I had Google Earth installed since it first came out and a few years back, paid a few bucks extra for the 'Plus' version that allowed GPS data input. In February this year, I got an email from google advising that 'Plus' would be discontinued but the latest free version would still support GPS devices as it was very popular. About 2-3 weeks ago, I got a pop-up screen when I launched google earth saying my subscription had expired (from the Plus version I assumed) and since the Pro version was asking for $400 bucks/year, I declined. Last week I was still able to import GPS data but this week, GPS is disabled. The window pops open but the buttons and tabs are greyed out and don't work, just like in the old free 'pre Plus' version. MY Garmin is OK as it still connects to the Garmin map programs and I can upload/download OK so not a hardware or USB issue.

I have tried an uninstall and downloaded and reinstalled the latest version but GPS function is still dead. I noticed that 'My Places' were still there in the new installation so I uninstalled again and then did a regedit, deleting all Software/Google Earth items. I reinstalled the latest and it acted like a brand-new, first-time startup but the GPS is still not fully functional, the tabs and buttons still unclickable.

Anyone else had this issue? I think it may be a glitch between rolling back from a yearly licensed Plus version to a new free version. It still expects to see a license code? The Google Earth uninstaller is like the Firefox uninstaller in that it leaves bits in registry so you never get a clean uninstall using it's own uninstaller it appears.

Thanks

I. like you, previously had the extra payment for the Plus version. But did not have any problems once the subscription "expired". The standard version works fine with GPS connected. So can't really help, but my version installed is 5.1.3533.1731.

I am also on :

5.1.3533.1731

and the system says there are no newer versions (on a mac). I can use the GPS fine. I "upgraded" from a paid plus account about 6 months ago.

I wonder if it's a cookie issue. Delete the Google Earth cookies and see if it makes a difference. In Firefox 3.5.6, I have the following cookies:

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Maestro