[GUIDE][Xperia 2011 Series] Gps bug fix for all Xperia 2011 phones !!!

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Zero|Cool

Senior Member
May 23, 2008
264
8
Portugal
Well my trip only took 15 minutes but it did not go down a single time :D. In 20 seconds I had GPS lock so it was still pretty for a cold boot (and its rainy weather).
Although there is a minor issue, without the a-gps there is more lag between the map and your real position on the road.
 

SSyar

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2011
501
52
42
well strange i never found any issue in my Xperia GPS..
My office & home are equipped with wifi so dont need any data account, and i get precise location on google latitude with A-GPS nd i m happy with it :)
 

maRRRco89

Senior Member
Aug 10, 2011
279
29
I have tried with the method on 1st post and got a boot loop :(

---------- Post added at 05:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 PM ----------

Ok so there's something wrong with your tuturial.
I have redone the process and when you paste the setting.db and it asks you to replace it, and you say yes, then the file disappears! But no fear, go back to your SD card, copy the file again and paste it again (this time it won't ask you to replace because no file is there!). Then go the permissions and change them accordingly.
Close program, reboot and it's done! :D

Sorry you got a boot loop :(:(.
Never my settings.db disappearead from the folder, before or after paste the edited one. Probably something due to a version of root explorer, or sd card, or something else, but i can say it's not the common way, usally replace the file and no problem at all.
However i will add your infos in first post to help someone can find this problem. :):)

Worked first time for me! :D

Happy to hear so. :):)

Well my trip only took 15 minutes but it did not go down a single time :D. In 20 seconds I had GPS lock so it was still pretty for a cold boot (and its rainy weather).
Although there is a minor issue, without the a-gps there is more lag between the map and your real position on the road.

Happy to read now works so well.
I didn't experience any lag, i always used the gps in flight mode before the fix and the precision is pretty good.
Now i can get 3 meters of accuracy :eek::eek::D, so nice for a phone ;).
Remember that A-gps works only for first fix or when the signal is poor, is an help for the hardware chip, but only this chip detemines the position and the accuracy, so your lags can be releted to navigation app or something else.


well strange i never found any issue in my Xperia GPS..
My office & home are equipped with wifi so dont need any data account, and i get precise location on google latitude with A-GPS nd i m happy with it :)

Yes, but you don't use gps in the road, only in the office with wifi that excludes gps bug.
Try and will see drops every 5 minutes.
 

Zero|Cool

Senior Member
May 23, 2008
264
8
Portugal
Sorry you got a boot loop :(:(.
Never my settings.db disappearead from the folder, before or after paste the edited one. Probably something due to a version of root explorer, or sd card, or something else, but i can say it's not the common way, usally replace the file and no problem at all.
However i will add your infos in first post to help someone can find this problem. :):)



Happy to hear so. :):)



Happy to read now works so well.
I didn't experience any lag, i always used the gps in flight mode before the fix and the precision is pretty good.
Now i can get 3 meters of accuracy :eek::eek::D, so nice for a phone ;).
Remember that A-gps works only for first fix or when the signal is poor, is an help for the hardware chip, but only this chip detemines the position and the accuracy, so your lags can be releted to navigation app or something else.




Yes, but you don't use gps in the road, only in the office with wifi that excludes gps bug.
Try and will see drops every 5 minutes.

Im using Ndrive V11. I always saw it lagged behind whenever the Data connection was off (before the fix). So the lag remains. Bear in mind that a-gps also helps to get load cycles off the cpu so this could explain it partly.

But I believe that this situation is more frequent while driving around in the city, I took a longer drive today out of the city and it faired very well. Now I'm happy with it. I might even think about getting the Xperia Arc S in white :D

I also use Waze, but that remained the same because it really needs the data connection, otherwise no maps or points :D
 
Nov 5, 2011
37
4
I have done the steps which you have said!! I also have the backup of the original!! but after i did this locking on a single satelite takes really long!! more than 3mins!! Thts really not good :( any fix for that??? :confused:
 

maRRRco89

Senior Member
Aug 10, 2011
279
29
I have done the steps which you have said!! I also have the backup of the original!! but after i did this locking on a single satelite takes really long!! more than 3mins!! Thts really not good :( any fix for that??? :confused:

That's strange :eek:. I get the fix in 20 seconds, and also other guys.
There isn't a fix, because my guide don't affect gps fix like you say, but only a bit, few seconds no more.
At least the first cold fix can required 1 minutes, but you should be able to see already 6-7 satellites, ready to get lock.
However try this, reboot your phone, go in a place with open sky, turn on Gps and wait for a fix, this could take some minutes, don't worry, wait and you will get the satellites. Next time the fix will be faster, from 20 to 40 seconds.
 

gregbradley

Retired Forum Moderator
The second (Or third) post says this is for GB. Any chance we couls look at improving this on ICS? Sometimes my NEO (Pureness rom, build 11, but it has done this on other ROMS as well) does not find any satallites for minutes. If close the app and restart it finds them in seconds, then when I goto mapmyride or other navigation app it loses fix straight away.

It seems very random when it will get a fix and keep it, or get a fix and drop it immediately or not even get a fix...

Any help will be appreciated


I checked the line in sqlite manager and found the "1" there.....I know I could change it and see if it works, but just need to check if I will do any harm if I change it to a "0"..
 
Last edited:

BombayBoy

Senior Member
May 28, 2012
893
388
Mumbai
FasterGPS

The second (Or third) post says this is for GB. Any chance we couls look at improving this on ICS? Sometimes my NEO (Pureness rom, build 11, but it has done this on other ROMS as well) does not find any satallites for minutes. If close the app and restart it finds them in seconds, then when I goto mapmyride or other navigation app it loses fix straight away.

It seems very random when it will get a fix and keep it, or get a fix and drop it immediately or not even get a fix...

Any help will be appreciated


I checked the line in sqlite manager and found the "1" there.....I know I could change it and see if it works, but just need to check if I will do any harm if I change it to a "0"..

hi,

why dont you check FasterGPS works without any fuss than most tricks out here...
 
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sony_84

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
137
18
Malang
i use ics on xperia u .. i already change the database as you wrote ... my xperia u can succesfully boot up ... i haven't tried to check the GPS when my data is not actived .. coz i'm still working inside the room.. latere i'll give you know whether it's working on my xperia u or not.:cool:


Edit :
i confirm this is working in my xperia u ics .... thanks for your work .....
 
Last edited:

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    This guide is to fix a problem that affect all Xperia 2011 phones, you can find a description here also with the link to official Sony support discussion: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=23119111#post23119111

    What we need:

    1) Rooted phone. The more simple way to do it’s flash the stock firmware 4.0.A.2.0.42 with flashtool or wotan server, then run the easy ZurgRush-DoomLoRD script available here:
    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1321582.
    Finally update the phone to 0.62 only via OTA or keep the 0.42 build.

    2) Root explorer app for Android.

    3) SQLite browser download for windows available here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/sqlitebrowser/

    Instructions:

    First of all make sure you have a full backup of your system or know how recover it if something goes wrong.
    I’m not responsible of any damage you can do to your phone. This procedure can brick your phone or cause a boot loop ! ! ! Do it at your own risk !

    Ok, let’s start.
    Open the app Root explorer and browse the folders to find the file “settings.db” located here:
    data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
    Long click, then Copy the file and paste it in your Sd Card, make sure to select the appropriate option in the app. To do it press the “Mount” button until you can see Mount R/W like in the picture below.
    root-explorer-rw.png


    Now, get the file from your Sd card and move it in your windows Pc.
    Make a copy or a backup of the file and save it in your secure Hard disc.
    Install the software SQLite database browser for windows and open it, then go to “File” – “Open database”, select so “settings.db” file saved in your PC, but not the backup one :).
    Go to “Browse Data” and under “Table” select “secure”.
    Now find the line “assisted_gps_enabled” and after a double click change the value from “1” to “0”.
    Here a picture of the line you should see with the old “1” value, remember to change it like described up :).
    settingssqlite.png


    Apply the change, then “File” – “Save database”.
    To be sure the file is correctly edited, open again it with the software and go in the “secure” tab, if you see “0” in the assisted_gps line is ok, Exit.
    Copy the edited file into your SD card and keep it there, Open root explorer and go into the folder:
    data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
    long click on the file settings.db, then click “permissions”.
    Note these settings in the paper or somewhere, it is very important do it carefully, is enough remember the flags position !!! However the correct permissions are:

    User: Read Write
    Group: Read Write
    Others: no flags


    Now, you are ready for the most important step.
    Go again with Root explorer in your SD card, where is located the pc edited “settings.db” file, long click and “Copy”; now place it in the folder “\system”, long click and “Permissions”.
    Make sure to select the correct flags as you noted them for the original file !!!! So:

    User: Read Write
    Group: Read Write
    Others: no flags


    If the flags of the edited file are the same of the original one or, I explane better, if the edited file don’t need permissions change because they are already the same of the original one noted before,stop you, it is very probably a boot loop.
    Now long click on the edited file with the new permissions and select “Move”; paste it into the folders: data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
    replace it. DONE !!!
    Reboot your phone :).

    Do it at your own risk !!!
    This procedure works, is tested by me but I’m not responsible of any damages.
    Now the Gps works like a charm and no more disconnections every 5 minutes with data disabled, finally we have a full offline Gps !!!
    NOTE: This fix exclude totally the "Assisted mode", the gps will work only in "standalone mode" without data required. This doesn't mean you will have low performances, absolutely not , the gps chip works like a charm with the best precision, only the First fix will be a little slower, because not data assisted, basically you have to wait 20 seconds intead of 10 seconds. That's all.

    This is not an official Sony fix, you can void your warranty doing so.
    Tested on Xperia Neo, should work with Arc, Arc S, Ray, Neo V, Pro but it is not tested at the moment.
    This is only for Gingerbread !!!
    Remember to do a backup until use this guide, you have to be sure to recover your system without lose nothing, in most of Xda threads you can see how do it.

    UPDATE 1: A user have reported a minor issue when replacing the settings.db file on .58 firmware. Basically when you confirm to replace the file with original, the same file disappear from the folder !!! This didn't never happen in my tests, however cause a boot loop, so to prevent it after the procedure is done exit from root explorer and open it again (don't reboot of course), go to the folder of settings.db file and make sure it is still here with the correct permissions.
    If the file there isn't, copy again the edited one from your sd directly into the folder data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db (not in the root "\system") and change there the permissions.
    Now the file should remain and you can enjoy the fix.

    Good Luck
    By Marco
    1
    Only for Gingerbread !!!
    I add this information in the guide, thanks
    1
    Done this today.
    will have to do it again if i flash a new rom in future?
    No, unless you wipe user data.
    1
    Nice guide!

    Please add to the OP that using this method, the user disables A-GPS functionality, which means GPS lock will be slower.

    What is A-GPS?

    GPS operation uses radio signals from satellites alone.
    A-GPS additionally uses network resources to locate and use the satellites in poor signal conditions.
    In very poor signal conditions, for example in a city, these signals may suffer multipath propagation where signals bounce off buildings, or be weakened by passing through atmospheric conditions, walls or tree cover. When first turned on in these conditions, some standalone GPS navigation devices may not be able to work out a position due to the fragmentary signal, rendering them unable to function until a clear signal can be received continuously for up to 12.5 minutes (the time needed to download the GPS almanac and ephemeris).

    An Assisted GPS system can address these problems by using data available from a network.
    Assistance falls into two categories:
    1. Information used to more quickly acquire satellites
    2. Calculation of position by the server using information from the GPS receiver

    As an additional benefit, in some A-GPS device implementations, the amount of CPU and programming required for a GPS receiver is reduced by offloading most of the work onto the assistance server.

    GPS, is slower on time to first fix. That is why many mobile phones combine A-GPS and other location services including Wi-Fi Positioning System and cell-site triangulation and sometimes a hybrid positioning system.
    1
    FasterGPS

    The second (Or third) post says this is for GB. Any chance we couls look at improving this on ICS? Sometimes my NEO (Pureness rom, build 11, but it has done this on other ROMS as well) does not find any satallites for minutes. If close the app and restart it finds them in seconds, then when I goto mapmyride or other navigation app it loses fix straight away.

    It seems very random when it will get a fix and keep it, or get a fix and drop it immediately or not even get a fix...

    Any help will be appreciated


    I checked the line in sqlite manager and found the "1" there.....I know I could change it and see if it works, but just need to check if I will do any harm if I change it to a "0"..

    hi,

    why dont you check FasterGPS works without any fuss than most tricks out here...