Guide: Upgrading Columbus firmware and maps

[AJ7788]

Hi all,

 

Thought this might help someone else so I have put together a little guide on upgrading firmware and loading maps on the Columbus unit.

 

**PLEASE NOTE: Neither myself, or anyone associated with Briskoda.net is responsible for upgrading your unit, it is done at your own risk as there is a chance you can brick your unit**

 

First of all you need the relevant firmware for your device - some doesn't work with older versions, or there are some modified versions about. The firmware is available freely and you can have a look at http://www.rnsfirmware.com/ or http://www.my-gti.com/category/in-car-entertainment/rns-510-in-car-entertainment (some links on this site doesn't work, but the alternative download does seem to work) to find the relevant firmware.

 

**YOU WILL NEED YOUR MAPS DVD AFTER INSTALLING NEW FIRMWARE AND YOU WILL ALSO LOSE ALL MUSIC, ETC THAT HAS BEEN SAVED ON THE HARD DRIVE!**

 

For reference, my Columbus is part number: 3T0 035 680 A and on top of the unit it says HW: H42, SW: 2724. I downloaded the RNS510 firmware 4120 modified for Europe from the http://www.rnsfirmware.com/ link (File name is: EU_4120_FW_70_25_5.ISO).

 

The next step is to burn the ISO image onto a disk, for this I used Astroburn Lite which is an add-on of Deamon Tools Lite. You can use any image burner software for this, as long as you don't just burn the acutal .ISO file onto the disk as this will not work. An important note is to burn at the lowest speed available! I used Verbatim DVD+R disks and burnt it at 4x speed.

 

Once this is complete you are ready to update your Columbus. The instructions for this is simple, put the key in the ignition but do not start the car. Turn the Columbus on and insert the disk - you will be presented with the following screen;

 

 

The unit might restart but you will be presented with this screen after a little while;

 

 

You have about 10 seconds to press OK or it just continues automatically anyway.

 

It took about 50 minutes for the firmware to update, there were multiple restarts and some odd noises coming from the unit, but this is all normal! Some during update screenshots;

 

 

 

Once all the stages has completed you will be presented with this screen;

 

 

Remove the disk and the unit will restart. I think mine just turned off so I had to turn it back on manually.

 

To confirm firmware has been installed press and hold the Setup button until you can see Version Info - press on this and it will show SW-Version - in my case it was 4120. At this point the map information will just show "-" as no maps will be loaded.

 

Now to install the maps;

Insert the maps DVD into the Columbus (The map disks are copyrighted so you will need to visit a dealer or buy an official map DVD disk). Nothing will happen on the screen when you insert the disk other than some noises where the disk will sound like it is being read. To get the screen up to show you how far the update/install process is press the eject button on the CD/DVD slot and the following screen will come up;

 

 

This process took around 40 minutes and in the end this screen was shown;

 

 

Press on "Eject" and the disk will be ejected. To confirm maps has been loaded correctly press and hold the Setup button again until you can see Version Info. Press on this and you will see Active map coverage which in my case is "West Europe", Active map supplier will be "Navteq" and the important one "Map Version HDD" which again in my case is 8048 (This is VW V10 maps for reference).

 

 

 

Success! And your all done

 

Wanted to say thank you to a couple of members on here for loads of advice and putting up with a million questions from me especially; adamal and KBPhoto.

 

Any questions, I'm sure someone will be able to give the answer so ask away.

[john999boy]

A good guide which I'm sure will help lots of people.

Thanks.

[Camberley_Chris]

Planning to update both firmware (5270) and maps (v10 8048) after Xmas so this is a very useful and timely guide - many thanks. 

[AJ7788]

No problem

[Huwcymru]

Should I have received a maps DVD with my car - I'm sure I didn't

[Camberley_Chris]

Should I have received a maps DVD with my car - I'm sure I didn't

No, it's extremely rare for anyone to receive a map DVD with their vehicle. Even dealers probably don't get them now as updates can be done by their online ELSA tool and newer units can be updated by SDHC cards which would have been more convenient all round if implemented earlier.

[J306TD]

Planning to update both firmware (5270) and maps (v10 8048) after Xmas so this is a very useful and timely guide - many thanks.

Would you be able to share the disc or sd card as I have no access to a pc only a tablet? Thanks James Edited 22 December, 2013 by J306TD

[Camberley_Chris]

Sure, I'll report back on success (or not) when I've done it and we'll go from there. They're both on DVD by the way, with the maps on a dual layer as it's 5.3GB.

[J306TD]

Sure, I'll report back on success (or not) when I've done it and we'll go from there. They're both on DVD by the way, with the maps on a dual layer as it's 5.3GB.

Thanks Chris. That's very kind and helpful of you

[Camberley_Chris]

Success - I have just updated to firmware 5270 and software (maps) 8048 (and have photos to prove it).

Before

Delivery part number 3T0035680E

HW-Version                 H61

SW-Version                 5270

Active map coverage  West Europe

Active map supplier    Navteq

Map version HDD:      7918

 

After

Delivery part number  3T0035680K

HW-Version                H61

SW-Version                5270

Active map coverage West Europe

Active map supplier   Navteq

Map version DVD      8048

 

It all went smoothly (a couple of scary long pauses during firmware upgrade) and after just the firmware upgrade I still had the v9.0 maps, POI's and music on HDD as before since this was an 'upgrade' firmware image and not a 'factory' image that removes everything. 

I then upgraded from v9.0 maps to v10.0 which is much easier as you can run the car, listen to radio/music while the DVD rattles away for almost an hour.

I now have the 'Testmode' extended secret menu and 'Radio text' which is useful. I should have 'Video In Motion' too but haven't tested it yet.

So I have a new operating system and new maps to start the new year - Happy New Year to all our readers too!

[J306TD]

Chris does the map run from the DVD or HDD?

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

[Camberley_Chris]

I only need one set of maps (West Europe) so I copy them to the HDD when prompted during the upgrade. It must navigate faster that way and it also keeps the CD/DVD drive free.

[Camberley_Chris]

Oops - just noticed I made a slight error in post #10 above, the 'Before' SW-Version should have read 3984, otherwise it's correct.

[J306TD]

Yer I agree on the HDD is better

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

[superbdreams]

where can I find unmodified firmware 4120? (Europe)

[adamal]

Try www.rnsfirmware.com. It says its modified for Europe as its an aussie based site I think. I think this is map specific modifications rather than the modification needed for hardware related issues on older units.

[superbdreams]

I had seen that thankyou but really don't want to risk it being modified in any way.

Drawn a blank on the net.

[adamal]

If you put up a thread asking if anyone has done it, I'm pretty sure some have with that very version...

[zei20t]

only a few things are modified, VIM is enabled, and the partitions are changed to allow more HDD space for music.

 

the rest is unchanged. plenty of people in Australia (myself included) are using these modified firmwares successfully.

 

if you don't like it, put the genuine VW/Skoda version back on.

[J306TD]

Can the disc from Skoda be used once or as many times as you want?

[Mattyb14]

Great guide thanks very much. Totally new to all this but it went fairly smoothly. Like you I have v10 maps and upgraded to Firmware version 4120. All has been successful except while I can select POIs to display on the map, they don't actually show. POIs are there as I can select them as navigation options. Any thoughts or ideas greatfully received.! Thanks

[zei20t]

Can the disc from Skoda be used once or as many times as you want?

 

As many times as you want

[J306TD]

So why don't we all just buy one disc and share the cost for those that are afraid of the download route

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

[KBPhoto]

Because that would be an illegal infringement of copyright.

Like sharing and copying CD's or computer software, etc.

[skodapeter]

Many thanks to a7788 for this guide.  Camberley_Chris may I ask where you got the 5270 firmware, and what difference it made?  I have a 3T0035680E, HW: H70 and SW: 4120 and Maps 7920 that I intend to update.

Any help is greatly appreciated.