I've seen this posted before but couldn't findit. Sorry for asking again. What are the key strokes for a master reset on the older Vista b/w? Thank you for choosing the Garmin® eTrex Vista® HCx. Default—the factory setting saved in the unit’s memory. You can change the settings, and revert to the factory settings when you select Restore Defaults. Highlighted field On-screen buttons Field Manual Conventions.
My trusty Garmin eTrex Vista HCx has suddenly stopped locking onto satellites. On power up it now sits with 'Aquiring Satellites' (or sometimes 'Locating Satellites'). I've tried all the obvious things (new batteries, leaving it to 'bake' for several hours in the open air) and not one satellite is picked up on the bar section of the satellite screen. I have also tried the less obvious fix of reloading the system software and performing a hard factory reset - all with no joy. However, after a bit of searching, I think I have tracked the problem down to a courrption of the GPS firmware as described here.as when I go to Setup / System and take the menu option 'Software Version' it shows: Software Version: 3.10 GPS SW Version: 0:00 I am assuming GPS SW Version is the problem and should be a number other than 0.00. The apparent way to fix this should be to run the Garmin Webupdater and to reload the chipset to GPS Chipset Type M2 (Region File).
I've tried this for both the software and the chipset. But here's the rub.
When I run Webupdater and take the option to update GPS Chipset Type M2 (Region File) it starts the download, tells me it is 'Erasing.' (presumably on the Garmin). It then reports 'Updating.' Getting to 13%. At the same time the Garmin unit restarts itself - my PC then reports 'The Garmin device is not responding'. I guess this is because the software has just forced it to restart!
The Webupdater program then reports 'GPS Chipset Type M2 (Region File) - Transfer Aborted' with the only option being to close the porgram. When the Garmin comes back up it is still showing GPS SW Version: 0:00. Does anyone know how to get past this as I'm going round in circles?!
Also what level lof GPS SW is reported on other people's Garmin eTrex Vistas? I suspected that the unit will have to go back to base for repair (it is under a year old so I'm hoping for a free replacement ), but it would be good if I could sort what appears to be a software problem without having to send the unit off and being GPSr-less.
Secret Startup Commands and hidden menus in Garmin devices Only registered and activated users can see links. There are several undocumented commands available,on Garmin handheld receivers, users call them hidden menus or easter eggs- Note that many of these features are not documented by Garmin for a reason. They are generally for testing the device and are not intended for end users. The modes are not supported by Garmin and may cause you to lose data in your machines. Try this at your own risk! Only registered and activated users can see links. I've collected on the internet some examples of these hidden menus (thanks naviboard.de-garniak.pl-naviuser.de and many others) you can test them and check if they'r correct (may be translations are not proper), posting in this thread your discovers.
We'll update our list. Only registered and activated users can see links. Function of 'diagnostic log or tracelog (register the trace of your way without consider the map rote)' in the nuvi 2x5, 2x5w, 550, 750, 755, 765T, 1490, 3760., and probally in other models. I found it in the link: in english (full explanation) in portuguese I save in.doc attachment the content of the links. OBS: This function is mainly useful to build or improve accuracy of current maps. But, if you use this function to normal usage, will disable the tracklock; and old software of GPSs may recalculate several times the rote, what may be disturbing for some Newer versions of the software to my device don’t make this mistake (I don’t know about other models, but guess the same).