Drivesmart 61 Computer Connection

Lincol · Lifetime Member Joined: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 61

Hi Guys
I cannot get my new Drivesmart 61 to reliably be seen by my laptop when it is plugged in via USB to my laptop.
I have spent some considerable time including chatting to Garmin Support who have finally suggested charging it for 4 to 6 hours on a wall charger, then trying it again !!
The stupid thing is that everything else that I plug in is seen ok, but two of these 61's do not reliably connect or are seen by Garmin Express (I returned the first one and got another).
When I say reliably I think probably 4 times they have connected ok out of the multiple times I have tried. Done all the things suggested on support sites but to no avail.
Window 8.1 if that helps.
Help !!!

Kremmen · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 6:11 pm Post subject:

Garmins' don't connect to PC's like normal USB devices. They don't get allocated a drive letter for example unless you switch it's mode.

What should happen is that they show up as a new 'device'.

I've forgotten how to switch modes but Suss will hopefully spot this soon.

Edit: Found a Suss post:

M8TJT · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 7:30 pm Post subject:

Mine did that when I first had it. I don't know what has changed, but it hasn't done it for a few months now.
It was Ding Dong then almost immediately Dong Ding followed by a Ding Dong etc.

sussamb · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 7:47 pm Post subject:

Kremmen is right to suggest trying switching it to mass storage mode. While that's generally a help for Win10 it may also make connections with Win8 more reliable.
_________________
Where there's a will ... there's a way.

Lincol · Lifetime Member Joined: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 61

Thanks Guys, I was full of hope but to no avail. It was set to Auto.
It is now on Mass storage and although it seems to go through the motions it never actually starts Garmin Express or appear as a device. So not a lot of change, anything else I should try, the driver's etc. ?

sussamb · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:06 pm Post subject:

Only other thing is are you running the latest version of Express?
_________________
Where there's a will ... there's a way.

Lincol · Lifetime Member Joined: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 61

Any idea what that should be pls ??

Lincol · Lifetime Member Joined: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 61

I have uninstalled Express, and the unit goes through the data connecting cycle when usb is plugged in but never gets seen as a device or drive.
The unit eventually reboots itself and comes up ready to use as a navigator.
Could the USB drivers be the problem ??

sussamb · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:29 pm Post subject:

No drivers needed. You should be on v6.6.0 of Express, are you?
_________________
Where there's a will ... there's a way.

Lincol · Lifetime Member Joined: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 61

Express is version 6.6.0.0 which is now loaded.
As I say when you plug in unit the laptop does not respond ie. Launch Express or appear as a device.

There are Garmin Usb drivers listed how can I force them to reinstall ??

Lincol · Lifetime Member Joined: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 61

Should I uninstall those drivers ??

sussamb · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:59 pm Post subject:

Which drivers? If garmin ones they are no longer required but equally they won't do any harm if you leave them.

For Express/connection issues try working through this FAQ

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=l0p9W9vsc37NJ3vH2b5pF6&searchType=noProduct
_________________
Where there's a will ... there's a way.

Lincol · Lifetime Member Joined: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 61

Not having any luck at all the device does not get recognised as being plugged into usb ports.
Never had these problems with my TomToms.
Thanks for your help, feel like lobbing it through the window !!

Kremmen · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:42 am Post subject:

A different USB cable?

With it plugged in, go to the PC 'device manager' and see if anything is listed with a yellow triangle.

Do you have access to another PC because I'll bet 99% it's the Laptop and not the unit.
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

sussamb · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:03 am Post subject:

	PocketGPS
	Web