GPS Hell

[121mhz]

I've read just about every GPS related post on this board, and I haven't found a solution.

I've got a Verizon XV6800 with DCD 3.2.3 (also tried 3.2.2) Radio version 3.42.30 (also tried 3.39.10 and 3.42.02) with Bootloader 2.47 (also tried 2.40). I've done the titan GPS fix. I have never gotten a GPS lock on even one satellite! I've tried this in the middle of a parking lot on a clear day while standing outside my car for 30 minutes.

I'm looking at GPSViewer (holux) and it sometimes shows satellites (not locked; in red) but after about a minute that disappears and I get nothing. The Satellite's always show over the N on the "GPS Status" page. GoogleMaps never shows a satellite only "Searching for Satellites (0)..."

Now I've just noticed that I'm indoors (in the middle of a building) and GPSViewer still occasionally shows a satellite (in red) and then it disappears.

I've tried the *228,2 and the *22899, I've flashed the radio rom with bootloader 2.40 and 2.47.

Can anyone think of anything else to try? Is it just me?
Thanks in advance.

[kflipproductions]

I've read just about every GPS related post on this board, and I haven't found a solution.

I've got a Verizon XV6800 with DCD 3.2.3 (also tried 3.2.2) Radio version 3.42.30 (also tried 3.39.10 and 3.42.02) with Bootloader 2.47 (also tried 2.40). I've done the titan GPS fix. I have never gotten a GPS lock on even one satellite! I've tried this in the middle of a parking lot on a clear day while standing outside my car for 30 minutes.

I'm looking at GPSViewer (holux) and it sometimes shows satellites (not locked; in red) but after about a minute that disappears and I get nothing. The Satellite's always show over the N on the "GPS Status" page. GoogleMaps never shows a satellite only "Searching for Satellites (0)..."

Now I've just noticed that I'm indoors (in the middle of a building) and GPSViewer still occasionally shows a satellite (in red) and then it disappears.

I've tried the *228,2 and the *22899, I've flashed the radio rom with bootloader 2.40 and 2.47.

Can anyone think of anything else to try? Is it just me?
Thanks in advance.

is Location set to 'On'?
External GPS Settings to COM 4 and Baud 4800?
GPS Settings correct in Google Maps?

[121mhz]

Sorry, my mistake for not mentioning that.

Yes, Location is on. And Com4, 4800.

Googlemaps is setup to use the Windows GPS (Start->programs->External GPS)

[kflipproductions]

are you positive you did the GPS fix correctly? if you open that port in QPST again and read from phone, are call the gpsOne settings as they were when you applied the fix?

[121mhz]

Yep, all nine boxes are checked and when I closed the QPST and opened again, did the re-read and sure enough all 9 boxes are still checked.

[kflipproductions]

Yep, all nine boxes are checked and when I closed the QPST and opened again, did the re-read and sure enough all 9 boxes are still checked.

i would try a reflash.

reflash dcd 2.3.3.
install carrier cab
reflash radio
check all settings
*228 2
*22899


theres no reason why that shouldnt work for you. if it doesnt, then there is a hardware issue.

something else you may wanna try is using COM 5 instead of 4. its a long shot, but on my first 6800 the GPS was on COM 5 for some reason.

[serfboreds]

First, did you follow this link here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=363431)to the letter?

If so, did you try using HTC GPS tool like GC states here?

Com4/baud rate 4800/Clear Memory

Click Open, then click Nav. Init.

Then you need to wait for three or more red bars, then open the GPS program of your choice.

121, I attached the tool for you as well.

[121mhz]

I did not try the HTC GPS tool, but the link you gave me goes to like 261 posts. I've read through most of them before, and followed #1 (I didn't download the third tool, the launcher, because I'm trying to use Google Maps, not TomTom).

Just tried the GPS tool and it doesn't seem to do much better. I see satellites for a little while but they don't lock.

[gc14]

I did not try the HTC GPS tool, but the link you gave me goes to like 261 posts. I've read through most of them before, and followed #1 (I didn't download the third tool, the launcher, because I'm trying to use Google Maps, not TomTom).

Just tried the GPS tool and it doesn't seem to do much better. I see satellites for a little while but they don't lock.

Did you follow my instructions on how to lock with QuickGPS and GPS Tool?

[shield001]

My phone's acting very similar the sat's will be red and it'll take up to 30 mins to get a lock. The htc gps tool made it a lock a couple minutes faster but live search would take forever to start with gps tool running. taking 20 mins to lock makes it almost worthless. You should reflash and leave it running in your car or something for a hour and maybe you'll get a lock.

[gc14]

Hmm maybe I should make a youtube video of exactly what I do...because I'm noticing no issues.

[121mhz]

I did try your instructions. Got two half full red bars, then they disappeared, never to return. The Information screen never populated with GPS location info and stayed in Mode 2, No position information for the whole time.
I will try shield's recommendation.

[kflipproductions]

where are you located?

[HayireII]

I'm still getting used to using mine but I'm wondering if the differences users see are the individual phones or the locations they are using them in. I bought a VX6800 a few weeks back and discovered these forums about a week later. I flashed my phone this past weekend (Olipro 2.40, Radio 3.42.30, and DCD 3.2.3). I then installed HTC GPS tool and Tom Tom 7 to start my experimenting.

My first test was HTC GPS tool in my back yard. It started picking up satellites after about a minute..then did red bars...then green bars..maybe two minutes total. I closed the tool and launched Tom Tom and it had satellites and was ready to go in about a minute.

Yesterday I launched Tom Tom in my driveway (front of the house ) before I left for work and it had a lock in the time it took me to enter in a POI for the train station. It guided me to the station and displayed accurate location and vehicle speed the whole way there.

When I got back to the station after work I launched Tom Tom to test it again on the way home. I waited a minute and it didn't lock so I started driving. I got halfway home with no lock so I closed Tom Tom and launched HTC GPS tool. It locked after a while and I launched Tom Tom which was then ready to go for the last leg of the trip.

This morning when I got in the car I launched Tom Tom directly again and it had a lock before I put in my POI, just like yesterday. I'm going to try again when I get back to the train station tonight.

I haven't reset or turned off my phone since I finished all of the flashing and installing this weekend. I'm curious if the GPS remembers the last satellites it saw or if I just have easy locking in front of my house and crappy signal down at the train station. As I get more into this I'll look into QuickGPS. I've also seen at least two threads mentioning reflashing the radio after flashing the ROM and setting up the carrier...I'm wondering if this helps as well and may give it a shot next weekend as I continue tinkering.

[kflipproductions]

I'm still getting used to using mine but I'm wondering if the differences users see are the individual phones or the locations they are using them in. I bought a VX6800 a few weeks back and discovered these forums about a week later. I flashed my phone this past weekend (Olipro 2.40, Radio 3.42.30, and DCD 3.2.3). I then installed HTC GPS tool and Tom Tom 7 to start my experimenting.

My first test was HTC GPS tool in my back yard. It started picking up satellites after about a minute..then did red bars...then green bars..maybe two minutes total. I closed the tool and launched Tom Tom and it had satellites and was ready to go in about a minute.

Yesterday I launched Tom Tom in my driveway (front of the house ) before I left for work and it had a lock in the time it took me to enter in a POI for the train station. It guided me to the station and displayed accurate location and vehicle speed the whole way there.

When I got back to the station after work I launched Tom Tom to test it again on the way home. I waited a minute and it didn't lock so I started driving. I got halfway home with no lock so I closed Tom Tom and launched HTC GPS tool. It locked after a while and I launched Tom Tom which was then ready to go for the last leg of the trip.

This morning when I got in the car I launched Tom Tom directly again and it had a lock before I put in my POI, just like yesterday. I'm going to try again when I get back to the train station tonight.

I haven't reset or turned off my phone since I finished all of the flashing and installing this weekend. I'm curious if the GPS remembers the last satellites it saw or if I just have easy locking in front of my house and crappy signal down at the train station. As I get more into this I'll look into QuickGPS. I've also seen at least two threads mentioning reflashing the radio after flashing the ROM and setting up the carrier...I'm wondering if this helps as well and may give it a shot next weekend as I continue tinkering.

you should just soft reset your phone. more than likely the COM port is just locked up and needs to be released before it will work again. you should prime TT7 with GPS Tool or Google Maps to save yourself time. don't worry about any reflashing yet it sounds like you have everything already running correctly. just soft reset and try to lock with GPS Tool or another primer. when you close out any GPS apps, make sure you turn off the gps in the application then close it properly to help keep the COM port open. if you put your phone in standby while a GPS app is running or close the app with GPS still running, it could lock it up which needs a soft reset.

[parcou]

I use GC process and found it works for me. But as a Sys Tech Engineer I have found identical equipment does not all behave the same...

I do the GPS Tool, wait for 3-bars, Goolge maps, etc...and I get a lock. HOWEVER, I do a bit more. Seeing that this is Windows crappy OS I start with a full power down & up each day. Then I do the quick GPS to get updated GPS info (make sure you have a data connection going...ie open Explorer first then close it). Then I follow GC step exactly in another post as I stated above...connect. Sometimes it is about a minute or less but no more than 3-4.

Now I am very confident this works as GC tells us with the newest rom & radio. I am on rom 3.22 radio 3.42.30... I found for ME...I said ME and my area radio 3.39 (I downgraded to this one recently) gave me better results although his newer radio IS MUCH better than 3.39...as I stated before all devices look identical but they do not all behave the same..

[HayireII]

The very last time I used it (this morning) I had almost instant lock with no primining; just launching Tom Tom. I'm not trying to troubleshoot anything at this point just experimenting and comparing experiences. If I don't get a quick lock when I get back to the train station tonight I will probably set it up to follow gc14's method tomorrow night and compare the results.

I don't know if I'll wind up adding anything valuable to this thread or not but when I'm looking to do this stuff for the first time I like to read as many details about other people's experiences as I can. I have a feeling in the long run I'll wind up using gc14's method as long as I get the same results.

[121mhz]

Brooklyn, NY (NYC)

[Daved+]

This is what I do to get a lock:

* Soft reset
* Connect to Internet
* Update QuickGPS
* Run HTC GPS Tool (Open port)

I do that or I never get a lock.

[kdj67f]

I have an XV6800, DCD 3.2.3, radio 3.42.30, and no priming software. I use google maps alone and get a lock usually within a minute.

I helped set up a friends XV6800 the same way, using the identical files (ROM, Radio, carrier cab, etc...) and he has the worst lock times. He can go days without ever succeeding in locking sattelites using google maps.

I would be willing to bet the devices are from different production runs and have one atom off in the chipset somewhere and that is the difference.

Thats totally a rant on my part, I doubt that is the actual case, but I notice occaisionally activesync pops up and stops my GPS from working. As soon as I close active sync and go to google maps and uncheck "use gps" and check it again it starts working again. I am probably crazy but so far that seems to be the only thing stopping my device from locking gps when active.

I am not very smart, but if the same files do not work on the same type, brand, etc.. phone then i would have to say that it must be some kind of small hardware issue.

[HayireII]

I really have to speculate...when I bought my XV6800 I didn't even know there was a gps chipset inside of it. Do the boards that go into the XV6800 actually get the GPS tested? And if they fail do they throw them out or use them anyway because they're not (currently) selling us a GPS phone. I'm happy mine works but this definitely seems like a YMMV feature.

[gc14]

I really have to speculate...when I bought my XV6800 I didn't even know there was a gps chipset inside of it. Do the boards that go into the XV6800 actually get the GPS tested? And if they fail do they throw them out or use them anyway because they're not (currently) selling us a GPS phone. I'm happy mine works but this definitely seems like a YMMV feature.

Verizon doesn't manufacture the phones, HTC does. HTC doesn't give a rat's ass if Verizon isn't going to be selling the phones as GPS phones. They test everything built into it, then disable certain features Verizon tells them to in the software after the fact.

I'm telling you guys...if we're able to extract aGPS info from the Verizon update when it's released, all this talk about different Titans having different hardware is going to go away. People said the exact same thing about Sprint Moguls until they got their PRI update, now no one has complaints.

[tntopspin]

With my XV6800 DCD 3.2.2/3.42.30, GPS Tool, GPS Fix applied, radio reflashed/*228, etc (per kflip), COM4/4800/LOC on...... multiple flashes, Fix applied more than once (worthless, I'm sure,) etc...... my results remain spotty.

I often get multiple sat bars in the Tool with a single red dot in the north and locks can be anywhere from seconds to many minutes. I've even kept a journal to try to distinguish a pattern [time to lock, power/battery, outside/inside, work/home/vehicle, Tool/Maps...Tool only... Live Search only, etc] and still I find no consistent, nor definitive "this works for the GPS" technique.

gc14 has provided the most consistent info here, IMO, and the GPS Fix definitely made a difference. His "3 bars in the Tool, open Maps" + patience is my standard procedure.

One question for all: When I open Google Maps, I get a yellow box "not compatible with My Location (beta)" or somesuch. Is that normal? Should I just disable My Location? Maps = 2.1.0.10.

Thanks, and I wait patiently for VZW to release an update.

[scotcha12345]

I get the same message any time I use my location INITIALLY.

Once I select "Use GPS" and I get a sat lock, I click on "My Location" and everything is grand.

It's just a startup message for some reason.

[kdj67f]

Verizon doesn't manufacture the phones, HTC does. HTC doesn't give a rat's ass if Verizon isn't going to be selling the phones as GPS phones. They test everything built into it, then disable certain features Verizon tells them to in the software after the fact.

I'm telling you guys...if we're able to extract aGPS info from the Verizon update when it's released, all this talk about different Titans having different hardware is going to go away. People said the exact same thing about Sprint Moguls until they got their PRI update, now no one has complaints.

Oh believe all of us when we say we are eagerly awaiting the update on the verizon end!

[aguas]

dude i dont know what your doing but im getting consistent 12 second locks indoors. you most likely have a faulty chip, judging from the info you gave.

tntopspin- no dont disable my location. it is normal for maps to check for it, (and give you the message) but if you disable it you wont get GPS working.

[mkenny2]

I have never gotten a lock indoors....It is even hard for me to get a lock inside my car unless it is sitting on the dashboard. If I am out doors or if I set the phone on the dash and I get a lock than sometimes I can go inside with a signal but most of the time it fades out.

[paulash]

GC14,

So if I open up GPS Viewer, get 8 red bars, can I open up tomtom before they turn blue and have my GPS working? I've seen someone mention this earlier.

It's night and it's raining outside, so Ill be checking it tomorrow if you say it's true :)

[mkenny2]

I do believe that is correct. Check GC's instructions for the details

[livejazz]

Ok. After reading this and just for kicks, here's what I just did:
1) Backed up a mogul
2) Flashed The official Sprint ROM
3) Flashed 3.2.3
4) Loaded the Google Maps cab from the card
5) Loaded nothing else
6) Didn't restore the backup
7) Walked outside
8) Started Google maps
9) Application started with San Fricisco map on the screen
10) Selected "Use GPS"
11) In ten seconds the screen blanked and displayed my Florida location

I suggest anyone having challenges try this simple test. My opinion is that if this doesn't work there is a hardware problem. I haven't done anything with the QuickGPS app for several ROM's now because I beleive that there have been improvements in the drivers and ROM software that fix older problems. This is my simple test and it is exactly what I did just a few minutes ago. I hope this helps. Now I will restore my backup and lurk some more.

matt

[gc14]

I suggest anyone having challenges try this simple test. My opinion is that if this doesn't work there is a hardware problem. I haven't done anything with the QuickGPS app for several ROM's now because I beleive that there have been improvements in the drivers and ROM software that fix older problems. This is my simple test and it is exactly what I did just a few minutes ago. I hope this helps. Now I will restore my backup and lurk some more.

matt

Do you even have any idea what QuickGPS does, or are you just making stuff up?

[ilkhan]

Dunno.
Took 11 seconds from hitting "use GPS" to having the map swing out of san fran and into my location the first time loading google maps up after a hard reset, and that was indoors.

Sounds harware. (Im gonna be embarassed if theres a solution in the thread here somewhere)

[livejazz]

I almost didn't respond and this will be it, but I wanted to say that I really don't know much about anything. Certainly nothing close to your infinite knowledge. I do, however, own my own mobile device provider company and sold over 4,000 of these particular devices last year, alone. along with a whole bunch (I know so little that I forgot how to count. All of the devices had custom ROM's on them along with a host of other third party software (all of which I know absolutely nothing about, of course) and a miriad of auxhillary hardware devices (none of which whose names I can spell, of course). I partner with cellular carriers of all types and at several levels (not retail, however) and I contract software writers to make these devices do what my clients want them to do. Several of my contractors have contributed to major carriers' ROM developement.

So, you see, Cincotta, I really don't "know" much of anything, except that I did exactly what I said I did and offered no hint that I "knew" anything other than the way that device acted when I performed those steps. Does that clear anything up for you? I, sincerely, apologize if I came across as anyone who "knows" anything about anything. So, so sorry for trying to help and this may well be my last entry on this domain because of my embarrassment. Also, I will remove the links to DCD's ROM's off of my web site to keep him and the Red Wings from being embarrassed of the association.

matt
www.corporatemobilesolutions.com

[gc14]

I almost didn't respond and this will be it, but I wanted to say that I really don't know much about anything. Certainly nothing close to your infinite knowledge. I do, however, own my own mobile device provider company and sold over 4,000 of these particular devices last year, alone. along with a whole bunch (I know so little that I forgot how to count. All of the devices had custom ROM's on them along with a host of other third party software (all of which I know absolutely nothing about, of course) and a miriad of auxhillary hardware devices (none of which whose names I can spell, of course). I partner with cellular carriers of all types and at several levels (not retail, however) and I contract software writers to make these devices do what my clients want them to do. Several of my contractors have contributed to major carriers' ROM developement.

So, you see, Cincotta, I really don't "know" much of anything, except that I did exactly what I said I did and offered no hint that I "knew" anything other than the way that device acted when I performed those steps. Does that clear anything up for you? I, sincerely, apologize if I came across as anyone who "knows" anything about anything. So, so sorry for trying to help and this may well be my last entry on this domain because of my embarrassment. Also, I will remove the links to DCD's ROM's off of my web site to keep him and the Red Wings from being embarrassed of the association.

matt
www.corporatemobilesolutions.com

Jeez, my comment wasn't meant to put you down. I'm sorry if you took it that way. I was merely trying to figure out if you knew what it did, because the way you posted, it didn't seem like it. QuickGPS isn't supposed to "fix" anything, it is meant to speed up the locking process...and it does work. I'll clear it up and explain exactly why QuickGPS is recommended.

Let me start by telling you how a GPS gets a fix on its location, and then explain how QuickGPS speeds it up.

The GPS chip receives a synchronized timed signal from the satellites. Each satellite uses a different channel. With a good signal from three or more satellites, GPS starts to get a fix. It does this by calculating the time difference between the reception of the different signals, then calculating the relative distances to each of the satellites, then figuring out where it sits in the middle of the satellites.

The GPS calculates four spheres, and it's located somewhere on the surface of each of these spheres. There is only one point where these four spheres intersect. That's you.

If you're good at geometry, you might think that it needs 4 satellites to get a fix, but in fact, if the GPS assumes that you are on earth, that provides another sphere, so it only requires 3 satellites to get a decent fix. More adds altitude and accuracy.

But the GPS needs to know where each of the satellites is in space before it can decide where IT is. That information is not calculated, but is available in a detailed download of orbital data provided by the DoD called ephemeris data. It is transmitted...from the satellite to your GPS. For a cold start, your GPS needs to download the entire file, without interruptions in the signal - BEFORE it can even start getting a fix. In fact, the GPS may not even know which channels to tune into, since it doesn't yet know which satellites are currently overhead. This causes a slow first fix.

QuickGPS, is simple. Ephemeris data is passed through WiFi or cellular data connection ahead of time, and you never have to wait for it to download over the satellite, which can take a while.

Don't let me stop you from posting lol.

[121mhz]

ilKhan, you have a Sprint phone and are (most likely) using PDE. Wish we alll had that.

[121mhz]

gc14, I just paypal'd you. Thanks for trying to help. I'll wait for the Verizon PDE to become a reality (I wont hold me breath).

If you think of anything I can try, please let me know. Thanks for all your support.