Database Users

Possible solution to GPS problem on Nexus S

Hi,
i've tried just about anything to improve GPS singal on my Nexus S, i was so desperate i even thinked about selling it. But by accident i've found something interesting.
When you remove battery cover signal from GPS is really good, usable even indoors 1-2 meters from window. When you put cover back - it suddenly drops. Here's the best part - when i use different cover directly on the back of the phone, WITHOUT original battery cover (i have thick back case which you put on battery cover, anti scratch thing) signal was just as fine as without any cover!
Then i tried covering back of the phone with a case from another phone (Galaxy S) and signal was fine.
So the culprit is NFC spiral which is sticked to the battery cover. I'd like to take it off, but im not sure if it is possible to stcik it back in case of RMA or something.
I'd like you to try this simple experiment and tell me if your phones suffer from the same thing.
Thanks

hmm interesting

Lol wow with cover on I get 2-3 .. without cover 3-4.5 ... lol
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

YourMainDude said:
Lol wow with cover on I get 2-3 .. without cover 3-4.5 ... lol
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about turning NFC off?

Today i took off NFC antenna and it didn't work, which is strange. Now the culprit is whole battery cover. As i said i tried different cases and GPS was working fine with them.

Hello,
in our german community we discuss this problem, too. The Problem isn't the NFC antenna, it's the backcover! Some user tried with another cover from ebay: http://www.ebay.de/itm/250846706756?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 and this seems to work better!
Here is a link to the original thread (in german!) http://www.android-hilfe.de/nexus-s-forum/98979-probleme-mit-gps-fix-ab-2-3-4-a-19.html#post2080524
Best regards
Handymeister

Handymeister said:
Hello,
in our german community we discuss this problem, too. The Problem isn't the NFC antenna, it's the backcover! Some user tried with another cover from ebay: http://www.ebay.de/itm/250846706756?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 and this seems to work better!
Here is a link to the original thread (in german!) http://www.android-hilfe.de/nexus-s-forum/98979-probleme-mit-gps-fix-ab-2-3-4-a-19.html#post2080524
Best regards
Handymeister
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, that exactly what i considered. It's really funny, because original battery cover is making GPS works like s**t.
If that cover form ebay is really working i might consider buying it, i'll try to read original thread, thanks.
Have you tried that cover? My German isn't that great and neither is google translate. But from what i read this is really working, but i don't know how well.

im guessing NFC wont work without the stock battery cover

when did this GPS problem started?
it must be new...
uberberben said:
Hi,
i've tried just about anything to improve GPS singal on my Nexus S, i was so desperate i even thinked about selling it. But by accident i've found something interesting.
When you remove battery cover signal from GPS is really good, usable even indoors 1-2 meters from window. When you put cover back - it suddenly drops. Here's the best part - when i use different cover directly on the back of the phone, WITHOUT original battery cover (i have thick back case which you put on battery cover, anti scratch thing) signal was just as fine as without any cover!
Then i tried covering back of the phone with a case from another phone (Galaxy S) and signal was fine.
So the culprit is NFC spiral which is sticked to the battery cover. I'd like to take it off, but im not sure if it is possible to stcik it back in case of RMA or something.
I'd like you to try this simple experiment and tell me if your phones suffer from the same thing.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

praveenmarkandu said:
im guessing NFC wont work without the stock battery cover
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it will not work without the original back cover
that is the antennae

uberberben said:
Today i took off NFC antenna and it didn't work, which is strange. Now the culprit is whole battery cover. As i said i tried different cases and GPS was working fine with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe. Put your NFC antenna back on. Google wallet is awesome.

Hey guys
I have my Nexus S (Blandroid + Trinity T144) tested just now, and now I only realize the GPS unit is on the right side of the phone.
Take off your cover, you should see a black, duct-tape like module pasted on almost 3/4 of the right side of Nexus S (the side where power button is located). That should be the GPS unit.
Tested with cover on, landscape with right side of the phone pointed upwards, I gained a score of 40~41 in one or two of the satellite in my view (GPS Test by Chartcross Ltd). When I test it with cover off, I gained a score of 45~47 in a few of the satellite.
Conclusion is, if you need a better GPS signal, you will need to hold it landscape with camera pointing to the left. Portrait mode will not works too well I guess. I wonder how Apple products can gain locks near instantly.

that's what i always do when i want to use GPS for navigation, pull off the battery cover.
it's almost impossible to get a fix with the battery cover on.

Humm I really wanted to delete this post but there isn't an option

Wow, i tried to get gps fix in my home without cover and it work!

Boosting signal easily

In brief it works.
If you look at Note stuff on ebay like me then perhaps you have seen those signal booster things. Looks like a sticker. Cause it is!
Ok it looks like crap. But I know that putting in an extra antenna could help if its then able to also transmit what it receives. Don't know enough to know for sure...
But for $2.90 I decided to try. It was a small metalic sticker that arrived. Instructions look like they were written 10 years ago for phones with antenna poking out the top.
Having seen teardown pics of the Note I figured out the antenna is on the bottom below the battery. I was at a hilly farm where there is only one tower and positioning is both sensitive and predictable. Perfect for testing.
I put the sticker over the antenna and was surprised to see it dropped the 2 bar HSPA connection to a 2 bar GSM connection. Putting the phone where I could normally get 3 bar HSPA was a 2 bar HSPA. Ok this confirms the sticker does actually affect signal. Now to place it correctly.
The instructions suggest placing behind battery in the same direction as antenna. I don't know if top should face left or right but I put it there.
Signal much better than first test and better than control. Able to get 1 bar in many places which was 0 before.
2 bar HSPA became 3 bar HSPA and 3 bar became often 4 bar :-D
I've ordered some more so I can experiment with orientation and also try multiple stickers.
It was worth $3 !!!

Measure dBm for us please

Could you give us a link to which one you bought and also some pics of where you installed it
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

Atrix_E said:
Measure dBm for us please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, without that info I'm skeptical. I use an app called PhoneInfo for this.

Wow, welcome to 2001!!
I thought this cell sticker booster scam died a decade ago? No?

sounds like esoteric BS...
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

I remember this when I was a teen with my first Nokia
GALAXY NOTE

intruda119 said:
I remember this when I was a teen with my first Nokia
GALAXY NOTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol me too... me too... I'd wanna see the readings before I get too excited not that my coverage is horrible it'd be nice to get a bit more of a signal boost everyone and a while.
Sent from my Galaxy Note using tapatalk

PurpleMelbourne said:
In brief it works.
If you look at Note stuff on ebay like me then perhaps you have seen those signal booster things. Looks like a sticker. Cause it is!
Ok it looks like crap. But I know that putting in an extra antenna could help if its then able to also transmit what it receives. Don't know enough to know for sure...
But for $2.90 I decided to try. It was a small metalic sticker that arrived. Instructions look like they were written 10 years ago for phones with antenna poking out the top.
Having seen teardown pics of the Note I figured out the antenna is on the bottom below the battery. I was at a hilly farm where there is only one tower and positioning is both sensitive and predictable. Perfect for testing.
I put the sticker over the antenna and was surprised to see it dropped the 2 bar HSPA connection to a 2 bar GSM connection. Putting the phone where I could normally get 3 bar HSPA was a 2 bar HSPA. Ok this confirms the sticker does actually affect signal. Now to place it correctly.
The instructions suggest placing behind battery in the same direction as antenna. I don't know if top should face left or right but I put it there.
Signal much better than first test and better than control. Able to get 1 bar in many places which was 0 before.
2 bar HSPA became 3 bar HSPA and 3 bar became often 4 bar :-D
I've ordered some more so I can experiment with orientation and also try multiple stickers.
It was worth $3 !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
plz post pics when you are finished with testing so we can see exactly where you put the sticker.
I bought one of these myself. from the tutorials Ive seen its seems that it must be placed on the antenna itself. & Notes antenna is placed inside the back case, so it has to be opened by unscrewing all those philips screws inside.

how about a link so we could all have a look??!!cheers!
edit: i just bought 3 for 1.55 pounds. almost 2 beers fot them.i'm just curious.i will leave a feedback when i get them.
here is one link :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Mobile-...&otn=5&po=LVI&ps=63&clkid=5949792537997759965

jvc.silence said:
how about a link so we could all have a look??!!cheers!
edit: i just bought 3 for 1.55 pounds. almost 2 beers fot them.i'm just curious.i will leave a feedback when i get them.
here is one link :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Mobile-...&otn=5&po=LVI&ps=63&clkid=5949792537997759965
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha that's funny! I got a pack of 25 of those for like 10 euros about 5 years ago. I still have them around in some box. I guess I'll try it some time

measurements with and without please

I'm pretty sure that if you could boost your signal this easily and cheaply then phone manufacturers would just put them in the phone in the first place!

Allow good ol' Jade to bless you with his gospel of sensibility and reason:
It's snake oil folks.
Think about it... I have seen and used these little stickers in the past before, back in the old days. Supposedly they work using harmonic resonance attenuation. However, even if you make the signal appear to be stronger, you have to remember that there is a very big difference between signal strength and signal quality. A strong signal doesn't automatically mean a good signal. If anything, the little thing is creating signal interference which will hurt your overall performance, despite the extra bars.
Besides all of what I just said, don't you think that, if it's so cheap and it improves signal performance so well, Samsung would have included it in its original design?
Go buy a cheap beer with your $3. It'll be better, trust me.

^ Agree
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

I stuck on on my Willie and guess what?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

I'd be curious to see if there is/was a way to boost the antenna signal. Kind of like how you can on wireless routers with modded firmwares.

bigmout said:
Agreed, without that info I'm skeptical. I use an app called PhoneInfo for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll install that and give it a go later in the week when I'm back on the farm. I've ordered more of these stickers. If the new ones arrive in time then I'll happily do before and after dB measurements.
Here is someone selling 5 on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5-x-Cell...Accessories&hash=item3cc148e1aa#ht_2266wt_745

Please... The least you could do before promoting crap is Google it. This has been proved wrong so many times in so many occasions over the years.
http://www.andybrain.com/2005/cellphone-antenna-booster-sticker-test-and-analysis/
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

PurpleMelbourne said:
I'll install that and give it a go later in the week when I'm back on the farm. I've ordered more of these stickers. If the new ones arrive in time then I'll happily do before and after dB measurements.
Here is someone selling 5 on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5-x-Cell...Accessories&hash=item3cc148e1aa#ht_2266wt_745
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
take my apologies in advance, but may you be interested in my new "dr.tml's new lifetime enhancer" as well?
this sticker (genuinely invented by me) will boost your life expectation at least by a few % by absorbing, amplifying and sending your bio energy back to you! especially usefull if you have some sort of disease...
i'll sell this "dr.tml" stickers for USD 10 pp, cash in advance!
if anyone is interested please let me know, i'll be more than happy to deliver!
ps.: soon i will have also the "dr.tml's new lifetime enhancer V2 ultra" ready!
the advantage of this ultra new sticker would be that it could separate between good and bad bioenergy, and thus only reflect the good-one to you! stay tuned...

Anyone take the speaker out of an LG WCP-700 yet?

This is a picture of a circuit board from an LG WCP-700 Qi charger. It makes a very annoying beep, but I can't figure out what is making it. My best guess so far is the part labeled 331. Any help would be appreciated.

BadBoyNDSU said:
This is a picture of a circuit board from an LG WCP-700 Qi charger. It makes a very annoying beep, but I can't figure out what is making it. My best guess so far is the part labeled 331. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the beep that loud? If you find out, be sure to post it here. Mine is on it's way.

That looks like it. I'll certainly take mine out when it arrives in a few days, if you are too afraid to yank it wait and I'll let you know how it turns out.
I'd rather have a dead charger than a loud annoying one
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Might want to check this out. Someone stated that they took it out and it's dead.

I have the same question, I got the case open expecting this to be easy but I'm not 100% sure what to pull off the PCB. I think you are right that it has to be the part labeled 331. There is just not anything else that it could be.
That said I'm not willing to pull it without some confirmation. Maybe somebody here with more EE experience can tell us for sure.
I don't get my nexus 4 until tomorrow, maybe once I have it I can get the charger to beep and listen for where the sound is coming from.

Apologies for being slightly OT (although I'll be looking to do this when I get mine).
I'm struggling to find a supported voltage range in any specifications for this pad - I'm UK based and need either an adaptor or convertor depending on the range.
Could someone who has one let me know what the specs are please?

How did you get it open??? I've been trying for a week now and have all but ruined the bottom ha! A "How To" would be appreciated!

Jester23 said:
How did you get it open??? I've been trying for a week now and have all but ruined the bottom ha! A "How To" would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 4 little rubber feet on the bottom pull out and there are 4 small Phillips screws underneath.
I had to use a small screw driver to pry up on the feet, it felt like they might rip but they all came out undamaged. Once those screws are out the top and bottom are still held together by a couple of snap-tabs in the middle of the long sides. I was able to get them apart with a little prying and again nothing broke even though it felt like it might. The PCB is held on by 4 obvious Phillips screws.
Sorry I don't have any pictures and can't take any until after I get home from work later.

CodeMonkey said:
Apologies for being slightly OT (although I'll be looking to do this when I get mine).
I'm struggling to find a supported voltage range in any specifications for this pad - I'm UK based and need either an adaptor or convertor depending on the range.
Could someone who has one let me know what the specs are please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here.

brettray said:
The 4 little rubber feet on the bottom pull out and there are 4 small Phillips screws underneath.
I had to use a small screw driver to pry up on the feet, it felt like they might rip but they all came out undamaged. Once those screws are out the top and bottom are still held together by a couple of snap-tabs in the middle of the long sides. I was able to get them apart with a little prying and again nothing broke even though it felt like it might. The PCB is held on by 4 obvious Phillips screws.
Sorry I don't have any pictures and can't take any until after I get home from work later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, mine is different then... I got it from Amazon and its a Verizon one and the bottom is all one solid rubery unit. I saw the 4 posts with screws when I pry it open but couldn't get to the screws.
Thanks!

Instead of pulling it or jacking up the PCB trying to disconnect, could you maybe just drown the thing in some sort of epoxy? if not muting it, may at least muffle it some

Check the ZENS Qi wireless chargers, no beep and work great!

Jean2000 said:
Check the ZENS Qi wireless chargers, no beep and work great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw them and would love to but not available in Canada or the US it looks like...

Jester23 said:
I saw them and would love to but not available in Canada or the US it looks like...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are now...!
check the store on wpcentral website

Jean2000 said:
They are now...!
check the store on wpcentral website
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like OOS currently.

Neo42 said:
Instead of pulling it or jacking up the PCB trying to disconnect, could you maybe just drown the thing in some sort of epoxy? if not muting it, may at least muffle it some
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried putting my finger over different parts of the PCB and the letting it beep, including "331", and nothing I do lessens the volume. That's why I'm baffled on what part is the actual speaker.

The part labled 331 looks like an choke/inductor to me. I wouldn't remove it...
edit: do you have a picture of the other side of the PCB?

Luxferro said:
The part labled 331 looks like an choke/inductor to me. I wouldn't remove it...
edit: do you have a picture of the other side of the PCB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only things on the back side of the PCB are the two LEDs at the top. I am beginning to think that the sound is coming from the coil itself, like it is performing double duty as a charging coil and as a speaker coil.
BTW, I got my phone today and can confirm (as has been said elsewhere) that this charger works perfectly for charging the nexus 4. Well... expect for the loud beeps.

Jester23 said:
OK, mine is different then... I got it from Amazon and its a Verizon one and the bottom is all one solid rubery unit. I saw the 4 posts with screws when I pry it open but couldn't get to the screws.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just for reference here are some pictures of my charger, so that you can see the screw locations. Mine is also Verizon branded and came from amazon.

brettray said:
Just for reference here are some pictures of my charger, so that you can see the screw locations. Mine is also Verizon branded and came from amazon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, turns out the plugs were there the two I had tried to pry out tore making me think they did not come out. So, now just to figure out where the beep is coming from!

[Q] Screen replacement, leftover piece

Hey! I just replaced a broken screen and it went quite well, aside from the fact that my mic is not really working as it should anymore (it sounds like I am really far away whenever I speak). After the reassembly, I noticed one plastic piece which for the life of me I cannot find a suitable place for. Does anyone know where it is supposed to go?

I've never had that piece loose after replacing my screen (I've gone through 4!!).
The microphone problem seems to be a common problem with screen replacements (judging by xda, other forums and product reviews). I don't know a fix for that, but wanted to let you know it seems to be everyone
Sent from my MB526 using xda premium

Haha ok, no I haven't been able to spot it n any how-to video or anything so I am completely stumped. Does anyone know if the mic problem is fixable? Been googling a bit without result.
Edit: " end of my woes.
I had the same thing as adam in the end. its the little orange silicon bit that shields the microphone. it fits into the fornt cover near the microphone hole. I accidentally threw it away with the old cover and then had the problem. I had to buy a complete new casing in the edn but it is working fine now.
Chris"
Found this in another thread, but... Hmmm, I know of the three orange parts and I have taken good care of them. None of those are clowe to the mic though, or perhaps I am mixing up the mic with somethng else? Oh well, there was somethng else about a rubber part behind the display, perhaps I'll just stick my rubber thingie in there. Yup.

rakitin said:
Edit: " end of my woes.
I had the same thing as Adam in the end. its the little orange silicon bit that shields the microphone. it fits into the front cover near the microphone hole. I accidentally threw it away with the old cover and then had the problem. I had to buy a complete new casing in the end but it is working fine now.
Chris"
Found this in another thread, but... Hmmm, I know of the three orange parts and I have taken good care of them. None of those are close to the mic though, or perhaps I am mixing up the mic with something else? Oh well, there was something else about a rubber part behind the display, perhaps I'll just stick my rubber thingie in there. Yup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I know what Chris was referring to, it's a rectangular red/orange silicone.... thing. I'll edit this with link to a video at the time it appears, when I get to a computer that is.
-Sent from my MB525 on Quarx's 2nd boot CM10 [BL7]

pk92 said:
I think I know what Chris was referring to, it's a rectangular red/orange silicone.... thing. I'll edit this with link to a video at the time it appears, when I get to a computer that is.
-Sent from my MB525 on Quarx's 2nd boot CM10 [BL7]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I will open it up again tonight and see if I can fix it. Apparently I also managed to cause some problem with the headset since the right earpiece no longer works. Only the left one... Seems like i really shouldnt do these kinds of repair work myself.
Edit: i think I used too much glue a the bottom while fastening the screen and that is why the mic is not working as it should. Just putting it here so others might take t ny consideration if they see this post. Guess the only way to fixit is to buy a new front.

'Searching for GPS' after fixing screen

I repaired my phone a week or so ago and ever since, my GPS won't work. I obey broke something but don't know what to look for or do. I can say that the motherboard got a small Crack up by the top speaker somewhere. That likely is the cause of this and I'm probably SOL, but maybe someone has some insight or good ideas.
Thanks!

My guess is maybe the crack goes across part of the antenna for the GPS. Not sure though I haven't pulled this phone apart so I don't know where the antenna is. Worth a shot to look and see if you can solder a jumper.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm trying to decide if it is worth the risk and hassle of opening the phone back up if this isn't even related. I'd love to learn where on the phone the GPS is (Is it a module?, an antenna? something else?)
ahent said:
My guess is maybe the crack goes across part of the antenna for the GPS. Not sure though I haven't pulled this phone apart so I don't know where the antenna is. Worth a shot to look and see if you can solder a jumper.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Did you ever find a solution to this? or can you tell me where the board cracked? ill be the guinea pig trying to fix mine if i know where to look.
Or has anyone else ever been able to identify the GPS hardware inside the phone?
Mine came back from motocare with the GPS broken. I sent it in mint but with a defective camera. Been like that for months. Yesterday I broke the screen, which I just changed. Still no GPS. I could not find anything GPS related, antenna, cables, etc.
I must say these phones are a pleasure to fix. Just tape and 21 screws.. all the same size except one.