joypebble

Sorry if this is an old question. I couldn't find topics in the search.

How can I backup the files on my new Nuvi 650 onto my Mac?

Is there a procedure that is already outlined? (No apparent mention in the Manual.)

I'd dearly appreciate having the details.

Many thanks

GG

Keith

What files are you wanting to back up?

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dav

Can you connect it to the Mac and see its contents as another drive?

joypebble

Thanks , yes. The drive mounts and there is a folder called "Garmin."
These are the files in that folder. I'm not sure which one to copy.

GMAPPROM.unl
006B047800.bin
gpx
GUPDATE.GCD
Diag
Help
nuvi_drive.ico
gmapbmap.img
Voice
RemoteSW
fs_image.ver
gmapprom.img
vehicle
006B048201.bin
GarminDevice.xml

What I want to protect is the preferences (settings) and the stored maps in the address book and favorites. It's really a backup intended for a replacement, if needed, or to clone to another 650 Nuvi.

Can you point me to those files (I am a systems dummy) and tell me if the restore is simply to drag the backup file into the Garmin folder and replace the Nuvi folder...or selected parts?

MANY thanks for your help on this. My headache is disappearing.

GG

dav

From a Windows perspective, some of what you show are folders and some are files.

For instance, your gmapbmap.img is the basemap file.

But VOICE, REMOTE SW, DIAG, HELP - those look like directories (folders) with files below them.

The XML is your track log.

None of what I am seeing looks like preference settings.

As far as I know (which ain't sayin' much...) you do just drag-and-drop files to backup or restore. The "operating system" (the BIN directory) runs the GPS, but it reads all files it needs at start-up.

You can watch when you turn your Garmin on at the bottom it says "loading maps" and such. Mine does, anyway.

joypebble

Thanks, but I'm still a little confused. Can I just drag and drop the "saved" forlder onto the Nuvi to overwrite the one that's there for a restore? Or, at least, can I drag the contents of of the Nuvi folder from the backup to the Garmin's Nuvi folder?

Wouldn't those files just overwrite all the writable files in the Nuvi?

GG

dav

Yes, that is what a restore does. It deletes whatever is there and replaces it with an older version of the file.

This is normally only done because the current file is corrupt, or similar, so you do not want to keep it. Or, with maps, because you can only have one and you are swapping one for another.

If you want to "add" the backup to your existing file, that is a "file import", and may or may not be supported by a specific unit.

The "update" function that Garmin has is really just a "selective restore". It deletes one or more files and replaces them. This is my understanding of how it works, anyway. YMMV.

joypebble

My need for the restore would be to "initiate" a replacement unit if the current one is stolen or lost, assuming that the replacement is the same model Nuvi.

Thanks again

GG

dav

With Garmin units the maps are unit serial number specific. You would not be able to do what you are requesting.

Max

If what you're speaking of is maps and map data, then this is not possible due to licensing restrictions. The maps are built and unlocked specifically for the SN of your unit (yes, every map on the unit is actually coded with a key specifically for that unit).

If you want to backup your waypoints you could probably call Garmin support and ask them nicely for a copy of Mapsource to use with your unit. I have a Nuvi 680 and they did this for me upon request. I told them the unit didn't come with a CD and I would like one for better trip planning and setting of waypoints.


As far as the settings and things, I don't think that is all stored in one file or set of files - I think some of it is tied into the units firmware which isn't accesible via the windows (or Mac) consumer interface.


If I'm way offbase with what you're asking - just shout louder and eventually I'll figure it out



fwiw - whenever I get a new unit, for the purposes of what you speak above - I get it working the way I want to, then just hook it up to a PC and copy the whole thing over (2.2 gig for my 680) and just leave it alone on my hard drive thereafter.

I've never totally lost a unit, but I have wiped out maps and some other rather important things and have been able to restore via this method. I haven't tried keeping it in sync - I think that would eat alot of time that I'd rather spend using the GPS rather than backing it up

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joypebble

This sounds sort of what I want to do. Just the addressers and their associated positions. That's all.
So, what is the "whole thing..." you refer to. (I'm a little conceptually challanged.

Thanx again.


GG