How do I update my GPS system?

Go to web site for necessary software and updates.

Your Garmin GPS has an internal memory or an SD-card that contains an "operating system" and "map data".The operating system is like windows or Mac OSX. It contains the menu and everything the GPS displays. The "map data" is a digital roadmap the GPS uses to calculate your route. If the map data was on a SD-card that was inserted in your GPS, it could me that you lost the SD-card. That could be the reason your GPS can't find the map data. Sometimes it happens that when people connect their GPS to a computer to update the "operating system" of the GPS something goes wrong. For example, when you disconnect your GPS from the computer while the update software is still writing data to your device, the connection gets lost and you're left with corrupt files on the GPS. It could also be a defect in the internal memory of the GPS. I suggest you try to update the operating system with a program called "Garmin Express" (just google and easy find it). You need to connect the GPS to your computer with a USB cable. Then you can perform an update. I hope it helps to solve your problem. What you could also try is to soft reset your GPS. To do that, you need to remove the silver or blue frame around the screen of the GPS (it pops off). Behind this border there is a reset button.
If the map data is completely gone, and you don't have a backup there is only one solution: Buy the latest map for your GPS online and download it to your GPS. It's expensive. In that case it's better to buy a new device in a shop. Most new devices contain Lifetime online map updates (model name nuvi -then the number - LM or LMT) (LM= Lifetime Mapupdates T= Traffic information) Then you can update your map data every three months if you want.

Hey steven barber,

To update the garmin nuvi 205 for free, you'll first need to have your GPS, an USB cable and a computer. There are web sites that will allow you to down load an update to your GPS for free. Make sure the version you pick is compatible to your computer to download it. You'll want to plug the USB cable into both the GPS and the computer, to download the upgrade to your GPS.


Check this link out for the Garmin myDashboard for your GPS

Good Luck!

You can update the GPS devices with simple & latest method For more detail you can visit at Garmin map update.

Updating your operating system software might solve the problem.

• Download WEBUPDATER from http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=999-99999-27
• Install it on your computer and connect your satnav to the computer with the mini USB cable
• Run the WEBUPDATER program and it will search for updates to your satnav.
• Install whatever updates it finds.
• When the software has updated you get the option of installing optional updates. It's not necessary to install these unless you wish to

This may solve your problem.

It may not be absolutely necessary to update the maps every year, but if you wish to, you need to go out to the Garmin Nuvi website and download the map update you want to your computer. Then you need to plug your GPS into your computer using the USB cable provided.

The site will prompt you to download the communicator and that's how the file will be transferred from your computer to your GPS.

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

I would do a Firmware update....

go to www.mygarmin.com

connect your gps to your computer using the usb cable , then go there and get the firmware update

With the unit Off....... plug in the Nuvi to the computer using the USB cable ( same USB cable cameras use to computer )

Go to www.MtGarmin.com update your Firmware and maps there

It will detect your nuvi and let you update

Garmin gives you 60 days from the purchase date to get one free update for your map. They supply you with a USB cable that you will need to connect to your GPS and a computer. Go to the Garmin website and choose Support / Update Map. The website will automatically read your model and serial number and then let you know if your need and are eligible for their latest update. The file will be downloaded to your computer. The same webpage will describe the steps necessary to run the update to your GPS.

I fixed my C530 on my own. Garmin support will not give you this solution.
I attached the GPS to the computer with the usb cable. I used the file explorer in windows to view the file system on the GPS. I sorted the files by date. Then I moved the files that had a newer date than the last time the GPS worked, to an backup folder on my computer in case I need to restore the files to the GPS again. I than disconnected the GPS from the computer and restarted the GPS. The GPS works perfect now and doesn't enter the demo mode any longer.