Garmin Nuvi 260w not recognized by computer

Hello.
You can go to mygarmin.com or garmin.com . You have to register. It is for FREE. Then,you can update your GPS. You can also download maps by just following the screen instructions.
You can also find all the software/drivers you need there.

Hope it helps.

A Garmin Nuvi 1300 that won't start, freezes on 'loading maps,' or is acting erratically is symptomatic of having corrupt firmware.

To correct this, I recommend backing up your favorites, clearing all user data, and if it still is stuck, then updating your Nuvi firmware.

Follow these three steps to take to get your Garmin Nuvi 1300 running like new:

1. Back up your Favorites.
2. Perform a Hard Reset.
3. Download and then run Garmin WebUpdater to replace its firmware / system software.

I hope that helps.
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Garmin Nuvi 1300 Manual Download
Garmin Nuvi 1300 QuickStart Download
Garmin Nuvi 1300 Favorites Backup
Garmin Nuvi 1300 Hard Reset
Garmin Nuvi 1300 Webupdate

Garmin provides free updates through their website for the first 60 days after a new unit is put into service. After that, you'll have to purchase map updates. (Software updates are free, though.)

That said, you should first point your browser to www.Garmin.com and go through the process of downloading and installing their browser extension. You might have to reboot your computer or restart your browser to finish the installation.

Return to Garmin.com and register your nuvi. At some point, it will ask you to connect your nuvi to the computer via the USB cable. Do so. Your computer will also go through the process of installing the drivers necessary to view the nuvi as a storage device (so you can download photos and the like).

Once everything is up, the browser extension will tell you what the status is of your nuvi and of its maps. If you're entitled to a free map update, it will allow you to do so. If you're due for a software update, you can do that, also.

Are you using the latest Garmin program called WEBUPDATER Version 2.9.1.0 that was released about December 2009??
Try again:
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} To download the latest unit software visit Garmin website: www.garmin.com/webupdater
After installing WebUpdater once from the Garmin website, perform all future software updates from your computer. Simply connect your compatible Garmin device to your computer, then run WebUpdater from your computer's "Start Menu" by selecting "Start", "Programs", "Garmin", and finally "WebUpdater"
REMEMBER: It takes hours to do a complete a map update.
Unless you bought the Lifetime maps you may have to pay for current maps.

Does this help? Let us know. Thanks.

How old is it and have you updated it once, if so
you might have to buy a update

Try three things:
1)Do a reset
2)Do a Master reset
3)Try doing a full software update by getting the free program from Garmin called WebUpdater.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} To download the latest unit software visit Garmin website: www.garmin.com/webupdater
After installing WebUpdater once from the Garmin website, perform all future software updates from your computer. Simply connect your compatible Garmin device to your computer, then run WebUpdater from your computer's "Start Menu" by selecting "Start", "Programs", "Garmin", and finally "WebUpdater"
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 REMEMBER: It takes hours to do a complete a map update.
Unless you bought the Lifetime maps you may have to pay for current maps.

Fairly simple to do:
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} To download the latest unit software visit Garmin website: www.garmin.com/webupdater
After installing WebUpdater once from the Garmin website, perform all future software updates from your computer. Simply connect your compatible Garmin device to your computer, then run WebUpdater from your computer's "Start Menu" by selecting "Start", "Programs", "Garmin", and finally "WebUpdater"
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 REMEMBER: It takes hours to do a complete a map update.
Unless you bought the Lifetime maps you may have to pay for current maps.
Does this help? Let us know. Thanks.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Update your 260 to the newest software, which is what I think your asking??

To download the latest unit software visit Garmin website: www.garmin.com/webupdater
After installing WebUpdater once from the Garmin website, perform all future software updates from your computer. Simply connect your compatible Garmin device to your computer, then run WebUpdater from your computer's "Start Menu" by selecting "Start", "Programs", "Garmin", and finally "WebUpdater"
REMEMBER: It takes hours to do a complete a map update.
Unless you bought the Lifetime maps you may have to pay for current maps.

Does this help? Let us know. Thanks.

Current version of software is 5.0
Download that as that may be your problem.
You must download the newest version of WebUpdater from Garmin for free to your computer.
Then:
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} To download the latest unit software visit Garmin website: www.garmin.com/webupdater After installing WebUpdater once from the Garmin website, perform all future software updates from your computer. Simply connect your compatible Garmin device to your computer, then run WebUpdater from your computer's "Start Menu" by selecting "Start", "Programs", "Garmin", and finally "WebUpdater"
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 REMEMBER: It takes hours to do a complete a map update.
Unless you bought the Lifetime maps you may have to pay for current maps.
Does this help? Let us know. Thanks.

Does it recognise the Nuvi? Are you connecting it through a usb Hub. Are the drivers for the nuvi installed properly? Usually there is a folder named USB, thats where the correct drivers reside, and that's where you tell the computer to look when it asks for the drivers.