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Garmin Forerunner 205 not working, trying to see if there's a fix or it's broken. (Read 3148 times)

Kennedy


    Was in the middle of a run Friday and the screen went blank.  Tried to turn it back on, and it wouldn't turn on.  Finished the run and put it on the charger (it had only been off the charger for about 90 minutes.)  It immediately said "battery charging" and when I checked it 30 minutes later said "charging complete."  Took it off the charger and it wouldn't turn on.  Put it back on the charger, and it WOULD turn on and off.  If it's on the charger or connected to my laptop, it will turn on and off, but as soon as I take it out of the cradle, nothing works.

     

    I've tried a few "hard boot" steps I've come across through Google, but so far none of them have worked.  The only thing I can think of that might have caused problems recently is that I noticed one of the gold terminals on the watch was getting dark again, which it does every few months or so, and I used a pencil eraser to clean it off since that's what has worked in the past.  The watch still worked for at least a day or two after that, so that may not have anything to do with the problem.

     

    Hoping I can avoid tossing this thing in the trash.  If I have to toss it, not planning to buy another one anytime soon.  Any input is appreciated.

      I have pretty much the same thing with my 305 except even when on the charger, it wont come on. every once in a while the initial screen will pop up but then just go blank again. Im at a loss just as you are........I think this just gives me an excuse to buy the 405Smile
      http://ericstarrtraining.blogspot.com/


      Menace to Sobriety

        Do a search on here. I think there is some sort of master reset that may help. I remember someone mentioning it in an earlier post.

        Janie, today I quit my job. And then I told my boss to go f*** himself, and then I blackmailed him for almost sixty thousand dollars. Pass the asparagus.

        Tony Evans


          Similar problem for me, unit would "randomly" switch off, sometimes it would switch back on, other times it took ages. before I could get it to work.  Much web searching later I found a post (don't have the link), that suggested the unit was falling apart, turns out it was.... 

           

          The top part of the unit (screen) starts to lift away from the base unit (buttons and wrist strapp).  This breaks the contacts between the top screen and the power source.  The cause was that I was "overtightening" the strap.  The contacts are under the "FORERUNNER 205" logo on the screen, so give this area little press and see how you get on.

           

          What did I do. 

           

          1. Used an elastic band to initailly hold the 2 parts of the unit together.

          2. Moved onto a pieve of tape.

          3. Ran my finger nail between the 2 parts, they then completely separated, and used a small amount of glue to fix them together.

          4. Bought a bike/wrist mount to stop it happening again.

           

           

           Hope this helps.

           

          Found the link!

           

          http://ctorunner.googlepages.com/dismantleforerunner205

          runnerclay


          Consistently Slow

            Quote Modify posted: 6/8/2009 at 6:53 PM

            Instructions From Garmin support

             

             

             

             

             

            I am happy to help you with this. From what you describe your unit is
            not functioning correctly. To correct this issue I would suggest that
            you master reset your unit to clear out any corrupt data. This will
            clear out all data in the unit and reset it to factory defaults and
            settings. Following are instructions on how to perform a Master Reset on
            your unit:

            -- With the unit powered off, Press and hold the Mode and Power button
            at the same time.  You will then see a screen that says, "Do you really
            want to erase all user data Yes/NO" Select Yes and the unit will be
            reset.

            After the master reset please place your unit outside so that it has a
            clear view of the sky for 25 to 30 minutes so that the unit can acquire
            new almanac data. I would also suggest going to our website at the
            following link and updating your units operating system.

            http://www.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp


            If you have any additional comments or questions, please do not hesitate
            to contact us via email or at the number listed below.


            With Best Regards,

            Chris L.
            Product Support Specialist
            2nd Shift Outdoor/Fitness Team
            Garmin International
            913-397-8200
            800-800-1020

            Run until the trail runs out
            2009 TARGET PILATES 5 TIMES A WEEK
            2009 RUN MIN. 4 TIMES A WEEK

            Run until the trail runs out.

             SCHEDULE 2016--

             The pain that hurts the worse is the imagined pain. One of the most difficult arts of racing is learning to ignore the imagined pain and just live with the present pain (which is always bearable.) - Jeff

            unsolicited chatter

            http://bkclay.blogspot.com/

            runnerclay


            Consistently Slow

               After download battery icon becomes a permanent fixture.

               

               

               

               

               

               

               

               

              Run until the trail runs out.

               SCHEDULE 2016--

               The pain that hurts the worse is the imagined pain. One of the most difficult arts of racing is learning to ignore the imagined pain and just live with the present pain (which is always bearable.) - Jeff

              unsolicited chatter

              http://bkclay.blogspot.com/

              Gig


                That happens to me sometimes. With the unit off, I hold down the Mode and Reset buttons at the same time for about five seconds. That has worked every time. It's less severe than the Master Reset option the Garmin tech suggested.

                 

                That's cool about the new OS and the battery icon. Not having the icon bugs me sometimes.

                 

                Here's a related issue. Sometimes my Garmin tells me that it's got a low battery even though I know I charged it. I can run for an hour at least without it shutting down, but it gives me the warning several times during my run. I think it only happens when I use a computer other than my work or home computer. I guess it's not really an issue. It's more of a curiosity.

                Kennedy


                  I have pretty much the same thing with my 305 except even when on the charger, it wont come on. every once in a while the initial screen will pop up but then just go blank again. Im at a loss just as you are........I think this just gives me an excuse to buy the 405Smile

                   

                  Well, I tried everything listed here and nothing worked.  Paid $150 for a watch that lasted 18 months, so I definitely won't be buying any more Garmins.  I'll just go back to running with my old Timex and estimating my mileage.

                    Please don't give up on it.  I had a problem with my 305 last October after I got caught out in a heavy downpour and  it just would not work after that.  I think I couldn't turn it on (I can't remember actually).  It was no longer under warranty but I contacted Garmin by e-mail and told them my problem.  They told me to send the unit to them with a check for $44.50.  I received a brand new Garmin back and they have yet to cash the check.  So they are very good with customer service. 
                    runnerclay


                    Consistently Slow

                       

                      Well, I tried everything listed here and nothing worked.  Paid $150 for a watch that lasted 18 months, so I definitely won't be buying any more Garmins.  I'll just go back to running with my old Timex and estimating my mileage.

                       My 305 was 5 days out of warranty. Customer service replaced mine for free with no hassle.

                      Run until the trail runs out.

                       SCHEDULE 2016--

                       The pain that hurts the worse is the imagined pain. One of the most difficult arts of racing is learning to ignore the imagined pain and just live with the present pain (which is always bearable.) - Jeff

                      unsolicited chatter

                      http://bkclay.blogspot.com/

                      Kennedy


                         My 305 was 5 days out of warranty. Customer service replaced mine for free with no hassle.

                         

                        FatGuySweating


                          That happens to me sometimes. With the unit off, I hold down the Mode and Reset buttons at the same time for about five seconds. That has worked every time. It's less severe than the Master Reset option the Garmin tech suggested.

                           

                          That's cool about the new OS and the battery icon. Not having the icon bugs me sometimes.

                           

                          Here's a related issue. Sometimes my Garmin tells me that it's got a low battery even though I know I charged it. I can run for an hour at least without it shutting down, but it gives me the warning several times during my run. I think it only happens when I use a computer other than my work or home computer. I guess it's not really an issue. It's more of a curiosity.

                           

                          I know this is a very old thread but Google brought me here. Two weeks ago I was saying how impressed I was that my old Garmin 205's battery lasted the entirety of a 12-hour event. This morning I woke up to the grey screen of death.  I followed your suggestion and it fired right up.  Thank you Gig, if you're still posting here.