New Centro with Garmin GPS device lockups

[csbdeady]

Hi folks,
Can anyone suggest what may be happening...

I have just purchased a new Palm Centro (UK) with Garmin GPS "bundle". I have followed the precise instructions to install the GPS software from the memory card onto the Palm, and then after the obligatory reboot the Garmin software loads, shows its splash screen and hangs the device. No buttons respond, and I have to reboot the Garmin.

After reboot I ensure Bluetooth is on, manually pair with the GPS receiver (successful), and then re-launch the Garmin software... at which point my Centro hangs again.

The bluetooth is constantly flashing orange GPS and blue bluetooth lights if that is any help.

I have upgraded the Garmin XT s/w on the memory card to the latest version after speaking to Garmin on the phone (who were initially helpful, and then became more and more evasive as the day went on).

Any suggestions folks? Or is it just bust and I need a replacement from Palm?
Ta
-Colin

[Damion Milliken]

Hi Colin,

I have exactly the same problem, and I mean the precise same details. I have found that the issue seems to be related to the microSD card. Whenever the microSD card is in my Centro, if the Garmin Mobile XT software is running, the Centro freezes (I've left it in this state overnight, and it never recovers). Ejecting the microSD card causes the Centro to immediately "wake up", at which point the Garmin Mobile XT software begins to continue working. If course, without the microSD card in the Centro, the Garmin Mobile XT software doesn't do a lot (it can't find the voices, maps, etc.). Nor can it find the Palm branded GPS unit that came in the bundle, even though I have specifically registered it with the Centro using the Bluetooth software on the Centro (key 0000).

I have spoken to the Palm phone tech support, and also the palm online chat tech support. Both suggest that I return the unit, and the fault seems to be with the Garmin software. The microSD card can be formatted, and it causes no problem with the Centro (i.e., it appears that neither the Centro's microSD card reader, nor the microSD card itself have hardware problems). Putting all the Garmin Mobile XT files back on the card causes the Centro to freeze when running Garmin Mobile XT.

I have not as yet received a response from the Palm Europe online store, but they had better get a move on, as I ordered this unit on 18 June, so my 30 days is running out soon. I knew that a SatNav GPS for £30 was too good a deal to be true...

[csbdeady]

Hi Damion

Just last week I got this problem resolved with the excellent support of Garmin UK. After an update to the software on the MicroSD card (via a Windows PC) that did not fix the issue, Garmin collected the MicroSD card by courier and took it back to their UK offices, where-upon a very kindly gentleman worked absolute magic and fixed it, returning the card to me a little over a week later. It turns out that Palm have managed to mess up a load of the cards somehow in production. They work fine for Windows Mobile, but the wrong files are present for Palm OS.

So here's what you can do:

1) Either Phone Palm and get them to swap it for a replacement, BUT this may not fix the issue as your replacement may come from the same batch;

2) Phone Garmin UK (assuming you are in the UK..) and describe that you have the exact same problem as that which Colin Deady (aka me) had about three weeks (ish) ago. I will privately message you with the name of the Garmin support guru who fixed this for me. Their UK support number is free as well: 0808 238 0000 (see: http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/uk/support/supportcontacts )

Personally I would do a combination of 1 & 2, ie: contact Garmin to get this fixed as they know what they are doing, and separately log a fault with Palm (on 0207 867 0108) just in case Garmin can't fix it - and that way as you have logged the fault within 30 days you should be covered.

NB: When I first phoned Garmin they seemed a little surprised that I was phoning them and not Palm, but I explained that in the Garmin manual it states on page EN-7 to call them for support. As soon as I mentioned this they were more than happy to help.

Also, I got an odd email from Garmin making a suggestion that it may have been user error (not an accusation, just a genuinely polite suggestion) as the last modified date of the card had changed. I pointed out by reply that their software update tool writes files to the card as does the Palm camera software by default, hence OFC the last modified date of the card would be recent ;)

As an aside I have just noticed a dead pixel on my Centro *sigh*. Palm are going to replace it with a new unit as I'm within my 30 days (after that and its a warranty claim which may mean a refurb *shudder*). Seeing as yours may have come from the same batch, do check your screen carefully for dead pixels just in case (mine was on top row, just to the right of the middle of the top of the screen).

ATB
-Colin

[glasspaul1]

Sound great to use Garmin xt on treo. Did not know that Palm OS is available for Europe maps. It always list the Window Mobile machines as compatible devices. Trying to get the UK & Ireland version, trying Amazon.co.uk site?
Thanks for your help GlassPaul

[Damion Milliken]

Hi Folks!

Just to report back, I contacted Garmin support, and they were most helpful indeed. I sent off the microSD card, and got it back a week later with the software correctly loaded. It's worked fine ever since.

Thumbs up to Garmin for solving Palm's problems! :-)

glasspaul1, regarding European maps, my Centro has the Garmin XT maps for UK, Ireland, France, etc. on it, but these came preloaded on the microSD card. Have you had a look at http://www.garmin.co.uk for maps? Failing that, contact the UK support folks; they're extremely helpful.

Cheers!