Universal Firmware Patcher for Protected Garmin Devices v.1.10
This is an universal firmware patcher for protected Garmin devices.
Many devices recently have a strong firmware protection and cannot use unlocked maps because firmware requires .gma and has MSV ( Map Signature Verification).
In this list you will be able to check if your device firmware requires this patcher or if it just needs gimgunlock+mapsigpatch or simply an .unl file or old gimgunlock or PGFT.
Important note by MOD: Please check in attached list, in spoilers below, if you need to flash patched .rgn in preboot mode or if you simply can flash patched.gcd normal way because the original firmware does not contain a GSV check yet (GSV: ---)
Montana 680t users: read the note at the bottom of this post.
Warning - Improper use of this software can damage your device: It's strongly recommended to backup your device files and Non-Volatile memory before playing with firmware. How to backup Nuvi NV (region41) with sd and then Clear Nonvol. Do it both beforeand after the following procedure.
Procedure to use the patcher and to load the patched firmware in preboot mode ("GSV: Yes" devices) :
Prerequisite:must have Garmin USB drivers installed to use Updater.exe.
1) Remove any gupdate.gcd in your device.
2) Set it to Mass Storage. How to set nuvi 2012 models (MTP devices) to behave like USB disks (MASS STORAGE)
3) Download the patcher (Version 1.10 updated on 28-07-16):
This post requires you to click the "LIKE this post" button and hit F5 to read this content.
(Changelog:
Improved the universal pattern (for GVS) to make it more accurate. Problem with nuvi 57/58 and nuvi 67/68 solved.
Prev.
Added DriveAssist 50 thanks Philipych
DriveLuxe50 and Drive and Drive Smart 60/70 added [thanks Philipych])
Earlier:fixes to have a more universal and flexible tool.
4) Copy the patcher in a directory along with your firmware gupdate.gcd How to get a Garmin device firmware update without Webupdater?
Note: be sure to get your device's CORRECT firmware for its HWID, check it in GarminDevice.xml: Garmin Devices, their related HWID numbers and Software update Pages links Table or here: How to find your Garmin Device's HWID. Do it or you can brick your device. This is particularly easy to mix-up for some 2xxx devices which have both 'C4' and 'normal' version firmware. It takes mere seconds to insure against flashing a mismatched HWID firmware which will result in hours of grief and possibly a hard-bricked device which can't be revived at all or without expert assistance.
5) Drop the gupdate.gcd in its window, the patcher will provide the patched gcd file as 'gupdate_patched.gcd' in your chosen directory.See below if your device has "GSV: ---" because you can skip Steps 6-8 as you don't need to load using an RGN file [but you can if you want to that way]. You can flash even initially with a patched GCD file as explained.. If your device has "GSV: Yes" then you must initially flash it with an RGN file using Updater.exe so continue on with Steps 6-8. Regardless of method used do Step 9 to finish.
6) Download RGNTool from here: RGN_Tool - Utility to create/convert RGN/GCD
7) Drop your gupdate_patched.gcd in RGN_Tool and save it as an .rgn file. Important: Save it only in this format 'xxxx01000yyy.rgn' where 'xxxx' is your used firmware's 4 numeral HWID and 'yyy' is the software version. See this post for naming reason safety and procedure.
8) Download Updater.exe from here: Garmin Updater.exe v.2.8.0
Copy Updater.exe in a directory along your firmware.rgn, drag the .rgn in Updater.exe icon, Updater.exe will open, enable 'USB Device':
Remember you must remove any previous gupdate.gcd if it's in your device before flashing any updates with an RGN file like this. If you forgot to check, stop and look now. If gupdate.gcd is present in the device's .System folder remove it from there before going on.
Now plug your device to only the PC's REAR port [strictly no hub use either], the device will start and immediately, before or as Garmin logo appears firmly press upper left corner of screen to get preboot mode and make Updater.exe see your device, at the point the device details show in the window next to 'USB Device' immediately click OK (still holding upper left corner until the flashing process is finished and Updater shows "Success!" message). Safely unplug device from the PC. Some devices reach preboot differently, check yours - All devices Preboot Mode : Garmin devices preboot mode
9) Clear Non Volatile Memory [aka NV, NonVol or nonvol] (note: if you don't want to get weird problems later, do it!) Nuvi: Clear Nonvol or reset your device How to reset a Garmin device
You are done, your device is unprotected, now you can use every kind of unlocked maps (NTU too).
Originally Posted by
Neil None of the units listed as "GSV: ---" need initial loading with RGN file via Updater.exe. You may if you wish flash those devices, even initially, with a patched GCD file.
NOTE: To flash a firmware update in the future, just patch the new gupdate.gcd, remember to remove any previous gupdate.gcd in your device, then flash new fw safely and easily only by placing the patched gupdate.gcd in microSD [sd:\Garmin\gupdate.gcd] not in Device's .System folder. The reason being that if the GCD file is faulty it could brick the device in .System ['brick' as in prevent it from booting]. If it causes a problem stuck on 'loader' when on a card, removing the card removes the problem and the device will work normally. You can even flash initially via patched GCD file if your unit has no GSV in firmware. If you accidentally load a new version of original [unpatched] firmware and your device has "GSV: Yes" then you'll need to revert to the RGN method.
Warning - Improper use of this software can damage your device: It's strongly recommended to backup your device files and NV before playing with firmware. How to backup Nuvi NV (region41) with sd
Warning for Montana 680 users:
after loading patched firmware, reset the unit and disable Geocache Dashboard in map settings before using unlocked map or the unit locks up when it is selected.
* Ease of use - to unlock, simply drag the image file over the icon of gimgunlock.exe,