am unable to update or even install my GPS on this computer as there is no recognition of the interface. Any suggestions? Are there other ways I can update my maps without using my laptop?

You are using Garmin Express for the update - Correct?Download Garmin Express to your computer first - either laptop or desktopThen plug the GPS in using the USB cable - it doesn't have to be the one that came with the GPSExpress will recognize the GPS is plugged inClick on one or two spots and a way it will go***My last updates took over an hour per GPSIf your GPS is too old for Garmin Express to recognize it, it may be too old to be updated.I did several GPS last week. If you still have problem, call Garmin, their phone help is very good. If the general people can't do it, they'll transfer you to the computer people. Call 800.800.1020Bill

What Trackrig said.Garmin is very helpful..but install or reinstall Garmin Express. Free.and go from there.

This one may or may not be easy. First is the cord to your computer RS-232 with a 2nd interface to USB or is it USB direct?Which version of Windows you have makes a difference.There are two major makers of RS-232 to USB interface chips Prolific and FTDI if I recall correctly and there are some counterfitters doing FTDI chips as well.Now.. If you have a GENUINE FTDI chip, Skip to the "Fixing" part of this post.IF you have an Immititation (Counterfit) FTDI chip, and windows 10 (not sure about windows 8) it is a brick,and will never work again, Sorry but that's what you get for saving a few bucks.. NOTE: if the chip is in a bulge in the cord between the Garmin and the Computer (As it is with a piece of medical gear I have) a new cord may fix it, Make sure it is a GENUINE FTDI chip.If you have a prolific chip. Well then the chip is still good, Just no driver for Windows 10 (And I think 8) The medical hardware I had used one of these, They sent me a new cord, no questions ask other than "Wher do we send it?".Fixing:Windows will install the RS-232 port willy-nilly May be Com 1,2,3,4 27, 32 whatever.Open DEVICE MANAGER (On windows 10 right click on the windows icon (lower left corner) and choose device manager.. On older versions of windows pick control panel hardware device manager (if I recall the path correctly)Scroll to Ports (Com and LPT)Find your RS-232 adapterNow from here on the path varies but click on any "Details" or Setting option and find the PORT settingsk, Make it one the software can see (Generally 1,2,3 or 4 for the software) and see if that worksCheck the software first, Some programs do not have a problem with Com-15 Many do.Oh, one other item: How to tell what kind of chip is in the adapter...Follow the "Fixing" process, only change nothing, The Device manager should tell you the maker of the device.

Thank you both very much. Downloaded and installed Garmin Express but the computer still doesn't recognize the device. Nor do I get the little sound I usually get when plugging into a USB port. Since I know the port is viable, I am convinced the data cable is bad. I'll have to buy one and hope that works. Thanks again!

Try a different USB cable. Are you using one with the Garmin tag on it? I have a Nuvi 1450 and a 750, I have some cables that work and some that don't although it appears they should.

Laptop doesn't 'see' GPS | Good Sam Community

mockturtle
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2016
jamway wrote:
mockturtle wrote:
Love my new Mac. Of course, I can't run MS Streets & Trips on it so I'll have to hang on to my HP. MS S&T is the only mapping program I know of that can be used offline, so I need it. But everything about the Macbook Pro is so streamlined it became my 'go to' computer right from the start.

BTW, I've had seven laptops before this Mac: Two Dells, two HPs, one Compaq and one Toshiba. The Toshiba was by far the best, IMO, besides my new Mac.

I think They make one that you can run on your mac. I run Street Atlas on a PC.

https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10121&beginIndex=
Thanks! I'll look into it.
jamway
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
mockturtle wrote:
Love my new Mac. Of course, I can't run MS Streets & Trips on it so I'll have to hang on to my HP. MS S&T is the only mapping program I know of that can be used offline, so I need it. But everything about the Macbook Pro is so streamlined it became my 'go to' computer right from the start.

BTW, I've had seven laptops before this Mac: Two Dells, two HPs, one Compaq and one Toshiba. The Toshiba was by far the best, IMO, besides my new Mac.

I think They make one that you can run on your mac. I run Street Atlas on a PC.

https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10121&beginIndex=
mockturtle
Explorer II
Mar 09, 2016
Love my new Mac. Of course, I can't run MS Streets & Trips on it so I'll have to hang on to my HP. MS S&T is the only mapping program I know of that can be used offline, so I need it. But everything about the Macbook Pro is so streamlined it became my 'go to' computer right from the start.

BTW, I've had seven laptops before this Mac: Two Dells, two HPs, one Compaq and one Toshiba. The Toshiba was by far the best, IMO, besides my new Mac.
Ramblin__Ralph
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016
Last year I started having the same problem with my Garmin 2557LMT. Emailed Garmin and got the usual boilerplate things to try. None worked.

Found 2 ways to get it to work:

a) Do a reset on the unit, which erases all waypoints but not the map. Problem eventually crops up again, though.
b) Connect it just after rebooting my laptop, but before the boot is finished.

I'm convinced something is wrong with the unit. I've almost filled the 1000 waypoints storage. Maybe this has something to do with?

Probably will buy a new unit before I hit the road this summer. Won't buy a new Mac (or PC), though. :)
krobbe
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016
Trackrig wrote:
I'm glad you went to a Mac, I'll probably do the same rather than put up with Windows 10. Now MS is going to start putting advertising on the startup page.
Bill

If that is true, I'm not surprised. After all, Win10 is FREE(sic).
Back in the day, cable tv was commercial free. The unsuspecting consumer thought it was a good deal to eliminate commercials for 10 bucks a month. But the standard model is to hook em' and then they gotcha! Microsoft's subscription based model for Office is just another money pit for the consumer.
If it wasn't for my SCADA programming apps being only compatible with Windows, I'd be writing this on a MAC right now.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2016
Did you every call Garmin?

I'm glad you went to a Mac, I'll probably do the same rather than put up with Windows 10. Now MS is going to start putting advertising on the startup page.

Bill
mockturtle
Explorer II
Mar 01, 2016
Update: Picked up my Mac today and plugged my Garmin into it using the same cable. It worked fine and I was able to update my maps. So, while the USB port on my other laptop worked with other devices, it just didn't work with the GPS. Thanks all for your help. BTW, I LOVE my Mac!
mockturtle
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2016
wa8yxm wrote:
mockturtle wrote:
Yes. Everything else works in that port, shows up on the device manager, makes the little plug-in/plug-out sound, etc. It's got to be the cable.

If it makes that sound. Then it MUST show up in device manager.

IT may, however, show up under USB as "Unidentified USB Device"

If this is the case either the chip is bricked, it is a prolific or the drivers are not the proper 64 bit drivers.

I went though all of this with my Medical device,.
No, what I meant was that other things work in the USB port. Not the Garmin.
RicJones
Explorer
Feb 26, 2016
Call Garmin!
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2016
mockturtle wrote:
Yes. Everything else works in that port, shows up on the device manager, makes the little plug-in/plug-out sound, etc. It's got to be the cable.

If it makes that sound. Then it MUST show up in device manager.

IT may, however, show up under USB as "Unidentified USB Device"

If this is the case either the chip is bricked, it is a prolific or the drivers are not the proper 64 bit drivers.

I went though all of this with my Medical device,.

Forum Discussion

Laptop doesn't 'see' GPS

About RV Must Haves

Related Content

Seeing Double :-)

Let's See Your Frankenstein Repairs

2005 alfa see ya slide ??

New Alfa See Ya

Purchasing rv without seeing in person