Database Users

T-Mobile MDA (Wizard) GPS

New to the forums, and betting this is a stupid Question, but I was wondering if there was anyway to tap into the GPS locater(built in for emergency calls such as 911) and use that for a GPS application, If the Wizard even has one built in, I would imagine that it does, but anways wondering if its possible, and if anyone has any incite into how to use this/turn it on?

There's no GPS in the wizard.

markgamber said:
There's no GPS in the wizard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Emergency services can locate your phone fairly accurately using triangulation from the gsm phone masts, using network data. There was a company selling a tracking service such as this for mobile users a while back, but I forget the details.

yeah ran into that service a while back, but the main way to get to it was to buy two handsets and pay for their cheap data service and put the other handset in someones car or whatever and use the 1st handset to track them...

I think that navizon.com has a program like that. theres a trial version for free. Doesnt google maps also use that technology?

hmm try google map 2.0 they show u wat ur location is without GPS
try http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349188

I've tried both of these apps and both aren't worth a crap to me. They get my location in the right state, heck even the right city...almost. But I can't get it to be consistent let alone even half right.
I tried em both out and would like to know what I have been doing wrong since everyone else says that they are "great."
Thanks,
Ivan

It's already been said, but get Google Map 2.0...I installed it a few days ago, and it's not bad. I'm usually within 2000ft. of the calculated location.
Bad Karma said:
I've tried both of these apps and both aren't worth a crap to me. They get my location in the right state, heck even the right city...almost. But I can't get it to be consistent let alone even half right.
I tried em both out and would like to know what I have been doing wrong since everyone else says that they are "great."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing you did wrong was expect triangulation to work like you're watching CSI. In the real world, there is signal bounce, interference from trees, buildings, and other radio transmissions, and a whole host of other nameless error-creating problems. Radio triangulation is severely limited, but considering this sort of feature wasn't even available as a free application (much less being built into a mapping software as robust as GMaps) until VERY recently, it's pretty good, if you don't have GPS. You can buy a dongle to attach to your MDA, or you can suck it up, and deal with generally inaccurate location.

Trying it again...I thought that I had 2.0 but maybe not...I'll let you know either way how it comes out this time.
-Ivan

Ok much better...however it is still like 4 miles!!! off.
Does it update when in travel or how/when will it become more accurate??
Thanks agian,
Ivan

Google Maps 2 has "My location"
I dunno if you knew but Google Maps has been updated now and it offers My location - which is pretty close what GPS does. It gets your position through cellular towers and then it locates you within half a mile if I'm not mistaken...
Try it and c if it works 4 u

Myrddin Wyllt said:
It's already been said, but get Google Map 2.0...I installed it a few days ago, and it's not bad. I'm usually within 2000ft. of the calculated location.
The only thing you did wrong was expect triangulation to work like you're watching CSI. In the real world, there is signal bounce, interference from trees, buildings, and other radio transmissions, and a whole host of other nameless error-creating problems. Radio triangulation is severely limited, but considering this sort of feature wasn't even available as a free application (much less being built into a mapping software as robust as GMaps) until VERY recently, it's pretty good, if you don't have GPS. You can buy a dongle to attach to your MDA, or you can suck it up, and deal with generally inaccurate location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually google maps DOES NOT use triangulation..it will just show ur position based on a single cell tower and the signal strength being calculated by your phone..

So I tried my Google Maps 2.0 on the fly today...
It told me that it wouldn't work because I did not have a "data connection" and that I needed to contact my "service provider" to be able to utilize that function... (Or some crap like that)
What am I doing wrong now??
Thanks guys,
Ivan

Wifi is flakey at some APs

I have installed and uninstalled a number of firmware/mod combinations on my xv6800 in hopes to get the GPS working. I don't believe that's going to happen (saddly, I feel like there's a conspiracy out there to trick peeps like me into spending weeks on this problem without any positive outcome) so I'm currently focusing on what DOES work with this device.
One thing that's flakey is the wifi. At home I'm running WEP128. It connects sometimes, others it will not. When it does not automatically connect but sees it, it asks for the key each time. What's the deal with that? Entering my long a$$ key each time has made me memorize it, but it's still a serious PITA. I don't have the same issue at most other places - still using WEP128. Doesn't appear to have any issues connecting to open APs. Does have issues connecting to a friend's AP, i that it doesn't even SEE it as available any more, after the initial 3-4 connects.
Thoughts on why this could be happening? Not having the GPS makes me very angry, but then to not have reliable wifi practially makes the device pointless, as I have another phone, my own PED and an actual good camera... and a laptop.
thanks for any helpful thoughts.
Chris

Chris,
I'm assuming from your post that the "XV" indicates you have a Verizon Phone? If so you might look at this link pertaining to GPS
http://www.phonenews.com/how-to-add-gps-to-htc-mogul-xv6800-p4000-titan-2663/
I'm not sure what to tell you about the WiFi. Mine works fine...

iamchrismoran said:
I have installed and uninstalled a number of firmware/mod combinations on my xv6800 in hopes to get the GPS working. I don't believe that's going to happen (saddly, I feel like there's a conspiracy out there to trick peeps like me into spending weeks on this problem without any positive outcome) so I'm currently focusing on what DOES work with this device.
One thing that's flakey is the wifi. At home I'm running WEP128. It connects sometimes, others it will not. When it does not automatically connect but sees it, it asks for the key each time. What's the deal with that? Entering my long a$$ key each time has made me memorize it, but it's still a serious PITA. I don't have the same issue at most other places - still using WEP128. Doesn't appear to have any issues connecting to open APs. Does have issues connecting to a friend's AP, i that it doesn't even SEE it as available any more, after the initial 3-4 connects.
Thoughts on why this could be happening? Not having the GPS makes me very angry, but then to not have reliable wifi practially makes the device pointless, as I have another phone, my own PED and an actual good camera... and a laptop.
thanks for any helpful thoughts.
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the verizon Titan and just use mac filtering on my wireless router. The encryption slows it down to much for me and basically need the same encryption scheme on both sides to get it to work properly. I don't do anything that it needs to be encrypted and the mac filtering keeps the neighbors out as well.

timm9 said:
Chris,
I'm assuming from your post that the "XV" indicates you have a Verizon Phone? If so you might look at this link pertaining to GPS
http://www.phonenews.com/how-to-add-gps-to-htc-mogul-xv6800-p4000-titan-2663/
I'm not sure what to tell you about the WiFi. Mine works fine...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, of all the tuts and instructions I've tried and read, that one has never crossed my screen - and I have tried at least 4-5 different ones. The phone's already unlocked and has a custom rom on it. I didn't get an impression either way if this method will reset the device/settings/files/etc in it again. I guess I could try it out. Thanks.
I'm getting to the point of just wanting to pay someone to get teh GPS working on it.
The Wifi issue is just weird and flakey. No rhyme or reason I can see.
Chris

jambrose said:
I have the verizon Titan and just use mac filtering on my wireless router. The encryption slows it down to much for me and basically need the same encryption scheme on both sides to get it to work properly. I don't do anything that it needs to be encrypted and the mac filtering keeps the neighbors out as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think of doing that often... but well... I don't have a but. WEP is hackable, but feels secure enough , considering I have a bunch of secure APs in my neighborhood... some obscurity helps as well.
I know that sometimes if I restart my AP (linksys wrt54g) the xv6800 will just find it and connect on it's own.
Chris

There is absolutely no reason why gps should not work on your device. In fact in this forum we really don't even discuss it too much anymore because it's really just an understood thing to be working. If you are on verizon use the latest alltel radio 3.42.xx I can't remember exactly, load dcd's 3.2.6 or 3.3.4 and start from there. Wifi on these roms have power saving features make sure if you are using wifi that you have strength up to full. Also, all the moguls that I have had, DO NOT COUNT ON THEM AUTOMATICALLY FINDING ACCESS POINTS, simply go to start->settings->connections "view all available access points" and select the one you want to use. I have heard cases of gps having trouble locking if wifi is on so make sure the switch is off and vise versa. Do the verizon qpst and registry settings change. On verizon you should have a lock within 30 seconds everytime if you are within the continental US. Good luck and take your time.

Sweeny Russ said:
There is absolutely no reason why gps should not work on your device. In fact in this forum we really don't even discuss it too much anymore because it's really just an understood thing to be working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha... yeah, that's what's so frustrating. So many people getting it to work and me not. I'm no dolt. I follow directions quite well.
If you are on verizon use the latest alltel radio 3.42.xx I can't remember exactly, load dcd's 3.2.6 or 3.3.4 and start from there. Wifi on these roms have power saving features make sure if you are using wifi that you have strength up to full. Also, all the moguls that I have had, DO NOT COUNT ON THEM AUTOMATICALLY FINDING ACCESS POINTS, simply go to start->settings->connections "view all available access points" and select the
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 3.42.something new within the last two months. My first attempt was with the DCD. Nada.
As for finding available access points, at my friend's place, it just shows it listed as unavailable. At home, it will SEE it and even attempt to connect, but often fails, except for those random times when it will connect.
one you want to use. I have heard cases of gps having trouble locking if wifi is on so make sure the switch is off and vise versa. Do the verizon qpst and registry settings change. On verizon you should have a lock within 30 seconds everytime if you are within the continental US. Good luck and take your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm... will it maintain the lock with the wifi turned back on afterward? The whole point is to be able to use gmaps with the GPS. I can install other s/w that has it's own maps as well, bypassing the need for the wifi, but for starters, getting GPS working first is important.
It's a verizon phone, but I don't have service turned on yet. I'm not going to switch my number over until I'm happy with how it's set up. I do not intend on using a data plan - too expensive, so wifi when in range and other gps s/w when I'm not will be used.
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have taken some serious time with this. The nice thing is that I don't have to rush, so I've tried MANY different things from the forums and even the PPCgeeks IRC channel. If I practice any more patience, I'll be sleeping.
Chris

iamchrismoran said:
Wow, of all the tuts and instructions I've tried and read, that one has never crossed my screen - and I have tried at least 4-5 different ones. The phone's already unlocked and has a custom rom on it. I didn't get an impression either way if this method will reset the device/settings/files/etc in it again. I guess I could try it out. Thanks.
I'm getting to the point of just wanting to pay someone to get teh GPS working on it.
The Wifi issue is just weird and flakey. No rhyme or reason I can see.
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That phonenews article was VERY helpful in getting me started, but:
It is ancient. Those old roms have problem. Use the newest DCD roms and radios found here. (thanks DCD and everyone)
ALSO, on the GPS.
If you EVER, EVER, installed the new Verizon MR1 upgrade, the GPS is locked. No worky no more..... But, simply find the older Verizon rom, it can be found. Downgrade to it and run it. Then go straight to the DCD rom/radio.

worwig said:
That phonenews article was VERY helpful in getting me started, but:
It is ancient. Those old roms have problem. Use the newest DCD roms and radios found here. (thanks DCD and everyone)
ALSO, on the GPS.
If you EVER, EVER, installed the new Verizon MR1 upgrade, the GPS is locked. No worky no more..... But, simply find the older Verizon rom, it can be found. Downgrade to it and run it. Then go straight to the DCD rom/radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did try the MR1 upgrade based aGPS hack, but I then realized that aGPS only matters if you've got a working GPS at all. Anyway, I then downgraded again and started over from scratch. I got my phone in September and did my series of hacks/upgrades/unlocks over the course of two weeks or nightly tries and retries. It's nice to hear someone say it WILL work, but Murphy's Law is working overtime with me on this one.

It is my understanding that if you don't have internet access than gps will not just not work on mogul. The gps one chip I believe is strictly an AGPS chip and cannot lock without using agps. However I guess some people have done it and use it, although even if you get it to work the lock will take forever. The mogul really needs that emphemeris data from the north american gps servers to function correctly. I didn't realize these were your terms.

Sweeny Russ said:
It is my understanding that if you don't have internet access than gps will not just not work on mogul. The gps one chip I believe is strictly an AGPS chip and cannot lock without using agps. However I guess some people have done it and use it, although even if you get it to work the lock will take forever. The mogul really needs that emphemeris data from the north american gps servers to function correctly. I didn't realize these were your terms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never seen it written anywhere that one would be required to have a data connection with the service provider to get a GPS lock. Seems ridiculous to me. If I wanted to pay for a data connection, then why the heck not just pay for the VZ Navigator access??
I've never seen aGPS as a requirement either. If all the tuts were about aGPS, I'd see that having that data connection was important. Boy, I sure could use a definitive on this. If I KNOW for fact that GPS just doesn't work without a data connection, I'd have to suck it up and get an external bluetooth GPS device if I care enough. I have believed however all along that the whole point was to access GPS hardware without incurring data charges.
thanks,
Chris

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=47602
its not the mogul, but same idea.

iamchrismoran said:
I did try the MR1 upgrade based aGPS hack, but I then realized that aGPS only matters if you've got a working GPS at all. Anyway, I then downgraded again and started over from scratch. I got my phone in September and did my series of hacks/upgrades/unlocks over the course of two weeks or nightly tries and retries. It's nice to hear someone say it WILL work, but Murphy's Law is working overtime with me on this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, not trying to undermind you, but why did you aquire the mogul if you weren't planning on using internet access? I mean you loose live search, google maps, pic and video messaging, skyfire, ie, youtube, and pretty much everything that makes a mogul a mogul. If you bought it for the soul purpose of using as a gps device you definitely bought the wrong device.

Sweeny Russ said:
Also, not trying to undermind you, but why did you aquire the mogul if you weren't planning on using internet access? I mean you loose live search, google maps, pic and video messaging, skyfire, ie, youtube, and pretty much everything that makes a mogul a mogul. If you bought it for the soul purpose of using as a gps device you definitely bought the wrong device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TOTALLY reasonable question.
I will use the phone when I have it set how I like it.
I got it so I could have a reasonably convenient way to freely check my email and surf when in wifi range without needing to lug my laptop around with me. I got a good price on it, much cheaper than an actual laptop.
Nice sized screen for when I want to actually watch a ripped movie or TV show and the option to install other software on a whim to have with me is just great. I got a ppc that can be a phone essentially. I'm not a phone person, too cheap to pay for a text plan, but wifi is key. The ability to open this phone up for GPS use was a major factor in picking it from lots of research before diving in.

gps wont find anything

so I bought a htc hd2 using it to type this, however gps wont lock (and kb Really is bad lol) im on o2
any ideas..

Re gps won't find anything
Hi,
A couple of questions. What software are you using? (like Google Maps). You say you can't get a lock, are you able to access any satellite? Have you selected Google Maps Use GPS Option. Have you enabled QuickGPS (Start/Tools/QuickGPS). There is a setting there to let you download Satellite data using your PC connection during Activesync which might help you if you have data issues.
Now, silly question, are you indoors or outdoors when you are trying to get a fix?. Im not always able to get a satellite fix from my living room).
Regards.

Re: gps won't find anything
Hi,
A couple of questions. What software are you using? (like Google Maps). You say you can't get a lock, are you able to access any satellite? Have you selected Google Maps Use GPS Option. Have you enabled QuickGPS (Start/Tools/QuickGPS). There is a setting there to let you download Satellite data using your PC connection during Activesync which might help you if you have data issues.
Now, silly question, are you indoors or outdoors when you are trying to get a fix?. Im not always able to get a satellite fix from my living room).
Regards.

sorry took so long to reply (keyboard really has issues ... or maybe i have the issues and just cant use it) so i came to pc to reply.
i was indoors at the time (trying to show my gf how great my phone is and shes with her iphone getting a gps location in seconds) so i was indoors , i have tried outside however and it dont seem to work, i had the same (and still do) with my xda ignito and just give up on it , but this is a new phone and i just want to be able to sit in my house and go oooh phone says im here haha.
i used quickgps however that has not helped

LOL, knowing that you couldn't get it working on your other phone might have helped in your original posting . Have you talked to O2?

gps does not care about the carrier...
BTW: What the iphone does (and your phone can do too) is the self positining using the google api. that works over the cellular network, using a table of positions where the antennas are lokated and not gps!
GPS indoors is not possible with a antenna like the HD2 or the Iphone has, aslong as you live in a "normal house" and not in some weird mobile home ect...
If it cant get a fix using google maps or tomtom outside of your house within 2minutes of not moving somewhere on the street, or the gps tuner did not even find one satellite, think of hard-resetting your phone and then try again.
if you sill can find anything your antenna might be broken so you need to return your phone to warrenty and get a new one, or yours fixed!
greetz

Intereseting, I've never actually seen a phone using nagigation software without data services from a carrier. I must live a really sheltered life. Good luck.

Usually, every GPS phone has trouble locking from inside houses, with the exception of when you are standing next to a window sometimes. My HD2 however locks in seconds when outside.
I would suggest running QuickGPS (or something along those lines) from Start->Tools, it updates the locations of the satellites so the GPS takes less to locate them when locking.
All the best,
shpatar.

cMMY69 said:
Intereseting, I've never actually seen a phone using nagigation software without data services from a carrier. I must live a really sheltered life. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what are you talking about? tomtom, garmin etc. never use the carrier to get a fixed gps position. thats why you call it gps, because it uses it and gps is not run by any phone carrier but by the us. forces... so you dont need any dataservice or even simcard to get your gps position with your gps-enabled phone...

larrytango said:
sorry took so long to reply (keyboard really has issues ... or maybe i have the issues and just cant use it) so i came to pc to reply.
i was indoors at the time (trying to show my gf how great my phone is and shes with her iphone getting a gps location in seconds) so i was indoors , i have tried outside however and it dont seem to work, i had the same (and still do) with my xda ignito and just give up on it , but this is a new phone and i just want to be able to sit in my house and go oooh phone says im here haha.
i used quickgps however that has not helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using igo8? I know i had to manually set the correct com port (COM4) within igo settings before it would work.
Also you can manually set it in google maps. Try setting it to COM4 baud rate of 4800
The carrier locating in my area is useless when i am inside my house. Says i am like a mile away in the middle of a field! lol.

larrytango said:
sorry took so long to reply (keyboard really has issues ... or maybe i have the issues and just cant use it) so i came to pc to reply.
i was indoors at the time (trying to show my gf how great my phone is and shes with her iphone getting a gps location in seconds) so i was indoors , i have tried outside however and it dont seem to work, i had the same (and still do) with my xda ignito and just give up on it , but this is a new phone and i just want to be able to sit in my house and go oooh phone says im here haha.
i used quickgps however that has not helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As others have replied- the iPhone uses a different method of getting your position, as its GPS receiver is pretty poor (which is why TomTom needs its own GPS receiver in a dedicated cradle to work properly )
The HD2 has the best GPS receiver I've yet seen in a mobile device- no longer than 1 minute even from cold start in most cases- and I've used it in UK, Italy and Slovenia in the last 6 weeks. However, if you are indoors it will struggle.
Which software are you using to try and get a fix? Maybe it isn't initiating the GPS correctly.
The Ignito is also pretty good, so maybe you are in a 'dead' area? Have you tried in a different location?

brandi said:
gps does not care about the carrier...
BTW: What the iphone does (and your phone can do too) is the self positining using the google api. that works over the cellular network, using a table of positions where the antennas are lokated and not gps!
GPS indoors is not possible with a antenna like the HD2 or the Iphone has, aslong as you live in a "normal house" and not in some weird mobile home ect...
If it cant get a fix using google maps or tomtom outside of your house within 2minutes of not moving somewhere on the street, or the gps tuner did not even find one satellite, think of hard-resetting your phone and then try again.
if you sill can find anything your antenna might be broken so you need to return your phone to warrenty and get a new one, or yours fixed!
greetz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i said what network i was on to imply what rom i was on (was first day with hd2 and i was typing using it .. and i wanted to make it as small as possible - hate the kb lol)
and my gf iphone does actually pick up gps in the house , mine doesnt tho.
i got a signal once since i started this when outside after about 20 mins.
i understand what you mean with regards to cell network etc and obviously that works fine .. however gps seems to not like me

GPS Issue, only in some areas. GSM network dependent.

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...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?

[Q] Evo as just a media/nav system

OK so this may be a strange request but im sure its possible. Ive got an old evo at home because my girlfriend mad the jump to att for the Atrix 4g. so i was wondering in stead of selling this beautiful device could i make it just a mp3/mp4 player with gps. no iv purchased navigon so that should knock out the gps part. but is there any way to just remove everything else like the phone and phone radios...all i need is WiFi. the messaging and basically every thing not absolutely needed for it to function. I tried just removing everything with root explorer but as soon as i deleted the phone.apk i got constant force closes. So thinking i must go a different route. Any ideas any one?

Im not sure, I know you can keep it in airplane mode, that turns off all radios and data. You could still play musuc, games, and videos with it

thanks to your idea and my old samsung moment i now have a new mp3 player when i dont want to use my evo's battery lol

No prob, glad I could help

Youd be much much better off selling it since they go for around 400

I'd say airplane mode and or wifi only with 3g off. You could probably create a custom profile with any of the tools like "profile settings"
I'm using a family members first Iphone as mp3+gps as well so you aren't entirely crazy.

This is sort of what I plan to do with my Evo when I upgrade this year. As far as I can tell though you won't be able to use GPS as you'd need 3G to download the maps. Unless Navigon loads all the maps onto your SD card you won't be able to drive and navigate (without tapping into local wifi, at least).

I believe google maps will pull over wifi.

dabbill said:
I believe google maps will pull over wifi.
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Yeah, but he can't do that on the go.
Hey OP, i agree with Knives. you'd be MUCH better off selling it and buying a 160gb ipod and a tomtom. You'd probably even make money on the deal. just my $0.02

Same thing with the Xoom
Google maps needs a data connection. And the GPS I believe is AGPS, or assisted GPS, so it still really wants some type of network connection to narrow down your location.

Bielinsk said:
Same thing with the Xoom
Google maps needs a data connection. And the GPS I believe is AGPS, or assisted GPS, so it still really wants some type of network connection to narrow down your location.
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No, it's a true GPS. i've used mine without cell service. it's still able to nail down my location perfectly.