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

Dozernut · Jul 23, 2013

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!

J_J · Jul 23, 2013

When you plug in the Garmin into the computer, does it recognize it?

There are charging cables and data cables, try another cable.

I picked up a Magellan GPS at the flea mkt this weekend, for $1 and plugged it in, the computer recognized it and charged the battery.

USB pinout and wiring @ pinouts.ru

http://pinoutsguide.com/ChargersAdapters/mini_usb_charger_pinout.shtml

https://www.google.com/search?q=usb...v&sa=X&ei=vxvvUYLdLMLgqwGu_4GADQ&ved=0CEQQsAQ

IkeRoberts · Jul 23, 2013

download Garmin Communicator. It is the Garmin program to get the computer to recognize all their products. It is a free program from the Garmin site. After installing, just plug the NUvii in and it will be connected.

Dozernut · Jul 23, 2013

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate your help!

J.J. no, the computer does not recognize the Nuvi. I have tried all the cables I have and every USB port on the computer. I will pick up a new cable in the AM, but I don't believe it will help, we will see tomorrow.

IkeRoberts, I have downloaded five different versions of the Garmin Communicator, but none worked. A search of the net yielded that I am not alone with my problem. A computer is just about the most frustrating thing but when working right they are wonderful.

ronjhall · Jul 24, 2013

Have had similar problems. As suggested it is probably the cable. I have found new cables included in a new GPS's that were bad.

JimRB · Jul 24, 2013

Try on another computer just to make sure it is not your computer. It might be a bad GPS or cable. It should make some sort of noise when plugged in to a computer and a message may pop up about a device found, even if it does not have the driver for the device. Some Garmins will turn on when you plug in the USB cord to the computer. Not sure about all as I have only touched 3.

IkeRoberts suggestion of the Communicator software is also a good idea. I have had frustrations "seeing" my GPS and fresh Communicator software helped.

forgeblast · Jul 24, 2013

I just bought the nuvi 50lm, it uses the garmin express program. Is it a usb issue? or from the unit itself.

MossRoad · Jul 24, 2013

Dozernut,
Here's a few things to try... hope they help.
First, what operating system is your computer running?
If its Windows (any version) have you run Windows updates on it recently?
If you have not run Windows updates, you should to bring it up to the most current.
Have you tried a different USB port on your computer?
Sometimes the ports on the front go bad. So don't just try the next port over. Try one of the USB ports in the back that resides directly on the motherboard if you haven't already.
Have you tried a different USB device in your computer (like a thumb drive, camera, etc...)?
It could be your computer is having USB problems.
Try a different USB cable to the GPS.
Try the GPS on a different computer.

Hope those help and forgive me if you've already done all that.

I have a Garmin (forget which model) also and it is SLOW to recognize in my old PC, and even slower to update the maps, but with a LOT of patience it eventually recognizes and runs everything.

On the road, the GPS is nice to have. :thumbsup:
I used to laugh at people that used GPS. I was a Boy Scout. All I needed was a map..... guess what genius? A GPS is a map! DOH!!! A lot of maps. A really good map. An probably more up to date than the 8 year old atlas smashed under the front seat. :laughing:

I still plan out my trips on the home PC, write down which main highways I want to take, then plug in my destination to the GPS. I memorize the route for the most part, but the GPS really shines around cities and large urban areas. Also, the restauant finder works pretty well. I don't care if I get lost, but going hungry is a catastrophe! :licking:

DutchHenryBrown · Jul 24, 2013

I just had the same problem but I downloaded the Express Program from Garmin and that seemed to do the trick. Up to that point the whole download thing was A BIG PITA.

Each time you contact Garmin you get a new person and have to start over again, SUCKS.

Dozernut · Jul 24, 2013

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!

MossRoad · Jul 25, 2013

Dozernut said:
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 · Jul 25, 2013

Dozernut said:
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 · Jul 25, 2013

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

psj12 · Jul 25, 2013

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 · Jul 25, 2013

Anyone tracking it to a certain operating system?

MossRoad · Jul 25, 2013

EE_Bota said:
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 · Jul 25, 2013

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 · Jul 25, 2013

MossRoad said:
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 · Jul 26, 2013

EE_Bota said:
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 · Aug 5, 2013

Dozernut said:
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.