Question about getting my computer to recognize my Garmin Nuvi 265W GPS

[MossRoad]

Thanks again to all who responded I truly appreciate your help. I am still fighting with this thing, I have tried all USB ports front and back and three different cables. I can get the computer to connect to the SD card in the Garmin but it will not recognize the GPS it's self. The computer down loads my digital camera, uploads to the I-pod, handles wireless headphones but will not accept a Garmin Nuvi. I will keep trying, thanks again!

Since you've eliminated all that, now try the Garmin on a different computer. It may be the Garmin unit that is problematic.

 

[EE_Bota]

We have a Garmin Nuvi 265W GPS that we have owned for two years. I wanted to upgrade the maps and I purchased the life time map upgrade for it. I had trouble getting the program downloaded but with the company's support was able to get it done.

I cannot get my computer to recognize the Nuvi to down load the mapping program. I have followed the companies suggestions, traded USB cables, rebooted and done a little cursing.

Maybe someone could give some advise or maybe another owner who had a similar experience could tell me how they resolved it. It seems this is a common problem with the Garmin. Thanks!

Can't help, I'm afraid, but:
I have been successful with my Nuvi so I bought lifetime maps. My XP computer got stolen during a break-in last fall, and the new one is Windows 7. So far, no success.* Computer doesn't even seem to know it is connected. I have no XP machine at home to fall back on, but I do have several at work. I will soon try it with XP again to see if that is the issue.

*The internet is full of folks having this trouble.

 

[forgeblast]

Email customer support, they may have a driver or other fix for it.

 

[psj12]

I also had the same issue using my desktop and was unable to get the computer to recognize the Garmin. I tried everything. Plugged it into my laptop and everything worked perfectly.

 

[EE_Bota]

Anyone tracking it to a certain operating system?

 

[MossRoad]

Anyone tracking it to a certain operating system?

It should show up on any USB capable computer as "a device" as soon as you plug it into the USB port regardles of the operting system. If other devices show up when plugged in and the GPS does not, I'd suspect the GPS unit. That's why I suggested trying it on another computer to check.

 

[JakeBrake]

This sounds like the same problem I had with my Garmin nuvi 1450 LMT. my computer saw the GPS, but Garmin Express did not. I telephoned Garmin tech support. The man I talked to was very helpful and even spoke English like an American.

My problem was that the GPS memory was full. I could see the GPS files on my computer. The tech support rep told me which files to delete to free up memory so that Garmin Express could operate. After that I also had to install a micro SD card in my GPS to update the maps.

 

[EE_Bota]

It should show up on any USB capable computer as "a device" as soon as you plug it into the USB port regardles of the operting system. If other devices show up when plugged in and the GPS does not, I'd suspect the GPS unit. That's why I suggested trying it on another computer to check.

I brought an XP machine home to try. My Garmin worked fine with XP, but has yet to be recognized at all by Windows 7. I have no other issues under 7, though. I SHOULD get to test under XP tonight, and I will report back.

 

[EE_Bota]

I brought an XP machine home to try. My Garmin worked fine with XP, but has yet to be recognized at all by Windows 7. I have no other issues under 7, though. I SHOULD get to test under XP tonight, and I will report back.

Sorry I didn't get back...I got company.

Today, it didn't work on XP either. I really thought it would.

So I turned the house upside down to see if I have a different cable. The one that didn't work looks robust etc, but the one that did work has a toroid in the cable. Now it communicates with Garmin Express.

I doubt this helped the OP, but I do hope something works for him.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks again to all who responded I truly appreciate your help. I am still fighting with this thing, I have tried all USB ports front and back and three different cables. I can get the computer to connect to the SD card in the Garmin but it will not recognize the GPS it's self. The computer down loads my digital camera, uploads to the I-pod, handles wireless headphones but will not accept a Garmin Nuvi. I will keep trying, thanks again!

Hey Dozernut, you ever get this resolved? Just curious.