It seems to be broken.

Garmin Etrex (Basic)

It won't aquire satellites. Just asks me whether I have moved hundreds of miles or whether the unit has the correct time.

It has the serial connection (i.e. not USB) and there's a possibility that it can be fixed my applying a firmware update. The update application program runs in Window$ only and I use Linux and BSD exclusively.

So... I guess I shall be calling on the services of a friend who uses Windows AND has a serial port on his computer. Otherwise, much of my mapping of Gower will come to an end.

If the update fails to fix the problem then I'm in the market for a new one. The new basic Garmin Etrex (Etrex 10) is USB, has a much more sensitive receiver, does GLONASS too, is waterproof and imports GPX.