When I plug in my vehicle power supply into my nuvi 250 gps, the computer symbol appears on the screen and my map will not return until I unplug the power source and turn on and off the gps unit. How do I de-activate the download mode?

Whenever you see the computer to GPS symbol pop up while using the DC car charger, this is an indication of a loose USB jack (bad connection) between the jack and the printed circuit board.

You should only see this symbol when connected to the PC using the USB cable. You should never see it when using the charger. Please see this link for more information and how to have it repaired:


SHARCNET USA Out of Warranty GPS Digital Camera Repair

Hello
There sill be a battery symbol in the forner of the screen which sill indicate advancing the charging signal [very like battery signal of a cellphone] in green color. You can see it on its manu page. To increase the accuracy of the battery guage, gully discharge the battery and then fully charge it. Do not unplug the Nuvi, until it is totally charged. Connect the vehicle power cable to the mini USB connector on your Nuvi and to a power outlet in your vehicle. The vehicle key may need to be turned ON/ACC for Nuvi to charge.
Connect an AC adapter [optional accessory] to the nuvi and a wall outlet.
Connect your Nuvi to a computer using a USB cable. The computer must be ON for the nuvi to charge. OK.

Hello,

Be sure to update the firmware by running the Garmin WebUpdater.
Download and Install WebUpdater.

It is not necessary to unplug the vehicle power cable as the unit will shut down automatically if the vehicle power source is not supplying power after the vehicle is turned off. If the vehicle power cable does continue to supply power, then a manual shut down can be done with the power switch on the nuvi but it is still not necessary to disconnect the vehicle power cable.

New , later maps for the Garmin take up more space that what unit has in available memory - so you have to get an sd memory card to put in the slot when you do the update.

The battery indicator is on the screen that shows WHERE TO and VIEW MAP but it only appears when the charger is NOT plugged into the satnav.

Hello

Insert the memory card into the memory card slot on Garmin Nuvi 250 GPS device. The memory card slot is located on the left side of the device. Push the card in until it clicks. (If you inserted a memory card that already has pre-installed maps and files, there is no further action required. The device will access the new maps based on the address you enter.)

Connect the Garmin GPS to the computer using the USB cable. The mini-USB connector will need to be inserted into the rear of the Nuvi 250; the larger end is inserted into the computer's USB port.

Locate the computer file that you want to download to the Garmin memory card. The Nuvi 250 is capable of reading JPEG formatted images and GPX formatted Waypoints and other mapping-related files. Right-click on it. Select "Copy."

Select the "Computer" folder from the computer's desktop Start menu. Double-click on the "Removable Disk" drive that represents the Garmin Nuvi.

Right-click in an empty space within the drive and select "Paste." The files have now downloaded to the memory card and will be accessible through the Nuvi 250 menu options.

Good Luck, and do rate the solution if got help

Are you using the garmin power cord or are you using an aftermarket cord? Some after market cords have usb plugs that although they plug right in to the power port on the unit, they tell the unit that you are updating the database. The unit displays only a picture of a computer connected to the unit and that's all it will do. Their is a way around this. Simply wait until the unit displays the about photo of the computer attached and then unplug the power cord from the unit. After the screen clears immediately replug in the power chord. This must be done quickly before anything appears on the screen. If you're too slow, simply repeat this step until you manage to replug the unit before anthing appears on the screen. Once plugged in as about the unit will operate normally on the external power source until you either turn it off or unplug it. Simple repeat above when ready to resume use.

No, it may take a little longer if you are charging through the USB port. I normally have mine plugged in while driving, it charges and is in use too. To use GPS with USB. First turn the GPS on (without USB plugged in). Press Battery symbol on screen for about 10 seconds, a test screen will come on. Plug in the USB (bottom of screen shows USB connected). Tap EXIT to return to maps. You can now use it while USB is charging Make sure you turn GPS off before removing the USB cable

If you are plugging it into your computer, or charging it through the USB port, the Garmin NUVI will go into "DATA MODE". You must use the car cradle to charge it and stay in navagation mode.

HI,
I have the problem solved I at first had this problem after about 5 minutes of messing with my GARMIN NUVI and having many electronic gadget I thought about diffrent buttons to hit at the same time heres how you charge your NUVI with a computer and a usb cable

1st: make sure your NUVI is OFF then plug in the usb cable from the computer to the NUVI, after you hear your computer ding from new device connected, and the NUVI displays the computer icon move to step 2

step 2: if you have xp go to START and MY COMPUTER. with vista its START then COMPUTER button on the right side

step 3: with MY COMPUTER window open hold the NUVI power switch to the ON position and RIGHT CLICK the NUVI device logo (blue triangle) and select EJECT .. ( DON;T HIT SAFiLY REMOVE)

step 4: when you see GARMIN display on the screen you can letgo of the power button on the NUVI ****** if you unplugthe usb it will display message stating EXTERNAL POWER LOST SWITCHING TO BATTERY POWER***** while it is plugged to the computer the battery meter will disaper