We have a Mac, not a PC, running OS10.6.
Good to know, but unfortunately, that lets out one of our favorite planning tools that was written only for a Windows OS (Tyre) and would require WINE or something similar to run it. Still, there are several alternatives, and of course, you can plan an itinerary on the unit itself (more on that later).
Unboxed TomTom. Downloaded/installed TomTom Home. (Hooked unit up to USB hub; it wouldn't connect, so re-plugged it directly into the computer.)
That seems to be a common issue with hubs. Direct connection was the right move there.
It goes through a very long install process, then asked to update/install 3 more items -- can't remember them all; one involved traffic. Installed them and got a TomTom Home screen (screen shot attached) with several folders: Purchase Maps, Add Traffic, Voices etc, Update my Device, Use TomTom route planner, Manage my Device, Backup and restore, Find accessories, Operate my Device, and Use My Activation code.
So far, so good. The unit probably updated to the most recent firmware, pulled the most recent ephemeris data, and it sounds like the Home user interface is acting as one would expect.
Since it's a new unit and I want to install maps, I tried "use my activation code," which brought up the message that the code is valid but doesn't apply to my device. Went to online help, entered serial number, which brought up a slightly different model than the one I'm supposed to own, and says I don't need an activation code, but can use "latest map guarantee" instead. Try that. It returns with a message that it doesn't apply to my device.
OK - now we're down to the actual malfunctions. As of late, it seems that a call to CS is required to get the lifetime maps enabled. As we noted, have that little card and the serial number ready. Maps are issued quarterly, and the current map version is 885. What map level are you on at present?
So that we're sure you have the unit you expected, can you tell us the first two characters of your unit serial number? Just want to be sure that their server isn't confused, too.
Several times tried disconnecting device and trying to run it that way, had to go through prefs and language screen each time -- and it doesn't give time to pick a language, just picks one at random each time, forcing you to go back and do it again -- go through prefs, then get "no maps found."
That is likely a function of the firmware update, which was probably more than one rev advanced from where you received it. There have been several firmware updates lately. Current firmware will be 9.430.
Hmm.. I asked about both map version and firmware -- guess we should be sure you've spotted the mechanism for retrieving those for us. I'm going to
assume that a firmware update or two took place when I ask the following, so if it makes no sense when you try to execute it, please let me know and we'll have you try another way.
Press in the center of your screen. Right arrow until you see "Status and information". Then press "Version information". The number that follows the "App" will be of interest, but we only need the first 4 digits (i.e., 9.340). The map version follows "Map", and again, only the first 3 digits are necessary (i.e., v875 or v880 or whatever).
Tonight as I'm writing this I hooked up the the TomTom again and went to Operate my XXL on my computer (it now recognizes it as XXL and not "Device"). Got a message that it needed to download more software -- fine -- now it's asking for current location (again) but now the display on my TomTom emulator on my computer is upside-down and not usable. (screen shot attached). Last night it was fine,although I had to go through prefs more than once, so they're not being saved. And, BTW, the "Use my activation code" still isn't usable either -- "next" is grayed out.
Sounds as though the Operate my XXL is working, so what we need for you to do is plan a route to anywhere using "Navigate to" and pretend you are going somewhere on that emulator. That has been known to straighten out the power up issues with preferences.
Just disconnected it, and it's asking for preferences again ... go through the prefs, again, and get "no maps found."
THAT is not a good thing, however, in your case, it's not a show stopper. Once you have called to enable your lifetime map subscription, you'll be offered another map. The question is how you got there. The updates seem to be the issue.
With your unit hooked up to your Mac, it should appear as just another external storage device. Look to see if you can see your North_America map folder on the device. We really need to know what you find there.
Also, I'm not trying to plan "itineraries." I'm trying to plan routes. You know, where you look at a map, decide which roads you want to take, then take them. For the life of me I don't understand why planning one's own route is near-to-impossible on every GPS. Google maps and mapquest (somewhat less successfully) both offer that feature, so it's obviously not impossible. Why don't our GPS companies?
Yes, this is a problem for all of the automotive nav units I've used, too. However, the way we force a particular route on a TomTom is to create a route as an itinerary. You specify the waypoints that are along your route such that it forces the unit to move from waypoint to waypoint rather than attempt to create its own routing.