Mapsource installations super fast unlocking method

syzygy · 14th March 2012, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by WknThDg

Hmmm.... now if we could only get someone to develop an unlocking tool that can somehow utilize gimgunlock in unlocking MapSource/.gmap installs....

Gimgunlock can unlock .img files of an old MapSource installation, but not .gmp files of a new MapSource installation. Nevertheless, there is a better and even faster way than gimgunlock to unlock a MapSource installation. And you don't need a new tool to do so. Here are the steps of this little known trick.

[1] Install a locked MapSource product as usual.
[2] Find the pathname of the newly installed .tdb file. If not sure where to find, run MapSource.exe, select "Utilities -> Manage Map Products...", then find the "Installed Location" corresponding to the installed map from the list. The "Installed Location" is the folder containing the .tdb file.
[3] Make a backup copy of the .tdb file found.
[4] Download and extract GarminUnlocker.exe from the post below.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[5] Run the following command in a command prompt window to unlock the .tdb file.

Code:

Please Login or Register to see the links

That's all. The whole MapSource installation is unlocked instantly.

Features of this unlocking method
* Super fast unlocking in milli-seconds.
* No disk space and very little memory used.
* It unlocks any MapSource installation, regardless of .img or .gmp files.
* It unlocks any MapID, regardless of unlock code or GMA protected.
* The unlocked map works with any MapSource.exe version, no patch required,
* The installed .img or .gmp maps remain intact.
* The map generated by MapSource.exe via "Transfer -> Send To Device..." is locked. However, it can be unlocked quickly by gimgunlock from post #1.
Moderators, please feel free to add this method to your tutorial section.

**Neil** · 15th March 2012, 07:21 AM

Thanks to syzygy for inspiring me to look for a maybe even easier way. Easier that is, for people not comfortable with using cmd prmt (not me, but i know you guys are out there somewhere).

You can use a similar method using Garmin gmap and family maps (Mapsource) unlocker, (unlock mapset.exe) but instead of running it in the gmap folder itself to unlock the map entirely, you run it in the gmap subfolder Product1 to unlock just for using in MS & BC/MI initially:

1. Install a locked MapSource Product [PC install, gmapfolder]
2. If unsure where the new gmap folder is stored, check in MapSource under Utilities tab>Manage Map Products and look for it's location there. In BaseCamp look under Maps tab for Manage Map Products
3. Find the subfolder 'Product1' of the gmap folder and backup the *tdb file found there
4. Download and extract the attached rar file from [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
5. Drop the unlock mapset.exe into the Product1 folder where the *.tdb file is located, run unlock mapset.exe or drag the *.tdb file onto it.

In a flash, the MapSource installation is unlocked in MapSource, BaseCamp/MapInstall, and you can select desired parts of the map to transfer a locked image to an sd card or a drive. Best not to transfer these kind of maps to your device's internal drive imo.

Finish off by fully unlocking the generated gmapsupp.img with [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] which can be done on an sd in a few seconds even with an older slow pc or laptop.

Huge thanks to syzygy for posting gimgunlock and the above tutorial. Everyone should be rep-ing & 'liking' him until the cows come home. I'm gonna sign up my dog and everyone i know so they rep & 'like' him too!

EDIT: In fairness to pietu, you may also use his formerly 'rabbit' (now 'tortoise') [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (UnLock MapSource.exe) instead of Garmin gmap and family maps (Mapsource) unlocker. According to pietu's [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] comparing those two unlockers, his is 18.5% faster than unlock mapset.exe (that's 81.5% of a flash, folks!). However, it does have the tiny little disadvantage of of not finishing automatically like unlock mapset.exe, in that he says you are required to press any key to close it.
Unfortunately, pietu's keyboard must be different to mine, as i wasted close to half an hour looking for the 'any key' before i found that 'enter' also worked!

**redcap_be** · 26th March 2012, 10:33 AM

Nice!
So if I understand it right this is a working alternative for Jetmouse, without having to know mapid and GPS unit ID?

So first unlock .tdb file with GarminUnlocker
Next unlock created .img by Mapsource with gimgunlock

Small disadvantage: 2 steps
Improvement: fast and works in every GPS device.

Am I right?

**Neil** · 26th March 2012, 10:59 AM

Yes, you're right. And the locked image can be unlocked with gimgunlock on a small sd card, whereas FastImageUnlocker requires requires considerably more disc space and more memory use plus more time. Jetmouse has limitations now because of GMA protection and map FID/MID of 2200 and above. GIU & FIU overcome these.

**golddharma** · 15th November 2012, 03:49 AM

Hello,
Is there a version for Mac OS...available

**catymag** · 15th November 2012, 03:11 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

**ihosc** · 7th June 2013, 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by syzygy

My recommendation is the following method.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

It works under all conditions. All you need to do is: open the .tdb file, change the lock bit, recalculate the checksum, save the file. No need to change the img or gmp file of each tile.

I tried this method and it doesn't work. I check and wonder why there's no tdb file in the folder c:\programdata............\product1\

**catymag** · 7th June 2013, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by ihosc

I tried this method and it doesn't work. I check and wonder why there's no tdb file in the folder c:\programdata............\product1\

In which map? Method never failed till now

at least in City Navigators, there are some maps (rare) where unlockers don't work, but whe know why.

**oziking** · 7th October 2013, 10:38 AM

thanks
it worked
but
maps are sent to the device
when i start the device it says cannot unlock the maps
and even its not listed in the installed maps?
am i doing something wrong?

**Neil** · 7th October 2013, 11:33 AM

G'say oziking. You've only unlocked the *.tdb file in the Product1 folder. That 'unlocks' the gmap folder only for use in MS or BC/MI. The *.img file you have sent to the unit remains 'unauthenticated' i.e. not fully unlocked for the device. You need to do the next step detailed in Posts 1 & 2 which is to run an unlocker on the image, preferably use [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Read the 2 starting posts again closely.