Database Users

GPS Issues on Desire HD - Considerations, tools and tips

I'd like to make a unique single thread with all the issues related to gps on DHD and the procedures/tips to make it work better.
MY EXPERIENCE
I was ready to go to dinner to my girlfriend's uncle (50km far away). I bought my DHD two days before. Ok, let's try gps. Google navigator. Started driving and my phone didn't get a lock. After five minutes of driving, i needed some help from navigator. Nope, still no gps lock. I stopped the car, got out with DHD in hand and lock again in two minutes with the sky in sight. No problem until destination. At the end of the dinner, on the road again. For the first 3 minutes, gps lock. Then lock lost, gps icon blinking and nothing. Tried to reload the phone. Fast boot first time and complete reboot the second time. I didn't stop the car this time, tried while driving (my girlfriend handled telephone while i was driving ).
It took 45 minutes to get lock again. Thanks god, i learned the route on the journey there.
The same thing happened again three times in the next days.
I thought that some software installed corrupted my phone.....(sorry, i was used to the windows mobile whims!!!!).
Hard resetted, but the problem was always there. Without logic, sometimes i had gps lock, sometimes not. Sometimes my DHD was keeping the lock until destination, other times gps lock was lost while moving.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Not all the people complaints about gps on DHD. I don't know why but there are many people who have problems using it. I think that, except for the faulty devices with defective gps chip, the behaviour is the same for all devices. Only the people perception about the performances of gps are different, and their behaviours of use. I had different expectations about gps. I was used to start driving without gps lock, my HtcHD would have always found lock in one minute anyway. Even if moving, even if many clouds or raining.
People who arrived to Android coming from Windows Mobile do experience a general lack of speed in locking gps position and a very different way about gps is handled by the OS.
My DesireHD hardly locks gps where my previous HtcHD locked gps in few seconds.
The same difficulties I have now with DesireHD, I had them too when I installed Android on my HtcHD. But I thought it was the unstable Android SD ROM's fault.
Another issue is the speed of hot start: DHD seem to have a very very short term memory in fact of gps. Hot start is really hot only if you reconnect within short time.
My HtcHD was able to reconnect in few seconds even if hours passed from the previous lock, if not moved.
My new DHD needs more time to lock, even if the previous lock was 30 minutes before. It happens to take 45 seconds or more to lock again if the sky is not completely in sight.
Even if I get lock with GPS Status, shutdown the program and I reopen it few seconds after, gps lock is not immediate. It takes almost ten seconds to lock.
I think I have to forget the Winmo performances in fact of gps, on Android.
(I think it's the only thing i'm gonna be missing, anyway......)
I think i'll have to wait for the lock before start driving from now.
ISSUES EXPERIENCED BY USERS
- DHD locks gps but when moving it loses the lock and it stays for minutes (from 10 to 60) looking for it again. -
Let DHD get an outdoor strong gps lock for some minutes before starting to move.
- DHD is unable to find a lock. Phone never ever locked gps, whether indoor or outdoor, with the whole sky in sight.
Try resetting AGPS data and let your phone get a lock without data connection, outdoor with the sky in sight on a plain stable surface
If you never ever succeed to get a lock, you should consider to have a faulty chip on your device. I think it's better to contact HTC Repair service.
- DHD behaves with no logic. Sometimes it finds a lock in seconds, sometimes it takes ages to find a lock.
Let DHD get an outdoor strong gps lock for some minutes before starting to move.
- DHD is unable to find a lock if any data connection is available.
Try resetting AGPS data e let your phone get a lock without data connection, outdoor with the sky in sight on a plain stable surface
TIPS
Do all of these steps. And, except for the first, try to do them all the times you use gps. And evaluate the improvements, if there are.
One time procedure:
- Force the phone to lock gps without any data connection and check APN type (see below for the link to step-by-step procedure).
It is important to put the phone outdoor on a stable and straight surface in order to get a strong lock, with a complete view of the sky.
My advice is to empty a-gps data BEFORE doing this operation (this can be done with GPS Status - Menu => Tools => MAnage Agps state => Empty data - The program is free and doesn't need root permissions)
Before every use of gps:
- Use FasterFix (needs root permissions) to change NTP server zone. The system/etc/gps.conf file contains parameters for NTP server and AGPS data. In mine i find that the ntp server used is located in northamerica. I live in Rome so I use Fasterfix to change it, forcing to use european ntp server. I don't know why but Android changes by itself this file, putting again north america server, so i have to change it more than once in a day to keep it using european server.
NOTE: Fasterfix gives back an error the first time you open it, choose the seerver and try to apply it. Only the second or the third attempt, it returns an ok result. Don't mind error. Don't worry about it. Even if returned error, it did its job anyway.
- Synch Device clock with atomic time. I use ClockSynch (needs root permissions), but every program capable of doing the same thing can be used. This is intended to help device in calculating your position. More accurate time means less corrections by the software, faster position calculating and a more accurate position.
- Let the phone get a strong lock BEFORE starting to move with your car. A couple of minutes before, you should let your phone on a stable surface, with sky in sight. Outdoor, obviously. Better if outside the car.
This thing could seem stupid, i know. But let your DHD get the lock in a place where it has a good view to the satellites. Let it acquire precision (you can see it in the left middle part of the screen, using GPS Status). Start moving only when precision has reached a minimum value (expressed in meters/feets - lower value, more accurate). You will see that gps lock will be more and more stable than before.
- Use a task killer program to kill all the processes which may use gps. I noticed that if one or more program able to use gps have been left opened in background, sometimes, without logic, something goes wrong and Gps receiver is no longer reachable by software.
In this situation if I open GPS Status, I see gps icon blinking, but in fact no satellites are seen by the program. I mean that on the screen is not shown 0/3 or 0/5 satellites. On the screen i see nothing about the number of sats, neither 0/0, empty. And in some situations this thing cannot be true (i.e. if i am completely outdoor with a perfect sky view).
RESOURCES
Gps lock without data connection: http://wccftech.com/2010/09/09/solving-gps-nofix-problem-cyanogenmod-6-nexus/
Gps Status: http://www.appbrain.com/app/gps-status-toolbox/com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
FasterFix: http://www.appbrain.com/app/fasterfix/com.Double.FasterFix
ClockSync: http://www.appbrain.com/app/clocksync/ru.org.amip.ClockSync
Advanced Task Killer: http://www.appbrain.com/app/advanced-task-killer/com.rechild.advancedtaskkiller
EDIT: I have a stock ROM. Nothing upgraded. The only modification is the root access permissions granted with visionary.

Good thread, helpful and insightful.
I am going to download all those applications as I too have been experiencing Slow GPS lock.
Just 1 possible solution for you, have you tried to upgrade your radio? This may sometimes help solve GPS problems.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

No, I didn't upgrade my radio.
I'd like to do it but i'm very hesitant to mess around with my phone like this.
P.S. Let me know if you had some improvements.

giegi_dc said:
No, I didn't upgrade my radio.
I'd like to do it but i'm very hesitant to mess around with my phone like this.
P.S. Let me know if you had some improvements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updated radio can make a MASSIVE difference. One of the best things you can do to your phone if you're having any kind of GPS / 3G / Wifi issues.
Go to:
Menu > Settings > About Phone > Software Info
Where it says Baseband Version, this is your radio version.

For me the most annoything that happens with GPS is that when playing a music and using at the same time an offline map gps program, when a voice or some ding dong sound happens, the music played stops and resumes after those gps sounds ends...
I think this is due to Android sys... even WinMobile it's better on this...

Thanks for the tips. My GPS is locking on very quickly now and even inside buildings. I used clocksync + GPS status + Fasterfix. Fixing to around 8 - 9 satellites indoors and 12/12 outdoors.

Done.
Great.
It Works!!!!
initially it would take me a good minute or two to acquire a precise location INDOORS, now it does it in 10-15 secs!!!!!!
i was already using GPS Status, this is with FasterFix.
Thanks.

so strange I never had problem with GPS, always fixes in less than 10 second and never loses as well.
I use iGO and it never let me down.

I had problem with gps-lock from the beginning.
Tried the link above "gps-lock without dataconnection"
Now it locks within seconds
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Personally, I've had no problem with gps for apps such as Google navigation where the screen stays on.
It's a different story, however, for apps like cardio trainer where the phone loses gps lock when the screen is off. I understand this is a known issue with Android 2.2 and has been fixed for 2.3+. I don't know if anyone else has problems with this.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

magnus66 said:
I had problem with gps-lock from the beginning.
Tried the link above "gps-lock without dataconnection"
Now it locks within seconds
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but mine desire didnt work? first when take out the sim card ,reset and download data ..it work like charm..lock around 10 sec..then put sim card back it took age cant find satelite to lock..
anyone know what wrong?

On my DHD, indoors, GPS sucks badly.. apps such as "aroundme" its pretty useless, just hangs finding a signal. but outdoors when I use navigation, etc it works okay. I dont use GPS that much anyway, so cant complain. It is a tad annoying when your indoors and cant find stuff though.

I've had really big problems with my GPS.
Could not get a lock so I rooted my phone and upgraded the radio. Changed the gps.conf file and reset A-GPS settings and tried GPS without a dataconnection. None of the suggested things above did work, so I downgraded the radio to stock and unrooted my phone and sent it to a repair center.
Hopefully they will fix it.
I have a Hero (root) and a Desire (stock) and they get a lock on within seconds and works flawless even indoors.
I guess HTC has a lot of faulty GPS modules in their Desire HD mobiles, but not all are using GPS so therefore we only hear about some of the problems.

Trying the Nexus one fix as in the first post, after taking SIM out, I do not get any GPS signals on GPS Status, if I put SIM back in I get fixes but GPS unusable as it keeps losing connection whilst in journey. The steps I have taken so far are as follows:
* Take your SIM out of the Nexus One
* Power on the device
* Turn WiFi on
* Turn GPS on
* Open application: GPS Status (ver 3.4)
* Go into its Settings menu
* Click on GPS and Sensors
* Click Manage A-GPS state
* Click Reset
* Click Manage A-GPS state again
* Click Download [You'll see a message telling you that a data connection is needed, ignore it]
* Now put your phone on a stable, straight surface in order to enable the phone to get a lock, within GPS Status. This time, you’ll see your phone get the lock way faster than before.
Any help will be appreciated.

onesolo said:
For me the most annoything that happens with GPS is that when playing a music and using at the same time an offline map gps program, when a voice or some ding dong sound happens, the music played stops and resumes after those gps sounds ends...
I think this is due to Android sys... even WinMobile it's better on this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
quoting my self...
There's some developments about this issue...
Or one use the nice HTC Gps Software (at least the version that cames with gingerbread) or use the iGO Amigo.
I tried the iGO Amigo and I finally can listen to music at same time when the voice from iGo speaks!!! There's no interruptions at all like on the majority of GPS softwares that I tried on my DHD (don't know how it works on another devices)
I think that this issue is something that is only developers fault cause initially I thought it was due android design, maybe it was only possible to play something only from one app at a time. (ie. not play two things from two different apps simultaneous) but I figure that after all that is possible.
Bad developers!!!!

GPS Problems: finally the solution
Hi all,
Here I want to tell my experience with HD Desire GPS to help all those who were (like me) desperate.
The way to solve exists ! Read to the end to know how.
I bought my HD Desire in January 2011 (from Euronics in Rome - Italy) and after one week of use the problems began with the GPS.
It did not fix more ... but above all there were more than 1 or 2 visible satellites ... even in open sky, in good conditions, even outside for 30 minutes.
The phone was obviously still immaculate (without root and with the original ROM and RADIO) then I went back to the shop where I bought ... and using GPS-Status the seller has found that actually did not work.
Very kindly he changed my on the flight the phone ... I installed GPS-Status on the new phone just replaced and now everything works fine (fix in less than 10sec and 7 / 8 satellites visible).
I came at home and for 2/3 days it worked wonders but soon it began again with the same GPS problems.
No more fix and at maximum 2/3 satellites visible.
Building on the fact that the phone had been replaced and ... GPS Status actually had made a fix in less than 10 seconds ... (When I had replaced) ... I said, Sure ... is certainly a software problem and not an hardware one ... because the phone is a new one.
So I did a factory reset ... reset all settings as the original ... and retried. Nothing.
The GPS was dead for the second time in two weeks.
Then, I began a careful search on various forums (both Italian and international).
I've tried everything ... really everything ... but nothing. It does not work !
Tried GPS-Status (A-GPS Reset, Download), then fasterfix (it.pool.ntp.org) then I started to change ROM (root, S-Off and ENF S-Off), then I tried all possible Radio and RIL in all combinations. Sometimes happen that the fix was very fast and this gave me the illusion (temporary) of having finally found the solution. However, on time (sometimes even after a few minutes) the problem returns back!
I also tried to clean the contacts of the GPS as shown in this video on youTube(h**p:/*w*wdotyoutubedotcom/watch?v=7qm_z65LA8k).
At the end ... after 4 months of trying all... I sent back in warranty the phone to the HTC service (S-ON and leave to unroot because it was under warranty).
After 10 days of impatient waiting, HTC gave me back the phone and say that the GPS was faulty and had been replaced.
I redid a restore using Titanium Backup Pro ... restoring back all in the exact same conditions I had when the GPS was not working.
Now everything works wonderfully !!!
Im using the original ROM (RUU 2.36.405.8), original Radio (12.54.60.25U_26.09.04.11_M2) and the original Kernel (2.6.35.10-g0956377).
Fix in 10/20 sec (everytime), with at least 7 / 8 satellites (tested for several days now).
Moral of the story ... There are lots of HTC Desire HD phones (probably the first stock) that today are still in the form of stocks and inventories in some shopping malls / shops with the GPS module that is broken !!! (it works for a few days and then no longer works).
The only way is to send back your phone in warranty and ensure that GPS module is replaced (having first restored with all unroot and S-OFF as otherwise the warranty does not apply).
Believe me ... if you have tried everything ... this is the only way!
Now I'm an happy HTC Desire HD owner (with Gingerbread) with a GPS which is a splinter.
Im currently using Navigator, Google Maps, CoPilot and everything works great !
I hope this post may help and comfort those who are desperate and can not run the GPS on the Desire HD.
Greetings to all.
Andrea.

[Q] [Question] GPS Problems?

Hey all,
First off, I'm very excited to start working with everyone here at the Iconia A500 forum! Secondly, is anyone else having issues with the GPS? I went into Google Navigation and it constantly said "searching for GPS." I never got a result. Thanks!

Same issue, I eventually got a brief fix but its not good.

I did a test, with GPS Status.
2 android, my nexus one and my acer A500.
nexus one 8 satellites
A500 3 satellites

Yeah, so far it looks like the a500 is as bad or worse than the vibrants before the devs got hold of the source and fixed it.

same problem only get 2 satellites

fasrerfix from market
this improves the speed.i think it works bye membering or knowing the sat in your view
so less time guessing on best ones

FYI, returned my A500 for a different on, same issues with GPS as the old one...

Make sure all GPS settings are enabled or won't work. I have tried it and works even without wi-fi connection

Required:
Root access
Fasterfix app from market
read all of this post so you don't screw yourself.
Instructions:
To speed up google maps nav: Install "Fasterfix" app from market, open app, accept super user permissions, pick region (!!!never change this) then test via google maps navigation. Should speed it up $hit load, just as fast as my incredible when it was new. Hope this helps
Honestly until android comes up with a fix for the maps app I'm going to use WASE GPS found in market you won't get a search for signal b.s. unless you close app and come back to a recent destination.
FYI!!!!!!!! DONT REPICK or you will have to do the steps
It appears I was having some issues cingularly in the davlik cache because I changed my region because I figured what the fnck, and that screwed up my speed so when you pick your region stick with it or you will slow the crap out of navigation plus to fix it you will have unistall fasterfix, delete" [email protected]@[email protected][/email]" under davik-cache, reinstall pick region, test via navigation.
Info:
Sorry about last post: you will only need to open Fasterfix app once.
Misc:
It appears that fastfix is server based location finder, what ever that means

I did a quick test earlier.
Got a fix from the driveway then set a course in Navigation - left the house and it wasn't until a few minutes into the drive that the signal was strong enough that I had a pretty good real-time representation of my status on screen. Meaning, after a few minutes, I could see the blue arrow moving along the road as I drove, while initially, it was still and would pop around for a bit.
When I got to my location I check the satellites and I was connected to 7 of them from 10 it could see.
It took about 5 minutes to find and connect to any sats from the driveway. As stated, it was another 2-3 minutes after initial connection that the signal was consistent enough to show me a real-time loc as I drove.
I figure, if you can see/connect to at least 1 sat, then it's fine. Once connected, and you're in motion, it will find and connect to more if there are any available.
I rarely, if ever, can connect to any satellites while indoors. I don't see this as a limitation of the a500, but gps in general. Sometimes you can, sometimes you can't. It's not something you should rely on.
To properly test your gps, standing still in the backyard isn't going to cut it, regardless if your other devices do or not. Do a proper test. Make sure you have a connection to wi-fi (with location aware on) set a course in Navigation and wait until you connect - head out.
While I don't discount the possibility of there being a hardware issue with some people's tablets, I don't believe there is an inherent flaw in the a500 gps.

The fix has been posted please search for it.
Thread closed.

The fix has been posted please search for it.
Thread closed.

[Q] GPS trouble on Acer Iconia 500

Hey,
I got an Iconia A500 about a week ago and have been moderately happy with it, except for one thing. The GPS. I've been all over the internet, through a variety of searches and found this to be a common problem. Acer's build quality is a little crappy in the case of this tablet (you get what you pay for), but the GPS is an exceptional case, it seems.
What I am trying to determine is if it is a hardware issue, or software. If it's hardware (which I suspect), I need to know before the return period runs out. If it's software, I can wait for a fix. That is my dilemma.
The first tablet I had didn't work at all. Inside, outside, sunny, cloudy, I never got ANY results on GPS Test. I have rooted the tablet and used the Fasterfix mod with no effect. So I returned it.
The second device works, but only intermittently and in ideal conditions. If there is any kind of cover (including a car roof, sun umbrella or cloud cover), the satellites disappear. What is interesting is that once a connection is established, it seems to hold onto it for a brief period after I bring it under cover. I have to leave it on my dashboard for about 2-5 minutes to get a connection, which will sustain itself for about 30 seconds after I bring it further into the vehicle. After that, the satellites disappear from the screen.
This is frustrating. It would be one thing if it was completely broken or completely working, but this intermittent stuff is driving me nuts.
So should I take it back for round 3, should I return it outright, or should I wait and hope for a software fix?
I'm otherwise happy with the tablet, despite it being a little slow to render PDF files, which I use it for regularly. I understand this is supposed to speed up with 3.1 though.
Cheers,
-PW

Make sure you upgrade to 3.1 Lots of GPS Fixes it in..
Download an App called GPS Status. its Free.. And see what and how many satellites its even getting if any. Also I do know Acer has said repeatedly for the GPS to work on 3.0 for the first time you have to be connected to a wifi access point, because the GPS is a A-GPS (Assisted GPS) However If you have Android 3.1 installed you should be good to go and no require a Access Point. I proved that one myself yesterday.
A Co-Worker of Mine had to return his Acer Tablet for the same reasons you are describing. So I wouldn't put it past a bad allotment of Tablets. But his second one ended up working. You May need to try a 3rd I wouldnt put it past it.

I have been using GPS Test, which I understand provides the same functionality as GPS Status.
I manually flash updated to 3.1 and noticed now that I've been picking up exactly 1 satellite indoors now, which is odd since I got nothing before. Now I'm even more confused.

I thought that the GPS was buggered in mine too because I opened mapdroyd and it wouldn't find my location. I decided to let it sit for a while with the app open and after about 5 minutes it locked on and stayed locked for a 40 minute drive.

I think the agps information that GPS Status was downloading was making my GPS fix times considerably worse. I removed that application and all other GPS third party applications. My fix times in google maps is much better now (about 30 seconds indoors right now tonight).
Rob

Update:
I let it sit overnight, with the screen forced on and GPS Test running. In the 40 minutes before I went to bed it didn't find anything, but in the morning (roughly 8 hours later), it had found 9 and was locked onto 3. This makes me think that the hardware is capable of seeing these things, but the software is too dumb to lock onto them or look in the right direction to find them.
Strangely enough, the 3 it locked onto had the lowest SNR. The other 6 with 25+, some over 40. What are the parameters that cause it to "lock" rather than simply be detected?
Of course, I've since relocated to work and its now not picking up anything at all. Obviously, if I have to wait 8+ hours before each use, it's not going to be a very useful function.
Maybe my almanac data is not updating. Does anyone know what the best server to use for western canada is?
Cheers,
-Chris

Another Update:
As it turns out, most of my GPS problems look to be caused by a faulty compass. That makes sense, if you think about it. A broken compass makes the almanac data useless, since the tablet has no point of reference in which to follow the directions given by the almanac data.
I tried calibrating the compass to no effect. It just kept spinning around like it was drunk. So I returned the tablet and got a new one. I'm getting better results.
An interesting note is that the sales guy at the store (Future Shop) said that GPS not working was the number one reason this tablet got returned, and he got back a lot of them. Seems there is a hardware issue after all.
Cheers,
-PW

[Q] My Nexus 7 can't get a GPS fix at all

Hi,
I've recently aquired a Google Nexus 7. One of its great uses, I believed, would be as a driving aid, w/ cached Google Maps or with an alternative driving/location app, such as CoPilot. But, after testing it for two days I see that the device can't get hold of a GPS signal at all.
What the problem seems to be:
- The device is stuck at "searching for GPS". It never actually gets a response; no GPS at all.
What I've tried so far:
- Resetting the device to factory settings -- since it's brand new and I only had a couple of apps installed, I thought that a fresh start would be a good idea just in case.
- Moving to various locations and checking whether it was a location problem. I've tried both "on the go" -i.e. in a car- and static. No GPS at all cases.
- Downloaded GPS Status. It's always at "Looking for GPS location". My longest record so far is 10 minutes of it -- still, no GPS.
- Checked with a couple of other apps just to see if I'd find more information related to the problem, none helped. It seems that if a GPS fix isn't found, they can't offer much help.
- Disabling Google's Location Services and disabling Wi-Fi access, in case it messes up with the GPS receiver. No luck.
- Rebooting the device. Nope, doesn't do anything.
- Using GPS Doctor's -a paid-for app- auto-fix and manual fix features. Tried aquiring a GPS signal for 10+ minutes, nothing happens.
- Leaving the device for more than 30 minutes under clear sky and more than an hour next to the window, trying to find a signal. Nada. No workie.
- Dancing naked under the stars next to twelve lit black candles. No luck, but it felt great.
Things to note:
- It's running Android 4.2.1
- I'm in Greece ATM, maybe this is a country thing? I'd bet against this, just pointing it out.
- AFAIK, the device hasn't aquired a GPS signal at all so far.
- The device is brand new, never operated before I opened the box.
- It has not been rooted, messed with etc. etc. at all.
Any ideas welcome. Thanks in advance for your help!

The reviews of GPS Doctor indicate that it MIGHT solve your problem. It's a paid for app at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epekware.gpsdoctor&hl=en

peterk-1 said:
The reviews of GPS Doctor indicate that it MIGHT solve your problem. It's a paid for app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Since it was only 1,5 euros I gave it a try -- no luck. After using both auto-fix and the manual fixes and searching for a GPS fix for 10+ minutes, it doesn't seem to work.

Sorry I've just re-read your initial post and saw you had tried GPS Doctor.
You've tried it outside. Is there any indication that signals are being received - satellite number and a bar graph that changes colour when a satellite has been "resolved". Is this a Greek model? - If it was for a different market then it may be that it is trying to resolve the satellites to give a location in the intended market (once a location has been fixed the GPS will quickly get a fix when powered up again within say 100km using the data it stores, the almanac etc you can clear in GPS Doctor). Before returning the unit I'd give it a try by leaving it with a view of the sky for at least 30mins

peterk-1 said:
Sorry I've just re-read your initial post and saw you had tried GPS Doctor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually not your fault -- I've added GPS Doctor to my initial post *after* you've suggested it & I've tried it, for bookkeeping and so that other who try to help see at one place what I've tried doing so far.
peterk-1 said:
You've tried it outside. Is there any indication that signals are being received - satellite number and a bar graph that changes colour when a satellite has been "resolved". Is this a Greek model? - If it was for a different market then it may be that it is trying to resolve the satellites to give a location in the intended market (once a location has been fixed the GPS will quickly get a fix when powered up again within say 100km using the data it stores, the almanac etc you can clear in GPS Doctor). Before returning the unit I'd give it a try by leaving it with a view of the sky for at least 30mins
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I've tried it outside. It's a Brittish model, not a Greek one, but I'm trying to use it in Greece ATM. There's no indication whatsoever that it has resolved a connection to a satellite when I'm trying, so I guess it'd be reasonable to say that it hasn't reached one so far.
I'll try your suggestion. 30 minutes of straight satellite-searching it is -- thanks again!
*Update*: 30 mins doesn't seem to do the trick. I'll keep trying, then, until a better suggestion comes up.

There is an app called GPS Test or GPS Test Plus which will show the strength of each satellite signal received. My Nexus 7 often gets a lock inside a wood frame house but going outside with a clear view of the full sky works fastest. Hope you are not using a conductive case as the antennas are on the rear of the tablet.

jinx100 said:
There is an app called GPS Test or GPS Test Plus which will show the strength of each satellite signal received. My Nexus 7 often gets a lock inside a wood frame house but going outside with a clear view of the full sky works fastest. Hope you are not using a conductive case as the antennas are on the rear of the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the suggestion. I've tried GPS Test -it's under the "couple of other apps" that I've mentioned trying in my OP- but it seems that my Nexus 7 doesn't even get a satellite signal to begin with -- thus GPS Test displays no information.
I'm not using a case and I've tried leaving it for about 30 minutes under the clear sky. No signal at all. I have it by the window, ATM, just searching & on charge.

Okay, after quite some time out in the open sky and next to the window, I'm quite sure it's not about finding the time to contact satellites or anything of the such. The device simply cannot find my location.
Any new ideas?

Send it back if possible,sounds like a faulty GPS.
There are location setting hidden in accounts,see if they are on.
Sent from my A100 using xda app-developers app

My problem with the GPS is that it will SEE the satellites (according to several GPS test apps), it just won't lock on to any - no matter how strong the signal or whether or not I'm indoors or out.

Kodiack99 said:
There are location setting hidden in accounts,see if they are on.
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Hi, thanks for the reply -- do you mind sharing more info on this one?

Try faster fix, its free but requires root.
Sent from my GT-I9100

alferret said:
Try faster fix, its free but requires root.
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I'm not sure of what you mean by that, could you please elaborate? Thanks!

Sino316 said:
Hi, thanks for the suggestion. I've tried GPS Test -it's under the "couple of other apps" that I've mentioned trying in my OP- but it seems that my Nexus 7 doesn't even get a satellite signal to begin with -- thus GPS Test displays no information.
I'm not using a case and I've tried leaving it for about 30 minutes under the clear sky. No signal at all. I have it by the window, ATM, just searching & on charge.
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If Settings - Location access - location access ON and GPS checked yet you still receive no satellites then your GPS function is defective. Return it to the seller.

Same GPS issue with N7
Hi OP, did you get any solution for your problem?
I am facing a similar issue, I am trying to use GPS on a US bought N7 in India.
Is this a common problem, i have tried many gps apps, but none shows my location.

If your N7 is new and GPS never worked properly and your various location settings are correct, you might want to return & exchange it for a different unit as it could be a hardware problem, beyond any software or Apps-based solutions here. If you are using a weather app, does it find & use your location info?
I had a similar issues with GPS and eventually returned that malfunctioned unit locally to exchange it, upgraded from 16GB to 32GB unit as it was also having the random touch-screen key-pressed issues, etc. It either won't find the location and/or is off by a few miles to as much as a thousand plus miles, sometimes putting the N7 in the middle of the ocean, LOL. The new 32GB unit is flawless.
What I recommend is to try to download from Google "Play Store" - GPS Status by MobiWIA (v 4.0.1 is what I'm running on mine - has been using this for 2 years on multiple devices and it worked for us here - USA) Basically, it download & update, refresh and give assisted hand to the built-in GPS receiver - it run in the background and will turn on to track/lock on to various GPS satellites, inititially showing 5 to 7 sources indoor and at many as 8 to 12 sources within 60 seconds. Outdoor and clear view of open sky, it will lock faser & find more satellites. It is ad-supported and free, not a metered trial-ware
With a WiFi signal, Google Maps open quickly and zoomed it quickly to my locations in 15 seconds - very accurate and as good as when I'm using it on our HTC devices - same is true when I use Nav(free) USA - free off-line GPS software with preloaded maps as it does not drain the battery quickly.
I like the giant 7" screen for "cool" naviagation but until I'm comfortable with a solid & secure mount inside our Honda CRV, I'll stick with the smaller 4" screen of our HTC smartphone with unlimited 3G data access, as a drop will risk breaking the fragile glass lens that's prone to cracking.

similar issue but...
Had already tried Faster Fix (which gave error) and Faster GPS (which managed to reset GPS.conf) but still couldn't get Google Maps to lock in GPS. Was wondering if problem was GMaps or N7.
I googled 'nexus 7 can't get GPS lock' and ended up here. Decided to try GPS Status which showed everything working as it should ('copy location to clipboard' option lets you verify the location via browser). Went back to GMaps hoping GPS Status might help it along, but still got the same 'your location is temporarily unavailable.'
So not hardware must be software. Didn't have to look far checked 'other apps' in the GPS Status program and discovered Orux Maps, free. Upon starting and clicking GPS button didn't take it more than a few seconds to get the lock.
OP issue might still be hardware but thought I'd post here in case someone else ends up here.

i know its an old post but i am facing the same issues here! at the beggining i thought i have got a faulty device. Thats why i bought a used one and tested it before purchase live. The GPS was working just fine. I installed Cyanogen 13 opened GPS Status again and found Satelite. I thought everything was working like it should be. After 10 Min. i went to the car and drove to a friend without any issues. After 3 hours i went home again without any problems. But as the tablet restarted i never got a satelite signal again... always looking for my position.
I am pretty sure thats a software issue. Went back to stock firmware. Problem remains.

Corehan 7" android 5.1 - progressively worse GPS - how to fix?

I posted this in another thread but it probably needs its own.
I just installed a Corehan 7" Android unit running 5.1 (lollipop)
https://www.amazon.com/Corehan-Android-Double-Bluetooth-Navigation/dp/B01G3LE5R8
The GPS worked great for about 5 days then progressively got worse. Now it doesn't work at all. I tried resetting AGPS but to no avail. Waze stopped working so I installed Google Maps. That worked right away then stopped working 30 minutes later. ( NO GPS signal)
With Waze if I uninstall Waze and reinstall it it works great for about ten minutes then starts to lose GPS signal.
I have 3 GPS test apps installed as well and they can all locate 3-6 satellites but none can get a location lock anymore. Could this be a symptom of a bad GPS antenna?
Is this a typical issue with these Chinese head units? I am tearing my hair out trying to figure out whats wrong. It seems like a software issue since it works immediately if I uninstall an app and reinstall it. (or that is just a crazy coincidence)
I also can run Waze on my phone right next to the head unit and it will work flawlessly.
Not sure how to troubleshoot or fix this. Any ideas?

First thing you can do, is check the location of the GPS antenna. Try putting it up on top of your dashboard (just for testing). Also check that the gps wire is connected to the head unit firmly. If that doesn't make it work adequately, return it.

doitright said:
First thing you can do, is check the location of the GPS antenna. Try putting it up on top of your dashboard (just for testing). Also check that the gps wire is connected to the head unit firmly. If that doesn't make it work adequately, return it.
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this makes no sense if it was working correctly for days then progressively has gotten worse. Not to mention I already said it can locate 3-6 satellites (out of 12 or more shown on the radar) but doesn't get a location lock.

Citznfish said:
this makes no sense if it was working correctly for days then progressively has gotten worse. Not to mention I already said it can locate 3-6 satellites (out of 12 or more shown on the radar) but doesn't get a location lock.
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Has the weather gotten worse over a few days (yep, even WEATHER can impact satellite reception -- ever try watching satellite TV in a thunderstorm?)? Has the antenna MOVED during that time (which can happen if you hide it under your dashboard and it slips around)? There are a lot of reasons why reception can get worse over time. And you need more than just to "see" some satellites to lock onto a location. They have to be HEARD, CLEARLY.
So like I said, YOUR FIRST STEP has to be to reposition the antenna such that it has OPTIMAL reception.

doitright said:
Has the weather gotten worse over a few days (yep, even WEATHER can impact satellite reception -- ever try watching satellite TV in a thunderstorm?)? Has the antenna MOVED during that time (which can happen if you hide it under your dashboard and it slips around)? There are a lot of reasons why reception can get worse over time. And you need more than just to "see" some satellites to lock onto a location. They have to be HEARD, CLEARLY.
So like I said, YOUR FIRST STEP has to be to reposition the antenna such that it has OPTIMAL reception.
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weather is fine. Antenna is firmly mounted with velcro to where the factory antenna would have been. It is in the optimal position, as I said it has no problem reading multiple satellites, just can't get a location lock.

upgrade ??
I bought this one last year http :// cdun-zzh-an-01.strikingly. com
And I was wondering if there is a way to upgrade to android 6 or 7.
Do you know something about it?