I bought a GPS (Garmin Colorado 400C) and didn't ask the vendor about its connections, because I presumed it would have a serial communication port, and unfortunately it did not. Every time I plug the device on the PC it shuts down and go to storage mode, so I can download the tracks and points within the memory card. Could it be a misconfiguration or I'm doomed to buy another device with the serial port? To make my problem clear enough, I need the serial port to use the GPS tracking with another software in the computer.

Hello,

Create an account on Garmin's website and register the GPS using the serial number or plugging the GPS into the computer after downloading the Garmin communicator plugin.
The Garmin communicator plugin is an application that allows the GPS to communicate with the Garmin website.

https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/login.htm?service=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.garmin.com%2Fmygarmin%2Fcustomers%2FmyGarminHome.faces

After the GPS is registered, there will be a tab for the "Dashboard" and with the GPS connected to the computer, the dashboard will detect the serial number of the GPS and let you know if there are any software or map updates available for it.
The Garmin WebUpdater program can also be used for updating just the software (firmware) of the GPS and is a free download.

Please make sure you are connecting directly to a port on the laptop and not thru a usb hub. Also try another usb port.Then go to the Garmin website and register and download there update software. Make sure the battery is fully charged. I will attach a link to the Garmin site which will walk you through the update process.
Thanks for using FixYa
https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/registrationGettingStarted.htm?productType=auto&categoryType=AUTO

To register your unit just go to the following website:

https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/customers/myGarminHome.faces

To begin the process, connect the smaller end of the USB cable that came with your GPS to the GPS, and the other end to one of the USB ports on your computer. When you get to the website above, you will first have to register yourself. After that there is a small program that the site will ask you to install on your computer. This program allows your GPS to communicate with the Garmin website. Once the installation is complete the site should automatically go to the next step of registering your unit. It should automatically detect what your unit is, and it's serial number. It will then ask you to verify that the information they are showing is correct. As long as it is your unit is now registered. Normally Garmin will give you one free map update as long as you register your unit within 90 days of you purchasing it. The site should now do a quick check on your unit, and then let you know about the one free update, as well as any updates that are necessary for your unit software. That software should then be downloaded and installed to your GPS. Of course if your unit comes with Lifetime Map Updates, of you purchased the same from the retailer you bought your GPS from, you will be able to check back to the site every month or so for new updates.

Hi, check settings of device, the USB port (guest/Garmin), USB, cable or last back up battery. Jean

Re-installed the USB-to-serial driver, the DNRGarmin software, and the Garmin Communicator to resolve the problem.

Hi there,

Better to update the colorado firmware to fix the certain problem on your unit.

Updates & Downloads Colorado 300 software version 2.90
Download (3.46 MB)
Installation Instructions

1. Download the self-extracting archive file for your Colorado onto your hard drive.
2. Connect your Colorado to a free USB port on your PC with the correct PC interface cable.
3. Allow your Colorado to initialize and enter USB mode.
4. Unzip the files in the archive by running the downloaded executable file.
5. Follow the instructions provided by the launched update application on your computer.

Hope this initial info/idea helps.

Thank you for using fixya

You will need to download a USB driver for you computer from http://www.garmin.com. Street and Trips will then recognize your GPS device.

look in the options of the software ... choose auto or usb for communication with the garmin

If it were doing this just on the Vista machine I would say it was Vista related but since you are getting it from an xp machine as well the problem is either cable or the gps unit. You don;t say if this just started happening or ? If you can try out the cable on something else to make sure so you can eliminate it. About the only thing you can do is to make sure the port settings in the pilot are set correctly. Generally the slower the better if you are having communication problems as this makes the signal timing not as critical. Try 9600 baud to start. Make sure that the data bits are also set roght. This is the 8n1 or 7n1 thing you see. I can;t think of what the default is on the garmin but as long as both pc and garmin have speed, bits, parity, and stop but set the same they should talk.

Try to download from the unit as well as upload.Unfortunetly you can only change the speed and protocal or reset the unit. You won't be able to fix it if is a hardware thing. If you are using a USB to Serial adapter then I would say that is your problem or could be. Cheaper ones just don't work often on higher port speeds. You might want to try the gps on a pc with a actual serial port if you are using one. If it works then you should try a different brand of adapter or really slow down the speeds.

This won;t solve it unless you luck out but it should let you know where the problem is.

Dave

Google Franson GPS GATE this little software utility is what you need