Database Users

[Q] Spica GPS problems

Hi all,
I am trying to find out how widespread the GPS locking problems are with this model. I am talking about non-assisted GPS, which can be tested using the "GPS Test" application on the market.
So, how is the GPS on your phone performing using GPS Test? Please give some detailed information like lock time, number of sattelites, urban/countryside location, and if possible firmware version of your phone.
---
My Spica cannot get a lock at all, will see up to 11 satellites but most of them with signal strength bars at zero. Firmware versions tested (all same result)
1.5 (XEJB2)
2.1 (XXJD1, XXJD4, XXJF2, XXJC3)

Same pb with my wife's spica. Samdroid version with FE7.
Can't lock withour assistance. What a pitty.

Go to your Settings -> Date & Time -> Uncheck Automatic and see if it helps
Or you can try this (need root)
http://forum.samdroid.net/f38/gps-speedup-1262/
http://forum.samdroid.net/f10/fasterfix-1747/ <-- same but easier

i can get a fix under 2 minutes if I stay still...moving, it can take an eternity

AfzalivE said:
i can get a fix under 2 minutes if I stay still...moving, it can take an eternity
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.samdroid.net/f38/gps-speedup-1262/ <-- if you're willing to root you can edit it to your location.

i just don't bother with that any more...I might do it again after a month without wiping any data
rooting is like breathing to me ... as it would be to most of the people here

Anyone found a solution yet?
My spica wont connect via gps either. It just keeps blinking and nothing happens...not even after 30min.
I've tried GPStest and it reports that 12 satellites are in view but non in use, and there is no bars everything is at 0...not picking any signal at all :S
I tried my friend's one too and he gets a signal imediatley and a lock after about 10-30seconds.
Any solution to this? Is it a software problem or hardware problem?

Zitko said:
Anyone found a solution yet?
My spica wont connect via gps either. It just keeps blinking and nothing happens...not even after 30min.
I've tried GPStest and it reports that 12 satellites are in view but non in use, and there is no bars everything is at 0...not picking any signal at all :S
I tried my friend's one too and he gets a signal imediatley and a lock after about 10-30seconds.
Any solution to this? Is it a software problem or hardware problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed the alpha CyanogenMod 2.2 and GPS is working like a charm!
Problem was with the wrong libraries being used in many of the custom roms found at SamdroidMod. Devs found out about this issue and fixed it in this 2.2 release.

I'm running original firmwire which i got on the phone. (XXJE4)
I'm not willing to install alpha cyanogen of froyo yet...Is there really no other solution? I've had a chance to compare my spica to another one with original firmwire (JE4 too) ant that other spica worked while my gps had no lock. Also i had the chance to try one with samdroid on and it worked too.
Mine works from time to time. at the moment it works, earlier today it wouldn't get a lock no matter how long i waited.

First thing-delete /data/xtra.bin- this is data for agps which seems to cause gps locking problem. You can do it with RootExplorer/SUFBS or any file manager with root rights. Or use GPS Status and Reset agps data from setting. You can also try to swap libsec-ril.so, JF2 version works best for me. If you want I can provide update packages for libsec-ril.so

i have installed cyanogenmod 7.1 on mine, and can get a lock under 1min30s outside or under 3min in the bus near the window.

I have a rooted spica with android version: 2.2.2, baseband version: i570EXXJC1, kernel version:2.6.29 and Mod version:SamdroidMod-2.2.2-a9.
When I go to google maps app and click set location I always get an error saying: location temporary unavailable ! I checked the option on Settings->Location and security->Use wireless networks and use GPS satellites. And my phone is connected to the internet.
I just bought the phone last week, and its really embarrassing not getting this to work.

schermvlieger said:
I installed the alpha CyanogenMod 2.2 and GPS is working like a charm!
Problem was with the wrong libraries being used in many of the custom roms found at SamdroidMod. Devs found out about this issue and fixed it in this 2.2 release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the useful info, you saved my life by this post.
i thought my gps is wrong in my spica then it was just a bug in the cooked rom. cyanogen mod is cool and gps is working now perfectly.
thanks again!

With spicagenmod + hp/yonip kernel gps work very well.

AGPS

I know this topic has been discussed previously, but I haven't been able to find the answer yet so here goes:
As I understand it, GPS is working in all/most sense and cm based builds however AGPS seems to be an issue all have in common. From what I understand AGPS is just a helper function for quicker GPS locking so even though AGPS isnt working, you should still be able to get a lock.
Now, since before we got nand based ROMs for HD2 I used haret to load android from my SD card. Back then I used GPS depended applications like c:geo for geocaching and car navigation progs, as well as progs for finding nearest resturant when I visit other cities/countries.
Been a while since I had the need for it, but recently with the nice weather geocaching for example have become an interest. What I see now is that none of the ginger/cm/non-sense builds I have tried have given me a GPS lock. I have tried the GPS fixes, flashed Norway.zip for tweaking my gps.conf, installed gps-status but no chance in getting a lock. and yes, I have been giving it quite some time, outdoors.
Anyone else having these problems? I see from screenshots on for example the HyperDroidCM7 ROM that you can get a lock, so its not a problem for everybody. Is my assumption on what AGPS is, correct? Any worarounds to get GPS functionality working? Strange to have these problems now, since it worked kinda well before
EDIT: tried now with [10.MAR.11][CWM] RAFDROID HD 4.0.2|Fastest Full DesHD|DATA2EXT|[Rafpigna 1.8 OC], still no lock

There's no driver support for AGPS, so the best we can do for now is to tweak our gps.conf and use gps status. If you can't get a lock at all, it could be a HW problem. If geocaching is a necessity for you, you could go back to WM and sd Android, use WM to grab AGPS data, then boot into Android.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

I use that rom, but the 4.0 (really not much of a difference for me between the 4.0 and 4.0.2), and I always have a lock quickly.
1) Did you try installing the GPSFix.0.1 apk file and running it? that downloads a criticial file xtra.bin into your data folder.
Also try the 1.2 files and see if you have any luck, because I know in the 4.0 of Rafdroid, the gps works very well.

Same as Angeldeath, I use Rafdroid and it works ok.
Mine was faulty a couple of weeks ago and HTC warranty had to swap the board (and also did the screen, keys etc). In the end it would still lock but after a while it would freez or have no reception anymore.
But to be honest I don't like the GPS receiver at all in the HD2. There are numerous tests and other people to back me up on the tremendous jitter the receiver has which makes you jump all over the place.
A nice test is to place it in the car and switch on the cruiscontrol at 100km/h, or even worse at 180km/h. The thing will jump atleast 10% in speed.
When I need to drive or walk long trips I use my iBlue 747A+ 66 Ch Bluetooth GPS Logger which you can buy cheap on ebay.
That thing logs, is fast, deadly accurate and with the free 'bluetooth gps' on the market you can even use it on the HD2

huggs said:
There's no driver support for AGPS, so the best we can do for now is to tweak our gps.conf and use gps status. If you can't get a lock at all, it could be a HW problem. If geocaching is a necessity for you, you could go back to WM and sd Android, use WM to grab AGPS data, then boot into Android.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AGPS thing on WM and then booting into Android is a myth, there's an extenvise work being done to make AGPS work on Android for our HD2s, but they have not managed to get it working yet.
Android on our HD2 simply doesnt have any commands to load AGPS, and the chip itself doesnt save any data. In the remote case it saved anything, there's nothing on the GPS Driver itself to read it
Quick tip to get your GPS to work:
Load Google Maps, let it try to get a lock, if after 1 or 2 mins it doesnt get any lock force close the app, turn off then back on the GPS and reload Google Maps. If you still cant get a lock, let it sit for at least 5 mins, then Force Close it again.
after that it should get you a lock in less than 10 secs.
Easiest way to FC it is enabling the "hold back to FC app" option on CM builds.

What's the best gps.conf to use in the Netherlands? GPS Problems

Hello people,
I've a question, especially for the Dutch (Noord-Brabant) people on this forum.
My GPS on my HD2 is extremely slow, i'm getting a first GPS lock in about 15-30 minutes. Sometimes it won't work at all! On the WindowsMobile days I had the feature to download (A-)GPS sattelite posisitions (QuickGPS if i'm right) but this this isn't possible for Android. I think have to manually edit the gps.conf file, but i don't know what the best values are.
I've tested my GPS locks in the car, garden, inside my house and at the beach.
Maybe we can start a thread where people can share their configuration to help the people like me, sorted by country.
Can anyone help me?

I have the app GPS Status.
It downloads GPS settings when you open it.
No problems with GPS, I do not use it often but fix normally under 5 min (cold start)
Further search for a thread that explains how to edit the GPS config file, maybe that will help.
I have AmericanAndroid (SD), I do not know what android version you have?
SD / Nand?

Thanks for the fast reply!
I'm running Typhoon's CM7 nand build, the newest. In the thread of this build on XDA I can read this:
Known issues:
......
-AGPS does not work, this does not work in any ROM currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've already downloaded the program GPS Status and downloaded the GPS information (on startup indeed) but I don't think it's really downloading this information.

I had success with the fasterfix application setting the pool to
be.pool.ntp.org, for NL it will be nl.pool.ntp.org
Afterwards I used GPSstatus app to check how the fix on the Satellites are and to download the A-GPS statusses.
As far as I know our gps connection can be affected by weather, your own possition (outdours / indoors) and the android build you are using.
Last night I had a good satellite fix in less then a minute (outdoors/clear sky and BE gps pool)
Android: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1062881 (honeycomb V20)

I'll test changing the pool! Thanks for the advise!
I've tested the GPS many times on different places and 2 days ago on the beach (clear sky and very hot )! So I don't think my problem isn't related to the weather or constructions / houses.

this might be worth checking out aswell http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=953630
Haven't tested it yet

I'm also from Noord-Brabant (Ehv). Just tested my GPS time to fix, lying in my hammock in the garden . It's about 60 sec in cold start and 5 sec. in hot start with GPS Status.
I'm using Tyween CM7 3.2.0 and radio 2.15.40.xxx. I'm using standard gps.conf but changed the NTP server with fasterfix. There is no need to use AngelDeath's settings.

No gps with Kyrillos v10 on i5800

I have flashed Kyrillos V10, but my gps didnt work My Gps see allot of satelites and connect also to them but it did not get a fix. Maybe because i put maps with data back with titanium backup. I dont know...
I know now that i get it fixed now
I install a app called GPS Status than i go to tools and A-GPS- status... , than klik Reset. That did the job for my GPS.
I hope it works for you to
Srry for my pour english

GPS issue if fixed with Kyrillos v10.1. I tested it myself yesterday.

Synchro77 said:
GPS issue if fixed with Kyrillos v10.1. I tested it myself yesterday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what kernel do you use?

I use CM7_kernel_OC_1.4. I believe it came with the latest ROM. Yes, GPS works but it takes a while. When I had Kyrillos v9.5 installed the GPS lock was faster though.

Hello! I have the same problem. But I found a strange thing.
In the past when I used Froyo, GPS found my location with several satellites in use (more then 3). But now I see that it may found my location without any satellites in use. It's seems that something is broken because it's needed minimum 3 satellites to find the location.

But now I see that it may found my location without any satellites in use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If GPS finds your location without any satellites the only explenation is that the phone uses internet connection to find your location. Maybe that is the case.

first_family said:
Hello! I have the same problem. But I found a strange thing.
In the past when I used Froyo, GPS found my location with several satellites in use (more then 3). But now I see that it may found my location without any satellites in use. It's seems that something is broken because it's needed minimum 3 satellites to find the location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When your wifi is on (even if you're not connected to any network) your location can be determined to about 50m about
the networks near your location. At least in Germany. I think it's maybe through the google cars which also check the wifi networks when they took pictures for street view.
Doekus said:
I have flashed Kyrillos V10, but my gps didnt work My Gps see allot of satelites and connect also to them but it did not get a fix. Maybe because i put maps with data back with titanium backup. I dont know...
I know now that i get it fixed now
I install a app called GPS Status than i go to tools and A-GPS- status... , than klik Reset. That did the job for my GPS.
I hope it works for you to
Srry for my pour english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much. GPS status helped me. Now I can get a fix with cold start in around 30s and with GPS on in just a view seconds. Great!
Sent from my GT-I5800 using XDA

Michael1101 said:
Now I can get a fix with cold start in around 30s and with GPS on in just a view seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you in flight-mode while using GPS, connected to Wifi or to mobile networks (2G,3G)?
I use GPS mostly in flight-mode, and it still takes some minutes (5-10) to get a fix. Even with updated AGPS-data, but with no internet connection (afterwards, waiting for the fix).
Maybe you can show me your gps.conf from the /etc/ folder?
I think it's maybe through the google cars which also check the wifi networks when they took pictures for street view.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope... Here is a link how it works. (It's the same like in Google Maps: the my-location-button)
https://support.google.com/maps/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=153807

GPS Issues - can't get location, but GPS Status finds and fixes many satellites?!

No clue whats goin on...
I wanna use GPS and it keeps searching for ages without getting a fix.
So I ran GPS Status app and it shows many satellites - at one point I had fix to 8 or 9 Satellites?!
3 or 4 should be enough for a location, I don't understand why the GPS keeps searching without getting a fix when I already discovered 8 satellites?
Anyone have an idea?
My system is heavily modded (debloated hardcore) but I'm pretty sure thats not the real reason. Using xprivacy and afwall (but allowing the Android System and the apps I want to be able to use GPS the location and also internet access...) - this setup worked fine in the past on my N7000 without any gps problems. (even removed the NetworkLocation.apk since I dont want to use network location anyway and its not necessary for gps either - tested that already on my old N7000)
Satellites are found, but no location?! Really weird....

zroice said:
No clue whats goin on...
I wanna use GPS and it keeps searching for ages without getting a fix.
So I ran GPS Status app and it shows many satellites - at one point I had fix to 8 or 9 Satellites?!
3 or 4 should be enough for a location, I don't understand why the GPS keeps searching without getting a fix when I already discovered 8 satellites?
Anyone have an idea?
My system is heavily modded (debloated hardcore) but I'm pretty sure thats not the real reason. Using xprivacy and afwall (but allowing the Android System and the apps I want to be able to use GPS the location and also internet access...) - this setup worked fine in the past on my N7000 without any gps problems. (even removed the NetworkLocation.apk since I dont want to use network location anyway and its not necessary for gps either - tested that already on my old N7000)
Satellites are found, but no location?! Really weird....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I have posted a similar story with my tests just today in another thread - does it make any difference if you have your mobile (cellular) data started (and WiFi off)?
I suspect there is somewhere a more extensive configuration for the GPS circuit (maybe including something about whether to use Assisted GPS or not), but for the moment I did not have enough time to look for more details on this