RNS 510 map update

[golfmk5]

I want to update the RNS 510 maps from V10 to V11 and I have a couple of questions;

 - Are the firmware and map data totally independant and is this always the case regardless of the head unit revision and what map version you are upgrading from and to? The reason I am asking is;
    a) The unit came installed with a custom firmware that has VIM enabled and I do not want to lose that feature
    b) I want to make sure that the unit is operational even if the update should fail, i.e. can I just start over?

 - Is the speed camera database included on the standard map dvd?

[Viking]

Firmware update isn't absolutely necessary, but depending on what version you have at the moment you could benefit from full 7 digit postcode search maybe with an update.

Maps should just copy straight on with no problems, but there's no speed cam database on the VW dvd. This can be added at a later date if your firmware is up to date and your hard drive has three partitions.

[golfmk5]

So if I understand you correctly the firmware is not a part of the map dvd and the latest maps will work regardless of firmware. There is no risk associated with a map update. However, a separate firmware update might be necessary to make use of recent navigation features. Correct?

Ok, speed camera database is not included on the VW dvd. I do have speed cams on my current V10 maps. Are you saying they are stored on a different partition so that they will not be removed in the case of a map upgrade?

[Viking]

You're about correct there mate. You'll need to reinstall the speed cams probably, although if you check your pms there's a more up to date one.

[golfmk5]

So I went ahead with the map upgrade and of course I ran into a big problem...

Downloaded the maps and burned it with imgburn. The first one was made with an ASUS DRW-B5ST - cross flashed to LITE-ON iHAS 124 C to allow me to set book-type to DVD-ROM - using the slowest write speed, 4x. With this DVD the installation ran almost to completion before starting over so the RNS appearently didn't like that one. Next attempt was made using a Samsung SH-W163A and imgburn @ 2.4x. After the installation had ran for about half an hour without any interaction from me the screen powered off - not unexpected - but when I turned it on moments later I saw that the unit had actually rebooted. After that it continued from where it was before the reboot - at about 50%. This time the installation completed and I got a message saying that the maps had been copied over to the HDD or something like that. Checked the version and sure enough it was now 8117.

The problem is that although the maps work fine I cannot use route navigation. After I have entered my destination address and click "Start" it shows the screen where I can select one of the suggested routes, but no routes are being calculated. If I put the DVD back in and reboot the unit I can hear that it uses the DVD for navigation instead of the HDD and now there is no problem with route navigation. I can even remove the DVD and it still works, but only until the unit has rebooted. There doesn't seem to be a problem with the DVD itself so my only guess is that something was corrupted during the installation, possibly because of the reboot.

I can think of a few things to try:

1. Is there any settings to force the RNS to reinstall the maps from the DVD? I suspect there is not, f*cking brilliant German engineering.

2. I haven't seen this suggested anywhere - and maybe there is a reason for that - but what about starting the installation of another map, such as the "East Europe V11 (8129)", and then abort the installation after it has ran for a few minutes. Will the RNS then be able to install "West Europe V11 (8117)" afterwards?

3. Josi from vwnavi has made a "RNS 510 Maps HDD Format CD" which will delete the current maps. However, I am on SW 6270 and I am not sure if the CD will work for this.

[Viking]

Y'know, I'm sure I sent you a PM a while back. Might've been a good idea to read it.

[golfmk5]

Yes I know you did and I have read it, but I was asking for advise and not a copy of the maps. I'm sure that was ment well, but considering I will have to do this every year I would rather create it myself. Also, I'm far from convinced that the DVD itself is to blame here so getting it from somewhere else maybe wouldn't have made any difference.

I'll tell you what... you point me in the right direction on how I can reinstall the maps and I will make a second attempt using the same DVD. If I succeed then I get to say "told you so" and if not you will make some money when I purchase the maps from you ;)

[golfmk5]

I ended up doing as described in my earlier post; Downloaded and burned "East Europe V11 (8129)", inserted the DVD into the RNS, let the installation run for a minute or two and then aborted by ejecting the DVD. After that I inserted the previously burned "West Europe V11 (8117)" DVD which forced the corrupted maps to reinstall.

For the installation I made sure that the process could run uninterrupted from start to finish - i.e. no reboots - but like the last time it ran almost to completion before starting over. This happened three times. On the fourth attempt I let it run to about 80% and then rebooted it manually. It then started from where it was before the reboot and - coincidentally or not - completed without any errors. My route guidance now works as intended.

All good. Case closed! :)