Garmin Forerunner 305 Shitting Out

Well... Can't say I'm happy about this. The device works fine. I have it plugged in to the computer, in its cradle, and it's charging; however, it won't upload anything. Says the device can't be found. I've uninstalled (completely) and reinstalled Garmin drivers as well as the Communicator plugin. Multiple times. To no avail. Thoughts?

Try a different port?

If there is no data on the watch that you need or want to upload, then do a hard reset. Then do a fresh pairing. That often fixes the problem.

Use a clean pencil eraser and clean the contacts on the watch and cradle so it transfers data as well as electricity.

BTW, I've found that regularly deleting out old runs on my 305 greatly improves the upload process.

Try a hard reset:

1. hold down the mode button while powering on (two buttons, that's it). When your unit powers on you will be prompted as to whether you really want to perform the reset or not (be sure you do if you answer yes as you will lose your data).

2. another hard-reset but it can be hard to do, so you may want to try a few times if nothing happens. Press and hold mode and enter. Press power but do not hold it. Continue holding mode and enter for several seconds. If it works, the unit should power on and go through the initial settings wizard after you release the buttons. The screen should flicker after you press and release the power button and then you can release the other buttons

Did you reboot your computer?

I did and crashed my 1 week old brand new HP laptop though.

T Miller wrote:Try a different port?

Mark B wrote:Use a clean pencil eraser and clean the contacts on the watch and cradle so it transfers data as well as electricity.

BTW, I've found that regularly deleting out old runs on my 305 greatly improves the upload process.

Jerry wrote:Did you reboot your computer?

I did and crashed my 1 week old brand new HP laptop though.

Done all of these.

Chris M wrote:Try a hard reset:

1. hold down the mode button while powering on (two buttons, that's it). When your unit powers on you will be prompted as to whether you really want to perform the reset or not (be sure you do if you answer yes as you will lose your data).

2. another hard-reset but it can be hard to do, so you may want to try a few times if nothing happens. Press and hold mode and enter. Press power but do not hold it. Continue holding mode and enter for several seconds. If it works, the unit should power on and go through the initial settings wizard after you release the buttons. The screen should flicker after you press and release the power button and then you can release the other buttons

Sigh. Guess it's only today's run that would be lost. I'll go ahead and do that. ...Nope, still nothing.

I just got a hardly used 405CX on Ebay for $73 including shipping. If you can't get Garmin to fix it cheap for you, that might be a route to go. Or I could possibly be persuaded to sell you my 305 for a fair price.

Sounds like it's time to call up Garmin and see if their tech support is still as fabulous as everyone says.

Do your USB ports work with other things (ie flash drive or mouse)?

generally speaking I like what computers and such bring to us - however I can't stand electronics 9 days out of 10. But then again, I wouldn't know you guys w/o it.

mountandog wrote:generally speaking I like what computers and such bring to us - however I can't stand electronics 9 days out of 10. But then again, I wouldn't know you guys w/o it.

You know it!!

Mike MacLellan wrote:Well... Can't say I'm happy about this. The device works fine. I have it plugged in to the computer, in its cradle, and it's charging; however, it won't upload anything. Says the device can't be found. I've uninstalled (completely) and reinstalled Garmin drivers as well as the Communicator plugin. Multiple times. To no avail. Thoughts?

Mike. Your issue is not well defined.
Have you been downloading data from it to this computer before now?
It could be the device, the USB cable [data pin gone bad], or the operating system.
1. Try it on another computer ... if it works, it's not the device or cable.
2. If it doesn't work on another computer, try another USB cable.
If 1. and 2. don't work, it's the device ... call Garmin.
You're welcome.

KBFitz wrote:

Mike MacLellan wrote:Well... Can't say I'm happy about this. The device works fine. I have it plugged in to the computer, in its cradle, and it's charging; however, it won't upload anything. Says the device can't be found. I've uninstalled (completely) and reinstalled Garmin drivers as well as the Communicator plugin. Multiple times. To no avail. Thoughts?

Mike. Your issue is not well defined.
Have you been downloading data from it to this computer before now?
It could be the device, the USB cable [data pin gone bad], or the operating system.
1. Try it on another computer ... if it works, it's not the device or cable.
2. If it doesn't work on another computer, try another USB cable.
If 1. and 2. don't work, it's the device ... call Garmin.
You're welcome.

+1

mul21 wrote:I just got a hardly used 405CX on Ebay for $73 including shipping. If you can't get Garmin to fix it cheap for you, that might be a route to go. Or I could possibly be persuaded to sell you my 305 for a fair price.

Yeah, who still uses a 205/305 when the 4-series and 6-series are available so cheaply?! Get that brick off your wrist and enter this decade...

Didn't you gift a Garmin to Your GF? If you have tried everything above and it still didn't work, I say time to move in with her.

Chris M wrote:

mul21 wrote:I just got a hardly used 405CX on Ebay for $73 including shipping. If you can't get Garmin to fix it cheap for you, that might be a route to go. Or I could possibly be persuaded to sell you my 305 for a fair price.

Yeah, who still uses a 205/305 when the 4-series and 6-series are available so cheaply?! Get that brick off your wrist and enter this decade...

Hey now!!! I like the large quadrant display.

KBFitz wrote:Have you been downloading data from it to this computer before now?
It could be the device, the USB cable [data pin gone bad], or the operating system.
1. Try it on another computer ... if it works, it's not the device or cable.
2. If it doesn't work on another computer, try another USB cable.
If 1. and 2. don't work, it's the device ... call Garmin.

What Kevin said, except there's one more thing to try: after resetting, create an activity - any activity - so that the FR305 actually has some information to transfer. That has worked for me.

I now use a FR310XT, but I wouldn't change the 305 unless you really have to. It may not look elegant, but except for acquisition time, I think it's a better running watch.

How old is the 305? Mine (which was 6 yrs old) eventually wouldn't sync or charge and well, that was the end. (Sorry).

KBFitz wrote:

Mike MacLellan wrote:Well... Can't say I'm happy about this. The device works fine. I have it plugged in to the computer, in its cradle, and it's charging; however, it won't upload anything. Says the device can't be found. I've uninstalled (completely) and reinstalled Garmin drivers as well as the Communicator plugin. Multiple times. To no avail. Thoughts?

Mike. Your issue is not well defined.
Have you been downloading data from it to this computer before now?
It could be the device, the USB cable [data pin gone bad], or the operating system.
1. Try it on another computer ... if it works, it's not the device or cable.
2. If it doesn't work on another computer, try another USB cable.
If 1. and 2. don't work, it's the device ... call Garmin.
You're welcome.

You're right, my description was in haste because I was a bit - am a bit - annoyed. The unit has been uploading until yesterday. It still charges when plugged in. It still records data. It just won't upload anything anymore. In fact, any program I try to upload with (Garmin Training Center, WKO+, Strava.com) will not recognize that it's plugged in; however, on my Printers&Devices, it shows that it's working fine. Which leads me to believe that something is corrupting the drivers. The unit wouldn't even charge if it was the cable/cradle, right?

mul21 wrote:I just got a hardly used 405CX on Ebay for $73 including shipping. If you can't get Garmin to fix it cheap for you, that might be a route to go. Or I could possibly be persuaded to sell you my 305 for a fair price.

I may be persuaded to buy it.

Chris M wrote:Yeah, who still uses a 205/305 when the 4-series and 6-series are available so cheaply?! Get that brick off your wrist and enter this decade...

Cyclists do. I have a cradle for it on my bike and it just snaps right into place.

Michele "1L" Keane wrote:How old is the 305? Mine (which was 6 yrs old) eventually wouldn't sync or charge and well, that was the end. (Sorry).

Um... I think it's about 3 years old now?

Mike MacLellan wrote:
You're right, my description was in haste because I was a bit - am a bit - annoyed. The unit has been uploading until yesterday. It still charges when plugged in. It still records data. It just won't upload anything anymore. In fact, any program I try to upload with (Garmin Training Center, WKO+, Strava.com) will not recognize that it's plugged in; however, on my Printers&Devices, it shows that it's working fine. Which leads me to believe that something is corrupting the drivers. The unit wouldn't even charge if it was the cable/cradle, right?

Wrong. USB cables have two power lines [which charge and/or supply power to the device the USB device] and a data line that provides two-way communication with the device. This is why you should clean the contacts on your device and your cradle, then:
1. try another USB cable. If that doesn't work,
2. see if you can get it can communicate with another computer. If not,
3. try another cradle. If none of this works, call Garmin.
4. If you're lazy or have limited options, call Garmin ... they'll probably send you a cradle and cable gratis.

KBFitz wrote:

Mike MacLellan wrote:
You're right, my description was in haste because I was a bit - am a bit - annoyed. The unit has been uploading until yesterday. It still charges when plugged in. It still records data. It just won't upload anything anymore. In fact, any program I try to upload with (Garmin Training Center, WKO+, Strava.com) will not recognize that it's plugged in; however, on my Printers&Devices, it shows that it's working fine. Which leads me to believe that something is corrupting the drivers. The unit wouldn't even charge if it was the cable/cradle, right?

Wrong. USB cables have two power lines [which charge and/or supply power to the device the USB device] and a data line that provides two-way communication with the device. This is why you should clean the contacts on your device and your cradle, then:
1. try another USB cable. If that doesn't work,
2. see if you can get it can communicate with another computer. If not,
3. try another cradle. If none of this works, call Garmin.
4. If you're lazy or have limited options, call Garmin ... they'll probably send you a cradle and cable gratis.

I don't have another cable with the same connection type (not the USB, the other one). Nor do I have another cable. Nor another computer. So I e-mailed Garmin. Thanks for clearing that power/data issue up.

I have no advice b/c I'm technotarded. I just like that you used the term "shitting out" to describe the issue. I'll have to add this to my vocabulary.

wrichman wrote:I have no advice b/c I'm technotarded. I just like that you used the term "shitting out" to describe the issue. I'll have to add this to my vocabulary.

Well, here's where it ends:

Dear Mike MacLellan,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I apologize but if this is the case then the device would need to be brought in for repair. How long have you had the device? If it has been over a year there could be a fee of 79.00 for the repair. Since emailing and faxing are not secure we would ask that you call in for the repair order. Please let us know.

Nope. Sorry, Garmin.