Converting Nuvi 2x5W Firmware to MAL/SIN Firmware

[nytan]

Greeting, i just bought a NUVI 255W from US, is there anyway to flash the firmware to MAL/SIN so that i could use the junction view?
Much appreciate any feedback

[sgmy255w]

Greeting, i just bought a NUVI 255W from US, is there anyway to flash the firmware to MAL/SIN so that i could use the junction view?
Much appreciate any feedback

Visit http://nuvi255wfirmware.blogspot.com to flash your 255W / 265W garmin nuvi to sg/my firmware so that you are able to use the junction view features & MSM maps!

OR

For 2x5W S2 & S3 Boards only:
Source: viewtopic.php?p=71759#p71759

I got the permission. Here is the tutorial by Earthkeeper of pda4x.

Here is the most updated walk through to enable Junction view, Highway Mode, Lane
Assist and Text-to-speech for nuvi 2x5w series used in Asia. Please read the whole
thing once before attempting to flash your unit.

Although this walk through assumes that your unit is from US/EU. It works with all
nuvi 2x5w including from Taiwan, China and Japan.


IMPORTANT:

- This is for 2x5w units only
- This guide is for mainboard version S2 & S3 only.
This does not work with mainboard version S4, you'll end up with a white screen
and brick your unit! (To check your board version, press the battery icon at the
upper right of the unit for about 8 seconds, you'll be in the diagnostic mode. The
board version is next to the unit model at the top of the screen)
- make sure battery is at least 75% charged
- Backup all your files before flashing
- Please use a quality USB cable
- Do it at your own risk

It is also a good idea to hard reset your unit before and after flashing. You can do this
by turning the unit off, press and hold the lower-right corner of your screen and turn on
the unit. Hold and wait until a popup message appear asking whether you want to
delete user data. Answer Yes and the unit will reboot. NOTE: Your saved POI will be
deleted. If you want to keep your POIs, backup the Garmin/GPX folder.


STEP 1: Preparation

1. Remove your Memory Card (if any) from your Garmin Unit.

2. If you have security lock enabled, disable it.

3. Connect your Garmin Unit to the computer using the USB Cable.

4. Delete GUPDATE.GCD from the Garmin folder (if it is there)

5. Delete the VOICE and the TEXT folder inside the Garmin Folder.
(If you do not delete the files, problems will occur after the firmware update
rendering your device useless).
REMEMBER NOT TO COPY BACK THE BACKED UP VOICE / TEXT.

NOTE: This is because the voice files that comes with the US/EU units are not
compatible with Asian firmwares. The same is true with voice files that come with
Asian units - they're not compatible with US/EU firmwares. Even if your unit is from
Asia (such as Taiwan), please do not skip this step.

6. After deleting the voice and text folders, disconnect the Garmin Unit from the computer.

7. If you've not done so, Hard reset the unit.

8. Then Switch OFF the Garmin Unit.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 2: Converting 205w to 2W Series (For 205w only, Other models please go to the next step)

WARNING: This is a one-way process. You will not be able to revert back to 205w. The only
disadvantage known at the current moment is that you'll lose the ecoroute feature if you
later flash to US/EU firmware. But the gains are that you'll be able to use JCV, lane assist,
and highway mode.

1. Download the following file.
http://rapidshare.com/files/289414862/Convert_205W_to_2W.rar

Mirror:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dd00njx5tyh

2. Unrar the file.

3. Drag the file 082701000500en.rgn and drop to Updater.exe

4. Under Connection Setting, Select USB Device.

5. Slide and HOLD the Power Button of the Nuvi, then quickly plug in the USB cable to
connect to the computer. (Continue to hold the power button).

6. The updater.exe will detect the USB Device with your model software and Unit ID.
(Continue to hold the power button)

7. Click "Ok" on the updater to process the flashing.

8. Release the Power Button AFTER you see "LOADER" appear on the Garmin Unit.

9. Let it flash the firmware (Do Not Disconnect your Garmin unit from your computer) till
it is completed.

10. Once the update completes, let the Garmin unit boots until the nuvi drive appears
on the PC. Then disconnect the cable from the PC.

11. Verify that you have a US firmware installed by going to the "About" screen. The
version should be v5.00

12. Repeat No.3 to 10 using the file 082700010280.rgn

13. Verify that your unit has been changed to 2W Series by going to the "About" screen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 3: Enabling TTS (Text-to-speech) on the 205w or 255w EU (Other models go to the next step)

WARNING: This hack comes with a minor flaw. The boot up logo of your unit will change to a Chinese logo.
Actually there is a clean patch to solve this problem but I am not allowed to distribute it.




1. Download the following file.
http://rapidshare.com/files/285527272/Enabling_TTS_on_205w.rar

Mirror:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ta4ntdtnymm

2. Unrar the file.

3. Drag the file CHN_v270.rgn and drop to Updater.exe

4. Under Connection Setting, Select USB Device.

5. Slide and HOLD the Power Button of the Nuvi, then quickly plug in the USB cable to
connect to the computer. (Continue to hold the power button).

6. The updater.exe will detect the USB Device with your model software and Unit ID.
(Continue to hold the power button)

7. Click "Ok" on the updater to process the flashing.

8. Release the Power Button AFTER you see "LOADER" appear on the Garmin Unit.

9. Let it flash the firmware (Do Not Disconnect your Garmin unit from your computer) till it is completed.

10. Once the update completes, let the Garmin unit boots until the nuvi drive appears
on the PC. Then disconnect the cable from the PC.

11. Verify that you have a CHN firmware installed by going to the "About" screen. The
version should be v2.70

12. Copy GUPDATE.GCD from the nuvi205W_CHN_v290 folder to the garmin folder of your unit

13. Disconnect the USB cable and let the unit restart. It will update itself to CHN v2.90.

14. Verify that you have CHN v2.90 installed.

15. Delete the GUPDATE.GCD from the garmin folder of your unit.

16. You have enabled TTS on your unit.

NOTE: For 205w, if you later flash your unit to US/EU firmware, you'll not be able to use TTS.
This hack is discovered by worawut610 of Thailand's smart-mobile.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 4: Flash the Garmin Unit to SG/MY Firmware

1. Download the two rar files.
http://rapidshare.com/files/285264802/nuvi2x5w_SG_firmwares.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/285264803/SingMal_Voices___Texts.rar

Mirror:
http://www.mediafire.com/?oylzvjj5zvj
http://www.mediafire.com/?lkezrzdrrnt

2. Unrar the firmware file.

3. Drag the file 093001000230.rgn and drop to Updater.exe

4. Under Connection Setting, Select USB Device.

5. Slide and HOLD the Power Button of the Nuvi, then quickly plug in the USB cable to
connect to the computer. (Continue to hold the power button).

6. The updater.exe will detect the USB Device with your model software and Unit ID.
(Continue to hold the power button)

7. Click "Ok" on the updater to process the flashing.

8. Release the Power Button AFTER you see "LOADER" appear on the Garmin Unit.

9. Let it flash the firmware (Do Not Disconnect your Garmin unit from your computer) till it is completed.

10. Once the update completes, let the Garmin unit boots until the nuvi drive appears
on the PC. Then disconnect the cable from the PC.

11. Let the unit starts, and when it asks for the country, choose SINGAPORE or MALAYSIA.

NOTE: This is important because each country you choose gives you a different feature
set. For Asia, choose Singapore or Malaysia for the best features.

12. Verify that you have a SG/MY firmware installed by going to the "About" screen. The
version should be v2.30.

13. Copy GUPDATE.GCD from the nuvi2x5w_SG_v2.60 folder to the garmin folder of your unit.

14. Disconnect the USB cable and let the unit restart. It will update itself to SG/MY v2.60.

15. Verify that you have SG/MY v2.60 installed.

16. Copy GUPDATE.GCD from the nuvi2x5w_SG_v2.70 folder to the garmin folder of
your unit (overwriting the existing one)

17. Disconnect the USB cable and let the unit restart. It will update itself to SG/MY v2.70.

18. Verify that you have SG/MY v2.70 installed.

19. Delete the GUPDATE.GCD from the garmin folder of your unit.

20. Copy the TEXT and VOICE files from the downloaded rar file to the garmin folder of your unit.

21. Hard reset your unit again.

22. Go to Diagnostic mode (pressing and hold the battery icon) to check that the ROM passes the test.

23. You've successfully flash your unit to SG/MY firmware.

IMPORTANT: You've to go from v2.30 --> 2.60 --> 2.70. Don't go directly from 2.30 to 2.70 or
you'll have problems with your unit.

Note: A part of these instructions comes from nuvi255w's blog.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have fun with your new system and good luck!

And he also added:

Someone PM me and ask why we have to update from 2.30 --> 2.60 --> 2.70
and not directly from 2.30 --> 2.70

This is because normally when you update, the firmware will update 3 parts - The
BootBLK software, the X-Loader software and the System software.

However, most of the latest firmware updates DO NOT have the BootBLK and the
X-Loader, and only have the system software. So when you update using these
firmwares, only the system software is being updated.

For example, the last SG/MY firmware that still has the BootBLK & X-Loader is v2.60.
So if you go from 2.30 --> 2.70, this is what you'll get:



Notice that the BootBLK and X-Loader is still version 2.30 while the system is now 2.70.
The unit will still perform, but from my experience, you'll get strange random glitches.
So in order for the unit to perform as it should, you must go from 2.30 --> 2.60 --> 2.70

In this way, your BootBLK and X-loader will be updated to v2.60 while the system will
be v2.70.

To check your inventory page (like the above screen), go to diagnostic mode by
pressing the battery icon for about 8 seconds, then press the next button --> start
test --> More.

Cheers!

And about the country selection:

After you've flashed to SG/MY firmware, here's some information regarding the
differences of features you will get when you choose a different home country.
(You get to choose when you turn on your unit for the first time or after a hard reset)

Taiwan --> No Highway Mode (Or expressway exit preview as some of you call it).

Japan --> Support Highway Mode but no Speed Limit configuration.

Singapore/Malaysia --> Support Highway Mode, Lane assist & encrypted JCV.

Thailand --> Support Highway Mode & Lane assist.

USA --> No Highway Mode, No Speed Limit Configuration.


There may be more differences, you'll just have to do some experiments to find out. And if
you know something, please let us know.

Credit: Information is from Thailand's Smart-Mobile.com

And about the white screen problem:

Some times even though the screen is white, the unit is actually still working fine (you just can't
see the screen). If you still can access the preboot mode, then flash your unit back to US firmware.
(use the 082701000500en.rgn file from the 2W series link provided above). Then use webupdater to
update to the latest US firmware and your unit will be back to normal.

If you cannot access the preboot mode, but your unit is still functioning (which is strange),
you can try to go into diagnostic mode (pressing the location where the battery icon
should be for 8-10 seconds), then connect the USB cable. If you're lucky, you'll be able to
use updater to flash your unit.

If all else fail, then you're out of luck.

And someone with a Taiwan set got the white screen:

top123, from what I've checked with the latest TWN firmware v3.40, it does not have the required
BootBLK and X-Loader. So I think you'll have to try to flash to US firmware as mentioned on Floor 15.

This is because the US firmware still has the required BootBLK and X-loader.

And here is a RGN file from worpng72 of PDA4X for those who have 2x5w S4 board with white screen

http://rapidshare.com/files/287879386/082701000270S4US.rgn.html

Mirror:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?n05xjjk5yxy

That's all. Hope this helps a lot of people. Credits all go to Earthkeeper of pda4x.

For 255W/265W S4 Board only:
Source: viewtopic.php?p=73153#p73153

maikai, you can do STEP 1 (Preparation), then go to STEP 4 but do not use the file available for download at step 4.
Instead use the patch for the S4 white screen at the end of the tutorial. Like this:

IMPORTANT:

- This is for 255w/265w S4 Board units only
(To check your board version, press the battery icon at the upper right of the unit for about 8 seconds,
you'll be in the diagnostic mode. The board version is next to the unit model at the top of the screen)
- make sure battery is at least 75% charged
- Backup all your files before flashing
- Please use a quality USB cable
- Do it at your own risk

It is also a good idea to hard reset your unit before and after flashing. You can do this
by turning the unit off, press and hold the lower-right corner of your screen and turn on
the unit. Hold and wait until a popup message appear asking whether you want to
delete user data. Answer Yes and the unit will reboot. NOTE: Your saved POI will be
deleted. If you want to keep your POIs, backup the Garmin/GPX folder.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 1: Preparation

1. Remove your Memory Card (if any) from your Garmin Unit.

2. If you have security lock enabled, disable it.

3. Connect your Garmin Unit to the computer using the USB Cable.

4. Delete GUPDATE.GCD from the Garmin folder (if it is there)

5. Delete the VOICE and the TEXT folder inside the Garmin Folder.
(If you do not delete the files, problems will occur after the firmware update
rendering your device useless).
REMEMBER NOT TO COPY BACK THE BACKED UP VOICE / TEXT.

NOTE: This is because the voice files that comes with the US/EU units are not
compatible with Asian firmwares. The same is true with voice files that come with
Asian units - they're not compatible with US/EU firmwares. Even if your unit is from
Asia (such as Taiwan), please do not skip this step.

6. After deleting the voice and text folders, disconnect the Garmin Unit from the computer.

7. If you've not done so, Hard reset the unit

8. Then Switch OFF the Garmin Unit.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 4: Flash the Garmin Unit to SG/MY Firmware

1. Download the rar files.
http://rapidshare.com/files/287879386/082701000270S4US.rgn.html
http://rapidshare.com/files/285264803/SingMal_Voices___Texts.rar

Mirror:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?n05xjjk5yxy
http://www.mediafire.com/?lkezrzdrrnt

Download the updater.exe
http://www.mediafire.com/?mnzzj4ynhzn

2. Unrar the rar files.

3. Drag the file 082701000270S4US.rgn and drop to Updater.exe

4. Under Connection Setting, Select USB Device.

5. Slide and HOLD the Power Button of the Nuvi, then quickly plug in the USB cable to
connect to the computer. (Continue to hold the power button).

6. The updater.exe will detect the USB Device with your model software and Unit ID.
(Continue to hold the power button)

7. Click "Ok" on the updater to process the flashing.

8. Release the Power Button AFTER you see "LOADER" appear on the Garmin Unit.

9. Let it flash the firmware (Do Not Disconnect your Garmin unit from your computer) till it is completed.

10. Once the update completes, let the Garmin unit boots until the nuvi drive appears
on the PC. Then disconnect the cable from the PC.

11. Let the unit starts, and when it asks for the country, choose SINGAPORE or MALAYSIA.

NOTE: This is important because each country you choose gives you a different feature
set. For Asia, choose Singapore or Malaysia for the best features.

12. Verify that you have a SG/MY firmware installed by going to the "About" screen. The
version should be v2.70.

13. Copy the TEXT and VOICE files from the downloaded rar file to the garmin folder of your unit.

14. Hard reset your unit again.

15. Go to Diagnostic mode (pressing and hold the battery icon) to check that the ROM passes the test.

16. You've successfully flash your unit to SG/MY firmware.

Note: Modified from Earthkeeper's walk through

The HWID is still 827, so you cannot use webupdater to update any of the files. If you update firmware
using webupdater, your unit will change back to US system software, and you'll have problem booting up
because the voice files in the unit are not compatible with US system software. Do not use webupdater
to update the voice files too.

For 205W S4, you'll have to wait just like what chaicka says.

[ktan2]

download the patch firmware
http://rapidshare.com/files/247405974/F ... y.rar.html
*Connect your nuvi to PC,
Back up all the file inside your nuvi drive into your PC.
Delete the file from your nuvi drive: Garmin/Voice/
and Garmin/Text/ because Sing/Mal firmware Not recognized some Voice file and Text file initial from your Nuvi.
Disconnect Nuvi with PC.

-Switch on nuvi.
-Press & hold battery icon until dignostics mode
-plug miniUSB into nuvi, connect with pc
-download file above unzip
-run updater.exe
-tick usb option
-click OK.
-Click OK
-Wait and Done.
-Enjoy JCV.

[chaicka]

download the patch firmware
http://rapidshare.com/files/247405974/F ... y.rar.html

-Switch on nuvi.
-Press & hold battery icon until dignostics mode
-plug miniUSB into nuvi, connect with pc
-download file above unzip
-run updater.exe
-tick usb option
-click OK.
-Click OK
-Wait and Done.
-Enjoy JCV.

The service firmware only works for HWID 0827 (US sets)? How about TW sets?

[ktan2]

The service firmware only works for HWID 0827 (US sets)? How about TW sets?

Can ! no problem. It working. !
Simply download the file from the rapidshare download link above.
got 2 filename inside the zip file
1) 082701000260.RGN
2) Updater.exe

above RGN file for US version Nuvi 255W.
If want to patch Taiwan Nuvi 255W
you only need to do is Rename
082701000260.RGN ------> 093201000260.RGN.
827 is GPS ID of Nuvi 255W US
932 is GPS ID of Nuvi 255W Taiwan.

[nytan]

download the patch firmware
http://rapidshare.com/files/247405974/F ... y.rar.html

-Switch on nuvi.
-Press & hold battery icon until dignostics mode
-plug miniUSB into nuvi, connect with pc
-download file above unzip
-run updater.exe
-tick usb option
-click OK.
-Click OK
-Wait and Done.
-Enjoy JCV.

Thanks ktan2!!!!
Was looking all around the internet but couldn't find any, you're the man!!!

[nytan]

Forgive me for some noob questions but:-

1. Source from sgmy255w, RGN 093001000230sg.
2. Source from ktan2, RGN 082701000260.

And there a quote from ktan2 mentioned that 0827 is for US Nuvi 255W, however source from sgmy255w seems to be quite promising as well.

As mine is US version, noob question would be which one should i use? 0930 or 0827?

[ktan2]

Forgive me for some noob questions but:-

1. Source from sgmy255w, RGN 093001000230sg.
2. Source from ktan2, RGN 082701000260.

And there a quote from ktan2 mentioned that 0827 is for US Nuvi 255W, however source from sgmy255w seems to be quite promising as well.

As mine is US version, noob question would be which one should i use? 0930 or 0827?

Refer to this blog, the blogger not so experience on patch firmware. !!
they use 093001000230.RGN to force loader loading the firmware into Nuvi 255W US.
Explaining on RGN for all. 093001000230sg.RGN. U still need to remove the "sg".
093001000230.RGN: 0930 is GPS ID, Can explain to u that this is the "Door" for updater.exe to recognize the firmware in order open the door to loading SG/Mal firmware into the Nuvi.
093001000230.RGN : 230 = Is the firmware version of SG/MAL.

My download link file is 082701000260.RGN
If your Nuvi 255W is US version, I might sure GPS ID is 827. So the Door has key. No need to force to open. 260: Is the latest firmware of SG/MAL firmware. No need download update firmware from http://www.garmin.com.sg, and copy what "Gupdate.gcd" into nuvi !! So troublesome !!

U just need to
*Connect your nuvi to PC,
Back up all the file inside your nuvi drive into your PC.
Delete the file from your nuvi drive: Garmin/Voice/
and Garmin/Text/ because Sing/Mal firmware Not recognized some Voice file and Text file initial from your Nuvi.
Disconnect Nuvi with PC.
-Download the Patch firmware from My download link.
-Extract 2 file into same folder.
-Switch on Nuvi
-Press & Hold the Battery Icon [On right Top screen] until enter into dignostics screen.
-Connect USB into PC, Connect Mini USB into Nuvi.
-Run updater.exe
-Tick "USB"
-Click OK
-Updater.exe will prompt you the firmware older than your nuvi, Just Click "Yes" or "OK"
-Loader loading
-Wait until finished.
-Unplug mini USB.
-Completed. Now U hv SG/MAL firmware. Check Tools> System> About
-Sgmy software 2.60.

[nytan]

Forgive me for some noob questions but:-

1. Source from sgmy255w, RGN 093001000230sg.
2. Source from ktan2, RGN 082701000260.

And there a quote from ktan2 mentioned that 0827 is for US Nuvi 255W, however source from sgmy255w seems to be quite promising as well.

As mine is US version, noob question would be which one should i use? 0930 or 0827?

Refer to this blog, the blogger not so experience on patch firmware. !!
they use 093001000230.RGN to force loader loading the firmware into Nuvi 255W US.
Explaining on RGN for all. 093001000230sg.RGN. U still need to remove the "sg".
093001000230.RGN: 0930 is GPS ID, Can explain to u that this is the "Door" for updater.exe to recognize the firmware in order open the door to loading SG/Mal firmware into the Nuvi.
093001000230.RGN : 230 = Is the firmware version of SG/MAL.

My download link file is 082701000260.RGN
If your Nuvi 255W is US version, I might sure GPS ID is 827. So the Door has key. No need to force to open. 260: Is the latest firmware of SG/MAL firmware. No need download update firmware from http://www.garmin.com.sg, and copy what "Gupdate.gcd" into nuvi !! So troublesome !!

U just need to
-Download the Patch firmware from My download link.
-Extract 2 file into same folder.
-Switch on Nuvi
-Press & Hold the Battery Icon [On right Top screen] until enter into dignostics screen.
-Connect USB into PC, Connect Mini USB into Nuvi.
-Run updater.exe
-Tick "USB"
-Click OK
-Updater.exe will prompt you the firmware older than your nuvi, Just Click "Yes" or "OK"
-Loader loading
-Wait until finished.
-Unplug mini USB.
-Completed. Now U hv SG/MAL firmware. Check Tools> System> About
-Sgmy software 2.60.

A very detail explanation, thanks ktan2 for clearing my doubts

[jeremaze]

is there any possible to change US 760 to SG/Mal 760?