Guess I'll try to format one in the FAT files system and load it up. 
Kenwood DNX7100 SD Card Reader
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Colleyville Texas
Kenwood DNX7100 SD Card Reader
My DNX7100 does not seem to want to read the SD card. The factsStandard SD card (Not HCSD)
I tried inserting when the unit was on, before it was on and also tried it when the car was off and then started.
Obviously, its going to be difficult to upgrade my maps if this puppy isn't working.
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong or what I can do to correct?
Jim
I tried inserting when the unit was on, before it was on and also tried it when the car was off and then started.
Obviously, its going to be difficult to upgrade my maps if this puppy isn't working.
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong or what I can do to correct?
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
When I couldn't get mine to accept a new background image from my iPod, another member here told me to put my DNX-7140 into STANDBY mode and connect a jump drive to the USB hookup normally used for the iPod connection and then follow the manual's instructions. Worked like a charm. I believe that's how he updated his maps as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,504
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From: Toronto Ontario
My DNX7100 does not seem to want to read the SD card. The factsStandard SD card (Not HCSD)
I tried inserting when the unit was on, before it was on and also tried it when the car was off and then started.
Obviously, its going to be difficult to upgrade my maps if this puppy isn't working.
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong or what I can do to correct?
Jim
I tried inserting when the unit was on, before it was on and also tried it when the car was off and then started.
Obviously, its going to be difficult to upgrade my maps if this puppy isn't working.
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong or what I can do to correct?
Jim
Correct me if I am wrong but the 7100 shares the same fascia as the 9140 but I believe the the SD reader is non-functional. How did you get the screen/door open enough to get to the slot? On the 9140 we have to hold for a longer period. Was it the same with the 7100? I had tried this once at the installers but the door wouldn't open further than the DVD -not so with the 9140.
Using the USB connector and a stick drive while in Standby mode defnitely does the trick though.
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From: Colleyville Texas
Silversurferc6
Thanks for the ideas. I did the same to change the background using the USB in STANDBY, but the only way to update maps is through the SD reader. To access the SD slot I gently pushed the door down after it stopped. When you hit the button again it returns to its original position.
The Kenwood instructions give the procedure for using the SD slot and say it's the only way to update the maps. If the SD reader won't read a standard SD card, there's not much chance of it reading a map update card. I really don't want to spend $100 to find out. Anyone have a map update I can use/buy?
Jim
Thanks for the ideas. I did the same to change the background using the USB in STANDBY, but the only way to update maps is through the SD reader. To access the SD slot I gently pushed the door down after it stopped. When you hit the button again it returns to its original position.
The Kenwood instructions give the procedure for using the SD slot and say it's the only way to update the maps. If the SD reader won't read a standard SD card, there's not much chance of it reading a map update card. I really don't want to spend $100 to find out. Anyone have a map update I can use/buy?
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,504
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From: Toronto Ontario
Silversurferc6
Thanks for the ideas. I did the same to change the background using the USB in STANDBY, but the only way to update maps is through the SD reader. To access the SD slot I gently pushed the door down after it stopped. When you hit the button again it returns to its original position.
The Kenwood instructions give the procedure for using the SD slot and say it's the only way to update the maps. If the SD reader won't read a standard SD card, there's not much chance of it reading a map update card. I really don't want to spend $100 to find out. Anyone have a map update I can use/buy?
Jim
Thanks for the ideas. I did the same to change the background using the USB in STANDBY, but the only way to update maps is through the SD reader. To access the SD slot I gently pushed the door down after it stopped. When you hit the button again it returns to its original position.
The Kenwood instructions give the procedure for using the SD slot and say it's the only way to update the maps. If the SD reader won't read a standard SD card, there's not much chance of it reading a map update card. I really don't want to spend $100 to find out. Anyone have a map update I can use/buy?
Jim
I would suggest you also call Kenwood to inquire. It may mean that for this model, the map update is done by DVD?
Kenwood Home and Car Products
By mail:
Kenwood USA Corporation
PO Box 22745
Long Beach, CA 90801-5745
By Phone
(310) 761-8802
or toll free 1-800-KENWOOD (536-9663)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 819
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From: South Corona, California
Silversurferc6
Thanks for the ideas. I did the same to change the background using the USB in STANDBY, but the only way to update maps is through the SD reader. To access the SD slot I gently pushed the door down after it stopped. When you hit the button again it returns to its original position.
The Kenwood instructions give the procedure for using the SD slot and say it's the only way to update the maps. If the SD reader won't read a standard SD card, there's not much chance of it reading a map update card. I really don't want to spend $100 to find out. Anyone have a map update I can use/buy?
Jim
Thanks for the ideas. I did the same to change the background using the USB in STANDBY, but the only way to update maps is through the SD reader. To access the SD slot I gently pushed the door down after it stopped. When you hit the button again it returns to its original position.
The Kenwood instructions give the procedure for using the SD slot and say it's the only way to update the maps. If the SD reader won't read a standard SD card, there's not much chance of it reading a map update card. I really don't want to spend $100 to find out. Anyone have a map update I can use/buy?
Jim
I bought the upgraded Garmin maps on their SD card and it works great, but the SD card must remain in the head unit to allow use of the new maps. The 7100 does not use the DVD slot for maps.
I'd like to back up the card to use on another 7100 that I have in another car but haven't found a way to do that yet. Any insight or anything I can copy to help you?
Edit to add: This is the website I purchased the Kenwood/Garmin SD card from, GPS City It works with no problems and as it should. The only issue I have is you must leave it in the slot to gain access to the new maps. My second car will need it's own update if we can't figure out how to back up the original...
Last edited by Hawk07; May 28, 2010 at 03:26 PM.
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From: Colleyville Texas
Well, I'm getting depressed! I tried a reformatted HCSD card (4GB), but it just won't read it. The NAV unit freezes until I remove the card. I thought if I left it in for a few minutes it might pick it up, but no go. I tried resetting the HU using the small button to the right of the ATT button - no go. From what I understand, I can't use the map update without first updating the Garmin software. Of course, if it won't read an HCSD card it won't update either. (sound of me screaming and kicking the dog - if I had one)
Jim
Jim
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: South Corona, California
update with my findings...
I checked the Garmin/Kenwood Sd card I purchased from GPS City. It's file format is FAT32. I formatted a Sandisk 2gb SD card and copied all the files/folders (2 with less than 1gb of info) from the Garmin/Kenwood Sd card to my Sandisk card. When I placed it into the 7100 I was able to go to all of the functions in the head unit. The only problem was that the when mapping an address, the Nav would say "maps not found". It didn't lock up though. I was able to some very 'rough' navigating with it using freeways, but nothing that had a specific address. It also had no information for any of the shopping, points of interest, etc... I'll dig a bit more into when I have some free time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 819
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From: South Corona, California
Well, I'm getting depressed! I tried a reformatted HCSD card (4GB), but it just won't read it. The NAV unit freezes until I remove the card. I thought if I left it in for a few minutes it might pick it up, but no go. I tried resetting the HU using the small button to the right of the ATT button - no go. From what I understand, I can't use the map update without first updating the Garmin software. Of course, if it won't read an HCSD card it won't update either. (sound of me screaming and kicking the dog - if I had one)
Jim
Jim
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From: Colleyville Texas
Hawk07 - Kenwood said a standard Sd card would not work - it had to be an HCSD card, so that makes sense.
As far as the thumb drive update
I was told it can't be updated through the USB
Jim
As far as the thumb drive update
I was told it can't be updated through the USBJim
Last edited by vettn71; May 28, 2010 at 09:27 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 819
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From: South Corona, California
Here is the link on how to update the firmware with the USB memory
http://www.kenwood.nl/WebFiles/Navi-...FWverup_en.pdf
Edit to add: Here is the link to download the update for the 7100's firmware
Here is the link to update the 7100's Garmin Nav unit software
Second Edit: I just ordered up 2 of the 4gb SDHC cards from Newegg to test this out. Should be here by Tuesday/Wednesday
Last edited by Hawk07; May 28, 2010 at 10:03 PM.
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From: Colleyville Texas
hawk07
I have done the Kenwood update and have the garmin update zipped on my computer. I thought there was a way to update maps using the USB, but I guess that wouldn't be right as the NAV unit has to read the new maps from the SD card.
I really do appreciate all the information and help, though. It's very frustrating.
Jim
I have done the Kenwood update and have the garmin update zipped on my computer. I thought there was a way to update maps using the USB, but I guess that wouldn't be right as the NAV unit has to read the new maps from the SD card.
I really do appreciate all the information and help, though. It's very frustrating.
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: South Corona, California
I received the hc cards (2 4gb cards class 6) today and formatted one FAT32 as the original Kenwood/Garmin card is. I copied both files over to it and it did take much longer to transfer the larger file. Put the card in the deck and nothing. It was locked up and wouldn't allow ANY of the functions in the Nav section to open. Heck, I got much more function use out of a regular sd card in the deck than what I'm getting out of the high capacity card. Not sure what the issue is other than it must have some kind of DRM encoded on the card?...
Any ideas on what else I should try?
Any ideas on what else I should try?
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From: Colleyville Texas
Seems as though the map upgrade is a proprietary program. I don't know much about it. To transfer the maps from a CD to a SD card you need a unlock code from Garmin. There may be a similar requirement for transferring from computer to SD card???
Jim
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Toronto Ontario
Some of the guys on the Kenwood Forums did this by hacking into the HU's and replacing the files. It is tricky and you can "brick" your HU. The other way is to buy the Garmin SD map upgrade and just leave it in the HU which is what I will eventually do.
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From: Colleyville Texas
My problem is not buying the SD card map upgrade - it's getting the SD card reader to read an SD card. Garmin syas to upgrade the Gramin software before upgrading the maps. I can't get my SD card reader to see a SD card, either standard SD or HCSD. I'm afraid that if I upgrade the maps without upgrading the software I'll just create more problems.
Jim
Jim
Burning Brakes
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From: South Corona, California
My problem is not buying the SD card map upgrade - it's getting the SD card reader to read an SD card. Garmin syas to upgrade the Gramin software before upgrading the maps. I can't get my SD card reader to see a SD card, either standard SD or HCSD. I'm afraid that if I upgrade the maps without upgrading the software I'll just create more problems.
Jim
Jim
I'm almost certain that the card slot is only used for new map upgrades.
I'll try a couple more things to see if I can get a clean copy.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,504
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From: Toronto Ontario
My apologies to vettn71 and all. I was confusing the DNX7100 with the DNX7140. Page 38 of the DNX7100 clearly states to use the SD card reader to perform the update. My only concern/confusion relates to the way Garmin now offers the map upgrades for these units. They intend us to drop the SD card and leave it there for operation. this means that if you have more than one HU then you have to buy more. SUCKS.