Transferring Garmin Mobile PC favorites between computers

I just received my mobile pc and installed it on my desktop and laptop. Is it possible to transfer favorites and/or routes between the computers? And if so, how? Is this data in some file somewhere that can be copied?
My desktop is using Win 2000 sp4 and the laptop is XP if that makes any difference.
Thanks, I am new at this and appreciate any help.

The files created by Mobile PC are in C:\Documents and Settings\<your name>\Application Data\GARMIN\GarminMobilePC. I see 10 different NVM files however not all of them may be important. I do see one called GARMIN_TRIP.NVM and another GARMIN_WPT.NVM. All appear to be current except GARMIN_FLASH.NVM and are probably associated with one function of the data you enter.

I am sure if you copy some or all of these to the other computer, you will get what you want.

Terry

A quick look in GARMIN_SRTE.NVM has enough text to show me it is probably my Saved routes list. That means GARMIN_STRK.NVM will be Saved tracks. GARMIN_MDB.NVM is related to the other map sets loaded (not important) and I can't see any text in the others to identify them.

The file locations may be different in Win 2000. I am not familiar with that o/s.

Terry

Hi Terry,

Thanks a bunch for tracking down the location of the Mobile PC files for us. That was going to be my next hunt. That location works in XP.

The location in Vista is:
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\GARMIN\GarminMobilePC

Here are some additions to your list...

GARMIN_ARTE.NVM -- is the active route
GARMIN_ATRK.NVM -- is the active track
GARMIN_TRIP.NVM -- is the active trip metre
GARMIN_WPT.NVM -- is Favorites

...ken...

Okay, if you have Mapsource here's another way you can transfer information. Look for the file location in the previous two messages (XP or Vista). In the GarminMobilePC folder there should be another folder called "gpx". There is a file in that folder named "current.gpx".

The current.gpx file contains all of your currently saved routes, saved tracks and Favorites (aka. waypoints). As soon as you add or change a Favorite or route or track, the changes are saved in the current.gpx file.

If you have Mapsource on your computer you can just open that file in Mapsource and you will see the Waypoints, Routes and Tracks tabs populated with the associated data from Mobile PC.

This also means you should be able to use the current.gpx file to exchange that data with any program that understands .GPX files.

...ken...

Another bit of info ... If you copy the "current.gpx" file to the same folder on another PC with Mobile PC on it, the next time you run Mobile PC on the second computer you will see all the stuff from the original computer in your Favorites, saved tracks, etc. That will save having to copy the various .NVM files.

Warning, it will clobber whatever is already there. At least I assume it will. I may figure out how to test if this is a way to sync the two copies, but I expect it will be a destructive replacement.

...ken...

Ken,
I love that current.gpx thingie. I note my copy on the main pc is stored in the same place as the nvm files. Sounds like a much cleaner solution.
Thanks!
Terry

Ken,
You can drag and drop current.gpx onto a running copy of MapSource. I tried with Mobile PC but it didn't work.

I replaced the copy in the gpx folder with one from another computer and Mobile PC crashed 3 times with no message, a GPX violation message and then no message. It started the 4th time with the favourites and routes added but NO current.gpx file in the gpx folder. In fact, I can't find it on the computer.

Terry

Thanks for the information. I transfered current.gpx file and it moved all my favorites (waypoints) to the laptop, but not the routes.
I then transferred the GARMIN_SRTE.NVM file to the laptop and got the saved routes.
Got to drive yesterday for a short trip with the Mobile PC and was favorably impressed.
The files are in C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Garmin\GarminMobilePC in Win 2000.
While I did not test it, I also believe it is a destructive replacement, as the old file replaced rather than added to.
It would be nice to be able to add information to the file.

Terry, "current.gpx" is in the "...\GarminMobilePC\gpx" folder on all three of my PCs (two XP, one Vista). I have not tested extensively but so far I have not experienced any crashes. You might want to try creating that directory on the PC that doesn't have it there and stick the "current.gpx" file there to see what happens.

As for dragging and dropping stuff on Mobile PC, or generally treating it like normal application software, that's probably just a recipe for heartache. You will be much better off if you stop thinking about it as a software application and treat it like an independent GPS hardware device. Just pretend it's a Nuvi runaway that's taken up residence on your PC. Expect nothing more from it than you would expect from a handheld Nuvi. Imagine that those .IMG files and .NVM files and .GPX files are actually on an SD card that you will be plugging into the Nuvi.

You'll be much happier that way ... or at least a lot less frustrated.

...ken...

Ken,
I assumed you meant that the gpx folder was in the folder you installed Mobile PC in. That was why I posted differently. I never allow programs to install in Program Files as I don't want them cluttering my c: drive.

I only tried drag and drop because it worked so nicely with MapSource. I didn't expect it to work but once I had tried one thing, I had to try the other. I agree with you, that it is more like a PND on a computer.

I am still researching the crash problem. I realized the computer I copied the current.gpx file to did not have an updated copy of Mobile PC. I will uninstall it, and do an install and update; then try again.

Terry