In this section I'm going to explain how to
"unlock" your Mio C310x. It's not very difficult but if you've got thick fingers it might pose
some slight issues, as it's a slippery little bugger when you're trying to hold it, push two buttons
and hold them while resetting the unit.
You might ask, "Well, sir, why would I want to unlock my Mio?".. ah, well if you wish to access the features
that this unit is capable of offering, yet is not unleashed in the retail package, then you need to gain access
to the WindowsCE system, and the file systems within. To modify POI files, to modify SpeedCam files, or to even
modify the operational capbilities of this unit you must unlock it first. Here on my site I'm only taking you
through areas that are of interest to me, specifically being POI's and SpeedCams, but this little gem of a GPS
unit has way more capability that I will not be exploring here. If you wish to find out more, and how to gain
access to those capabilities, you can go visit the guys at
GpsPasSion Forums, where you can glean all kinds of useful data from them.
RH - 12/31 -
I will be adding in a new section for "Tips and Tricks", as subsequent to producing this page I've found alternative
methods of accessing the file system in the Mio without having to go through these unlocking steps. I am leaving
this section here for users who wish to unlock their Mio's without modifying their base software, but if you want to
just skip these steps and go right to programming your Mio, see my Tips & Tricks section.
Remember, all photos are clickable and will expand to a larger size for easier viewing. Also, please read
all of my instructions here to familiarize yourself with the process before you begin. A good rehearsal prior
to actually committing to these steps will save you headaches later on.
STEP 1
First off, I've mounted the Mio holder onto the windshield mount that came with the unit.
This wacky device actually looks to be extremely useful as it's got multiple articulations and
adjustments to it allowing a wide range of mounting positions, plus is extendable allowing you to get it off
the window glass and closer to you. I've mounted the Mio in it and I'm using it here as it makes a
good stand to work from when programming the Mio.
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Interesting and useful telecsoping mounting bracket
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STEP 2
Now that you've got your Mio mounted and adjusted to a comfortable position, turn the unit on and
allow it to go through it's normal startup functions. This is the first screen you'll see if
you've started your Mio previously. If you haven't previously started your Mio, or have turned
off the hard-reset switch on the bottom of the unit, it will ask you to
agree to the EULA before beginning the boot to this screen...
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This is what you'll see during a normal start up
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STEP 3
Now your Mio should be at the standard/stock startup
screen with the three icons (MP3, MioMap, and Settings). Once your Mio has reached this point,
you are ready to begin the "unlocking" of your C310x.
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Standard icons upon boot up
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STEP 4
Now that you've got your Mio mounted and adjusted to a
comfortable position, with the unit turned on, you will need to hold down both the Menu button and the Vol + button, then hit the
soft-reset button underneath. This is a slightly clumbsy affair as holding those two buttons while pushing the reset
is quite cumbersome.
RH - 12/31 -
Garygid @ GPS PasSion Forums offered a suggestion here that I tested and it does work and makes this slightly
easier, that is hit the reset button, then you have about 2 seconds to grab and hold those two buttons.
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Unlock by holding down Vol+ and Menu bottons, then hit soft reset
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STEP 5
This pic shows the two buttons, the middle two, that
you need to hold down while performing the soft-reset. If you've got a really wide thumb you may be
able to hold them both down at one time. If you don't the unit will just reboot to it's normal
startup screen.
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The buttons from left to right (which is bottom to top with top button being the On/Off) are Vol-, Vol+, Menu, and On/Off
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STEP 6
Now you should be at your first screen enabling you
to access the WindowsCE System. On my unit I get a couple of errors that are both unexplained and
unimportant (at least from what I gather in doing internet research on them). I click OK to get by
this first error.
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First screen seen in WindowsCE, just click on OK
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STEP 7
This next one's not really an error, it's just asking
if you want to copy Map files. WARNING - make sure you say NO here unless you are intending to overwrite
your map files!!!
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Say NO here or you will over write your map files!
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STEP 8
Now that you've cleared that screen you are ready to
to go into Windows Explorer. You will need to tap on the Windows icon in the lower left hand portion
of the window. I suggest getting a stylus to use for this unit as it makes it easier when you're entering
modifications like this. (NOTE - your screen will NOT display the "Touch here" and arrow!)
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To access the file system, select the Windows icon in the lower left of the screen
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STEP 9
From this point, you can select Programs, and Windows
Explorer, which will open up the Mio's file system. The first picture
is going to Windows Explorer, the second is what Explorer shows you (with Mio default software loaded).
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Click on the Programs menu selection to go to Windows Explorer and see your file system. The first picture
is going to Windows Explorer, the second is what Explorer shows you (with Mio default software loaded).
Click on the Programs menu selection to go to Windows Explorer and see your file system. The first picture
is going to Windows Explorer, the second is what Explorer shows you (with Mio default software loaded).
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Now you are unlocked and ready to begin modifications! This all sounds quite lengthy but after the first time you've followed
these steps, you're an expert. The other chapters/sections on this site will include the information you'll need
to download the software and files from the internet to make your modifications as easy as possible. As I said
in the opening paragraphs at the top of the page, there are other resources available to walk you through even
more in-depth modifications to your Mio C310x.
A couple of other important pointers I have for you are first to remember that once you've completed your modifications,
all you need to do (after exiting all programs and disconnecting your Mio from your PC) is to do a soft-reset of your
C310x so that you can go back to the regular mode for Maps and MP3s (a soft-reset being push and release of
the small button on the bottom left side of your C310x). Your Mio will stay in WindowsCE mode until you
do a soft reset. The other item is, if you're like me, you may not finish all of your mods in one sitting. Well, rather
than having to continuously reset your unit, you can simply "Suspend" it. That is one of the selections you
will see at the bottom of the screen in STEP 9. That will shut down the unit until the next time you turn
it on via the normal On/Off button on the right side of the unit.
Remember to go through all of these steps slowly and carefully, and also that I do not warrant any of this information.
It has been accurate for use on my personal Mio C310x, and should work fine on anyone else's, but I will not be held
responsible for any damage that you do to your unit either through ignorance or sheer accident. Most of the items
I'm going to detail in this site can't harm your unit, so I'm very confident that you too can use these steps successfully.
Lastly, I suggested above that you might consider a Stylus for use on this unit. I've purchased one for about
$9 (US) at Staples Office Supplies recently, and find it to be a very useful tool. It's a multi-point pen and
stylus, having a Pen, a Pencil, and a Stylus all in one. It's a Paper Mate PhD Multi, if you are interested
in that specific model. Heres a picture of that:
Get you a good stylus to aid in programming your C310x
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