Hi All

Been years since i've posted on here.

But. I've just purshased a Superb II CR170 Estate 4x4 but am a bit disappointed with the NAV only allowing input of 5 digits or so.

The car is an October 2010 and came with no map DVD's. So I don't know what version of maps is installed.

After much reading, which has only added to my confusion, I can conclude that my Comumbus unit doesn't show me the 'secret' menu when having the setup button pressed for 30 secs or so. So I can't say what HW version/firmware is being used.

Any pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Kevin

Hi Kevin

You will need someone with VCDS (Previously known as Vag-Com) to activate the hidden menu for you, have a look in the VCDS Forum and there is a list of members that are in possession of VCDS and are willing to help out.

You will need to do a Firmware upgrade on the Columbus, which in itself is straightforward enough and the topic has been well documented here on Brisky in the ICE Forum.

The problem you will probably have is that later firmware repartitions the internal hard drive and so you lose everything, you will need a friendly Briskodian, or a dealer (Who are mostly C L U E L E S S about the Nav units) who can reload your map's for you.

If you have some basic computer knowledge, creating a Firmware disc is easy, and patience is your friend.

Hope this helps

Cheers for the reply.

I'm fine with the creating of DVD's from iso images etc. It's just what version to put on.

There seems to be so many with some being modified etc that confuses me.

you'll have version 6 on - you need 7.

No Firmware updates are required to run v7.

I have a May 2010 4x4 estate which came with v6 and no postcode.

Al.

you'll have version 6 on - you need 7.

No Firmware updates are required to run v7.

I have a May 2010 4x4 estate which came with v6 and no postcode.

Al.

But iirc a Firmware update is required to run 7 digit postcodes.

I'm running 398X and V8 maps

This is what I mean about how confusing things are.

Do I just go for upgrading the firmware to 402X. Or do I need to wait till I can get access to VCDS to double check my unit.

It's only got 2 partitions for maps and music. I'm sure on reading that v8 requires 3 partitions.

I now have the v8 maps (CD_7692).

Or do I just wait and see if Mr Skoda Dealer will install for me when in for a service.

Edited 19 June, 201214 yr by westy04

This is what I mean about how confusing things are.

Do I just go for upgrading the firmware to 402X. Or do I need to wait till I can get access to VCDS to double check my unit.

It's only got 2 partitions for maps and music. I'm sure on reading that v8 requires 3 partitions.

I now have the v8 maps (CD_7692).

Or do I just wait and see if Mr Skoda Dealer will install for me when in for a service.

Nip back to the dealers and they should update it for you for free,as you have just bought it, it takes around an hour to do and all they do is put there disc in and it updates itself

The 'My GTI' website is the best place I have found for clear, no nonsense instructions on upgrading firmware.

The only real confusion is whether you need to make an 'intermediate' upgrade to be able to gain the 3 partitions of the newer firmware prior to upgrading to the latest 4xxx version. As you only have two partitions, you will need to upgrade to a 3xxx then to the 4xxx versions.

Quote from My GTI 4xxx upgrade instructions:

Warning! This upgrade will not create the new partitions required for the new POI system if you upgrade from 1xxx/2xxx. Upgrading from 3800-3910 is required so the new partitions are created.

Going from 2 partition to 3 generally wipes your maps and data (POI's, music, etc.).

Have a root around on the My GTI website and also on VW Navi (but this is more of a forum and typically spends much of its time dealing with 'problems' rather than no nonsense advice.

Also this quote:

Note! - Test/Setup Mode. The firmware can allow access to enter test/setup mode without Vagcom/VCDS access see Accessing the Setup Menu on the RNS 510 head units with firmware later than 1100

And most importantly so you know the risks:

Warning! There is a remote chance of you ‘bricking’ the unit, this is a fraction of a percent but it could happen!

HTH

I found out a few things today after upgrading my firmware to 4020/4024/4026/4028 from the My GTI link provided by KBPhoto I checked to see how my hard drive was, expecting to see three partitions as I'd already got a 3XXX firmware loaded. Sure enough, three partitions - great - I won't lose maps and/or music!

Wrong! I lost both maps and music - not too much of a problem really, but frustrating. I found that you can load both map data and music (SD Card) at the same time, which was unexpected.

I also downloaded the "fix" for the MFD and applied it. (Skoda Columbus (RNS 510) Fix Updates gateway to enable the display on the instrument cluster to work)

The only difference I can now report is that I've lost my steering-wheel volume control (left-hand thumbwheel), although pressing it still activates voice control for the mobile.

One part of the instructions I couldn't make head or tail of was: "Revision B and C revision units

These units will become SW revision D after the upgrade however when coding the unit using VCDS you will receive the error “Coding Rejected, Error 31: Request Out of Range”

Before saving the new coding manually add a 10th byte (00) at the end before pressing “Do It” as per the example below

9 byte coding (B/C SW revisions):

020104000400001100

10 byte coding (D SW revision):

02010400040000110000 "

I connected VCDS and cleared faults, but I couldn't find any such problems, or similar coding to amend.

So, any ideas how to check for problems with the left-hand thumbwheel? What to access to amend it? How to code the amendment suggested above?

TIA!

Ray

For the superb you do not need to use any firmware modifications, download the standard firmware disk and update. Worked just fine on my old Superbs early 2008 columbus.

The handling of >2GB SD Cards and loading POIs via SD Cards were not features of my Superb when purchased new and I doubt that the "standard firmware" (whatever that is) would now include them. Upgrading firmware has given me some positive advances and I'm not sure why you seem against it?

Ray

I don't think Mannyo is against it, far from it, he means download a standard 3984 or whatever firmware and upgrade with that. Standard as in not hacked or changed by a 3rd party.

There's a tool online on the VW website to add SD contacts along with pictures, phone numbers etc etc. I used that for all my family and important contacts on the SD .

I reflashed my firmware to change my boot screen recently and did not have to reload maps, I don't have music on the HD as that's handled by the pie phone and MDI

OK - you're probably right. When you're seeking answers for specific problems, it's sometimes a little frustrating to get a non-specific generalisation - well, it is if you're me!

On further research, another post on a companion forum from VRSCarl says that the 4xxx firmware is for D variants only. I'll revert tomorrow.

Ray

Cheers for the advice guys.

Couldn't really take the car back to the dealer as it's about 80 miles away.

So dropped the car into a dealer in Northampton whilst I was down there on business. They upgraded the maps to version 7 for £25 which has now given me the full 7 digit post code. So I'm more than happy now.

All I want to do with the car now is maybe upgrade to LED lights everywhere inside (already done the DRLs) and change the speakers as they are awful and vibrate in the rear.

Thanks again

Kevin