Thread: how to upgrade 997?

register the unit at humminbird.com and then download the firmware to a memory card and load the card from the unit.

where do i get memory cards? should there be 1 with the unit?

no need to register with humminbird.if the unit doesnt have sd card with it you can buy one of those cheap sand disk cards. one gig. would be plenty big.go to this sight and download the latest software update for your unit.you dont have to but i would recommend that you restore the unit to factory default before and after update.heres the link to site Login this is also the best site to learn and feel free to ask for any help that you need with your humminbird.there really good people there. good luck

I would recommend having a copy of the current software version on a separate formatted SD card....
HB recommends the Sandisk Extreme III SD (or SDHC) card...(walmart has them)

Updating can sometimes go awry and the easiest way to remedy is to revert back the software...

To find what version of software the unit is running:
Press the "Power" button
Press the "Menu" button ( while the welcome screen is showing)
Select "System Status" from the 3 choices
Software version should be listed there

Go here to download current version of software... ( only put 1 version of software on a SD card so it wont confuse the unit when you stick the SD card in the unit)...
Login

(So you will need at least 2 SD cards...1 for current version of software, 1 for newest version of software)

You can register the unit at HB here...
Support

After you register the unit at HB...Sign in to your account to see the latest release of software available for the unit...

Follow these instructions (carefully) to put the software on a "dedicated" "formatted" SD card and then into the unit....
How do I download Software to my HB Unit using MMC/SD card?

If you find bugs or problems in the newest software version... Use the same update procedure but with the other SD card that contains the original software version you found when you got the unit...

Rickie

what rickie is telling you is correct and the right thing to do.who does things right?not me. im always cuttng corners not reading instructions....... the unit is used right ,there is no warranty, no need to register.the site that we have recommended has all the updates for your unit and any questions you have can be answered there. the reason that i recommended the cheap sandisk card instead of the ex stream card is because ive used both .theres not that much difference in right speed for the price difference unless you catch a sale going on.i wouldnt waste money on buying two cards either .if you need change the update,just remove whats on the card then go back to web sight and get different update.when you done remove the update from your sd card or you can leave it on there,you can leave more than one version on the card,it doesnt matter ive done.if you leave update on card all that will happen is at bootup a message will appear saying you already have version installed. use that same card for waypoints,snapshots,video......... if you need more you could alway buy extra sd cards. ive never needed more than the 1 gig for a days fishing. when your card gets full, you can save all info on the card to viewed later on your computer.put the clean card back and go again.like i said rickie telling you the right way im just giving you a cheaper alternative route to take with the and result being the same thing. if you dont do anything else i think that you should at least register at Humminbird Side Imaging Forums .its free and you will learn a lot there.good luck

I've upgraded software in two of my HB units so far and downloaded the upgrade software version to my computer and used Humminbird PC application..free download from HB site...to download to the unit. You do need the cable however, so the memory card is prolly an easier way to do it. There is a way called "bootstrap" to get out of trouble if things go wrong. That is also explained on the HB site. You really do want to join the HB SI forum site like Kosmo suggested. I did have to use this method once, but the other times the upgrade went smooth. Good luck.

so what do i need to get the info from my computer to the card? i dont know much about sd cards or computers

Originally Posted by kosmo

what rickie is telling you is correct and the right thing to do.who does things right?not me. im always cuttng corners not reading instructions....... the unit is used right ,there is no warranty, no need to register.the site that we have recommended has all the updates for your unit and any questions you have can be answered there. the reason that i recommended the cheap sandisk card instead of the ex stream card is because ive used both .theres not that much difference in right speed for the price difference unless you catch a sale going on.i wouldnt waste money on buying two cards either .if you need change the update,just remove whats on the card then go back to web sight and get different update.when you done remove the update from your sd card or you can leave it on there,you can leave more than one version on the card,it doesnt matter ive done.if you leave update on card all that will happen is at bootup a message will appear saying you already have version installed. use that same card for waypoints,snapshots,video......... if you need more you could alway buy extra sd cards. ive never needed more than the 1 gig for a days fishing. when your card gets full, you can save all info on the card to viewed later on your computer.put the clean card back and go again.like i said rickie telling you the right way im just giving you a cheaper alternative route to take with the and result being the same thing. if you dont do anything else i think that you should at least register at Humminbird Side Imaging Forums .its free and you will learn a lot there.good luck

Kosmo probably has the right advice, there's a good chance.