I have read numerous threads but still cannot find the fix for my issue.
I am ready to patch new maps downloaded from the links here (thank you very much), but having an issue with fastactive, as there no .bif files in the SD card.
In order to load these files I cannot operate my device as its not supported from TT Home.
I hope I dont have it confused too much.
Appreciate for any help or guidance

Please give some device and map info (model name?, have internal storage?, navcore version?, map name and version you want to install? ).
And I don't understand why you speak about TomTom Home, you really don't need it to activate a new downloaded map!

I start from the beginning
I have SD card pulled out from TomTom Carminat, integrated satnav in the dash
Downloaded latest maps 1030.9578
Replaced with present/previous maps
Placed SD back to car, displayed "you cannot use this map on this device"
tried to patch up with fastactive tool, but won't let me do it since no .bif file present
Trying to operate my TT in Home app, but would not let me load it (message: you cannot use this feature because its not supported by this device)
Copied "[email protected]" folder to extension folder, still no luck
Any help appreciated

So I assume you want to use "United_Kingdom_and_Republic_of_Ireland" v1030.9578 map; no other map with this version number has a meta code for activation, yet.
Your TomTom Carminat doesn't create "ttgo.bif" file in root of SDcard but in "loopdir" directory, inside a file named "loopback.ext3".
To get the "ttgo.bif" file from "loopback.ext3", you will need to extract it with this software and place it in root of SDcard => [Please Register or Login to download file]
Don't know if navcore 9.510 is really your TomTom Carminat navcore version...

Appreciate your help.
I have .bif files extracted using the provided tool. Thank you.
Do I understand you correctly, that there no meta files for this map?
As proof just found out that when SD was installed same message came up: "cannot use this Map"
What other map can I use for UK and Ireland?

There is a meta file for "United_Kingdom_and_Republic_of_Ireland" v1030.9578. You can activate this map.
About TomTom Home, what's the TT Home version?

2.11.6.125

1) Download last "good" version (= 2.9.91.411) => [Please Register or Login to download file]
2) Install it without running ie, uncheck the 'Run Home' tick box when installation completes
3) Using Windows Explorer, navigate to
C:\Program Files\TomTom HOME 2\xul (32 bit Windows)
-or-
C:\Program Files (x86)\TomTom HOME 2\xul (64 bit Windows)
=> Find application.ini file
4) Edit application.ini file (you might need admin privileges) and modify "Version=2.9.91.411" to "Version=2.99.99.999"
5) Run TTHome. It will believe it is running latest version 2.99.99.999 so will not try to update TTHome again but still allow you to Operate my GO/Manage my device etc

Can you copy/paste all infos from FastActivate => "8. My Device Info", please?

Map(s):

Storage:
Size 7397MB, Free 1081MB
I can see it myself now, there's no maps.
confused.com

Don't see the "ttgo.bif" file info... so no "ttgo.bif" file found on root of SDcard.

ttgo.bif is on the SD card

Hm... weird... can you open ttgo.bif with Notepad? Is it readable?
If yes, find these 2 lines and copy/paste here.

ApplicationVersionVersionNumber=
ApplicationVersion=

would not open with notepad/not readable

Try to export the file again. Or send me "loopback.ext3" or "ext3_loopback" file via Email "(a) = @": Micdu70(a)gmx.fr

EDIT: Check, ASAP, on your TomTom Carminat, the navcore version installed on it.

If navcore version is 8.843 or less = can activate downloaded map
Above 8.843 = no way to activate downloaded map...

ttgo.bif:
DeviceName=Carminat TomTom
DeviceVersionHW=Carminat TomTom
DeviceSerialNumber=IAxxxxxxxxxx
BootLoaderVersion=80055
ApplicationVersionVersionNumber=8843
ApplicationVersion=3130258
CurrentMap=
CurrentMapVersion=0.0

Map(s):
e:\Europe_1030_9578\
e:\Europe\

Storage:
Size 7397MB, Free 1083MB