Novice user. How to update map?

Hello!

I have had a TomTom for over 10 years, and it has grown increasingly inaccurate, because the road-nets have changed over time.

I have tried updating the map through the TomTom software several times, but I just can't get it to work. I was sure the device was marketed with "lifetime maps" when I bought it, but it seems TomTom doesn't acknowledge it for my device.

So I was wondering if I could get a map from the internet.

I am unsure how to do it, or even if my device can be updated? I would like a map of Scandinavia or northern Europe. Either is fine.

I am totally unsure how I find out what map I can use. I can see there is something about numbers which have to match, but I don't know which numbers I have to look for, or even where to get the maps I need.

I found the software FastActivate.exe which apparently has some use in the process, and it gave me the following info about my device:

ttgo.bif:
DeviceName=TomTom ONE
DeviceVersionHW=ONE (v6)
DeviceSerialNumber=Y2xxxxxxxxxx
BootLoaderVersion=55001
ApplicationVersionVersionNumber=8010
ApplicationVersion=9369
CurrentMap=Western_Europe_1GB
CurrentMapVersion=710.1561

Map(s):
K:\Western_Europe_1GB\

Storage:
Size 977MB, Free 24MB

Am I out of luck? Is my GPS too old to update? Should I just throw it away and buy a new one? But won't it just also be out of date in 10 years, and then it won't be able to be updated either?

Thank you in advance.

Subhuti

Yes, your device is old and has reached its 'End of Life' as defined by TomTom so you can't do anything with it through TomTom Home software.

Having said that, it can still be updated quite easily with a new map but it will have to be Scandinavia only as your original Western Europe map has grown a lot in size so won't fit on a 1GB device any more. You'll still be able to update it as long as TT release the new maps...we don't know how long will that be, but certainly not in another 10 years time. Just come back here for regular 3 monthly updates until they eventually stop releasing new maps.

1. Download Scandinavia 1000.8772 at 258MB from [Please Register or Login to download file]
2. Browse the contents of the device in Windows Explorer and move the old Western_Europe_1GB from the device to a safe place
3. Extract the new Scandinavia map folder & FastActivate.exe to the root of the device
4. Run FastActivate.exe from the device & select options 2 then 3 (waiting for successful messages each time)
5. Disconnect device from PC and test
6. Done

Fredderf, thank you so much for your interest and helpfulness!

I am a bit scared to change anything in my device, if something goes wrong, but if you think it is safe, I will try and to do as you described.

By the way, the FastActivate I have appeares to be from june 23., 2017. Is that recent enough for it to recognize the map? I don't think it is? Looking in the Integrated_meta.txt file, I don't see anything more recent than 990.

Do I need an updated version of this file?


Subhuti

I would like to ask you something else. The map you suggested for me is called 1000_8672.

In the following link, there is a table I find totally confusing, about compatibility of models and maps:

https://dodgyforum.com/forum/forum/gps-navigation-systems/tomtom-gps-systems/tomtom-archives/1325995-compatible-chart-v995-maps

What is it that affects whether a map works with a device or doesn't?

Also, the 1000_8672 is described as not having "Cspeech & ASR" or "TTS/vocalizer" or "HNR". I don't know what any of that means. Does it mean that if I install this map, I will no longer be able to hear the voice guiding me?

Thank you.

Subhuti

Please don't post links to other dodgy forums...this is frowned upon
That's lots of questions for me to answer...

Ok, here goes:

a. If you're worried about something going wrong, make a backup by setting Windows Explorer to show all hidden files & folders and then copy ALL of the contents of the drive to a safe place.
b. Yes, you need to download the latest version of FastActivate from here
c. The chart you are referring to is for the wrong series of maps, we are talking about 1000 series.
d. To get a better understanding of what's going on, read this tutorial
e. A 1000.8672 map is a limited featured map which matches your limited featured device...you will hear the voice guiding you as you normally do

I am so sorry if I pose too many questions. I am just nervous about getting it right.. Thanks for answering them, though.

I tried to do as you said. I extracted the map folder and copied fastactivate.exe as well as "Integrated_meta.txt" to which I had appended the lines from the "Meta Codes 1000"-thread viewtopic.php?f=180&t=20328

This was the output I got from FastActivate:


..:: FastActivate 23-06-2017 ::..
______________________________________________________________________________
Voice(s):
Complete Map(s):
Incomplete Map(s):
Scandinavia-101375.meta => .dct ERROR
Fuel prices:
Speed cameras:
______________________________________________________________________________
BIF File......K:\TTGO.BIF
KeyGen Type...8
Device Name...TomTom ONE
Application...8010
Bootloader....55001
DeviceID......AKxxxxxx
Storage.......Size 977MB, Free 683MB

What did I do wrong, do you think?

Have I left something out? Should I specify somewhere the placement of the new map files, so fastactivate.exe knows how to find the files? Or should I change the ttgo.bif file, to tell the TomTom device that another map is used?

Thank you.

No, it's ok to ask questions...that way you learn more

Ok, what you did wrong was you ignored my instruction b. in post #5 above and used the old FastActivate dated 23-06-2017

Just follow my instruction 4. in post #2 above using the Latest FastActivate dated 28-01-2018 and you will be successful

I tried renaming the file "internal_meta.txt" to "meta.txt", and then I think it worked! Fastactivate didn't say "error". And the device starts and seems to work! And browsing the map a little bit, I think I see a detail which wasn't on the old map! That's wonderful! Thank you, again.

It was just that the old fastactivate I had downloaded had a file included called internal_meta.txt, so I thought that was where I should enter the "meta"-stuff, and that it should be put in the root folder as well.

Was I wrong? Was this file only needed because it was an old version of fastactivate?

Thanks again so much!

The 'Integrated_meta.txt' file is just a file that lets the user know what meta's are already integrated into FastActivate. It caused some confusion (like now) so it has been removed from later updates.

You did the workaround which achieved the same result so it has activated the map successfully.

Good job

I appreciate all this information as both my tomtoms still work fine but tomtom wants me to take them to the landfill, which we all refuse to do

stuckon2gb wrote:I appreciate all this information as both my tomtoms still work fine but tomtom wants me to take them to the landfill, which we all refuse to do

Yes, we'll keep doing it until TT stop releasing the maps

fredderf wrote:The 'Integrated_meta.txt' file is just a file that lets the user know what meta's are already integrated into FastActivate. It caused some confusion (like now) so it has been removed from later updates.

You did the workaround which achieved the same result so it has activated the map successfully.

Good job

I see. Thank you for clearing that up for me! And thank you for your help, and for providing this service for people.

It all worked perfectly. I was going on a long trip the following morning, so I was a little worried about what I had done, thinking it might stop working altogether or something. But it went smoothly. It knew all the new road-features - roundabouts, etc. - and brought me right to my destination and back again. I was thinking about buying a new GPS, but now I'll keep this one!

Thank you so much!

You're very welcome...I'm glad to hear your road trip went well