Garmin Approach S2J - Reset, Flash, Format and more... 

@@jjlp yes, the flash card memory is not sufficient to load all 4 maps. You need to select the one you want to load. Congratulations for reviving your S2

Hi Jonas Happy to help, do not worry to ask question. I do believe that the message "No COurses Nearby" is coming from the fact that the course are not present (or not recognized). So my opinion is that you first need to fix the connection issue with Garmin Express, then reinstall the course using Garmin Express. I suggest to erase everything on the watch, then do a Master Reset (no need to reformat at this stage). The watch will reinstall the GarminDevice.xml (it takes some time) and Garmin Express should recognize your watch as a S2.

I sent you a quick response on your thread on gpspower. I think what I need is the gmapsup files. And place that on the sd card. I have tried reseting, formating and loading it to Express probably 100 times. I know the watch is reading the flashdrive since the Time zone file is working. You are the Garmin wizard!

@@Jonaslemberg Followed my own thread but could not locate your post: I suspect that it is your first post in the forum, and administrator need to review and approve. Anyway, you cannot just copy the map on the watch flash drive. Those maps are "protected". This is why you must first be able to connect to Garmin Express, then you will be able to install the maps on the watch. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hn-qJV-5Up4.html What happen when you connect the watch to Garmin Express?

When connected is says found a whatch to add. Do you want to add it. I click yes and it installes the time zone img/iso file. I never see any options on updating course or reinstall course. My thought was that the flashdrive is missing the Gmapsup eeprom file.

@@Jonaslemberg If Garmin Express sees and install your watch, then you're almost there! Follow this VDO tutorial: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hn-qJV-5Up4.html

Hi The two thing coming to my mind are satellite location issue or missing map. 1 - Checking Satellite Are you using Automatic time? If the Automatic time is correct, it; mean that the watch has correctly located Satellite a some point. It's a good sign When you start the round, does the watch correctly locate satellites? 2 - Checking Map If you have no issue locating satellite, then it's possible that your area' s map is missing? Have you checked that the map for your area is correctly loaded using Garmin Express? You could try to reinstall the map, choosing only the one for your region (Pacific, Europe,Middle East, Africa, Asia Medium or North&South America) Note that if you have reset the watch recently, it takes time for the watch to initiate again the geolocalisation. Better be in an open space, start a round and wait for the watch to locate satellite. You can move around no issue. I hope it helps...

Hi. Thanks for replaying. 1) automatic time works and when I start a round it located satelite. 2) I dont have any maps and I never get the download maps in Express. Thats my problem. I wonder if I can sort of force in an older version of the software or upload maps manually.

Ok..Best is to connect to Garmin Express, but you can't connect to Garmin Express because the watch is recognized as Vivoactice HR? If so, can you open GarminDevice.xml in the Garmin folder? What is the model ? (see VDO around 5:30). What do you see in ? ( Should be S2) EDIT: You cannot use Garmin Connect to update the S2 because the S2 has no bluetooth connection. The only way to keep the S2 updated is via Express.

What issue(s) were you trying to solve before entering Preboot? Have you tried a Soft or Master Reset first? Can you still enter Setup menu?

@@ChrisJP2024 I got it working. I have a Garmin Approach S2 watch. I format the the flash drive, but it wouldn't let me do FAT32. I had to do FAT16. I can't upload the North America map not enough memory. Is there anything more I can do. Thanks for your help.

@@eremitaburnell1294 Glad you made it. Unfortunately, there is not enough space to keep all maps on the watch. You have to remove some to make space for the North America one.

After formatting, you need to perform a master reset. This is necessary for the firmware to write all the necessary files on the watch drive. Plug your watch on a PC and acces tge drive to double check. Could you format in FAT12?

@@ChrisJP2024 Thank you for the reply. I did a master reset and went through the setup items. I removed it from Garmin Express and then tried to re-add it. Unfortunately, Garmin Express can't find it. I'm on a Mac by the way. I can see the Garmin in Finder and the device seems to work fine other than I can't add any courses to it.

@@ChrisJP2024 I can only format in FAT16 it appears

@@billrector If you have reformatted the drive, and the watch firmware has reinstalled the Garmin folder, then all fine so far. It might take time for teh firmware to reinstall all the file though... I suppose your PC recognize the watch as a Flash Drive so we will consider that the connecting cable is good. Some tests you can do now: 1 - Make sure you can see a GraminDevice.xml file in the Garmin Directory of teh watch (this will allow Garmin COnnect to discover your watch) 2 - Check what are the map installed by default via the service menu (Map Checksum) - Is your region already installed? You should be able to see it in the Gramin directory as well. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4bh-N4zqQWE.html 3 - After a reset, the GPS will take more time to lock on location. Go outside and try to lock on satellite: does it work? Is the time properluy updated? What is the message that you get from the watch when looking for course?

Yes FAT16, (FAT12 is a typo)