Hi All

I keep reading about firmware and install it yourself, but nobody has actually said where one can get said firmware to do the upgrade. I have a 2010 May superb elegance and i have just upgraded maps to V8 but since obviously the firmware is down level I get only 5 digit searches. Also does anyone know why my HTC 3600 Trinity will not connect to the columbus system. All replies will be gratefully received.

Look on the 'My GTI' website for links to reliable sources of firmware downloads and pleanty of info on the different versions available.

Do you have a Bluetooth module installed? If not, no phone will be able to pair with the Columbus.

hi this what you need for your blue tooth to work with all phones i had to do the same with my June 2010 superb very easy to do just plug and play.half way into the post you will find where to get the blue tooth

bill

Annoyed with SKODA dealer and rSAP !

in Skoda Superb II

Started by A1287210, 01 Jun 2012

Thank you for your replies. I am getting very confused about this Columbus system and I hope that its not me being thick. I need to check the firmware level on my system but when I turn it on and hold the setup key I get nothing except radio setup. I read in another post about how to reboot to the "secret Menu" by pressing < and > and i. This is what confuses me, where is the i key????

I do not have one on my columbus. Do I need to get something enabled by a dealer?? I do not want to do anything until I find out how backlevel my firmware is. I will leave the bluetooth problem until I have got the Head Unit sorted.

Ive downloaded the FW software and tried to burn to disc to install but there must be something wrong with my "burn" set up becasue the FW wont fully install from the disc.

It gets so fat along the install set up and then says an error has occured (words to that effect) and stops the update process.

Can anyone help?

The Columbus can be quite choosy about the media it likes the firmware on.

From the My GTI website:

Download the files and extract them using winrar and you will have a NRG format ISO file to burn. Using Nero burn a DVD+RW or DVD-R (CDR works as well) at a slow speed (4 x is ok for DVD and 16 x for CD). Make sure you use quality media and keep the burn speed down as low as you can to ensure there are no problems during the installation process. Also note that you may need to edit a file before you burn it (see below) if you want to access the setup menu without Vagcom/VCDS.

Burn it slow and try a variety of media to find one that works.

I read in another post about how to reboot to the "secret Menu" by pressing < and > and i. This is what confuses me, where is the i key????

Try <, > & the microphone button (or which ever button you have on the top right - that is where the 'i' button was before the newer versions came out).

This won't get you to the secret menu though. If you have had the secret menu enabled in VCDS you may need to reboot the Columbus to be able to access the menu using the 'Setup' button (Hold it down until it gets past the 'Radio' menu and then gets to the 'Secret' menu - about 20 seconds all in).

Having just made a special trip to my local dealership, I find that no-one in the whole place knows how to enable the "secret Menu" in VCDS. I had to sit and explain the difference between map software and firmware and just to confuse him I thought i would chuck in a bit about the Eprom that the firmware sits in. My problem now is they said they would look at it, but they were not sure whether they could find the firmware level but even so they might have to charge me even if they couldn't find it. The other problem is the next nearest dealership in Devon is 56 miles away. Does anyone know whether someone who uses a plug in diagnostic tool for VW's would be able to enable this menu?

Search through this forum thread to find someone in Devon with VCDS (use the search facility in the top right and you should find someone). If you search this forum, you will find lots of information regarding this menu and how to activate it.

If not, contact Devonutopia direct (on this forum) as he has been know to help out quite a few people in the area with VCDS coding issues.

Without the secret menu enabled you can get a basic set of information by holding 'Setup' until you get to the 'Radio Service Mode' then press 'Version Information' on the screen.

And 'yes', VCDS can enable the hidden menu - I've done it on mine.

There is a whole area dedicated to all things Columbus, Bolero and any ICE, Security & Insurance issues on Briskoda. Have a look in the Forum area. I'm on my phone so can't post link.

All your questions have been covered there many, many times before.

Sorry chaps more questions. Having been on the "my GTI" website and downloaded the firmware, I find that it comes in three separate files. How does one then combine those three files to make one ISO image?

Also has anyone been on that website recently and found that the Repair disc is on a site that has been seized by the American Federal Gov. Has any one got a copy of the said recovery disc in case the firmware screws up?

Sorry ROCKHOPPER I cannot find an answer to these two questions.

The links on this page (v. 4xxx) seem to work...

Which version are you trying to download?

Thank you for your replies. I am getting very confused about this Columbus system and I hope that its not me being thick. I need to check the firmware level on my system but when I turn it on and hold the setup key I get nothing except radio setup. I read in another post about how to reboot to the "secret Menu" by pressing < and > and i. This is what confuses me, where is the i key????

I do not have one on my columbus. Do I need to get something enabled by a dealer?? I do not want to do anything until I find out how backlevel my firmware is. I will leave the bluetooth problem until I have got the Head Unit sorted.

Hi,

I am in the same si****ion - April 2010 Superb Elegance - Can only get Radio Setup rather than the "secret menu". Holding down < and > and microphone does seem to reboot the system but does not appear to do anything else. Have you any joy - I would love to know what firmware version my system has prior to going into bat with my local dealer. Incidently they confirmed that an upgrade to 7 digit postcodes was available but that it would cost me £300 as the version on my car was the latest supported skoda version.

For info I changed the telephone module under the drivers seat in about 10 mins. This then gave me bluetooth link to my iphone 4s which now integrates seemlessly into the columbus unit, handsfree voice system and driver display. I bought mine from an ebay seller in portugal (although can't see any on the site at present) http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/189618-rsap-bluetooth-to-handsfree-sucess/) Note: as is mentioned elsewhere bluetooth media streaming is only out of one speaker ( why I don't know).

I used a 61 plate Yeti yesterday with Columbus on version 3854. It felt much faster to use than my 2700 version or whatever it came with. Seriously thinking of updating now..... But I would have to take back to the dealer to load the maps.

Right Chaps, just got back from a quick week in Brittany, weather wasn't great, but it has brought up another question. First a message to KBPhoto, I have paired my phone to the columbus, without the need of a separate bluetooth unit. My phone is an HTC3600 Trinity, and it runs windows mobile 6.5.

The Question I would like to pose is why is the estimated timings on journeys in France so CR*P. Every time I set a journey, it gave me three options, but in every case the timing was about an hour too much, even though I have set the driving option as fast.

Anybody know how long it takes to upgrade the firmware to Ver 4. I have downloaded the ISO. (Big File).

PS to Rockhopper. Dealers aren't always the only place for map upgrades!!

I have paired my phone to the columbus, without the need of a separate bluetooth unit.

How - your OP said you couldn't do it?

What does pressing the 'Phone' button on the Columbus do?

Anybody know how long it takes to upgrade the firmware to Ver 4.

Firmware updates usually take just under an hour in my experience.

PS to Rockhopper. Dealers aren't always the only place for map upgrades!!

True, but my dealer didn't give me a disc when i bought the car new. Instead they install the latest maps when they get them. For free.

Hi KBPhoto

May be thick but what is my OP? Having altered the settings on my phone, every time I get in the car and turn on the ignition, the phone beeps and tells me that remote SIM access is activated. Pressing the phone button takes me into a menu whereby I can access all my phonebook entries. It makes and receives calls and the steering wheel button works as well.

OP = Original Post (sorry).

How does your phone connect to the Columbus in order for you to be able to access it's telephone facilities from it?

You seem to have rSAP which I believe is only possible with a BT module of some sort somewhere...

My turn to be thick!

There will be a BT module under the drivers seat - have a look for it, there will be a plastic cover over it, about 40mm high. If there is no BT module there you will see carpet at the same level go all the way back at the same level as the front footwell, but you can see the unit if you push the drivers seat all the way back. The Columbus does not have any BT hardware inside it (neither does the Bolero) but I believe the other sat nav, Ambusen does have the BT hardware in it, but I could be wrong.

First a reply to KBPhoto. Pressing phone button first brings up the speed dial presets, and from there I can get to my phone book. This is rsap as the phone tells me that remote sim access is started.

Rockhopper. I have examined the unit under the front seat and it appears to be a VW unit with a part number of 5N0 035 730 C. There are no other attachments to it.

Now comes the next question. I have just upgraded the firmware to 3810 but although now I can access the version information with the setup button alone, I still do not seem to be able to see the HDD. If I go into MEDIA the HDD option is greyed out.

For all those reading this, the upgrade goes without a hitch, takes about 58 minutes and does not seem to need a reset or a power off. If anyone is having difficulty finding, downloading or getting a disk recognised, I am prepared to send copies for the costs. I also have a recovery disk for anyone who has got errors. The upgrade does wipe out the maps and they have to be reloaded. I have Version 8.

Replies requested, especially regarding the HDD issue.

As you have put the 3 partition firmware on, there is now no music on the HDD and you therefore need to copy some music onto it before it will see anything......hence it is greyed out.

Sorry thick again. How do you copy music to it if its not there? Also ver 8 are supposed to have cameras in the POI files. They are on the HDD and since I have copied the maps in, so how do I activate the camera files. I hope its not just me, and others can glean some of this useful info!!!

Edited 7 July, 201214 yr by REynards

Sorry thick again. How do you copy music to it if its not there? Also ver 8 are supposed to have cameras in the POI files. They are on the HDD and since I have copied the maps in, so how do I activate the camera files. I hope its not just me, and others can glean some of this useful info!!!

Put CD in the chose copy (or SD card for that matter)

The poi's are not on the Maps. You have to download them from somewhere. Recommend pocketgpsworld.com as they have the best camera database.

Check in the ICE forum, I think there is a post in there that tells you how to do it or points you to a site that shows you.

The poi's will just show on the map. There is no way you get get the Columbus to make a sound as you approach them.

If you want that then the pocketgpsworld app for iPhone is one of the best. (if you have an iPhone that is :lol:)

How do you copy music to it if its not there?

Put CD in the chose copy (or SD card for that matter)

You can't copy direct from a CD (that would be too easy). You need to have MP3 files (or a few other non-DRM file types - search this forum and you should find the info) on an SD card to be able to copy them from there.

I believe this is the only way, although I have yet to try copying them from a hard drive attached to an MDI connection.

Also ver 8 are supposed to have cameras in the POI files. They are on the HDD and since I have copied the maps in, so how do I activate the camera files.

The poi's are not on the Maps. You have to download them from somewhere. Recommend pocketgpsworld.com as they have the best camera database.

There are a lot of different POI's installed with the map, but I have not seen V.8 to be able to confirm whether speed cameras are or not (I believe they are not). You need to select the POI's that you would like displayed on your system.

If you follow this link you can download the user manual for Columbus (on a previous firmware). The information is on page 12 (bottom right).

rockhopper is correct that the Columbus will not make an audible warning when you approach the speed cameras and that pocketgpsworld is one of the better databases for speed camera updates.