GPS POI > GPS Forum > SatNav Discussion > Nuvi 660 firmware recovering - system software missing

nick99990_0 · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 3

Hello All,

I recenty downloaded the Nuvi 660 firmware upgrade from the Garmin site to upgrade to v2.70. I did this as I read some other comments that the webupdater application has (in some cases) caused corruption.

I ran the firmware update as per the instructions from the Garmin website and two .bin files copied to the unit but the third file (I can't recall the extension) failed to copy with a file in use error. I could not work out a way to recover from this as the upgrade failed (not fully complete) and the only option was to reset the unit via the power button.

When the unit came back up again the following error came up on the screen:

"system software missing"

The Nuvi would not boot!

I contacted the local Garmin support rep on (02) 9844 6666 and I was given the following sequence to recover from this condition:

1. Power off the unit.

2. HOLD down the power button and you will see "Pre Boot Mode" appear on the lower part of the display. KEEP HOLDING the power button down and the display will flicker, do this until the pre boot mode message disappears. This seems to take a long time (60 seconds at least).

3. Once the pre boot mode message disappears release the power button and your device will perform some activites to recover from the above problem.

Apparently this sequence will only work with the above error. I hope this assists other if they encounter this problem.

I still don't know why the firmware upgrade process failed BUT after performing the above sequence I found that the firmware upgrade had actually worked (strange).

Regards,

Nick.

JW · Guest

Had the "system software missing" problem after attempting to upgrade software to v2.7 using the web updater.

Tried the fix posted by Nick - it works! - many thanks Nick.

Strangely when it came back up the v2.7 upgrade had worked for me too.

JW

Guest

Great, that solved all my problems. Thanks.

Happy holidays

jeepy43 · Guest

Fix worked for me on my nuvi 310 too....saved my xmas...many thanks

dossie01 · Guest

Worked for me 2! I actually broght my 310 back to the store 2 months ago and got a replacement after this happened before.
Thanks

studiodk · Guest

hi nick, thanks from me as well for your accurate and useful post - was having kittens thinking i'd d**yed up my brand new garmin nuvi 310, but your instructions have saved the day.

DON'T USE WEBUPDATE to update the device is all i can say... go to the direct link on the garmin website:
http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=1921

Here as a guest · Guest

The fix from Nick works on the Nuvi310 too Smile

Thanks Nick saved me a lot of heartache

Cheers

David

guest · Guest

Thank you, thank you for sharing the info on holding power button down. I just updated my Nuvi 660 from v.3.5 to v3.6 software and got the error message. Yes, it took at least 60sec for pre boot mode to disappear but once it did, unit was back to normal with v3.6 OS. Thanks again Nick!

anon · Guest

i have 310 . same problem.

tried this thing. worked but kept loading up and rebooting
so i plugged it in to usb and reloaded the software then it works

krome · Guest

thank u, u guys helped out

siggyd · Guest

Thanks You Nick!!!
Your procedure worked great,had the "System software missing" after a Webupdate_241. I was on WiFi late at night with very good speed,it all took only about 5 minutes. When I tried to do it again,I got the message that the 670 was already updated,tried to update again,got the message"The update file is corrupted".
But your procedure worked,took a good minute for the flicker and then the Pre-Boot message to disappear,then it started loading some Bluetooth update and then came back to the normal screen.
Thanks again,
Siggy