Update keeps failing due to "communication error"

[themaritimegirl]

I've got an eTrex Venture HC I'm trying to update to firmware 3.80, and I can't for the life of me get WebUpdater to work. It sees it, it finds the update, it puts the GPS into Loader mode, and then it throws an error saying "There was an error communicating with your USB device while updating". The GPS isn't bricked - I can power cycle it and it works as normal. The GPS communicates with MapSource just fine, and I updated the software on a GPS V (which didn't use WebUpdater) with no problem on this same PC.

My PC runs Windows 10. I tried using a dedicated USB 2.0 port to no avail. I also tried on a computer with Windows 8, and had the exact same issue. I tried on another computer with Windows Vista, and WebUpdater can't see the Garmin website. I finally tried on a computer running Windows XP, and WebUpdater won't launch despite saying Windows XP is compatible.

Any ideas?

[javawa]

Don’t use WebUpdater, download and install the last update for the eTrex Venture HC from the following link:

Spoiler

https://www8.garmin.com/support/downloa ... sp?id=3745

I would advise to use the Window XP PC for installing that update.

[GPSrChive]

There are two hardware versions for the eTrex Summit HC / eTrex Venture HC; B0695 and B0786.

B0695

The Garmin firmware page for the B0695 eTrex Summit HC and Venture HC recommends using Garmin Express to install the update.

You can also install the B0695 v380 update with WebUpdater if you prefer, using the directions provided at the above link, which are available when viewing the webpage sourcecode:

Code: Select all

<!--

NOTE FOR USERS WANTING TO DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE ON ONE COMPUTER AND THEN INSTALL IT TO THEIR
DEVICE USING A DIFFERENT COMPUTER:

1) To download the region file used by WebUpdater, copy and paste this link into your browser
   on computer #1:

   https://download.garmin.com/software/eTrexSummitHC_VentureHC_380.rgn

2) Bring eTrexSummitHC_VentureHC_380.rgn to computer #2 where your device is attached.

3a) Then you can drag-and-drop eTrexSummitHC_VentureHC_380.rgn onto the WebUpdater icon on your desktop.

3b) Or you can invoke WebUpdater at the command line, passing in the region file as a parameter:

   C:\>WebUpdater.exe c:\path\to\eTrexSummitHC_VentureHC_380.rgn

-->

B0786

The Garmin firmware page for the B0786 eTrex Summit HC and Venture HC recommends using Garmin Express to install the update.

You can also install the B0786 v330 update with WebUpdater if you prefer, using the directions provided at the above link, which are available when viewing the webpage sourcecode:

Code: Select all

<!--

NOTE FOR USERS WANTING TO DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE ON ONE COMPUTER AND THEN INSTALL IT TO THEIR
DEVICE USING A DIFFERENT COMPUTER:

1) To download the region file used by WebUpdater, copy and paste this link into your browser
   on computer #1:

   https://download.garmin.com/software/eTrexVentureHC_SummitHC_forWebUpdater__330.rgn

2) Bring eTrexVentureHC_SummitHC_forWebUpdater__330.rgn to computer #2 where your device is attached.

3a) Then you can drag-and-drop eTrexVentureHC_SummitHC_forWebUpdater__330.rgn onto the WebUpdater icon on your desktop.

3b) Or you can invoke WebUpdater at the command line, passing in the region file as a parameter:

   C:\>WebUpdater.exe c:\path\to\eTrexVentureHC_SummitHC_forWebUpdater__330.rgn

-->

[themaritimegirl]

Don’t use WebUpdater, download and install the last update for the eTrex Venture HC from the following link:

Spoiler

https://www8.garmin.com/support/downloa ... sp?id=3745

I would advise to use the Window XP PC for installing that update.

That's version 3.30, which I have installed. I'm trying to install 3.80, the 2019 update that fixes the EOW rollover issue. Garmin did not release a .EXE program to install the update - they tell you to use WebUpdater.

[themaritimegirl]

There are two hardware versions for the eTrex Summit HC / eTrex Venture HC; B0695 and B0786.

B0695

The Garmin firmware page for the B0695 eTrex Summit HC and Venture HC recommends using Garmin Express to install the update.

You can also install the B0695 v380 update with WebUpdater if you prefer, using the directions provided at the above link, which are available when viewing the webpage sourcecode:

Code: Select all

<!--

NOTE FOR USERS WANTING TO DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE ON ONE COMPUTER AND THEN INSTALL IT TO THEIR
DEVICE USING A DIFFERENT COMPUTER:

1) To download the region file used by WebUpdater, copy and paste this link into your browser
   on computer #1:

   https://download.garmin.com/software/eTrexSummitHC_VentureHC_380.rgn

2) Bring eTrexSummitHC_VentureHC_380.rgn to computer #2 where your device is attached.

3a) Then you can drag-and-drop eTrexSummitHC_VentureHC_380.rgn onto the WebUpdater icon on your desktop.

3b) Or you can invoke WebUpdater at the command line, passing in the region file as a parameter:

   C:\>WebUpdater.exe c:\path\to\eTrexSummitHC_VentureHC_380.rgn

-->

B0786

The Garmin firmware page for the B0786 eTrex Summit HC and Venture HC recommends using Garmin Express to install the update.

You can also install the B0786 v330 update with WebUpdater if you prefer, using the directions provided at the above link, which are available when viewing the webpage sourcecode:

Code: Select all

<!--

NOTE FOR USERS WANTING TO DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE ON ONE COMPUTER AND THEN INSTALL IT TO THEIR
DEVICE USING A DIFFERENT COMPUTER:

1) To download the region file used by WebUpdater, copy and paste this link into your browser
   on computer #1:

   https://download.garmin.com/software/eTrexVentureHC_SummitHC_forWebUpdater__330.rgn

2) Bring eTrexVentureHC_SummitHC_forWebUpdater__330.rgn to computer #2 where your device is attached.

3a) Then you can drag-and-drop eTrexVentureHC_SummitHC_forWebUpdater__330.rgn onto the WebUpdater icon on your desktop.

3b) Or you can invoke WebUpdater at the command line, passing in the region file as a parameter:

   C:\>WebUpdater.exe c:\path\to\eTrexVentureHC_SummitHC_forWebUpdater__330.rgn

-->

How does one determine the hardware version? I don't see either of those numbers listed inside my battery compartment or in the diagnostic mode.

[javawa]

To find the hardware version I use the program G7ToWin for that. It will show the numeric part: 695 or 786.

There are two programs that can be used to correct the EOW rollover. The first one is made by Garmin and is called GpsEow, but it needs a serial interface that the eTrex Venture HC doesn’t have.
The second one is GPSBabel, that works with any Garmin (serial and USB), as long as the device uses the Garmin protocol for communication (the Venture does).
How to use it:

First, make sure that the device has no fix to the satellites.
In GPSBabel, select "Device" under "Input" and
"Garmin serial/USB protocol" under "Format." Select the correct device under "Device Name." Click
"Options" and select "Sync GPS time to computer time." Under "Output," select "File"; the format, file name, and options you choose are irrelevant (although you must enter something to get it running). Click "OK." After the transfer is complete, power the device off and back on again to let it search for satellites again.

[GPSrChive]

FYI, I have an eTrex Venture HC 'B0695' that needs the same update, and I am also experiencing similar results as you describe. Garmin Update page says use Garmin Express, but Garmin Express does not support the device, it instructs you to use WebUpdater, and WebUpdater fails every time with communication issues, as does the manual drag and drop RGN file to the Updater.exe, every time.

I will continue to attempt different update methods and advise on results.

G7toWin ID

Venture HC ID - G7toWin.png

Garmin Express Not Supported

Venture HC Not Supported by Garmin Express.png

WebUpdater Failure

Venture HC v380 Update via WebUpdater 03.png

Updater Failure

Venture HC v380 Update via Updater 07.png