
Updated: May 5th, 2009
NOTE: Please read the entire post. I have updated this blog entry several times to reflect changes in both the GPS and Chipset software since I originally posted this entry. If you have any questions or problems leave a comment and I will reply back to you. Thanks!
I thought I would take a moment to describe how to fix a problem that popped up with my GPSMap 60 this weekend in the event it happens to someone else who might be using this model. I have to tell you, GPS’s are great tools when you are traveling unfamiliar roads but it’s no fun at all when they stop working. I know you all have been lectured on the proper way to shut down your computers by we IT people and you might not really understand why or even believe that you can corrupt your system by shutting it down improperly but I am here to tell you, it can happen. In the process of trying to turn on my GPS’s back light, I shunted the system and corrupted the software on the chipset. I turned the unit on and in an attempt to turn on the back light while driving and paying more attention to the road than the unit, which is a good thing by the way, I turned off the unit while it was still in the process of booting up. Instant chipset corruption! You will know when this happens because your unit will be stuck perpetually at the screen seen in the second image of this post.

Believe me when I tell you, your GPS will not acquire a satellite no matter how long you leave it on, no matter how long you leave it off and then try turning it back on, removing the the batteries or swapping out the unit’s SD card. The chipset’s software had been corrupted and it will not work properly until you have reloaded the chipset software. The easiest way to tell if you have encountered this problem is to check the software version of your GPS. If the GPS SW version is 0.00, then you have indeed corrupted the chipset and will need to reload the software. The third image of this post will show you what version number I am referring to.

As I have said, in order to get your GPS unit functioning again you will need to reinstall the chipset software. There are two ways to do this. You can use the Web Updater program that you probably installed when you first bought the unit. You will find it under the Garmin menu from your Start menu. The second way would be to install the chipset software manually using the the “G” chipset installer. The second method is the one I used as I kept getting a “Transfer Error” when I tried to use the Web Updater software. You can download this software directly from Garmin, if you can find it. I think they want folks to use the Web Updater software as they aren’t real up front on where to download the actual installer packages. If you like you can download the software from this site here.
NOTE: Here is the latest version of the Chip Set Firmware, V.3.00. I am providing this as a secondary download as some have reported to me that the V.3.00 caused their units to shut off prematurely. Try this version and if you have any problems roll your GPS back to the V.2.90 software.
I have tested this software and my unit does continue to function normally so if you want the latest version of the software (GPSMAP 60CSx Ver. 3.90 as of Mar 30, 2009) for the GPSMap 60CSX you can download it here. If you prefer you can download it directly from Garmin.
Click the image to the left to download the GPSMAP 60CSx User Manual
Installing the software in fairly simple. Connect the GPSMap 60 to your computer using the mini-USB cable that came with your unit and then run the installer. Refer to your Owner’s Manual if you need further assistance. All that being said, I love my GPSMap 60 and this minor bump in the road has not changed my opinion of the unit. It’s been a great little unit and I fully expect it to remain so for years to come.
Note: The screens above are not the actual screens, just approximations I created in PS to give folks a visual. The actual screens will looks slightly different. I wrote this post to help others should they have this problem with their GPSMap 60′s as I didn’t find a lot of clear help on the web when I researched the problem. If you have more questions, please feel free to comment below.
Welcome to the last page on the Internet. This has to be the last page because I don’t think you would be here if it wasn’t. You have browsed to every other page on the Internet and now you are here because you have read everything else. Well, as long as you are here I will try to entertain you as best I can. Some of the things you might read about on this site will deal with computers, photography, gaming and rescue but I will undoubtedly rant on some off the wall topics every once in a while. So, sit back. Do a little reading on the minutiae of my life and hopefully you’ll get a good laugh out of it from time to time. I’d thank you for stopping by but we both know you didn’t have any where else to be! :)
Mr. Ed
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Thanks, my 7 day old GPSMAP 60CSx is working again. I particularly appreciate that you explained how this failure occurred. I was switching the unit on in a similar situation (while driving) but I thought I had hit the enter key, not the light key. I know I was intending to hit both so maybe it was the light key.
Ed
Gage Gecko
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Glad I could help. Hopefully this is a glitch that Garmin will work out so this kind of thing doesn’t happen in the future as the GPSMap 60 is a great little GPS unit.
Silva
July 9th, 2008 at 5:55 PM
Hello Cage and all,
the problem was solved with the file I has downloaded from your link.
After I download the file I unrar and execute it. Then the SW version shows now 2.90 and no more 0.00.
Thanks a lot for your help!!!
Best regards,
Silva.
PY8ELO
Gage Gecko
July 9th, 2008 at 7:16 PM
You’re very welcome! Happy GPS’ing!
brian
August 6th, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I ran into the same issue with my gpsmap 60csx. I tried what you suggested, but still having “garmin device is unable to program the requested memory region. this is to an incompatibility between this application and the garmin device.” error. What do you suggest?
Gage Gecko
August 19th, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Were you trying the software update through the software on your system or did you try the manual update using the software I linked to in the original post?
If you tried both methods for updating your unit I will have to look into that and get back to you. It sounds like you might be experiencing some other issue with your unit’s internal memory storage.
Let me do some checking and I will post back here.
Aaron
September 27th, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Hey thanks for this page! I was just out geocaching to test this out and I did this. It is a b-day present for my dad from my mom so I freaked out when it wouldn’t work. We haven’t even given it to him yet! Ran the web update and it worked like a charm! Thanks again!
Quint
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:06 AM
My Garmin 60 did the same thing and try as I might I could’nt acquire any satelites. I downloaded the chipset software from your link. What type of cable did you use to connect between the Garmin and a laptop? Mini USB does’nt seem to cut it. Thanks
Timur
October 29th, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Thank you very much! It worked great!
Skutter
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Had my Garmin 60 for two days and encontered this very problem. Your fix worked perfectly and now I know how to avoid it. Many thanks.
PS I think Garmin should be paying you!
twokampers
December 11th, 2008 at 8:52 PM
My Garmin 60 is doing the same thing. Stuck on “acquiring satellites”. The difference is my software version is not showing 0.00; its showing the latest version. I’ve tried some hard resets, but that’s not working. I haven’t tried to manually re-install the chipset yet. Hopefully that will do the trick. Garmin wants $150 to do the repair out of warranty. Ughhh
twokampers
December 13th, 2008 at 2:10 AM
I’m still experiencing problems. All software is up to date. Still stuck on “locating satellites”. Any suggestions. This is for a 60csx.
Aryo
December 15th, 2008 at 3:16 AM
Thanks a lot Gage Gecko! I’ve experienced this kind of problem twice now. But the first time, I took it back to the store and have them repair the software.
Now I can do it myself whenever I need it. Great Job!!
Gage Gecko
January 5th, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Glad this post is helping so many. I will try and leave it so others might find it as useful as you all have.
Cheers!
Gage
RICHIE
January 7th, 2009 at 1:40 PM
hi i would like to know if you can connect the gps to a laptop to show where you are going .
so when you are driving you can see it on the laptop screen rather than on the gps unit …..i have the GPS 60 ….
i have the software disc that came with this product loaded on the laptop but it wont show my direction of travel like it does on the handheld ….
please advise me if they is any way of doing this
thanks richie
Gage Gecko
January 7th, 2009 at 10:42 PM
That question is really not on topic with this post and I am afraid I don’t know the answer to your question. If I had to guess you might be able to do it with some third party software.
Tim
January 17th, 2009 at 5:15 AM
Thanks for the info – doing an update fixed it for me. I suspect the problem was caused by a very low battery.
Richie, you can use the commercial version of Google Earth to show you interactively where you are. Not quite what your’e after probably, as you need internet and it doesn’t do turn by turn directions.
Lorie Collingwood
January 24th, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Mine won’t turn on at all. beeps 3times and blank screen when I hit button quick the back light does come on but screen remains blank. Tried searching everywhere looks like will have to send it in for repair.
Waldek Czado
February 12th, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Thanks. My 60CXS have a new life!
Polish version: Stokrotne dzięki! Już traciłem nadzieję. Po odpaleniu programiku GPS odżył.
twokampers
February 20th, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Still experiencing problems! NEED HELP.
My unit software has been updated a number of times.
I even downgraded and tried that. Still no luck.
Any other fix suggestions? Garmin gave me a bunch of hard reset sequences, but that didn’t work.
I haven’t tried an external antenna yet, but I really think its software related.
Looking for suggestions.
Al
February 21st, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Another satisfied customer!!! Thanks for saving our caching vacation. Down from CT to vacation in FL, but today couldn’t acquire satellites with the 60csx. Found your help page,
followed your suggestion and NOW we’re back in BUSINESS!
Thanks so much,
Jerry
March 1st, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Another happy user here!
I lost one 60CSx as you describe in the middle of a Yellowstone vacation a couple of years ago. I was pretty irritated. Garmin gave no troubleshooting help, they just replaced the unit (which was appreciated, but I like to know the why of things so I can know what’s up when they happen again).
My new unit died with the same problem over the weekend (again, off on a vacation trip). I flashed the software using the Web Updater and it fixed the problem, though. I thought it had failed, because doing the first part of the update (the unit software) didn’t fix it. Then I noticed the second part of the update (the GPS chipset software), and THAT was what was needed to fix the problem. twokampers, are you certain that you updated both elements of your unit?
Ferry
March 10th, 2009 at 6:46 AM
my Vista Hcx has the same problem and no succes when using the webupdater.
does your G chpset installer can be used in Vista as well? if not maybe u can suggest the suitable link for Vista Hcx unit
thx
Heather
March 10th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
I am unable to run the chipset fix, as when I turn the unit on, it is stuck at the searching the sky screen. The update can’t communicate with the device – although it does detect it. To turn the unit off I have to remove the batteries. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Ivan
March 29th, 2009 at 9:41 AM
My Vista HCx has the same problem, can’t update GPS SW using the WebUpdater (it works fine updating or reinstalling the GPS software), any suggestions?
tento
April 7th, 2009 at 9:19 PM
im having the same proble as twokampers, my software version says its ok but ive tried everithing and im still stucked in acquiring satellites, dont know what to do….
please help
Persian, Canadian, German Geologist
April 15th, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Hi Gage Gecko
I appreciate very much your great help. I was on the point of sending my GPSMap 60CSx to the US to fix the problem that I have caused by playing around with the GPS’s back light. Indeed I must have forced the system and have corrupted the software on the chipset. I used the second way – the “G” chipset installer – to install the chipset software manually. Having done that you cannot imagine how lucky I got when I realised my GPS is receiving satellite signals again.
However, to check the software version of my system, somehow I have not been able to see your second image you are referring to here in your comment to see which version I have. Anyway, I am glad having helpful people like to make possible my GPS working again.
Kind regards
K.R.
Gage Gecko
April 15th, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Here is a link to the image on another site. Hope that helps.
http://skitch.com/gagegecko/bm41y/gpsmap-60csx-wont-acquire-satellites-roaminggecko
Friends of Carlotta
April 25th, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I seem to have the same problems as twokampers, and its happened to both my Garmins GPS60 GPSmap 60.
getting desparate, going to contact garmin.
EVW
April 30th, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Thanks Gage, your site was a big help in solving the problem of NOT Acquiring the Satellites. The normal webupdater didn’t work correctly, although it finished normal the SW version kept saying 0.00s
Finally I downloaded the chipset290 from your site, installed and it works again.
By now I know there is already a 3.00 version as well.
If you take this site http://www.gpsinformation.org/perry/ you can find all previous versions of software and chipsets of nearly all Garmin models
Regards Ed
Sam
May 9th, 2009 at 1:33 AM
Hello ,
The same problem as the yours and I can’t reinstall chipset software, even if I’m trying with WebUpdater or manually each software. The software version is 3.90. It’s appear this message:The GARMIN device is unable to program the requested memory region. THis could be due to an incompatibility between the application and the GARMIN device .If this error continues to occur, please contact GARMIN Technical Support.” If I’m trying to load manually each software appear the same message.
Please help if you have any idea.
Thanks,
S
Scott Charney
May 27th, 2009 at 9:54 AM
You’re the man Gage! You were more help than the Garmin support page for sure. I tried downloading the shipset software right after downloading V3.9 software from Garmin but the GPS software version on the device would stay at 0.00. I used your link and it worked beautifully. Cheers
Scott
Vijay
June 1st, 2009 at 6:17 AM
Hi..I am using GPSmap 60CSx..last two days my device not acquiring the satellites. still it is showing acquiring the satellte. Pelase give me the solution
Vijay
June 1st, 2009 at 6:20 AM
Hi..I am using GPSmap 60CSx..last two days my device not acquiring the satellites. still it is showing acquiring the satellte. Pelase give me the solution.
thanking you.
Pappu
June 10th, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Perfection. Thanks !!
Coen Wubbels
June 12th, 2009 at 10:07 AM
“If you take this site http://www.gpsinformation.org/perry/ you can find all previous versions of software and chipsets of nearly all Garmin models
Regards Ed”
Nice, but these are all .exe files. Is there any change, there would be install .dmg files for the Mac as well somewhere?
Koen
June 21st, 2009 at 9:14 AM
My two days old GPSmac 60CSx has this problem a lot..
Updating the firmware again from version 0.0 to version 3.0 using the webupdates does always help…
But how to prevent this problem? (if you don’t have a laptop during your vacation, this device is useless…)
Sometimes, after just pushing the power buton once, and the gps chipset firmware is already corrupt…
Gage Gecko
July 14th, 2009 at 11:01 AM
To my knowledge Garmin does not produce the chipset software in any format other than for the PC.
For those that are still having problems with chipset software after trying the above, you will need to contact Garmin Technical Support directly while your unit is still under warranty. It’s my understanding they will replace your units.
Goes_Guy
July 21st, 2009 at 1:41 PM
I have had the same problem a couple of times. The chipset software version becomes 0.00s (was 3.00s) and the unit will not acquire satellites. The satellite display shows no satellites (as per screen capture in this blog). My guess: a programming bug is overwriting parts of memory (such as the software version number – which is probably something that never changes normally) and the bug eventually hits the orbit information so the unit does not know that satellites are in view. Only fix would then be to re-load the memory.
Given that the only fix is to re-load the GPS chipset software, I view this unit as a $400 paperweight since you cannot trust it once you get away from your PC. I wish I could load an earlier version of the chipset software since I did not see this problem when I first bought it, but the automatic web updater hides that stuff from me and I cannot get the earlier version. Garmin has double given it to the users.
Shannon McNeil
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:54 PM
I have corrupted my GPSMap 60csx as well, and I tried reloading it from your links, both V 3.00 and 3.90. Each time it says it loaded successfully, but the SW version remains 0.00s and the satellites are gone. I have no idea where the CD that came with it is, and I never installed the software. Is there something else I can try? Thanks!
Shannon McNeil
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:36 PM
ps. I just used the webupdater from the garmin website to update to V 4.00, which says was successful, but my GPS SW version is still “0.00s”.
Fred
July 28th, 2009 at 6:22 AM
Thanks for the fix. At first I send my csx back to the store. but it took 2 weeks to replace SW
Now with Webupdater I did succesfully a reload of the SW from 0.00s to 3.00s for the second time.
The SW seems very unreliable to me. Especially when you’re away in the field and not nearby a PC you are stuck with an empty box.
Is there a way of doing SW update without a PC?
Is there any statement from Garmin about this failure?
Geo Man
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Gage, you are a star!
David
August 26th, 2009 at 10:14 PM
THANK YOU!!! I tried updating the software version to 4.00, but it didn’t help. Then when I uploaded the GPS CHIPSET SOFTWARE to version 3.00s using your first .exe, it worked! This is the first time it happened to me, and I’ve owned it for almost 2 yrs now, but it’s very disturbing to think about when I am far afield.
Goes_Giy
September 7th, 2009 at 12:37 PM
A couple of folks have posted that re-loading the software does not fix the problem. Just thought I’d mention that there are two “batches” of software running in there. One set seems to handle the display and similar and the other set seems to handle the GPS receiver. When I re-load the software I load the first batch (which seems to be fine) and then I get a request to check for more. If I say yes I get an option to re-load the chipset software. If I re-load this then the problem is fixed.
The problem has been introduced in one of the firmware upgrades. My unit did not have this problem initially and it is several years old. A couple of versions ago Garmin though that they had be bug fixed (if you can find the revision history) but it appears to not be the case.
John
September 7th, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Thanks very much – a life-saving post!
G_Fours
September 17th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Thank you – I can once again resume my search for hidden tupperware.
Jeff
September 19th, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Thanks! I have had this unit for a year now with no trouble. I love it. This was the first bump and you fixed it easily.
dieseldoc
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:29 PM
have had the same ol problem, unit will not acquire satellite fix . this has happened twice now. your advice fixed it immediately. i really give you my thanks. right now i’m not sure if i’ll ever spend another dollar with garmin products.
Marco Cruz
January 18th, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Nice!!!
Yesterday, after 3 years my 60CSx suddenly stop working. Last week I used nRoute for the first time and turned it on again yesterday when I noticed the problem.
After your tip it is working again!!
Cary T
February 19th, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Thank You! I appreciate you taking the time to put this together. 3 years old and not one hiccup until today, thanks to your article I’m back up and running.
Pusat Lingkungan Geologi
February 24th, 2010 at 12:26 AM
It work… Thank you…
Trinatumana
February 26th, 2010 at 9:22 PM
Thanks Gecko for good description of the problem and laying out an easily to follow procedure for fixing the probleme I have installed the GPSMAP 60CSx software version 4.00 seven times and nothing changed. But it was only when i installed the Chip Set Firmware, V.3.00 which you conveniently have in your site did the GPS work.
Maraming salamat (thats Thank very much in Filipino – Philippines)
steelegreen
May 31st, 2010 at 9:55 AM
This sounds like my problem, however, I have a MAC and I can’t download the Chip Set Firmware from your site. Would you possibly have it available for MACs or know where I can access it? Please.
Tremalnike
June 8th, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Thank you very much GG !
My Garmin device is live again !
Arbellspi
June 14th, 2010 at 2:10 AM
My Garmin GPSmap 60CSx is now caught in the endless quest of Acquiring Satellites as you describe. It’s served me well for over two years now and I’m convinced it saved me from spending a couple of cold nights lost in the woods. I loaned it to a friend and he uploaded some waypoints onto it – noticed I didn’t have the topo maps for his area so he gave it back before his trip. When I got it back from him – it woudn’t acquire.
I have run WeUpdater numerous times succesfully and the Software Version is curently at 4.00 and the GPS SW Version is at 3.00s. I’ve never seen the SW Version at 0.00 Still no successful satellite acquisition. I’ve also deleted everything out of the unit – including all waypoints and tracks. I’ve done a Master Reset too. Still no good. The unit thinks it’s April 1st – 2007 and that I’m somewhere around Tulsa Oklahoma (I’m actually in California).
Any ideas on what else I can try?
Vitek7 @ Geocaching.com
June 19th, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Thanks Man, I was sitting in the park trying to figure out what’s wrong with my GPSmap 60CSx.
P.S. No problems using the WebUpdater to re-install the v4.0 software containing GSP SW v3.00s for the Sirf3 chip.
Vitek7 @ Geocaching.com
June 19th, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Oh, I forgot to add:
The WebUpdate is in two parts,
first it installs the v4.0 software and
THEN it ASKS if you want to install the GPS SW separately.
Arbellspi
June 27th, 2010 at 1:41 AM
I gave up. Nothing worked – so the answer for me was to send the unit into Garmin under their “out of waranty Refurbishment Service. It cost $110 and I got a unit back that looked brand new. The huge scratch I had on my screen was gone too – so it was worth it just to get that fixed. The turn-around time was very quick. I think I got a replacement unit ten days after I sent my defective unit in.
Tonya
July 25th, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Thank you so much for the information on this page! I had spent about two hours searching for information on “not receiving a signal.” Came across your website and was fixed within minutes. Thank you for this information and saving me $150 to send it to Garmin!!!
AJ
August 13th, 2010 at 12:52 PM
My GPS has done this a couple times and each time Ive had to call Support and they sent me an .exe program which worked. The one off of the internet wouldnt.