Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geek Speak => Topic started by: syhprum on 05/06/2011 00:03:26

Title: Navigon problems
Post by: syhprum on 05/06/2011 00:03:26
On a recent visit visit to a car dealer buddy of mine I was given a Navigon 2100 Satnav that he found in an old car.
It worked fine in Indianapolis so I thought it would be no great problem to find maps for Europe on the net which I did but before I took any backup of the memory card I had it running in the UK taking imaginary trips from Maine to Albuquerque.
I began to learn how to setup various operating parameters such as screen brightness etc but this somehow caused it to refuse to start up and the only responce it will make is to bleep for help if the memory card is not in and then displays a demo otherwise if I pop the card back in it shows a few seconds of satellites zipping over then sits there.
I then took a backup copy of the memory card (talk about shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted) and can now erase the memory card and replace its data with no change in performance.
If some kind soul could send me a memory card or data for same maybe I could get back to square zero
 
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: Geezer on 05/06/2011 05:25:53
I'd never even heard of them, so I did a bit of Googling. According to Wiki;

On May 4, 2009 Navigon announced that they will cease North American sales. According to CEO Egon Minar: "Due to the difficult economic environment yada yada yada..

Might I suggest the following solution - two words - EBay.
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: syhprum on 05/06/2011 13:19:45
If I had any sense I would put it in the trash bin but as a electronic tech I have spent most of my life fixing obsolete bits and pieces so it breaks my heart to dump any 99% working equipment.
I have made an offer for a similar broken device on E.Bay so I may soon have a double problem.
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: Geezer on 06/06/2011 08:07:43
I was sort of thinking you might put yours on Ebay  [:D]
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: syhprum on 06/06/2011 21:39:01
Can you imagine the humiliation if someone bought it on Ebay then emailed me that they had done some minor adjustment and now it is working fine !
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: CliffordK on 06/06/2011 22:10:25
Can you imagine the humiliation if someone bought it on Ebay then emailed me that they had done some minor adjustment and now it is working fine!

I'm sure it happens.....  Obviously you're thinking there is a setup file that is missing. 

Have you tried booting it without the card?
Or wiping 100% of everything off from the card (perhaps a spare card?)

I recently bought a chipper/shredder off of Craigslist recently for $100.  It did actually take a little tinkering, but I wondered if the reason the guy sold it was because the fuel shutoff valve was turned off.
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: syhprum on 07/06/2011 02:12:29
I've tried wiping the card, formating it every trick in the book much hunting on the file share networks but as it is rather ancient by electronic standards the only MN6 that I can find has only one seed listed that never appears.
I am trying to buy a beat up unit on Ebay that has a broken display but includes an instruction manual and a memory card so maybe I can do some transplant surgery.
I think the most probable outcome is that I will bite the financial bullet and buy a new Garmin or or Tom Tom from Amazon.
I have been browsing thru the software files changing bits and pieces more or less by guess work to no avail but the Goddamed thing worked fine in Indianapolis and all I did that stopped it working was to adjust the screen brightness.
When I boot it without a card it runs a delightful demonstration program and after about two minutes it says please put in the card, when you do it shows a few seconds of satellites zippin over then sits there doing nothing
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: CliffordK on 07/06/2011 04:14:08
Is it possible that you need a paid subscription?
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: Geezer on 07/06/2011 07:53:47
Is it possible that you need a paid subscription?

It would be difficult to enforce something like that unless they had private satellite transmissions like XM Radio. Presumably they are just tapping into the same GPS transmissions as everyone else.
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: syhprum on 07/06/2011 14:11:10
I believe there are some local traffic situation transmitters it receives perhaps the subscription to them has just run out, I think it has been sitting around in a draw for about a year!.
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: Geezer on 07/06/2011 20:55:53
According to this 'ere site, no sub required.

http://askville.amazon.com/subscription-fee-navigon-gps-navigator/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=12231677
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: syhprum on 08/06/2011 11:55:22
I have given up on it for the moment, Navigon have a site were you can regenerate the software on some models but not the MN6 2100 !.
My attempt to buy a scrap one on Ebay was no good (I hate auctions) but I will be in Germany next month and will maybe find a helpful dealer.
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: Geezer on 08/06/2011 21:01:59
Don't eat any raw veggies!
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: CliffordK on 09/06/2011 00:16:36
Don't eat any raw veggies!

Whew, what a tightwire to walk there.
Don't eat the Beef in Britain.
Don't eat the Vegetables in Germany (or Spain).
Don't drink the water (unfiltered) while camping in the USA.

What will be next?
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: syhprum on 09/06/2011 01:42:49
Don't breath the air in Japan there might be a few atoms in it !
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: CliffordK on 09/06/2011 02:01:53
Don't breath the air in Japan there might be a few atoms in it !

I thought there were atoms in the air EVERYWHERE, although I suppose O2 and N2 would technically be considered molecules.  Argon (Ar), however, is a (somewhat) major constituent in air, and found as individual atoms.
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: syhprum on 10/06/2011 02:57:29
SUCESS

I eventually found an OEM version of the software on "Pirate bay" and now it has been brought back to life.
Title: Navigon problems
Post by: Geezer on 10/06/2011 06:22:17

found an OEM version of the software on "Pirate bay"


Yeah!

Now all you need to do is find out how to stop it using Pirate Speak.

"Hard a'port ye scurvy deck swabbers! Arrrrr!"