White screen on Garmin GPSmap740.

[Gregg F]

White screen on Garmin GPSmap740. My screen shows only white. It still puts out coordinates and AIS data on the network but no display. I have managed to get the display to flash the Garmin logo a few times by holding the power button down and releasing. This at least tells me the screen is not damaged. Is there a way to do some type of a hard reboot? I’m drifting off the coast of Eleuthera Island, Bahamas and would like to reset this before heading back towards the states. Thanks in advance.

[KeelMe]

My general understanding is that the Garmin white screen means game over.

[rbk]

Not sure if it will work but if you have the ability to download an update and put it on an sd card and do an update that might do it??

[Gregg F]

Thank You Gentlemen – I think the “game over” diagnosis is probably correct. The GPSmap 740 is a touch screen so there’s no way to execute any uploads. Luckily I have gps ability on another unit and I always keep paper charts on board after an old salt told me “Anyone that totally relies on electronics is one diode from disaster!”. Thanks for the posts.

[rbk]

Try the update when you get somewhere. It’s free and worth a shot. If it’s an older unit >5 years I think, you may have to load onto a card 2GB or less in order for it to work. No need to push run/start anything, just plug the card in and it will auto run IF it’s going to work.

[zboss]

Does the 740s work with garmin helm? Have you set it up? If you have you may be able to log in remotely and then do a full reset... once.

[senormechanico]

If you have the manual, see if there's a way to calibrate the touch screen.
I've seen similar problems with sewing machine touch screens where you can't make it do anything.
The machine thinks the screen size is infinite or way off up, down or wherever.

If you don't find anything like that in the manual, try holding a finger in opposite diagonal corners while you boot it up. Wait to see if it changes.
If not, try the other two opposite corners, or two left side and one in the middle opposite side.

Just a suggestion.