I pluged in my Magellan Roadmate 1200 in to the computer with the usb cable thinking it would charge. It now says it has a fatal error and that screen won't go away. Did I erase the memory on it? I should've read instructions that said don't plug in usb cable until ready to update it but I didn't. Any help for it or is it just toast? I am not too computer literate so if the fix is too complex, I may just have to trash it! lol

Steps to Update Magellan Roadmate 1200 GPS :
1. Go to official website of Magellan and choose "support" option. After selecting the support you will find the various options. You have to select "Manual and Software Update".
2. Choose your product from the drop down the menu and select Roadmate series. A pop up will display on the screen and choose I want to download this update.
3. Hit the "Download Now" button.
4. Checkout every connection under "Redesigns and Maps" to buy Latest Magellan Roadmate Gps Update . "Add the lives maps which are available to your Cart," at the time of proceeding to the "Continue to Checkout."
After completing the process you will get an email from the Magellan. It will later to download the Update on the SD Card itself.

Same has happened to my gps unit too. The best bet thing is to contact Magellan and they will advise you to send the unit in for replacement with a refurbished one. or get a new one. I am still waiting for mine and as of date, nothing yet. How is it that their updates caused the fatal error? Anyone??

click on start and then RIGHT click on computer then click on manage

click on device manager in the top left window and a list of devices will appear in the top right.

Plug your magellan roadmnate into the usb port and the top right window will refresh. See if you can see a device that says unkown device check also under usb controllers by clicking with the lefvt mouse button on the + sign to the left of the words usb controllers. If you see unknown device or anything with a yellow exclamation mark , right click on it and click uninstall. when you have uninstalled the problem hardware restart the pc and unplug the device BEFORE windows starts. When you are back up and running plug the Roadmate back into the computer and hopefully windows will install the device correctly

It depends on the Roadmate that you have. :
- If your Roadmate has a separate plug-in port for charging your unit IN ADDITION TO a USB port, then no, your Roadmate cannot be charged using your computer via the USB cable.
- If your Roadmate only has a USB port available for charging your unit, then yes, you can charge it via your computer via USB.
However, please note, according to Magellan, charging your unit using your PC via USB can take up to 12 hours to charge vs. 4-6 hours when using the vehicle power adapter.
FYI: This is mainly due to USB constraints on pretty much all electronic devices. USB cannot carry the same amount of power to a device. It uses what is commonly known as a 'trickle' charge to recharge a device. It carries much less current than a full-blown charger (like an AC power adapter).

Nevermind. I found out that it just needed to be charged. Everything is working great now.

Have you tried going to the Magellan website and try down loading the update to your plugged in unit?

I can try to help...

Did you try pluging it into your computer with the USB cable? What happens when you do this?

the usb connector block on the unit may have actually broken off from the main board. I thought I had a charging problem too until I opened the unit.

The USB must be for charging the unit and downloading updates when it becomes available. You have to unplug the USB and use the battery power to put in addresses .My 1200 does the same.