I have a factory fitted RNS 510 in an Octavia 1.8Tsi 59 plate. I wish to upgrade both the firmware and maps (from 5 digit postcode to 7 digit, as well as update the maps). My head is spinning from reading umpteen threads and various links to other forums!

By way of background, I took my car in for 3 yr service (+MOT!) earlier this month and the dealer agreed to update the mapping system to give the 7 digit postcode for £39 (supposedly 30 mins labour cost). On returning home I found my set up was exactly the same as before, with no apparent postcode changes whatsoever. Back to the dealer a few days later who assured me that it had been updated with "the latest disc they had". More disconcerting was a specific confirmation that I did NOT need a firmware upgrade (by then I had read enough on these forums to know that I did!) and that it was not possible to access the information to see what maps version or firmware I had installed (again, I knew by then that this was incorrect).

Through this site I found a member nearby who kindly gave me a VCDS scan (thank you "IMT"!) and amended my settings so I could access the "Secret Menu" (previously the holding down of the set-up button for more than 30 secs did not work...but now does). I have the following readings from "Address 37":

Address 37: Navigation (J0506) Labels: 1T0-035-680.clb

Part No SW: 3T0 035 680 A HW: 3T0 035 680 A

Component: RNS-MID H05 2664

from my Secret Menu I have the following (selected) info:

3T0035680A

HW Version: H05

SW Version: 2664

HW Vehicle: 0xC801

HW Radio: 0006

Map: Western Europe, Navteq, CD_7551

The map is the updated one installed by the garage - I think May 2011 V7.2 - which is Q4 2010 data (?).

I know that I need to install updated firmware - so that my HD is partitioned into 3 from 2. I also am aware that this process will wipe out all my current music and maps. I am looking to do a V9 map install once I've got the firmware sorted out. Reading through various threads, I think my 3T0 035 680 A is called a C revision LED Screen equivalent .

Could someone confirm that I can go straight to 4xxx and not have to do an intermediate 3xxx install first? If so, which version? This thread provides download links:

http://www.my-gti.co...page-1#comments

There seem to be some problems with installation (reading the thread comments) - although a poster suggested this one as an alternative, which others have apparently used satisfactorily and seems to work:

https://docs.google....6OEE/edit?pli=1 Has anyone tried it here?

Alternatively, it might be "safer" to stick to a 3xxx firmware - but which one?

One comment on the My- gti site says: "HDD re-partitioning does not occur when upgrading to version 3930 and 3970 from 1xxx/2xxx, upgrade from 3800-3910 to use these versions" So should I go for the 3810/3814/3116/3118 from here?:

http://www.my-gti.co...and-information

or what about this one I came across elsewhere (firmware has been modified to create 75/20/5 % partition ratios for music/maps/POIs respectively also has VIM and secret menu enabled.)

http://www.rnsfirmware.com/

Any advice/thoughts gratefully received!

The V7.2 maps do indeed support full postcodes, so its the firmware that needs updating. A dealer will not usually upgrade the firmware at all, they hook the car up to the computer and it will usually say no upgrade available. It appears that the dealer has however updated the maps for you.

You can go direct to the 4xxx firmware, I was running 4xxx in my old 2008 superb and did not lose any data going from 27xx to 4xxx. Since you already have the 3T0 unit your Octavia must be a facelift one, so you need a totally unmodified firmware disk. IE. one that has not had the PQ and SK tables swapped, or modified with a can gateway fix, since these fixes are intended for older cars.

The 4xxx firmware you linked to, has download links from the now defunct megaupload so you'll need to find another source.

Try here, the site is italian but the firmware is english and the links are on rapidshare.

http://www.vwitalia.it/forum/f37/lista-firmware-rns-510-a-6383.html

+1 for an in modified 4xxx firmware without going to 3xxx first.

I know people who have gone from 2xxx and even 1xxx straight to 4xxx with no issues other than losing maps & music which you already know.

I'd also recommend the downloads from 'My GTI' as I use them without issue so far.

There are reports of installations of 4xxx sticking at 14% (IIRC) as mine did, but I left it alone for 20 mins and it carried in and still installed in just under an hour as expected.

Unless you are changing the hard drive for a larger one, there is not really any significant benefit in modifying the allocation of space between music/maps/POI as it will only make a small difference in space available for music that could easily be accommodated with a larger SD card.

Stick with unmodified firmware burnt slowly onto CD (find a media that your Columbus likes - mine likes cheap stuff, thankfully).

HTH

I would add be careful with the cheaper media, I would only use the better stuff (Verbatim, TDK etc). It is more likely to burn properly in the first place and you are dealing with expensive kit here.

I know someone who recently used some cheap unbranded media in his head unit, and the disk seems to have dispatched a piece of film or label or something in his unit, which then caused an electrical fire or short, knackering it, and costing him hundreds to replace. It wasn't a Skoda HU but it is a cautionary tale nonetheless.

AS Mannyo and KB said you can go straight to 4xxx. I went via 381x but only because 402x was not out at the time, and started from the very basic 100x firmware.

Adam

Thank you all for taking the time to reply and for your most helpful comments!

A particular problem was that many of the firmware links no longer work (especially the vwitalia ones) - but with perseverance and following the several linked guides I have managed to update my firmware and also my maps to 7 digit. postcode (main reason for upgrade). As suggested I used Verbatim.

My experience might assist others......

In the end I chickened out of going straight to a 4xxx version of firmware - this thread is littered with examples of ppl who have had problems doing that:

http://www.my-gti.co...page-1#comments

Also this comment under one of the "Warnings" bothered me:

"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."

Remember, I was upgrading from 2664

Eventually, I used a version of firmware called "3810a noru". I tried burning a cd using IMGBurn but I found it difficult to lower the burn speed sufficiently and, sure enough, it jammed for ages at 29% load and eventually rejected my cd. In the meantime I prepared another using CDBurnerxp at 1x speed and that loaded correctly, first time.

Obviously it is slightly dull sitting in the car while everything loads up. With the maps I popped back and forth at various intervals - only to find at the end that I was looking at a blank screen....so I had no idea if it had loaded up or not! I decided to press the "Eject" button and up came a warning that it was still downloading - that screen also showed a progress bar - so I left it there so I could monitor progress - maybe this is a step that should be done early on?

Touch wood - everything seems to work ok - 7 digit postcode (from 5), navigation, radio, the Maxidot set up, Secret Menu etc etc.

So to summarise....I went from 3T0 035 680 A which is called a C revision LED Screen equivalent

(the car was manufactured in Nov/Dec 2009 and is a FL - as surmised by Mannyo). It was running on FW2664.

The Secret Menu - now shows 3T0 035 680 B, FW3814, Maps 7918.

As everything seems to work ok, I am loathe to tinker around with the firmware (ie to 4xxx) - I've perhaps had enough excitement for one day......!

Now .....just have to reload my Mp3 stuff.

Edited 30 December, 201213 yr by fbrj

Good news mate well done. To be honest, if you have 3814 working, you get very little extra with then moving to 4024 anyway. That file you found was the one I used too.

I agree in that there is not much between 3xxx & 4xxx (it is slightly faster to boot and on 'key' presses, but not much).

But then again, before you reload your MP3's, why not go the whole hog at get up to the latest version?

Just a thought...

Hi fbrj,

 

Just came across you hold topic concerning the firmware and maps .... well I am facing this exact situation today with my Superb from 2010.

I want to update the maps to V9 but obviously need also a firmware update. I can not access the secret menu neither.... 

 

Do I need to access the secret menu to upgrade the firmware or putting the cd will just do the job? I do not have a VCDS so things might get complicated very quickly if I need to change some settings!

 

Thks 

 

PS: brand new member in this forum, brand new Skoda owner... but happily left the other for Skoda. Thanks for your help and comments.

Edited 17 December, 201312 yr by Altair330

If you search on here there's loads of info but the key is the part number and firmware of your current unit. Without vcds then its get the unit out by removing the outer trim with a plastic tool and four torx screws and then pulling it out. The information you need should be printed on a label on the side of the head unit.

On a Superb I believe from reading on here there is a slight complication to removing the trim involving the airbag switch so have a little search on here first.

Adam