Hi hope the fonts of all knowledge can help me.

I have a columbus in my car (a 1Z0035680A) which I am trying to upgrade the firmware from 1024.

I downloaded the firmware that vrsCarl kindly put on the MK5 GTI forum versions 276x and 130x.

I burned the 276x onto a CD, a tesco one I know and put it into the car, it started to load fine, got to about 30% but then threw a wobbly and stopped and threw out the CD saying that it didn't like it. I then did a recovery to get it back working, using the SWL recovery disc made by Josi I downloaded from the MK5 GTI forum at the same time, did a soft reboot and up it came fine.

I retried loading the 276x firmware using a verbatim DVD-R that I'd burned at 3x speed, the slowest I could find, but when I put it in the car it was saying that it wouldn't load as there was a downgrade error and to put another disc in or do a reboot which I did to get it back working fine. I had noticed that the start up screen was still a newer one to what I had originally.

Have any of you oracles out there any ideas as to the best way to go about trying to upgrade to the 276x from where I am at the moment as I don't want to brick the unit?

Thanks,

Ian

I reckon the failed attempt has caused the system to believe its on 276x already, so it then thinks the good disc is no newer. You can tell the system somewhere in the setup menu to enable software downgrade before reinstalling which should get around this.

Or, as I did, you could upgrade the unit to 381x or even 402x. I had the same unit as you on 1024. There is a modified version about for such rev A units for each, although note this will overwrite maps and music and you will need v7.2 maps or higher to get full functionality from that firmware.

Oh and if you have mfsw, you also need the fix for that. This is a good resource. http://www.my-gti.com/3374/volkswagen-rns-510-firmware-upgrade-and-information

Adam

Thanks for that Adam, I tried another disc, my Columbus didn't like a DVD so I tried another CD and it downloaded fine. It now has the Test mode enabled so when I opened that it came up that the unit is now a 3T0035680A running 2764 firmware. Only problem now is that I still have the nav on the maxidot but I have lost the MFSW and I don't seem to be able to open the firmware I downloaded to do the PQTABLE and SKTABLE swap. Any ideas anyone?

Ian

Exact same happened to me. The fix on the link I gave you worked for me....

Adam, I have seen the fix, it sounds like it kept the maxidot working but enabled the MFSW, I hope this is correct as I have bitten the bullet, downloaded and burned it to disc. Touch wood it will work fine.

Ian

It does the table swap as far as I am aware. I had no problems with maxidot in my case

Ps I change the maxidot with the switch at end of wiper stalk. The mfsw doesn't control it in my case.

My MFSW only controls the columbus too. I burned the fix onto a CD-R and tried putting it into my Columbus, unfortunately after saying it couldn't start up...insert a SWL-CD, it then restarts and then came up with CD/DVD error. Even if I do a reboot pressing the setup, eject and i button it still comes up with disc error. What sort of disc did you use and was it a straight forward burn with nero as that is what I am using.

Ian

I used a cd-r too, and I steered clear of cheap ones. The Columbus is very picky and I had a few of those errors even with better quality media, but it worked in the end. My mfsw only has volume and track or station up down arrows mind you. Yr car is newer than mine so may have different functionality??

Sorry I missed your other question. I used imgburn. And it was a,straightforward burn image to disc run including verify at 2x speed, the lowest available.

Ok thanks, you have been a great help, much appreciated . I think I may have to try it again with another disc. I presume your wheel and mine are the same as mine is a pre-FL car too. fastforward/back, mute and illumination off on left. volume up/down and track/station up/down on right.

Ta muchly,

Ian

Yes that's exactly like mine. I'm sure you will get it sorted, I reckon its just the media. Good luck

RESULT!!!!

I have now got a Columbus with 2764 firmware but also a fully functioning MFSW. Thanks to Adam for pointing me in the right directing and instilling confidence to do it by having done it himself. I downloaded the fix by Josi that was in the link and after having to burn a second disc and a faltering start when the unit said bad CD before getting on and downloading it. Updated the gateway resulting in the wheel buttons now working. All I need now is the latest maps in order to get the 7 digit postcode search, the reason for doing this in the first place.

Ian

Well done mate. I think its v7 maps numbered 7333 on the setup menu you need, or higher.

V7.2 or higher give you better functionality on firmwares 3xxx and above I believe, mainly around points of interest. And they also work on your 276x firmware.

Adam

Cheers Adam, the latest maps just out are version 9, (7918 or 7920 with speedcams) got that from a website called "www.linexdown.net"

Don't know how dodgy that will be, also you have to register to download it and at about 5.5 GB is one heck of a file size to download so may wait and get a disc.

There are sites in Europe selling v9 discs for about £35 but I can't find them at the moment.

Ian

As far as I know version 8 is the newest Not heard of version 9 yet. I have version 8 at the moment also some dealers will update maps for free I know my dealer does.

Ignore my comment above it appears that version 9 is out now

I reckon the failed attempt has caused the system to believe its on 276x already, so it then thinks the good disc is no newer. You can tell the system somewhere in the setup menu to enable software downgrade before reinstalling which should get around this.

Or, as I did, you could upgrade the unit to 381x or even 402x. I had the same unit as you on 1024. There is a modified version about for such rev A units for each, although note this will overwrite maps and music and you will need v7.2 maps or higher to get full functionality from that firmware.

Oh and if you have mfsw, you also need the fix for that. This is a good resource. http://www.my-gti.co...and-information

Adam

Adam

Can you confirm that there was / is no issue with FW3810 or 4020? Only reason for asking is I have the same 1Z0 035 680A unit and a 2008 Octavia. When I upgraded to 4010 I ended up with a totally flat battery. charged it up, and the fan in the Columbus just cycled on/off continuously without the car or unit being turned on. Tried the gateway fix from Josi as well, but no luck. The CAN gateway is a Q version, so I assume the original rain problem shouldn't be there (and is not at the moment). I ended up going back to 2760, but would really like to upgrade.

If you don't mind, could you also let me know what coding you have in the controller (I believe it should be the radio controller 56) if you know, and where you got the modified firmware from?

Many Thanks

Tom

Tom, I have a p revision gateway and never suffered from what you did so pretty sure its not that. I didn't need the fix you mentioned either. I found my software from google searching on "firmware rns510" and specifically selecting a revision A specific mod, with the partitions in the ratio 70%:25%:5% for music, maps and pois respectively. Can't recall the source but it was one of those file sharing sites.

Not sure about the coding as I don't have vcds but I didn't need any changes till I also fitted Bluetooth.

Ive never seen modified 4010 fw, perhaps that is the issue. 4020 is the only fw with a specific mod for our revision A units in the 4 series as far as I know. 3810 in the 3 series is also available modified for A units.

Hope that helps

Adam

Found the firmware, no problems now

Nice one