Converting Nuvi 2x5W Firmware to MAL/SIN Firmware

[mrlambchop]

That was the same problem I had. It kept rebooting when I switch it on. Subsequent update aborts in the middle. So my first priority is to do a complete a firmware update. I used the Mal/Sin firmware to do this. I managed to get this after several rounds. I used the On/Off Switch hold method.

Then I flashed it with the latest firmware and webupdater to get the latest files.

Oh by the way, dont have any other USB device connected to your PC whilst you are doing the update. I think in my case, this was the problem.

hmnn..Sounds pretty much like mine...i've tried so many times and it always aborts halfway thru. My only USB device connected is my mouse. Probably u can help me with these couple of questions:
1) When would you know when is the right time release the on/off after u plugged in the usb cable since the screen's always white.
2) When it aborts halfway, do u plug out the cable and redo it from start again?
3) When i hold on to the power switch and plug in the cable, the unit doesn't restart until much later. However, when i always start the update operation, the unit always reboots around the same timing (displays ~7% during update). kinda suspicious to me.

thank you for your attention.

[sillyboyy]

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.

Hi,

ktan link is dead. can repost?

Hmm, After i flashed. Do i need still need to update the map?

I must update the map then flash
Or
Flash then update the map. and where do i download the map?

[sillyboyy]

anyone got ktan patch???

[uncle wong]

anyone got ktan patch???

give me ur set hwid
i create rgn for u to flash

[tkew]

I flashed 2 units of Nuvi 255W US to MY/SG firmware v2.30 then upgraded it to v2.70. I followed the instructions found on nuvi255wfirmware.blogspot.com.

Everything works fine with JCV and LA, but I noticed that there are 2 features (any maybe more) than are missing from one of the units. They are:
1. Exit Preview
2. Speed Limit

I would like to ask those who have flashed their US Nuvi 255W to MY/SG firmware to check and see if you have both features on your unit.

Thanks!

ExitPreview.jpg

SpeedLimit.jpg

[h2chng]

Hi all

Hope someone can help me out.

My set is a US 255w. HWID 0930.

I can't get my set to work with JCV. I am able to flash my set to MAL/SIN firmware V2.3 and again to 2.6 or 2.7 as according to
http://nuvi255wfirmware.blogspot.com/

But I don't see the Junction View after I run the SgMyMal_2009_05_v220.exe.

I lost count the number of time I tried.

Once when I just completed flashing to V2.3, while I was playing with the set. I saw a note came out telling me that the set is not for junction view. please contact Garmin Singapore.

I was wondering could it be possible that my set is being program not to work with JCV.

Thanks all for the assistance.

Cheers
Chng

[kasahwt]

After reading all 15 pages of the thread twice. I am still somewhat unclear.

I have a US 255W HWID 0827 and Software version 5.30.

I saw that there was 2 methods to do the firmware flash - ktan2 and nuvi255wfirmware.blogspot.com. Although ktan2 link seem to have been lost. Thus just wanted know which is the recommended method? Any advise from feedback from those who tried?

If there is a need to get back the US Version 5.30 after flashing. How do I do so? There were some members who has done so. But I am not clear about the method.

Any feedback will be much appreciated.

Thanks

[PeterK]

Well, I post this on the 205w JCV thread, but it may be helpful to you too.

The units that experience white screens have the latest mainboard S4. You'll just have to check your mainboard version before doing anything. I read the information from another forum. There is a very detailed tutorial available on pda4x.com that tells you how to enable JCV, lane assist, highway mode and even Text to speech on the 2x5W.

http://www.pda4x.com/read.php?tid=106758

You'll have to register to access the page but I think it is worth every second.

Edit:

Sorry, I just realize that pda4x is now closed to new registrations. If you want I'll ask permission to copy the tutorial somewhere here.

[kasahwt]

Well, I post this on the 205w JCV thread, but it may be helpful to you too.

Sorry, I just realize that pda4x is now closed to new registrations. If you want I'll ask permission to copy the tutorial somewhere here.

If you could give us some pointers. That will be great. Thank you for that

[PeterK]

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.