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I have moved from a Nokia 7610 to a Wizard (on O2). I have fallen in love with it for all sorts of reasons.
The major hassle so far is signal strength. I'm not sure if I have a dud phone? For the last month I have run the Nokia and Wizard in parallel. I am constantly finding myself out of range or with one bar of signal. The phone doesn't function reliably with a single bar. Most irritating is that this happens at home also. (The nokia was on O2 also).
If there is not a solution to this I may have to go back to the nokia and accept what I was trying to avoid - having to carry a phone and a PDA.
Thanks - Kneale
do you have another pda phone you can run it against?
reason i ask is dont forget that nokia phones have more bars than the jams do
so for instance, 8 bars in nokia (full) would be eqiv to 5 bars in the jam (full) if that makes sense
ignore the numbers at the top, i dont know the exact number of bars
Thanks. No - I don't have another PDA phone. I realise there is a difference in number of signal bars. I'm simply not getting a good enough signal in to make it functional as a phone.
I work as a doctor and need a 100% reliable phone more than a PDA. Just beginning to get into all the software / music / video / etc. aspects of it however. Would find it hard to give up now!
Kneale
Dont expect this phone is going to have premium reception... the only phone I found exceptional is Sony Ericsson Z600 so far...
People said 1.12.0 GSM firmware would have better reception. You might try to upgrade your ROM. I think O2 provided latest official firmware as well, so you might wanna test with it.
Yes - my cda is the same. My SE 700i has a far better reception. The O2 seems to fall out of range alot - I have to out it into flight mode on then off!
I also posted a while ago that the signal strength is pretty poor. Never had much trouble with my nokia but in a few places eg work im pretty much on the 1 bar and have lost the signal on one occasion.
Thanks for this. Finally got so irritated with it that today I visited the O2 shop and then spoke to the on-line customer service. Both were very good.
Bottom line is that they are sending me out a replacement to try in case I have a dud. I'll let you know how I get on.
Kneale
i think i will need to retract what i said!
for the last 24 hours, my reception goes down and then nothing, just the dots
have to go into flight mode then out and i get my bars back
Of cource, about signal stregth, nokia is the best.
But you can improve signal stregth of your pda phone by switching it to manual network searching mode.
Go to phone/ settings/ networks/ manual.
oainot said:
Of cource, about signal stregth, nokia is the best.
But you can improve signal stregth of your pda phone by switching it to manual network searching mode.
Go to phone/ settings/ networks/ manual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How will that improve signal strength exactly ?
knowsleyroader said:
oainot said:
Of cource, about signal stregth, nokia is the best.
But you can improve signal stregth of your pda phone by switching it to manual network searching mode.
Go to phone/ settings/ networks/ manual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How will that improve signal strength exactly ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't, but it can speed up the re-acquisition of cell (i.e. less search time).
I recently moved into a new ‘cell phone death trap’ apartment (apt).
I’ve seen my phone connect, I’m guessing; connect to four different cell towers from my apt. I’ve sat and watched it go from 2 bar E, disconnect, to 1 bar G, disconnect, to no bars 3G, disconnect, and so on….
But here’s the clincher…
Sometimes it will also connect to a full strength edge network, but it indicates it’s roaming by the Triangle icon. Now if I’m on that ‘Triangle” network, my phone works great, meaning I actually can make and receive calls!
But, I’m guessing again, because it shows it is roaming; it also does not like to stay connected to this network. Actually it prefers to switch itself back onto a weak edge network without any signal.
My phone battery doesn’t last more than five hours, NOT TALKING, just in standby because it is constantly switching towers.
At this point I want to throw my Hermes out a window! But I know that wont do any good, because anyone else who come to my apt and has AT&T/Cingular gets the same results.
So here’s my question:
“Can I force my phone to stay on a particular cell tower?”
If so, I love you….
you should re-post over in this thread Daniel's software might be able to solve your problem (or Daniel might have other ideas).
thank you for the suggestion. i tried that and he said, "Sorry nop. It isnt the pourpose of cmp or bs...."
I don't think you can force to a specific tower but you can force to a particular provider:
START/SETTINGS/PHONE/NETWORK/MANUAL
and also select whether you want to force GSM/WCDMA and the GSM/UNTS band:
START/SETTINGS/PHONE/BAND
Maybe by going this route you can lock onto a reasonable signal.
2 other alternatives... Sell the appartment... Buy a landline and donate the Hermes to me
taze said:
I recently moved into a new ‘cell phone death trap’ apartment (apt).
I’ve seen my phone connect, I’m guessing; connect to four different cell towers from my apt. I’ve sat and watched it go from 2 bar E, disconnect, to 1 bar G, disconnect, to no bars 3G, disconnect, and so on….
But here’s the clincher…
Sometimes it will also connect to a full strength edge network, but it indicates it’s roaming by the Triangle icon. Now if I’m on that ‘Triangle” network, my phone works great, meaning I actually can make and receive calls!
But, I’m guessing again, because it shows it is roaming; it also does not like to stay connected to this network. Actually it prefers to switch itself back onto a weak edge network without any signal.
My phone battery doesn’t last more than five hours, NOT TALKING, just in standby because it is constantly switching towers.
At this point I want to throw my Hermes out a window! But I know that wont do any good, because anyone else who come to my apt and has AT&T/Cingular gets the same results.
So here’s my question:
“Can I force my phone to stay on a particular cell tower?”
If so, I love you….
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you able to change networks?
Are you able to ask your service provider the location of the towers and if they're planning either any upgrades or any more in the area?
If not you may wish to consider the first point, changing service providers.
I know what a pain it can be to have little or no service when needed. Personally, here in the UK, I'm on Orange. Where I lived in Wales it was either Orange or Vodafone that has a decent signal. When I'm out and about with work those are the two popular towers with o2 creeping up and some others too, but for the most part those are the strongest.
I don't, I'm sorry, have any better advice for you. Apart from leave your Hermes on charge when you're home near a window (safely) and carry a bluetooth earpeice around instead Good Luck with your Valiant Quest
ach2 said:
I don't think you can force to a specific tower but you can force to a particular provider:
START/SETTINGS/PHONE/NETWORK/MANUAL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i went to that tab and all i have is a Find Network button, which does nothing...no manual option
ach2 said:
and also select whether you want to force GSM/WCDMA and the GSM/UNTS band:
START/SETTINGS/PHONE/BAND
Maybe by going this route you can lock onto a reasonable signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried this method as well and it does not help. apparently both the good and the band networks all fall under GSM(900+1800)+UMTS(2100). The other two band options never find a network.
ach2 said:
2 other alternatives... Sell the apartment... Buy a landline and donate the Hermes to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll consider it....thank you for your suggestions, I REALLY APPERCIATE ANYONES (constructive) FEEDBACK.
Elwyn M3100 said:
Are you able to change networks?
Are you able to ask your service provider the location of the towers and if they're planning either any upgrades or any more in the area?
If not you may wish to consider the first point, changing service providers.
I know what a pain it can be to have little or no service when needed. Personally, here in the UK, I'm on Orange. Where I lived in Wales it was either Orange or Vodafone that has a decent signal. When I'm out and about with work those are the two popular towers with o2 creeping up and some others too, but for the most part those are the strongest.
I don't, I'm sorry, have any better advice for you. Apart from leave your Hermes on charge when you're home near a window (safely) and carry a bluetooth earpeice around instead. Good Luck with your Valiant Quest
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your suggestions. Unfortuantly im locked in a 2yr contract, thats how ****ty american cell phone companies do things. Plus, the better providers in the area dont use SIM cards (ie. Sprint/Verizon), so that would mean bye bye Hermes.
Ill will go by the Cingular store and ask about the possible service upgrade, but those fools dont really know whats what, thats why im on xda-dev!
I like the bluetooth idea, ill try find a "sweet spot" in the apt and try that method. Thanks again!
"I have dream..."
My idea just seems possible, however i cant program so who am i too.....
The idea of having blocked cell id numbers. If i could FieldTest or somehow extract the cell ids from the towers i dont want, then create a file that the phone checks against before joining a tower.....
I dont know, just a dream i suppose...
In both cases (roaming and not) are you registered in same operator?
If you're having a difficult time maintaining solid cellular reception, you might want to consider buying an external antenna. Refer to my post here regarding an antenna that can be purchased from Radio Shack. The antenna is now on clearance for $20 and the pigtail is $10. This may or may not help depending upon your location in relation to the towers, but if you try it out, let me know how it works.
Cheers
Yeah, I'm on an 18 month contract... But I'm about 8 months in now
You might even be able to get bluetooth repeaters once you find your, ahem, sweet spot
danielherrero said:
In both cases (roaming and not) are you registered in same operator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i believe so. the only reason i think it's roaming is because of the Triangle icon. But my SIM is only authorized for one operator, Cingular.
is there a better way to check?
Thank you very much Daniel!
Lancealot said:
If you're having a difficult time maintaining solid cellular reception, you might want to consider buying an external antenna. Refer to my post here regarding an antenna that can be purchased from Radio Shack. The antenna is now on clearance for $20 and the pigtail is $10. This may or may not help depending upon your location in relation to the towers, but if you try it out, let me know how it works.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would be willing to try those products but i believe they're now fully discontinued. Either of those item numbers from your post no longer exsist.
No problem
taze said:
i would be willing to try those products but i believe they're now fully discontinued. Either of those item numbers from your post no longer exsist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call your closest Radio Shack and ask if they have either of those catalog numbers in stock. Worst case scenario is that they won't, however they can check the districts perpetual stock and see how many are available, and if you ask nicely, they can have the antenna and pigtail shipped to their store so you don't have to run all over creation just to get it.
...An even worst case scenario would be if you didn't live in the US or didn't have any Radio Shacks close by.. however I might know of someone who could use their employee discount to cover shipping costs Let me know if you have any questions.
weinson said:
you should re-post over in this thread Daniel's software might be able to solve your problem (or Daniel might have other ideas).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taze,
I would also recommend that you try one of Daniel's applications - he is working on Comm Manager Pro but I think that Bandswitch will probably help you. I find similar problems to those you describe at work here in the UK with T-Mobile and my battery would often run low even during a day at work. The problem appears to have been caused by the Vario II (Hermes) spending all day jumping back and forward between networks whilst hunting for the best signal. Although the Bandswitch application (very small footprint) will not increase the signal you may find that forcing the phone to operate in a particular band helps - this is very easily achieved via the Bandswitch interface rather than going into settings each time. I now regularly switch to GSM each day when I get to work and it has solved my battery run-down issue completely!
Comm Manager Pro does much the same and more. It allows you to define a location (according to Cell ID and LAC Code) from which you can set the CMP application to (amongst other functions) switch to a particular band - or even turn the phone off).
Given what you have said this may not help but I would certainly give it a go. Good luck.
Regards
tony.wheeler said:
Taze,
I would also recommend that you try one of Daniel's applications - he is working on Comm Manager Pro but I think that Bandswitch will probably help you. I find similar problems to those you describe at work here in the UK with T-Mobile and my battery would often run low even during a day at work. The problem appears to have been caused by the Vario II (Hermes) spending all day jumping back and forward between networks whilst hunting for the best signal. Although the Bandswitch application (very small footprint) will not increase the signal you may find that forcing the phone to operate in a particular band helps - this is very easily achieved via the Bandswitch interface rather than going into settings each time. I now regularly switch to GSM each day when I get to work and it has solved my battery run-down issue completely!
Comm Manager Pro does much the same and more. It allows you to define a location (according to Cell ID and LAC Code) from which you can set the CMP application to (amongst other functions) switch to a particular band - or even turn the phone off).
Given what you have said this may not help but I would certainly give it a go. Good luck.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im going to try bandswitch today and see how it works. thank you for the suggestion!
i wish daniel could add the feature of blocked, preferred, of locked Cell ID's. that would be worth a good amount of money to me....
Hi.
I would like to help you.... I can detect cells and lac but I cant force radio hardware to attach on a particular cell. This a task for Radio ROM. The only posibility (maybe) would be if the operator names are diferent. Could you go to settings a search for operators? Maybe your operator has different name in roaming than non roaming. In that case It would be easy to help you....
Oooo if FieldTest were a controllable application....
Ok what I’ve discovered so far after watching FieldTest for about an hour.
The Good Connection -
LAC 0020
MNC/MCC 31017
NCELL INFO1 700-80 dbm <---- (at least four out of six NCELL maintain a steady 700-80dbm, often all six NCELL)
NCELL INFO2 700-80 dbm
NCELL INFO3 700-80 dbm
NCELL INFO4 700-80 dbm
NCELL INFO5 700-80 dbm
NCELL INFO6 700-80 dbm
BAND 2CS
CHANNEL 1:CCCH (stays, doesn’t change)
The Bad Connection
LAC d6ef
MNC/MCC 31380
NCELL INFO1 140-100 dbm
NCELL INFO2 140-100 dbm <---- (i get two NCELL at the most 140 each, rarely four NCELL, never more)
NCELL INFO3 0
NCELL INFO4 0
NCELL INFO5 0
NCELL INFO6 0
BAND 3:850 (once I saw it switch to PCS on this same MNC)
CHANNEL 1:CCCH/0:BCCH/255<UNKNOWN> (switches between these quite frequently)
So what I’ve interpreted from all that is.
Well I’ve confirmed my ****ty connection. Even though the phone often shows two bars, I can’t make or receive calls. Based on the NCELL db numbers and the constant channel changing, that **** just don’t work.
Most importantly, the phone is always trying to switch to the highest possible band. Because PCS is a lower band than GSM 850, my phone won’t stay on the PCS connection.
O yes, another discovery is, in WM6, if you are connected to a PCS band network, it displays the Triangle icon as if you are roaming but in fact it is not roaming.
So Daniel since you seem to be the best chance for a better life [for my Hermes]:
I need a way to force band selection beyond just GSM and UMTS.
I tried BandSwitch and it does not work for me because all my available connections fall under GSM.
And even beyond that I’d like to be able to force MNC’s, as I believe they are the specific network number.
Or can I block a LAC?
In settings, I only have one operator, Cingular, “Home of the most dropped calls.”
Hi.
I undestand perfectly your frustration and I will try to do what I can althought It doesnt seem easy thing because there isnt any(known) api to manage Radio Rom. Fieldtest is OEM dependent and I imagine It only works for only one manufacturer of radio hardware chip.
Ok, first try. If you start radio phone 10 times....
1) how many times your phone register to roaming (and wished) network?
2) If registed to roaming network, how much time (aprox) stays on it before register to bad cells?.
Why? well ,CMP executes actions when you enter on some place (compound by cells and lacs). You could create a place with your hated cells and then associate the action "reset radio" when registed to those cells (or lacs). In this way if your device falls into bad cells it would be resetted (only radio, not phone) until registed to good cells...
Only an idea....
Dani
If you can determine the direction of the "bad" towers, try lining your walls with lead sheets to block their signals and letting you connect to a prefered tower.
Hi, I have Blackstone from Orange UK. I have a big problem. On 10 calls only 3-4 is good, the rest is "the person is temporary unavailable". Sometimes after soft reset is good for half day. After is the same 3-4 good rest is faulty. Why is that. This is very big problem for me becouse I missing important calls.
Sorry for my English.
Any ideas for that?
troxter said:
Any ideas for that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you describe the problem in a little more detail please? Is it receiving and making calls that this message comes up?
Petrov.
This is only incomming calls (when somebody calling to me hear this message). Outgoing, text(out,in) are good. I was set manually GSM/UMTS band on UMST(850+2100)+GSM(900+1800), (before was auto) and now is a little bit better than before. On 10 calls 8 is good
Sorry for my English.
2G sounds like your solution!
your problem as is/was mine, orange has a great 2G network, however they have this very bad habbit of setting all their new phones to goto 3G, i live in wales, and find 3G - to be NIL. So i set my phone as in the earlier posts, to the 2G setting, it cures battery issues, and ensures u have a virtually 100% call rate.
Try it, you'll notice its alot better, either that or you've a duffer, in which case get rid, they'll send you another brand new device if you've had it less than 30 days, its your right under the consumer goods act.
crystal_clear said:
your problem as is/was mine, orange has a great 2G network, however they have this very bad habbit of setting all their new phones to goto 3G, i live in wales, and find 3G - to be NIL. So i set my phone as in the earlier posts, to the 2G setting, it cures battery issues, and ensures u have a virtually 100% call rate.
Try it, you'll notice its alot better, either that or you've a duffer, in which case get rid, they'll send you another brand new device if you've had it less than 30 days, its your right under the consumer goods act.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did like you wrote. And is very good!!! But my question is: for what is 3Gconnection? Only for video calling and faster internet? If is that than i don't need a 3G connection.
Sorry for my English.
troxter!
i had the exact same problem with my diamond, tried all available radio roms and settings without succes. i went to warranty and they said that the mainboard of the phone must be replaced. after 33 days in service i managed to get it replaced with a new one. your phone is defective! i am almost sure! go to warranty!
Hi!
I bought this mobile 17th november 2008. Can I exchange on new phone in Orange shop? I bought phone in normal shop on Wimbledon. For e.g. I will go tommorow to orange shop at Wimbledon with broken phone and they give me a new one?
My guess is the phone is updating data and you are on a 2G network. No simultaneous voice and data, so the caller gets the unavailable subscriber message. I would try setting the phone to GSM only, if you are in a 2G area.
Although not as serious, I have the same problem on my Motorola L7 on O2 (Presumably 2G)
I live in south London, so coverage of 3G is good(on Nokia N95 was 7 bars on strength). However, when I set manually on 3G or auto, signal strenght of 3G is only 2 bars. When i set on GSM is full strenght of signal(4bars). Question is:
Is this a problem with phone or with Orange Network?
I email Sony a complain about weak signal and this is what I got in respond:
Thank you for contacting Sony Ericsson Xperia Support.
We don't have a list of the newest updates for this phone, but I have heard nothing of your issue before, it is worth trying a reset if there is no update available.
Try resetting the hardware. To do this, hold down the two keys on the front with silver "-" signs. While you are pressing them, take the stylus and press the reset button through the top opening through the casing of the stylus.
What I also suggest is resetting the phone software via "Clear Storage".
To do this, select Start icon, then Settings, then tap the System tab. You will see Clear Storage in the top right corner.
1. The Sony Ericsson Update Service is a free download that can be found at www.sonyericsson.com, after you click on "Support" and then choose your phone model.
2. Select your country and region.
3. Under the section titled”Software and Set Up” choose, “Sony Ericsson Update Service”.
4. Download the application to your computer and install the program.
Once you have installed the program and run it, it will give you instructions on how to install it on the computer and how to run it on the phone afterwards. Please make sure the phone and the USB cable are not connected to the PC throughout the installation process. The Update Service is meant to update the software on the phone.
If you require more information, or have any other questions, please visit our website at SonyEricsson.com/X1 or call us at 1-877-7XPERIA.
Dunno what's going on here, I can't complaint: my reception is GREAT in both X1a and X1i
You should start a poll on this thread
1- Reception GREAT
2- Reception OK but...
3- Reception SUCKS
Reception good / great here... 2/4 bars of HDSPA all around my town...
signal is temprmental. i am not sure it is down to the phone though
Loco5150 said:
Reception good / great here... 2/4 bars of HDSPA all around my town...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for me..
Compared to my Motorola Q9h Global, my Xperia X1a (and my Nokia E71-2) appear to have fewer bars in the same place.
I don't want to insult anybody by suggesting that this is the case, but I hope we're not assuming that the Xperia has poor RF signal capture just because it's not showing as many bars as another device.
In my part of the world there is a notorious dead zone between Culpeper VA and Orange VA. There are very few phones that can hold an AT&T signal through this zero-bar signal area, and the Xperia is one of them.
reception is just OK. my n95 usualy has a far better signal then my x1. @ least thats for UMTS signals. GSM is fine with both.
probaly a problem of the Metal case
1- Reception GREAT
Poll up
Express yorself
achmed20 said:
reception is just OK. my n95 usualy has a far better signal then my x1. @ least thats for UMTS signals. GSM is fine with both.
probaly a problem of the Metal case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll second that, my N95 8GB has a better signal strength than my Xperia, i have owned a few Win mob devices in the past and they have all had poor reception compared to The Nokias i had at the time.
Done blame SE.. its a matter of fone operators.
nup, reception is much worse on the x1 than my k800i.
with my old phone I could get a little bit of reception at work (thick walls, no windows, lots of machinery..)
but I rarely get a signal now with the x1.. (and am unable to make calls, or they drop out half way through)
(and I am with the same provider)
But signal bars don't really represent how much signal you get. Making calls and it not dropping are the key factors you need to compare with.
Yes, however having comparison with SE P1, and my HP laptop with ExpressCard,
all on the same operator,
X1 is a bit weeker on reception.
Im also having same problem with signal on o2 in the uk, my blackbbery bold is fine, but x1 normally shows 1/2 bars
Really? Well here in montreal we have a tunnel, the Louis-Hyppolite Lafontaine tunnel. This tunnel is a dead zone, of course, but on a strong enough phone you get a link until nearly at the middle. With my X1, I got signal from start to end, the only other phones that I saw capable of doing this are the blod and E71.
Even if in my phone I see 3 bars, the signal is still very strong. Well maybe the X1 has better sensitivity, that would explain why you see 2 bars on the SE, when, conversely, you see 4 on a motorola.
X1 definitely has serious reception problem.
I am not taking about the number of bars but off and on signal are comepltely gone and it will start searching for a network.
I have tested this by putting the phone on the table and by observing the signals bars over a long period of time. Often I have noticed full signal bars and many time there are not signals at all.
Service is weak in my area but none of my pervious mobiles have shown such a poor reception.
My reception is just ridiculously bad!(I live in the Netherlands, Utrecht)
When I'm on MSN or browsing the web, or even when I'm SMS'ing,
the signal just drops. It's really starting to bug me!
I dont even have a connection when I'm on the bathroom @home..
I've noticed that it seems to be more due to the issue of HSDPA. It'll lose signal with HSDPA but then it'll connect with full bars of the older GPRS. In my opinion this would indicate that the service provider (vodafone) is the issue, not the phone.
I think another issue is that the radio antenna is actually part of the metal battery cover. If you take it off and turn the cover over you can see 4 exposed pieces of metal, I assume these are just that. Perhaps the signal you receive is so poor that even your hand covering the antenna is blocking it.
Here are the results of a hard comparison:
three (3) different devices -
HTC Polaris P3650 (ie. the 1st one)
SE X1 with radio ROM 1.11.25.76
Acer DX900
I used the same SIM card in all three in exactly the same marginal signal area (same verandah) in succession (total swap time to all three was about 10 minutes, no sudden electrical storms, weather fine and clear)
Both the Polaris and the DX900 easily found enough signal to work directly after boot with both HSDPA and GSM
The X1 obdurately stayed dumb and stupid, although it works OK in high signal areas
Conclusion: the X1 is useless in marginal signal areas. I suspect the aluminium case. It works fine if you never leave the city areas. When combined with the original underpowered battery, I now regard the X1 as an expensive toy ... pity, as it has lots of grunt (CPU, RAM, storage, resolution, GPS) but I'm simply not in the design market demographic.
I've tried 4 different radio ROM's now in the X1. WiFi, BT, GPS are excellent. GSM/GPRS and UMTS are hopeless in marginal signal areas.
Bit of an odd one. Basically at home with the phone on my home network T-Mobile I simply can't get a GPS fix. This problem has only happened in the last couple of weeks previously its been fine, a fix within seconds.
As some of you may know T-Mobile and Orange in the UK have now enabled roaming between the 2 networks. If I force the phone to roam onto Orange I get a GPS fix with-in a minute. Switch the network back to T-Mobile back to no fix.
If I'm in a different area, network on T-Mobile, fix within seconds. I thought maybe it's quick GPS wrongly loading the wrong area because of an issue in the cell db, I've set quick GPS to never update and now the GPS appears to cold start although quick GPS still says the data it has is valid for x number of days.
I've tried defaulting the phone but exactly the same with defaults and using GPS Test rather than TomTom.
Does anyone have any ideas? Is anyone else having the same issue?
I just tried another test. I roamed onto Orange and got a GPS fix in TomTom, I then set my network back to T-Mobile and the GPS fix was lost! As I switched networks I left TomTom running in the background.
A bit more testing. If I force the phone onto 3G T-Mobile the GPS works fine. My theory is what ever frequency the cell here operates on (some 5 miles away in the 1800MHz band) must be causing the some issue with the hardware
I'm thinking that most people wouldn't be able to experiment to see this, I'm just lucky or unlucky depending on how you look at it that I'm in a position where I can switch networks therefore changing frequency within the 1800MHz band and I can stay in the same place to test it. I've had in the past where the GPS would loose its fix for no reason and then just come back while travelling on a motorway I wonder if this was the same thing. Also the chances of someone owning a HD2 using the GPS and being on a cell who's frequency causes a problem is pretty small, and if your travelling you're likely to just think it's dropped for some reason, and oh yes it's back again now so think no more of it.
You are getting confused between GPS and GPRS.
GPS is the satellite system that you use to pinpoint your location (as with TomTom). If your phone is indoors or has a restricted view of the sky, then it cannot receive a signal.
GPRS is a data connection between your phone and the telecoms company. It is basically 2.5G, which way a intermediate step before 3G became set up.
fred_up said:
You are getting confused between GPS and GPRS.
GPS is the satellite system that you use to pinpoint your location (as with TomTom). If your phone is indoors or has a restricted view of the sky, then it cannot receive a signal.
GPRS is a data connection between your phone and the telecoms company. It is basically 2.5G, which way a intermediate step before 3G became set up.
Click to expand...
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No, completely understand the difference between GPRS and GPS
I've proven with out a doubt that when using the t-mobile cell serving our house (2g) there is no GPS signal. Use another network still 1800 and there is GPS, use 3g, or move to another area on t-mobile there is GPS.
GPS was working at home while on t-mobile upto a couple of weeks ago, I can only think that the cell has had some work done and has changed frequency.
twerki78 said:
No, completely understand the difference between GPRS and GPS
I've proven with out a doubt that when using the t-mobile cell serving our house (2g) there is no GPS signal. Use another network still 1800 and there is GPS, use 3g, or move to another area on t-mobile there is GPS.
GPS was working at home while on t-mobile upto a couple of weeks ago, I can only think that the cell has had some work done and has changed frequency.
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Silly question, but have you got AGPS activated? Because it can give you a rough location based upon the local cell transmitter info and any GPS satelite signals you may be recieving.
fred_up said:
Silly question, but have you got AGPS activated? Because it can give you a rough location based upon the local cell transmitter info and any GPS satellite signals you may be receiving.
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I have AGPS disabled. I doubt my operator supports it. I have tried with QuickGPS disabled and enabled but makes no difference.
If I get a fix while on Orange, leave which ever GPS enabled application I have running, running in the background, force the phone back onto my home network (TMobile), go back to the GPS application there's no fix and no satellite signal being received not even a hint.
I've also tried with the SIM card removed and GPS performs perfectly!
Thank you, I thought I was going mad - my GPS has been working perfectly since I got the phone 6 months ago but in the last week has been dropping out or refusing to start at all.
I tried a hard reset, which fixed the problem until I started driving the next day - after a few minutes TomTom lost it's way. Using a bluetooth GPS proved the signal was good, so I was coming around to the idea that the phone was broken...
I have also now read other users that have had GPS problems when roaming, although usually when switching between countries.
Looking on the T-Mobile website about the orange roaming issue it say 'there might be a few quirky side-effects' but I haven't even signed up for the Orange roaming option, sounds like T-Mobile has changed something for everyone?
I have read that fixing the network choice to manual, not auto, can help with GPS issues while roaming - I've yet to test this.
boomboomer said:
Thank you, I thought I was going mad - my GPS has been working perfectly since I got the phone 6 months ago but in the last week has been dropping out or refusing to start at all.
I tried a hard reset, which fixed the problem until I started driving the next day - after a few minutes TomTom lost it's way. Using a bluetooth GPS proved the signal was good, so I was coming around to the idea that the phone was broken...
I have also now read other users that have had GPS problems when roaming, although usually when switching between countries.
Looking on the T-Mobile website about the orange roaming issue it say 'there might be a few quirky side-effects' but I haven't even signed up for the Orange roaming option, sounds like T-Mobile has changed something for everyone?
I have read that fixing the network choice to manual, not auto, can help with GPS issues while roaming - I've yet to test this.
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I've had the issue for a couple of weeks I would say. Certainly last weekend I couldn't get a fix for ages when I set off and it wasn't until I was a way away from home that the GPS got a fix. This was before the roaming got switch on, of course it doesn't mean they were not doing something with the cell/network.
I too can get a perfect fix with external GPS or with a GPS nav system, or by changing networks! I've also tried another SIM card in the phone, again T-Mobile and get the same results.
I've attached some screen shots.
1st T-mobile no satellites, you'll notice that there isn't so much of hint of signal.
2nd Changing network.
3rd T-Mobile Orange and GPS fix.
All screen shots were taken with the phone in the same place.
Just come back from a drive just to test the GPS. Basically driven 30 miles away from home fixing the phone to T-Mobile and 2G and the only time I got a GPS fix was when the phone lost signal.
Parked in a layby and switched over to orange and got a fix with in a few seconds! Just can't figure out what the connection with being on T-mobile 2g is!
What Radio version is your phone using?
fred_up said:
What Radio version is your phone using?
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Have the same issue with various official T-Mobile ROMs.
I had a play with updating my AGPS settings last night using the Google settings from this thread: http://ip208-100-42-21.static.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=544421 when working on Orange couldn't notice any difference, with T-Mobile still not GPS fix.
I left the GPS running over night on T-Mobile, admittedly indoors but somewhere I know I get a fix, there was still no fix 7 hours later.
I live in a rural village covered only by one cell mast. GPS starts and runs fine at home with or without the phone turned on. if I walk over the other side of the hill, different cell mast, the GPS drops out immediately - I can't test if 3G fixes the problem as it doesn't work here. Once the GPS has stopped I can't get it to start again, even switching the phone off to airplane mode doesn't help. Only a soft reset, with the phone still in airplane mode will allow the GPS to start.
Switching the phone back on and the GPS drops, however walking back over the hill to home - back to my original cell mast and the GPS starts again.
I'm pretty sure t-mobile have rolled out a change to their 2G system, but not to all masts? rural ones maybe last done hence why my home cell still works.
How to proceed from here? T-Mobile are kind of hard to talk to.....
One thing I did notice was in Memory Map the satellite view normally flicks across satellite numbers until it finds a signal, if the T-Mobile problem occurs this process stops and it would appear to have frozen the service?
I take back the hard to talk to part of my last post, I emailed support from the website and they phoned me back within 2 hours!
As to be expected they couldn't give any instant answers but I gave this thread as a reference and the problem is to be escalated.
The call centerthen phoned me back and asked if I was happy, also to offer me 30 minutes free calls for next 3 months - very nice thank you.
Good work boomboomer. Hopefully T-mobile will find something. I'd like to know what they find, still can't understand the connection between a GSM network and GPS though. I haven't tried a controlled test with flight mode but will try that later. Out of interest what part of the country are you in? maybe it's just a pocket of cells that are affective? I'm in the BA8 postcode area.
The problem certainly only affects 2G, 3G is fine.
I'm out of the country this week but fingers crossed T-Mobile will find the problem. It's nice to know I'm not the only one with a problem.
I'm quite a distance away, DT2 here.
I've been asked to test the GPS over the next few days and keep a log of when and where it doesn't work, they said their network people will ring me soon.
At least this fault is 'interesting' in the words of their technical support guy, he'd never heard of anything like it, so there's hope they will give it some time.
On the plus side they've also given me a free month of internet, so I can't fault their customer support focus.
Incidentally, do you have SPB shell installed? This was the only change I'd made on my phone at the time this problem started.
boomboomer said:
I'm quite a distance away, DT2 here.
I've been asked to test the GPS over the next few days and keep a log of when and where it doesn't work, they said their network people will ring me soon.
At least this fault is 'interesting' in the words of their technical support guy, he'd never heard of anything like it, so there's hope they will give it some time.
On the plus side they've also given me a free month of internet, so I can't fault their customer support focus.
Incidentally, do you have SPB shell installed? This was the only change I'd made on my phone at the time this problem started.
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I didn't get chance to do any testing today at Heathrow as ended up being a bit rushed. I wouldn't say your not a million miles away. 22miles ish, the Cell that covers our home is in Dorset which is pretty useless when you have to call 999 because you get connected to Dorset who then can't pass you to Somerset and you end up being in a situation where you have no way of contacting Somerset 999 not great in this day and age! But I'm not going to get started on that one on this topic.
It's quite possible its a regional problem.
No I haven't installed SPB shell, I have tried it with a defaulted phone but still had the same problem.
I'm out the country now until Friday, but will do some testing when I return on my return journey. I'll fix the phone to 2g T-mobile and keep an eye on where the GPS drops out.
Oh dear, just got a call from T-Mobile technical networks - they don't support GPS as part of their service and won't be spending any time on the problem, case closed. They did say the problem seems to be with HTC devices only, blackberrys are not effected so it sounds like they have heard of the issue eleswhere?
Looks like it's a network switch required to solve the problem, shame that as I've been with T-Mobile for over 7 years.
boomboomer said:
Oh dear, just got a call from T-Mobile technical networks - they don't support GPS as part of their service and won't be spending any time on the problem, case closed. They did say the problem seems to be with HTC devices only, blackberrys are not effected so it sounds like they have heard of the issue eleswhere?
Looks like it's a network switch required to solve the problem, shame that as I've been with T-Mobile for over 7 years.
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Hmm, T-Mobile sold me the phone for use on their network, the phone is sold with a GPS, that now doesn't work on their network surely they need to spend sometime working with HTC to resolve the problem.
I do have a case open with HTC under the ref 10gbc410001235 they were supposed to be taking it up with tier 2 but as yet I've not heard anything back. I'll have to follow it up when I'm back in the UK. It might be worth you also logging a fault with HTC quoting my ref. at least if 2 people call in with the same problem they may start to think it's not just one crazy with the issue!
My other half has a HTC Desire, I haven't checked the GPS on her phone. Not sure if they use the same chipset, of course one is WM the other android. I wonder if its a problem for all HTC phones or just the HD2?