I have lifetime updates on my GPS and the latest Garmin software to update maps. With Yosemite 10.10.4 the GPS will not even show up on the desktop now and the Garmin software cannot find it to update the maps. I have repaired permissions several times already to no success. What should I do now?
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)
Hello dawa106,
I understand that you are trying to update your GPS with the latest software from Garmin and the device does not show up on the Desktop to do so. Let's see if we can find it.
I would start by checking your Finder Preferences to see if mounted devices would show up on your Desktop. I would make sure that Hard Drive and External Disk is check to ensure that anything that shows up like a hard drive will show on your Desktop. Take a look at the quoted section below for more details.
Mac Basics: Desktop
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201956
Decide what's displayed on your desktop
You use Finder preferences to choose what type of items appear on your desktop.
- Click the desktop.
- Choose Finder > Preferences, then click General.
- In the "Show these items on the desktop" section, select the items you want to appear on your desktop, such as hard disks and external disks.
If it still does not show up, you may want to look at Disk utility to see if it sees any connected devices that are not mounted. The steps are in the link below.
Disk Utility 12.x: Mount a disk that’s been ejected
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH5830
Take it easy
If the GPS software is an application.
Try a restart.
Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.
Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.
Isolating an issue by using another user account
If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.
Nothing suggest worked. So I started running Drive Genius and as soon as I had it going for a few minutes suddenly the Nuvi appeared on the desktop and on the hard drive window as well. Also on the drive genius menu.
Immediately the Garmin Express software activated and is now updating the maps.
Thanks much guys for trying. Drive Genius rides to the rescue.
Must be a glitch in the OS 10 somewhere.
Garmin Nuvi GPS does not appear on the desktop
