bkadkins64

This thread looks like it exists but I have a new question. I have a 2008 LS460 and have received this Message " Unable to read Data See Dealer" So I went to the dealer and they wanted $1200 to replace my NAV DVD. The dealer rep said the DVD was in the trunk. I took the car home and ripped out all of the linings to fine the DVD and to my amazement the DVD was not in the trunk. This doesn't surprise me since I have had a lot of bad experiences with this dealership. Which brings me to the $64K question. Do I even have a DVD or do I have a Hard Drive? And regardless of which I have can anyone tell me where it is located? I don't mind ripping out the dash but I will be really pissed if it is not there and shows up under the passenger seat. So I'm looking for an answer from someone that knows not somebody that thinks they know. Thanks.

hfahmy

No DVD. Hard disk inside the NAV unit that went bad. I think they will change the whole NAV unit

bkadkins64

OK. If I have a hard drive and no DVD the only way to access it is using the Update Tool. Replacing the Nav unit is what I would call the shot gun effect and if that is the only thing that can be done fine. I worked for IBM for 30 years and know that sometimes hard drives get bad spots on the platters that cause read write errors. Most of the time as stated above the hard drive has to be replaced. But sometimes you can do a low level format on the hard drive that flags those cylinders on the platter, reload the data and the device will work fine. One last question for anyone that has any experience with the Update Tool. Does the update tool have any "Repair" utility that might reformat the hard drive or is it just a download tool? Because if it is just a download tool then when it tries to write data to the bad cylinders it will be unable to do that and then we are back to replacing the NAV unit.

greg3852

The harddrive itself can be removed and replaced. It is mounted to the back of the nav unit. They charge nearly $1500 for a replacement harddrive. Someone here bought one not that long ago. I believe now it is an 80gb drive. Unknown if the extra space can be utilized for music or not. No one has attempted to clone the drive from what I am told. I planned on it but sadly lost my LS before I could.

And you do have a harddrive.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

The original drive is a non-standard 30gb 2.5" drive. The details are on this forum somewhere.

bkadkins64

Thanks for the info. I do not have a drive and it looks like they range in price from $1050.00 to $1600.00 online. Does that drive come with the Map Data on it so I can replace it myself and get the system up without spending $200-300 to have a dealer load it.
One last shot in the dark. Most operating systems when they are re installed format the hard drives before installing the OS. I wonder if the Online Tool when it updates the OS does a format of the hard drives. If so that might fix the drive if all that is wrong with it is the read head is stuck on a bad cylinder. Does Anyone know. I am about to go over to an independent Lexus Mechanic and ask him if he has ever fixed a MAP Data Drive by re installing the OS and then re installing the Map Data. I'll let everyone know what he says. So far I have been impressed with the engineering that goes into the Lexus. I can't believe they don't have any recovery utilities for the NAV system.

Lynzoid

Like children. Of course hdd can be/was cloned. Stick an SSD in there and forget bout it.

bkadkins64

Hey I'm ok with an SSD. They are a whole lot more reliable then hard drives. Is there a SSD slot to insert one in the back of the NAV unit or HDD? If so where do I get the SSD with the Map Data. And if not how do I retro fit the system to except an SSD?

greg3852

While normally true, let's look at the operating temperature of a standard SSD vs the automotive application harddrives in our cars first. You'll find the SSD's do not operate well in cold. May be an issue depending on where you live. Also not sure how long it may last depending on how much it is being accessed.

Would love to see someone pull theirs out and successfully clone it. Considering what Lexus charges, you could easily make $500 per car. Let me know.

Lynzoid

here ya go. http://prius-club.su/index.php?topic=1569.0
you gotta click the 'spoiler' line in the bottom of the top message.