Laptop GPS World

I just checked maps at Tools - Map Sets on each of the 3 computers. None are locked.

Terry

I attached the GPS 10x to the laptop but see no change in Settings - About.
Ken, was your software version already 5.00.10 or did you have to update it?

Terry

Terry,

I apologize in advance .. I don't mean to be demeaning and I know you are pretty knowledgeable of the Garmin stuff but I really need to ask this question. Are you absolutely positive you are seeing the CNNA NT2009 detailed maps on all of the PCs? I ask because the world basemap that comes with Mobile PC has a surprising amount of detail. It's three times the size of the world basemap that I downloaded for my iQue 3600.

Did you check the Manage > Map Sets screen to be sure that CNNA NT2009 is unlocked on them all?

Were they all connected to the internet at the time you installed/activated? The one thing I have not tried is to activate my laptop with no internet connection. I think I'll kill the network connection and see what happens.

...ken...

Ken,
Yes, I checked that specifically because I have MG Can v4 on a couple of the computers. There is no message anywhere about locked maps.
Terry

Software version on the installation DVD is 5.00.00. I have updated it on the desktop (activated copy) but I didn't update until after it was activated. I haven't bothered to update on the laptop. I guess that should be my next step, although I don't expect any change.

I tried to Enter Product Key with no internet connection but I just get an error that it can't reach the Garmin activation servers. So, no joy yet.

...ken...

Terry, have you used an unlock code with Mobile PC or just the Product Key? I thought you mentioned getting an unlock code from Garmin Tech Support way back when we began the discussion about Mobile PC but I'm probably getting confused about who said what by now.

...ken...

Ken,
Well that blows my version theory.

I still have another computer in the house with Bluetooth which I haven't installed Mobile PC on. I am a little busy today but will try it tomorrow to see if the pattern has changed.
Terry

Okay, now I'm completely baffled. I enabled my internet connection, installed the update to 5.00.10g, clicked the button that I had purchased the software-only version and entered the Product Key. It started the activation process .... and was successful.

So, now I don't know if it's because they managed to kill my activation on the desktop. Or if it was because I installed the update.

Terry, can you recall, did you activate all of yours before or after doing the update?

...ken...

Good thinking. Don't do anything yet, please. I'll try installation and activation on my other desktop and see what happens.

...ken...

Interesting stuff.

By the way, beside the Garmin Mobile PC w/GPS20x, I now also have the software-only version. I received it on Friday, and I haven't got around to installing it, yet. I'm glad I didn't.

Feel free to suggest to me what to test in the process of installation/activation. I just uninstalled the previous installation of Garmin Mobile PC, so I can start 'fresh'. Do you want me to upgrade before I activate, to see if it works/doesn't work on 2 PC's (w/non-Garmin GPS receivers)?

__________________
Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

Yes, that would be good if you would install the update before trying to activate.

I'll try installing and activating the original from the DVD and see what happens, if that fails (and it should, if Terry's version theory holds up) I'll try installing the update and see if that works. I'll probably do that tonite .. gotta do some running around right now.

...ken...

I installed it on at least 2 computers before I even knew about the update. The 3rd doesn't have the update on it yet. I seem to recall that after updating the second computer, it gave me a free trial button but I didn't try it.

Terry

I'm getting the above notification when I attempt to activate Garmin Mobile PC on my 2nd laptop PC. So an activation on 1 (one) PC seems to be the limit for those who wish to use 3rd party (non-Garmin) GPS receivers.

It appears that there may not be a technical limit set for the number of installations that would function with the Garmin GPS20x receiver included in the $99.99 Mobile PC w/ Garmin GPS bundle. Even in the license agreement, which I just read (and Grainchaser read before me), I don't see a limit set to only one installation, so I'm guessing it is OK. If anyone reading this thinks otherwise, please let us know.

(Both of my installations were v.5.00.00 upgraded to 5.00.10 before I attempted activation of the product.).

__________________
Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

Hi Marvin,

Yes, that's the error screen I was getting when I originally was trying to activate my laptop after I had already activated my desktop.

I guess that puts paid to the idea that the version makes a difference.

My laptop must have activated today because Garmin Tech Support were finally successful at killing the original activation records for my desktop in their activation database. I will confirm that in a little while when I try to install and activate on my other desktop. Based on your experience, it should fail.

Yes. That's what I tried to explain in that long-winded note earlier today. If you have activated to a Garmin GPS receiver, the maps will be unlocked to that receiver so you can use it on as many PCs as you like. The reasoning is that you can only use it with that one GPS receiver. Since you can only use that receiver with one PC at a time, they don't much care which PC you use it with.

...ken...

Okay, we have additional confirmation that the software-only version will only activate on one PC. I installed on my other desktop, updated to 5.00.10g and tried to activate with the supplied Product Key. No joy. Same error screen as Marvin shows a couple messages back.

I can use it as long as I tell it I've got a Garmin GPS receiver. But it won't show me the detailed maps, just as expected.

I have discovered one thing. Just on a whim I decided to see if dragging the "current.gpx" file over to the correct directory on the other computer was a quick way to get the Favorites and saved tracks over to the other computer. Yep, it works. Dragged the file over, fired up Mobile PC and there were all the Favorites and saved tracks. Slick!

I'll post this bit of info in the appropriate thread about sharing info between computers.

...ken...