Wow, you guys are too generous with your time and help, thanks.

First, I had some difficulty accessing the service menu but I have twice reached the tp setting and it's no help. With tp set to -9 and gal at 1 or 3 the nav voice screams at me. Nav vol under menu/gps/settings just says "louder/softer" in the SAME volume at any setting as the bar moves to right. The tp setting does vary the radio volume as I change it, soft but clear on lowest radio vol click at -9 TP, but if I back out, remove key, then go back to nav and she still screams at same level.??
next software
(BTW NAV VOL IS SAME AS BEFORE UPGRADE)

Now I am at 3-1-63 BUT I have seen reference to FIRMWARE VERSION.
My "software version" per service menu is 11-99 crap! I forgot! 42 ? maybe
well it was 11/99 something so what is that and how do I upgrade it? do I need to?
OK I just searched this forum for "firmware" and apparently what everyone talks about upgrading like I just did is the firmware, the 3-1-63 business. I thought there was just that and new map software to upgrade.
Sooo
do/can we upgrade whatever is 11-99 ?? software referred to in the service menu and will it possible help my volume situation? or do anything interesting?
Any other volume ideas? Do you ever suggest pulling power?, maybe shorting power source lines to pull out capacitance? (common manuvoer on e46 radio)

As to my other questions and your replies, I am now thinking swapping out for widescreen w/cd and then using my CD changer plug to add Dice/ipod as that would also give me aux (dice has aux) for simple $100 sat unit I can move inside the house or to other car (nice benefit since one has to pay for each receiver and that way I can pretend it's a money saving install!
As to tv, I have no desire to watch video, just BU/ (+poss front) cam. BUT, I would really love the internet, now THAT would be excellent.
Actually I saw a reference to iphone screen on nav, that would just about do it.

My last question was me free-associating. I meant an explanation of the functional layout of the radio/nav system. Is the nav computer in charge and handling display of radio data?, or is the box behind the screen something that integrates the two? How is video data formatted inside the thing?
Anyway thanks again for your help. All I need right now is to fix the volume and then I will DL and read manual and try to master and enter some addresses and become good with using the nav easily, I suspect that will take a while. The other stufff I can browse for it whenever. TV module Hmm My iphone on the screen!..
As soon as I can unmute my nav, I'll leave you guys alone for a while, thanks tom