I am trying to load the Colorado topo map from this site (linked to miscjunk.org) to my Dakota 20. I basically use the procedure that is provided in the tutorial on this forum, and regardless of what map I try to load (I've tried others besides the CO topo), my device gives me an message saying "Can't Unlock Maps" when I start it up. The maps do not show up when I go to Setup->Map->Map Information/Select Map; all I see there is WW Basemap NR.
I am using a Mac; I downloaded the file, unzipped it, opened it with Map Manager, and used MapInstall to select the portions I wanted to install and send it to my Dakota. It went through an install process, and there is a gmapsupp.img on my device, but when I turn it on, I just get the error message "Can't Unlock Maps"
I've tried changing the name of gmapsupp.img to something more memorable, and I've also tried installing it on a memory card instead of the unit itself. I've also tried a couple other Colorado maps, and I can't get those to work either (same "Can't Unlock Maps" error message).
Any advice would sure be appreciated.
Thanks
Aaron
I think there are other posts citing the "can't unlock map" message on a Mac. But I don't remember seeing a resolution to the problem. Can you run Windows on your Mac, or do you have access to a Windows machine? If so, see if you can install that way.
Thanks for your reply...you're right. I've run across that problem on this forum and others but haven't found a resolution. One suggestion was to remove the gmapsupp.img file completely, but that would seem to defeat the purpose of loading a new map.
Unfortunately, I do not have access to Windows on my Mac (or even another standalone Windows machine)
If nobody knows the answer to this, the next logical step would be to shell out some $ for a Garmin map and see if that unlocks, I suppose.
Just format the microSd card and try again; that is a pretty good idea to fix it...
Oz-I just tried formatting the card (FAT-32) with no luck. The same "Can't Unlock Maps" appears.
It should also be noted that before undertaking any of this I updated my Dakota software to the most recent version. I also updated MapInstall and MapManager.
When Garmin changed their copy protection scheme it broke a number of third party locked maps. Evidently the issue was the use of FID's that Garmin now reserves for itself. I wonder if the FID on this map could be causing an issue?
As a newbie to GPS and this forum, I am not sure what FID is. But after some searching, I think you may be on to something, Boyd:
https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=5843
FID = Family ID. It's a number that the mapmaker assigns to a map. There is an official procedure for doing this with commercial maps, but mapmakers posting free maps here typically just make a number up (that's what I did ;D ).
I don't know if this is the problem or not, just thinking out loud...
Well, the story might not be over yet. I shelled out the $ for the Garmin 24k Southwest Topo. THAT didn't work either! I spent about an hour on the phone with Garmin CS this morning, and they couldn't figure out anything either. They thought the unit itself was likely faulty.
So, I returned the Dakota to the store I bought it from, but they didn't have a replacement in stock. Neither does any other store in town.
To be continued...
Did you by chance ever try a different card?
No, but I tried reformatting. I also tried sending a single map segment to both the card and the internal memory. It took a loooonnng time to do that and gave me the same "Can't Unlock Maps" message.
Did you try any other maps or just that one? If you tell me that I might look into rebuilding miscjunk's mac installer.
Solved it with Garmin's support line about a week later.
When using a Mac, MapInstall will send over ALL maps that you have selected and installed within MapInstall (not just your active map). I also have City Navigator 2010 installed for my Nuvi. Therefore, MapInstall was sending over *all* of the City Navigator map in addition to the Colorado topo maps. The maps it couldn't unlock were the City Navigator ones, not the Colorado ones.
So, if you are using a Mac, make sure that all your other maps are deselected in MapInstall! The software support guy said that he had requested a fix for that problem with later versions, but we'll see.
Glad you figured it out. Garmin has a support forum for Mapinstall here: https://forums.garmin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=172
That is good to know; glad this is solved so we know what to tell others.
Quote from: aaronhoffman on October 20, 2010, 02:42:41 PM
When using a Mac, MapInstall will send over ALL maps that you have selected and installed...
So, if you are using a Mac, make sure that all your other maps are deselected...
well, it will send any maps selected, you need to have only the selected you want to send. That's normal for Windows or Mac, I've used both from day one and I would bet nothing is going to change as far as that goes.