param

I have Garmin nuvi 255W, it was working perfectly so far, today when i tried to switch on, i got the Garmin Logo, with the texts as loading maps with 2 beeps, and after that the screen blacked out, i tried charging that still the same symptoms.

I even tried to reset it by holding the power key for more than 8 seconds, in that time, i see Garmin logo and after that, i get the same symptom of screen blacking out after the loading maps text with the beep sound.

What could be wrong, i never attempted to update any maps in the unit, just using it normally.

Is it any software corruption or hardware issue?...i dont think as hardware issue as the unit starts up and tries to load maps, then it blacks out.

Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks
Param

HumVee

Param, yes, files can become corrupted for any number of reasons. Try updating it. If that doesn't work, or you don't want to do that for some reason, you can try doing a factory rest (but you'll lose any personal data, waypoints, etc.) - I think that you press and hold the bottom-right corner of the display as you power up the unit....

param

Thanks for the reply, i tried as you have said, to clear user data by touching the bottom right of the screen while switching on the unit, i got the screen, which asked me to clear user data, before i could click yes, the screen went black again.

when i try to connect the GPS to my computer, the Garmin logo comes up, then it says loading maps...with 2 beeps and blacks out and this continues in loop.

Any idea what can be done further?

Thanks
Param

HumVee

Do you have an SD storage card loaded? Perhaps a file on the SD card has become corrupted, or the flash memory card itself is failing. Remove it, and see if your nüvi 255W will boot okay without it. If it does, then try reformatting your SD card and reloading your supplimental map data.

If it still fails to boot normally without the storage card, and can't be factory reset either, then I suggest you contact Garmin Support. Can the nuvi function as a mass storage device when plugged in to a computer? If so, then Garmin support can remotely access your computer (with your permission), and assist in replacing corrupted files on your nuvi. There's a good chance that they can resuscitate your nuvi. I keep backup copies of all the Garmin files from both my Garmin GPS units on my computer, just in case I suspect the in use files get corrupted - just so I can restore them to my GPS units to see if it resolves the problem. I create new copies before applying updates. Fortunately, I haven't had to try restoring to my devices yet - but then, I've only had them for about a year....