How to Add Your Contact Info to Your GPSr (Garmin)

[shroomAzoom]

I've got a Garmin and can teach you how to add your contact info to the loading screen on your Garmin GPSr. If you've got a Magellan and can help out with that brand, please do.

For the Garmin it is pretty simple and should be similar across many models. I have a GPSmap 60CSx and it is almost identical to the GPSmap 76 series and I'd be surprised if the eTrex and other models from that era aren't almost the same.

So here goes, it's a two step process...

• Go to your Main Menu screen, select Setup, then select Welcome Message.
• Edit the Welcome Message and select OK.

It's not that difficult, once you know where to look. My message includes my name, email address and phone number with area code. Hope this helps!

[ChrisDom]

For Oregon series, connect your Oregon to a computer in USB mass storage mode and edit file [OR drive]:\Garmin\startup.txt in a text editor like notepad. You can add several lines of text at the end of this file which will be displayed at startup. This feature is useful for adding contact information in case the unit is lost.

Modifying the line <display=0> in the same file will change the the number of seconds that custom startup message is displayed (i.e. <display=5> will display the message for 5 seconds). Note your boot time will increase by the same number of seconds, so a value between 5-10 seconds is a reasonable setting.

Note: you must have updated to at least Software 2.96 (beta).

[B.A.S.K.]

how would I find that file?  I'm not that great with a computer, so please bare with me.  I have a colorado unit.  I've managed to put a few different background pictures on my unit now, so I think I might be able to do what your talking about.
Thanks
B.A.S.K. (Brad)

[ChrisDom]

Yes, update to at least Beta Software 2.92 (download updated software for your unit at Garmin.com). Connect your Colorado to a computer in USB mass storage mode and edit file [CO drive]:\Garmin\startup.txt in a text editor like notepad. You can add several lines of text (at least 5) at the end of this file which will be displayed just before the first screen is displayed at power on. This feature is useful for adding contact information in case the unit is lost.

Modifying the line <display=0> in the same file will change the the number of seconds that custom startup message is displayed (i.e. <display=5> will display the messge for 5 seconds). Note your boot time will increase by the same number of seconds, so a value between 5-10 seconds is a reasonable setting.

Use this site for more info on your unit:  http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Versions#toc18   

[Whitewolf]

shroomAzoom

WOW great info did this this morning and it even worked for me !!!!!!!!!!!
Put name phone number and email address on the screen

[ragbag]

I tried it with my Garmin Map76, and there is no"Welcome Message" in the setup section.  Perhaps I have an old version of the software?  Any ideas?

[shroomAzoom]

Hmm, did it on my dad's 76. I'll have to take a look at it and see where it was on the menu. It could be that you have an old firmware too. I'll let you know.

[Whitewolf]

Ragbag
I couldn't find it at first either but then I noticed There was a scroll bar at the side. scrolled down and there it was.

[ragbag]

Thanks for the hint, Whitewolf, but no go.  FWIW, I have software version 4.00.  Maybe I have to update my software.

[ChrisDom]

Ragbag, you have the latest firmware; after reading through the revision; I don't think that the GPS Map76 has this feature.  But an easy solution is tape and marker in the battery compartment  (I hope this is not too technical  .

[shroomAzoom]

Chris and Ragbag, the 76's do have that feature. I've got both the Pepsis and Poohmas contact information on the welcome screen of theirs. If you guys are around tonight, we'll figure it out. And if you're not, we'll still figure it out and let you know.

[B.A.S.K.]

I cant seem to find the file you specified chris "[CO drive]:\Garmin\startup.txt".  I was just on the Garmin site the other day and downloaded a software update, but still cant find it.  I'm not the most computer literate person, so maybe this is beyond my abilities.  I'm running windows xp.  with my gps plugged in when I go into "my computer" the garmin is drive (E:), when I open that I get some different folders and some other stuff.  would I be able to find the file I need to change in there somewhere? There is a file called autorun, it comes up in notepad, and almost looks like it might be something:
[autorun]
icon=Garmin\Garmintriangletm.ico
action=Garmin Colorado
label=Garmin Colorado
, but I'm scared to change anything without knowing for sure.  sorry if I'm being a pain.  If you dont think I'm going to get it, please just say you cant help me , and I promise not to take it too hard, lol.   

[ChrisDom]

BASK; if you have updated the firmware on garmin.com;  then when you plug your unit in to the computer, access the GPS file (see capture 1).  Click on the garmin file; you should then be able to see the startup file (see capture 2).  Open this up in a txt program and edit (add your info and something witty about geocaching ). 

Good luck

Chris

[old attachment auto deleted]

[ChrisDom]

RagBag, do you have the original MAP 76 ( gray LCD )?  That GPS does not have the programable text on start up feature.  The colour Map 76 (Cx or CSx) does have the feature.

[shroomAzoom]

Yeah, I was totally wrong Ragbag. The B/W GPSMap76 won't let you edit the Welcome page. Chris is right.