Database Users

Tomtom dropping GPS

Using TomTom v7.450 (build 9028) the device can work fine for hours, but sometimes I start Tomtom and it will find a GPS signal and then immediately drop it again.
When I look at the satellite information, it will do this...
1. No GPS device!
2. Poor signal, are you indoors?
3. Built-in GPS receiver
4. No GPS device!
5. Poor signal, are you indoors?
6. Built-in GPS receiver
7. No GPS device!
and repeat..
You can view a video showing this effect
@ youtube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkPmhbst0o
@ http/avi: http://phat.nooblet.org/htc.touch.hd_tomtom.gps.avi

Hi, I've the same problem on my Blackstone, GPS works well for days bu from today the GPS signal result discontinuous with any navigation software like Tomtom(various versions), Trackypro and iGO8...any idea? Thanks

I had the similar problem when I first installed TomTom. Which settings are you using? Because I used "built-in GPS" for TomTom and had the above problem. When I changed it to "Other NMEA GPS" with baud rate at 11200 ()or whatever the max is + COM4 then gps started working like a charm. Since then no signal drops, no lag and very quick fix. Not sure if it is just by chance or is it a real fix for the above problem, but worth trying as its working for me. However, it has been 2 days only. Not sure if after a while I will have this problem or not. I am using Tom Tom 7.910 with maps 6.75.

Can You try to set the hardware port from <None> to COM9? Seems work better, the GPS signal still present...but for now I'm at home

I have more or less the same problem !
Using TomTom v7.450 (build 9028) the device works fine the 1st week, but now, I start Tomtom it xan't find GPS device !
I tried to reinstall all without success...
I also tried all the COM available !

using tomtom 7 with NMEA com 4 max baud rate. Works just fine. 8 or 9 sats locked on constantly in open areas

I'm having the same problem, although I don't have TomTom 7. But it doesn't seem to be just TomTom that's having trouble finding the GPS (and when it does, it'll never get a fix).
The Google Maps application also gives me the "No GPS found" attitude.
I've installed the HTC GPS Tool, which does seem to find a bunch of satellites, but they all stay no-fix-reddish.
Are there any guidelines on how to setup the GPS on this thing? I find it a bit strange that my settings menu only lists an option "External GPS", and no "Internal/Built-In GPS".

Can confirm that the dropping of GPS is in other applications.
I use zürich map from Lonely Planet (sure its form 2003) and it will drop the signal in the open.
Have a feeling its internal on our devices.

One possibility is A-GPS.
It is Disabled by default, but it is possible that with tools like HD Tweak or Advanced Config Tool, you, even by being unaware of it, you activated (or better : enabled) it.
To me, it was a winner : after re-disabling A-GPS, my GPS started to be stable again, no matter what port I choosed and how I configured the Navigator program.
Give it a try, could be the solution that works for you

Hi there,
I've just picked up my lovely HTC Touch HD - I'd like to buy the TomTom 7 and the correct maps to go with it to allow it to work.
Can someone please tell me where I can go to stick my Visa card details into and buy please! i'm pretty confused on the TT website and on here there's allsorts of version numbers etc mentioned!
I'd just like to have a stable running TT on my Touch!
Any chance of also having the US & Canada maps working as well as the UK maps ?
Thanks !
Dennis! West London UK!

This is not a TomTom issue. I have same problem with IGo and VisualGPSce.
I use to resolve this issue this way (in IGo or VisualGPS) : I change the baudrate in GPS configuration. Switching 19200 to 38400, or reverse, or whatever : the GPS locks and is stable after few baudrate switches.

Theres some reports that the default "sleep" timeout for GPS is 1 second. Apparently the Microsoft Intermediate Driver only updates every 1 second so it could just miss it and go to sleep!
Try changing registry entry to 2000 (milliseconds)...
HKLM->system->currentcontrolset->GPSIntermediate Driver->Drivers-> SleepOnNoData

Tirinoarim said:
Theres some reports that the default "sleep" timeout for GPS is 1 second. Apparently the Microsoft Intermediate Driver only updates every 1 second so it could just miss it and go to sleep!
Try changing registry entry to 2000 (milliseconds)...
HKLM->system->currentcontrolset->GPSIntermediate Driver->Drivers-> SleepOnNoData
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already did it (currently set to 2500). But changes nothing (even after soft reset) : GPS keeps deconnecting/reconnecting as described (not every time; one in a while..).
Thanks anyways !

Just out of interest, do you have MobileJustice installed by any chance?

Absolutly not. Nor any software of this type, nor any software who can possibly take GPS in background..

I had the problem of TomTom getting satelites and then dropping them and saying it couldn't find the gps.
Disabling agps (quick gps) via advance config seemed to sort out the problem

AGPS is *not* quickGPS in my understanding. But this is unclear. For a proof, AGPS comes disabled by default, but quickGPS works out of the box. Can someone who knows for sure, precisely state if AGS and quickGPS are the same thing or not ?
I have disabled AGPS also with HD tweak (but quickGPS stills work..), and I have regulary (2 out of 3 times) this problem.

I had the same problem. Disabling the AGPS seems to have worked but I will wait for the data to expire before confirming.
The problem seems to be when I have poor GPS reception AND poor GSM. They seem to be calling upon each other for corrections but never resolve.
If this is the solution I will just rely on QuickGPS alone which has worked fine for years with TTN6.
Edit: I can now confirm disabling AGPS solved my problem.

had TTN7 running for a few days now.
Can't find the built in GPS. Having to set it to other Bluetooth GPS Receiver.
A bit hit and miss with signal / getting a fix.
I have turned off AGPS as well. Going to try out some of the settings you all have put up tomorrow.

AlexEv said:
had TTN7 running for a few days now.
Can't find the built in GPS. Having to set it to other Bluetooth GPS Receiver.
A bit hit and miss with signal / getting a fix.
I have turned off AGPS as well. Going to try out some of the settings you all have put up tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Working great ...
AGPS off - Using COM 4

Having GPS problem

I just received my Xperia X1, its an amazing device.
The interface is very smooth.
But I cant get the GPS working. I tried already a few thing.
1)In google maps setting the GPS configuration at COM4 (all speeds tried)
It keeps saying "There is no GPS receiver found" (translated from dutch)
2)Using the Quick fix program and than retried google maps
3)Configurating the external GPS function but when I pres ok, I have the idea that the configuration isn't saved. When I restart the app It shows up like before.
4)Running GPS test: It just keeps scanning
The device is SIM-lock free with a standard duth ROM.
I hope sombody kan help me because I wont like to send it back to the shop.
Sorry for my bad english.

I don't know what exactly you are setting up there but you don't need a COM-Port for the built in GPS. Just let Windows handle the settings (Point one to choose in the GPS-Setup in Google Maps).
But you have to activate the GPS in Google Maps with "Menu --> use GPS".
Then you need to go outside to let the satellites get a view (after a minute Google Maps should have found you.)

And "Use GPS" is NEVER saved. You always have to select it every single time you load Google Maps.
Pretty annoying really but I do not think there is anything you can do about it.

Alex Atkin UK said:
And "Use GPS" is NEVER saved. You always have to select it every single time you load Google Maps.
Pretty annoying really but I do not think there is anything you can do about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't say I do not like this...I use google maps just to look around the area or to search a nice spot for the next vacation or simply to play around. The battery would drain very fast if GPS was enabled all the time. Of course, if you use google maps to navigate this can be quite annoying. But for me, I use TomTom to navigate and don't need GPS in google maps. (Okay, the one time I was standing somewhere on a mountain and wanted to get a overview of the landscape from above -therefore the GPS was useful )
But referring to the question:
Do your GPS now work?

I am also having problems trying to get GPS signal using Google map. Then, i was told by SE support that it will require a data connection (WIFI or GPRS) for it to work. Is this correct?

You will need a data connection to receive the maps. You shouldn't need it for the GPS to work, however you will appear in the middle of nowhere as there are no graphics of the area you are in.

I got it working, I tried it again today.
I did just the same as yesterday and now it works.
What do I love self healing devices
Have absolutely no idea what is different??
I only installed the TF3D cab but that cant make a diference.

Well it could just be the weather. Understandably it takes a lot longer to get a lock in poor weather conditions. You did not mention how long you gave it to start working when you tried before.
Google Maps often seems to take a lot longer than Tom Tom to get a lock. Also, QuickGPS does make a HUGE difference so I would recommend keeping that up to date when it asks you (every week, or at least right before you intend to use GPS).

GPS not working on Xperia.

Hi Forum,
I desperately need your help on this. I had installed a software called mapmyindia. It ran fine for like 20 days.Now yesterday it seems that it failed to lock on GPS. I can see that it has about 6 satellites visible but used is 0.
Now I thought this could be an issue with the software, removed it. trying to use it on Google Maps. It continuously hovers on seeking satellites(0).
I did a hard reset of the phone, no go.
Any help or assistance or pointers would be really really appreciated.
To be honest, I am little worried now that my GPS could be fried on the phone and will never be able to use it again

hallo,
try with Google Maps GPS Settings "manual", and enter "ComPort 4" "Baudrate 4800"
use QuickGps prior to accelerate search

HI, i tried the same and its not working.
Setting the manual entry on COM 4 with 4800 baud no luck.
even tried downloadingthe latest version of quick gps no luck.
Any tests that i can try would be very helpful.

try enabling A-GPS. that might help you too. as a summary:
1. run quick gps to download the satellites position.
2. Open google maps/Live maps
3. get a position with good radio signal (recommended open sky for the first time).
4. enable "use gps" in google maps/live maps.
5. wait around 30-45 seconds.
6. good luck.

i think this sometimes happen to me too.
Im using Garmin XT and sometimes it takes AGES to lock into position. Google maps sometimes takes ages too.
Using quickgps might be helpfull, also try to get a perfect clear sky. I seems to have trouble finding one when the sky is cloudy and such
Also, just wondering, is that COM 4 and 4800 baud the default setting for X1?

Optimal GPS settings for faster GPS lock on HD2? (Also using GarminXT)

Hi all,
I didnt want to start a new thread, but after searching the forums and google for a long time, i decided to bring it up
So ive had my HD2 for about 2 days now, and I recently installed GarminXT (I used to have it on my Nokia N82)
the problem i'm finding is that the GPS doesnt lock as fast as i thought it would be..
GarminXT has not been locking on (little over 5 minutes now)
I'm a noob to Windows Mobile and HTC so please bear with me!
1. How do i know A-GPS is working? Is it automatically enabled? (This wasnt the case for Nokia as you could manually turn off A-GPS and use strictly GPS signal). Under Location settings i have "Location Service Settings" = ON
and HTC Location Service = ON
2. Im still not 100% sure what QuickGPS does. I've read about it , but all i concluded was that it uses your data to get a faster GPS lock.
So i tried running QuickGPS and it updates no problem.
I open GarminXT and it doesnt lock on. Do i need to use this?
3. Can someone tell me if these are the optimal GPS settings? I kept searching around the forum but cant find one specific to the HD2.
So under "All Settings" > System > External GPS
Programs Tab > GPS Program Port = COM4
Hardware Tab > GPS Hardware Port = None > Baud rate = 4800
Access Tab > Managa GPS Auto = Checked
Are these settings correct? Or are there "tweaks" to it that I can change?
4. One last question:
Under GarminXT, i have the ability to choose 3 GPS options:
"Use Bluetooth GPS"
"Use GPS Intermediate Driver" = Checked
"Use Serial GPS" > Once selected, i get 4 other options to choose:
COM1: Bluetooth Serial Port
COM2: Bluetooth Serial Port
COM4: COM4:
COM9: 7500 COM port
Does anyone know if i should be checked on "Use GPS Intermediate Driver" or if i should be checking off "Serial GPS" > COM 4?
This is my first WinMo device with a data plan (I'm on EDGE speeds cause I'm in Canada), but I always had the impression AGPS would really help the lock times.
Anyone with help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Again, loving the new HD2
Thanks

For GarminXT, use intermediate driver.
For Google maps, use Com4, 4800 rate, that enables use of the compass.
Quick GPS should increase startup, and so far I had all fixes on HD2 under 30 seconds, and I did not change anything.
Normally GPS would download information about orbits of satellites from the satellites. That can take time, as it is one way communication and GPS can't ask satellite to send data again in case of error, it must wait untill the satellite starts sending them again by itself.
It is much faster to get that data via network .. and that is exactly what QuickGPS is for. Problem is that at least on my previous X1 there were many problems with it. The data from network was sometimes completely wrong, and you had to delete the file manually. That information is in temp\xtra.bin. Try to delete it and try again. QuickGPS does not test existence of the file, it will download new one in predefined time.
I'm still a bit confused about aGPS. I'm not sure what it is. Some people state it is the same thing as QuickGPS. Some say it is something to get quick basic fix based on BTS. But I haven't seen that in any application, except Google maps, and they seem to use their own technology and data for that.
But AFAIK, those 'location services' is generally Google's 'my location' exposed for other HTC applications.

I set it on max rate, do i do a mistake? I think that this is setting the speed or Im wrong?! Im connecting with sattelites below 15sec, with no other tweaks or quickgps...

^^
what's "max rate"?
btw, thanks for the replies
i'll look into deleting the cache file for QuickGPS and see if it does anything

Quick GPS allows you to download a weeks worth of GPS satellite position data (almanac data) at one time, helpful if for example you don't have a data plan - you can get your A-GPS data in one hit over WiFi. It helps speed lock time.
Not sure what is happening with yours, mine always locks in Garmin within 7-15 seconds, I have Quick GPS set to autoupdate, but otherwise no special tweaks or modifications where GPS is concerned.

Same here - in fact, the HD2's locking faster to GPS than my Touch HD ever did. I'm getting locks in the garage now whereas before I had none with my Touch HD. Haven't touched the default WM GPS settings or the Garmin one at all since I upgraded to the HD2.

GPs lover-Google map hater
Hi guys, firstly thanks for this thread as i too look for answer...and find some only here
i had the Diamond and now the HD2 and share the love.
Garmin maps are much more accurate and have even the smallest unpaved roads which Google map lacks. Google is so basic maps, i simply hate it...sorry Google...not to mention that it cost money to be online all the time
HD2 GPS confuse me. Sorry if I ask u basic staff but could not figure it up myself:
1. using the GPS w/google map, how u set simple setting, as: "north up" or ""track up" Route setting such as "faster time" or any other basic settings that I always had on my Garmin GPS including Garmin mobile XT?
2. What happend to voice navigation wiith google?
3. Reading your info, does it means that I can install Garmin mobile XT I got with Diamond on HD2 ?
4. Anybody know TomTom for HD2 (which I will get shotly from HTC?
I trust someone out here is smarter than me and will come to rescue

hey guys,
my HD2 is fine now, usually i just do a QuickGPS connect before opening Garmin XT and now it connects SUPER fast...usually under 10 seconds
Thanks for all the help!!

Google is not, and does not set out to be a full satellite navigation prpgram, so it doesn't have stuff such as 'North Up', 'Track Up' etc, nor does it have spoken directions.
For these you need a dedicated SatNav program like Garmin, TomTom, CoPilot or iGO8 which are all 'paid-for' applications.
TomTom will run fine but TomTom don't officially support it, meaning you can't download the correct vesion direct from their website. There are easy ways around this though!
With regard to some of the earlier posts- the HD2 can aquire a fix faster than any other device I've used (and I've used a lot!). I find QuickGPS makes very little difference, but as it uses only a small amaount of data I keep it updated.
QuickGPS and A-GPS are not the same thing, though there are quite a few different definitions of A-GPS. Genuine A-GPS is not used in UK, nor as far as I know anywhere else in Europe except by dedicated programs and platforms set up with the infrastructure (such as Apple, who use it to enhance the poor performance of the iPhone's GPS chip). It is used in the Far East, and works by enhancing your accuracy of positioning by using the data channels to send your current cell ID plus any other availble stuff like WiFi hotspot info, which is correlated to a database of locations, and sent back as an approximate position to the phone. Google Maps uses something like this if a GPS signal is not available- the 'Locate Me' feature will show you in a radius of around 1km.
The Baud rate makes no ostensible difference to the lock times or accuracy, as the data stream from the satellites is far lower than even the lowest baud rate. The NMEA default is 4800, and most software is happy to connect at that rate.

The google maps GPS finds me within 80 metres.. that's not accurate right? cause it puts it on wrong street technically.. When I first got it it did 800 metres =/

WOW, that was fast, thank you NeilM.
I will get Tomtom for free from HTC as it is included with Thai purchaded HD2.
Meanwhile I will try to load Garmin XT that I got with My Diamond at the time, let's see if the activation works...
As for Goole, well, I get 60 meter accuracy at the best, that make ones totaly lost in a city and for sure miss a turn, what a pity.
Thanks again for ever so fast reply.

When Google Maps is started it is finding your position throught the carrier's network and that is why it is not acurate at all. There is an option however, named "Use the GPS" in goolge maps and it becomes as acurate as any other navigation software It just have to engage an GPS lock as the others so do not blame google on this one Hence, you are not using the GPS when you get the inacurate positioning For the maps however you still have to be online But if you pay for your Garmin, iGo maps it would be that expensive and you can use it wherever you are ...

You absolutly right. i did use the "use gps" and it's accurate. The thing is that as heavy GPS user the lack of detailed info on google maps, and the inability to set the maps at your convinient (such as "track up" for example) it's nearly a secure way to go crazy while nevigating, specially off road...try to tilt your head to understand your position in real time when you turning and turning. Thanks for the gps tip.

I agree. Curent version of Google Maps is not suitable for navigation while driving indeed! It can help you get orientated sometimes or if you are looking for something big iGo and Garmin are in a whole new league of navigation sofware for now. However, the new version of Google Maps should be at least as good as the others but it is only available for Android at the moment and I dont see it coming to WM any time soon so we will have to stick to iGo, Garmin, TomTom and the others. I'm not using Google Maps for navigation at all by the way so It wouldn't be so difficult for me )

ragelord said:
the new version of Google Maps should be at least as good as the others but it is only available for Android at the moment and I dont see it coming to WM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's called google navigation, not google maps - and it seems to kill every GPS program available today (thank god).

hey guys,
on the same topic, but different nav software. i use iGO 8, can someone please tell me what the optimal setting are for port and baud rate? i did the auto-detect and the signal is a little on/off.
also... is there a way to get iGO 8 to use the HD2s compass? i like the stand-alone compass of the HD2, but i think it would be swell to be able to have iGO's compass function working aswell.
sorry if this has been discussed before, if there is another thread i should be reading... please direct me there.
thanks for all your help.
cheers.

conscept said:
The google maps GPS finds me within 80 metres.. that's not accurate right? cause it puts it on wrong street technically.. When I first got it it did 800 metres =/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, if I'm not wrong, that's agps at work.
It'll find you with the nearest base station. then slowly try to triangulate you. Normally, you'll be in an area with only 1 base station, so there's not much triangulation going on.
When I'm in city, it's pretty accurate. I get my approx distance within a couple of seconds, wait another 10 - 20 secs to get gps fix.

A-Gps and other things
A-GPS is just one thing: Assisted GPS. It is a toggle-- when you toggle it on, in your phone's settings, you will get the locational assistance of the cell towers. That is the towers them selves, two or more towers and your phone triangulate to give an approximation of your location. GPS also uses triangulation (derived from simple trigonometry equations) to determine your location and is much more accurate. In fact it can be ever more accurate as your device locks onto more satellites. I have found that the best thing to do is to turn off A-GPS. I don't know what it is but Googlemaps seems to have a terrible time locking onto satellites on Windows Mobile. But I have found, especially on Android 1.6 and above you get very rapid locks so long as you wipe out the telenav program. I strongly suspect that Google is undermining Windows Mobile in favor of supporting their Android system. They have turn by turn for Android but not for Windows Mobile and it seems like they are also building it not to lock sats nearly as well. You can force it to get moving by pre opening the GPS or other methods just prior to running google maps.
I think everyone should write google and tell them to fully support Windows Mobile (Phone)... T-Mobile is just about set to come out with the HTC HD2 in about a week (March 24th) and I intend to get one. I am not happy that it doesn't have a physical keyboard cloned from the Touch Pro 2, but I expect to like most of the rest of it.
Turning Location on is another thing. You are henceforth allowing all applications to know and your location. this can be helpful but it can also be a potential privacy risk. Of course it's easy to turn off and on. You might want to read the fine print.

Actually, I have a more basic question. Is there a soft "switch" or software application to actually turn the GPS on? On my HD2 I have a few GPS apps and all of them report the GPS being on or "no GPS Device found". Even Goggle maps, if I siwtch to USE GPS mode, keeps endlessly waiting for a GPS signal and then nothing happens. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks much

Gps htc hd2
In my experience with windows mobiles and internal gps, manage gps automatically is best and no ports should be assigned at all unless using bluetooth gps receiver! Also, sounds crazy too many but no every location on this big earth is withing available to public gps devices gps satelite paths (satelites going around the earth!) Make sure your outside the house or flat before thinking your gps ain't picking up. My hd2 is fast, my old mda3 was too and worked better inside but thats down to i was living in a different location at the time and at an higher altitude i would say. 1 of many other reasons could be that the military could be using the sat at the time which would render it unavail to public (offline)!

HTC HD2 GPS lock problem

Hi everyone new here. I am having some issues with getting my GPS to work properly.
I have noticed that if I use my phone without a sim inside then the GPS locks on pretty quick.
However if I put my T-Mobile sim inside and try getting a lock on the GPS it does not work, it keeps saying locating GPS in digital compass or seeking satellites in google maps. I have tried updating GPS satelite using quick GPS too but that didn't help.
So basically the GPS works when there is no sim inside the phone but doesn't when there is a sim (T-Mobile sim) inside the phone.
Does anyone know what could be the problem and how I can get it to work with the sim inside the phone?
Phone details:
My phone is running on the generic 1.66.405.2, ROM from the HTC website. I also HSPL2ed it as it was on the Tmobile rom. However the phone is still locked to Tmobile UK.
Reply With Quote

i got the same problem, it doesnt find a satalite in google maps. but it works very fast when im outside and set the gps manually in google maps. it works with com4 and 256000 rate, but it never works when i let it manage by windows..
its the same problem i had with my old omnia :/ lucky i dont use it that much, but would be nice if i could use it when i really need it.. >.<
never tried it without sim card, and i dont want to try it.. for what should i use the phone without sim card, it would not work for google maps anyway without internet connection

But there is no option to select 256000 as the baudrate.
Also when I change the com port to com4 on the gps hardware setting and press ok to exit and go back into it to check to see if the setting has been saved I find that it reverts back to its original setting of Hardware port= None and Baudrate-4800. Why does it do that?

for me there is an option for that rate Oo in google maps i mean..
but yea, u are right, my options got reverted too :/ i dont know why..

Could you tell what settings do you use in your external GPS?
Also are you able to get a GPS lock in your digital compass, could you check? Thanks.

the external gps settings are:
programm ports: com4
gps hardware port: none, baudrate 4800
and access -> manage gps automatically ON
standard settings, didnt change them
and how to use gps with the digital compass? ^.^ i only know that the compass worked with google maps when i needed it 2 weeks ago xD

Thanks for the settings mate.
Yeah you set a location on google maps and then it locks on to the gps in the digital compass and you get the longitude and latitude displayed in the digital compass.
There is also the appearance of this green light that rotates around the circumference of the compass as you move your phone, wonder what the green light indicates..

TitanXT said:
There is also the appearance of this green light that rotates around the circumference of the compass as you move your phone, wonder what the green light indicates..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the green dot points towards the destination you chose. it's a heading marker.

Ah right cheers for that mate.
Btw I managed to get the GPS working, I think its just the sim reception that makes it the gps signal weaker when I try to lock on to gps satelites.

A simple solution for SEEKING SATELLITES (0) problem - Telstra HTC HD2 Google Maps
After frustrating weeks trying to have my GPS working on Google Maps, I've managed to find the solution for my "SEEKING SATELLITES (0)" problem when using Google Maps on my Telstra HTC HD2.
I've just turned AGPS Service OFF (Start --> Settings -->Location).. bingo.. it now locks to the satellite in a matter of seconds...
I hope this post will help other people who might be experiencing the same frustration I did..
Cheers!!