Possible GPS Fix

[Guest sfleuriet]

I believe I've found a GPS fix... with the help of reading through this forum. It has been working great for me so far, so I just hope it continues to work!!

• I did a re-install of Google Maps and left the settings just like they were
  
• Put the GPStest link on my phone
  
• Launched GPStest first, Menu > Start, then left it running in the background
  
• Launched Google Maps, Menu > Use GPS
  

Everything seems perfect! Seems like running GPStest in the background may be the ticket.

I've restarted the phone, closed everything out and restarted them multiple times and it still works great. :D Knock on wood for this one

[Guest Mysterious Caveman]

i noticed this too today. i was using gpsVP and had no luck. then when i ran google maps, it wouldn't work! so i ran gputest and left it on my window sill for about 10 minutes, came back to it, and it was working. then i closed it and my gps worked flawlessly after that when i ran google maps (even when i closed it later and started it up an hour later).

anyone know a free utility like gpsVP that works? anyone know a simple application that will give me bearing, speed, altitude, and longitute/latitute in a single display without ever asking for an internet connection? there must be a small free app that does this on the net.

[Guest jonathanbaker1]

Full Analysis:

I also experienced a similar, and peculiar, issue on both of my BJ2's. Of course I used the modaco GPS unlocker, then tried using Google Maps and also Virtual Earth. Used the Com 4 and 19200 baud settings and the "let windows decide" modes with no luck.

When I start GPS Test and let it run untill it finds a few satelites, and leave it running in the background, then everything works fine. IMPORTANT: while in GPS Test, go to Menu then to GPS Settings, and select COM4: port and 19200 for Baud Rate. Then exit GPS Test completely, and start it again so that it loads the new GPS settings. This will find satelites within a few moments versus a few minutes of scanning COM porsts and Baud rates.

I really like GPS Test, so I use it to "initialize" the GPS radio. In all my computer experience, my best observation is that GPS Test uses the specific and proper instructions to activate the radio, and that Google Maps and Virtual Earth have difficulty with that command. Once the radio is activated (initialized) then the real applications seem to work very quickly and without problem.

Furthermore, I have noticed that occasionally Google Maps will initialize the GPS and find satelites by itself without having run GPS Test before. But this takes a looong time if it even happens. 3 to 5 minutes, yikes!!

Lastly, IF by chance Google Maps pulls satelites without running GPS Test first, then I notice a substantial loss in GPS reception while indoors. Conversely, if I run GPS Test first and pull satelites (while indoors OR outdoors) before running Google Maps, then my reception indoors will continue to remain strong.

Anything beats $10 to $24 per month for TeleNav, to use a GPS Radio in a phone I already purchased. In closing, I have yet to get Virtual Earth to work reliably no matter what I do or what settings are chosen. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm sticking to Google Maps.

[Guest jonathanbaker1]

anyone know a free utility like gpsVP that works? anyone know a simple application that will give me bearing, speed, altitude, and longitute/latitute in a single display without ever asking for an internet connection? there must be a small free app that does this on the net.

Yes!!! This GPS Test application does exactly that and more. (except no altitude, that I can find) Here's the link Softpedia free download page for GPS Test for smartphone and PocketPC

You install the application FROM your computer, which means your phone must be connected. GPS Test has three screens 1) the main screen which shows signal strength / numbers of sats. 2) a 360 degree view of the location of the sats. 3) this is the one you want. it shows your lat/long, date, time, speed, bearing, fix, sats in view, sats in use, HDOP and VDOP [whatever that is]. The speed and bearing are so accurate and sensitive, that the numbers will change quickly just by shaking the phone around with your hand.

[Guest Davimarx]

Yes!!! This GPS Test application does exactly that and more. (except no altitude, that I can find) Here's the link Softpedia free download page for GPS Test for smartphone and PocketPC

You install the application FROM your computer, which means your phone must be connected. GPS Test has three screens 1) the main screen which shows signal strength / numbers of sats. 2) a 360 degree view of the location of the sats. 3) this is the one you want. it shows your lat/long, date, time, speed, bearing, fix, sats in view, sats in use, HDOP and VDOP [whatever that is]. The speed and bearing are so accurate and sensitive, that the numbers will change quickly just by shaking the phone around with your hand.

I installed GPSTest 1.04, but it keeps scanning the coms ports without finding anything. Do I need to add some other programs?

[Guest Davimarx]

I installed GPSTest 1.04, but it keeps scanning the coms ports without finding anything. Do I need to add some other programs?

Never mind, I forgot to install the the modaco com4 patch. Now it is working well. :D

[Guest jonathanbaker1]

I installed GPSTest 1.04, but it keeps scanning the coms ports without finding anything. Do I need to add some other programs?

First you need to install a little file that "unlocks" the GPS ports on the phone. Click here for the download .CAB file that you need to put on your phone and run it from there. These files are from MoDaCo and work great. Also you can click here for the .EXE file that runs right from your desktop (with phone connected of course).

After that is installed. Turn off your phone and turn it back on. (Then you will be able to use your GPS without paying $10 a month for the built in TeleNav.) Now go into GPS Test and click Menu and GPS Settings and set COM4 for the Com port and 19200 for the Baud rate. After saving the settings, you still might have to exit out of GPS Test and start it again so it uses the new settings instead of scanning ports for minutes.

That should work for ya.

[Guest jonathanbaker1]

Never mind, I forgot to install the the modaco com4 patch. Now it is working well. :D

Cool cool!

[Guest Mysterious Caveman]

Thanks jonathanbaker1, I actually saw this and downloaded it but never bothered to install it until you recommended it. I had to install the modaco com4 patch to get it to work because it uses the traditional method of scanning COM ports.

BUT GUYS I JUST DISCOVERED SOMETHING THAT MAY HELP EVERYONE GET ANY GPS PROGRAM WORKING...

I couldn't get gpsVP to work as well as some other GPS programs to work even with the modaco com4 patch, and after trying everything, I almost gave up - the only program that worked with COM ports was the gpsTest (by Chartcross LTD) suggested by jonathanbaker1. So I was using that program and discovered that just how GPSTest (that comes with BJ2) makes GoogleMaps and GPS Test by Chartcross LTD work if they don't want to run, the GPStest by Chartcross seems to get any app that requires COM4 GPS working!

To make that more clear: if you GPS doesn't work at all, use the GPSTest (that came with BJ2) and leave it for a bit until it acquires the GPS. Then close it down and go ahead and use GoogleMaps. If you want to use a program like gpsVP, then start GPSTest by Chartcross LTD and wait for it to acquire (COM4 @ 38400) then start up your GPS app of choice (DO NOT CLOSE GPSTEST BY CHARTCROSS YET). It'll detect IMMEDIATELY without delay!

I think I may go back and try Garmin Mobile XT again. I hope this helps ya'll.

[Guest sfleuriet]

Well it doesnt work again. Looks like I spoke too soon!!! I can't get any combination of GPStest and Google Maps to find a satellite now. Same problem I was having before.

This is just beyond frustrating...

[Guest jyalexop2003]

Well it doesnt work again. Looks like I spoke too soon!!! I can't get any combination of GPStest and Google Maps to find a satellite now. Same problem I was having before.

This is just beyond frustrating...

I and 2 collegues at work bought BJIIs (Black) around Xmas.

We have all installed Google Maps and Windows Live Search and the GPS

works fine with no mods or hacks at all.

Simply install the .cab files and in WLS select the 'Intermediate Driver'

and in Google Maps select the 'Set By Windows'. It takes from 20s to 1 min to get

a GPS lock outside. I actually like WLS more because of handly speeech recognition.

[Guest sfleuriet]

Downloaded WLS again.. selected Intermediate Driver... doesn't work.

[Guest jonathanbaker1]

Downloaded WLS again.. selected Intermediate Driver... doesn't work.

[Guest Mysterious Caveman]

I and 2 collegues at work bought BJIIs (Black) around Xmas.

We have all installed Google Maps and Windows Live Search and the GPS

works fine with no mods or hacks at all.

Simply install the .cab files and in WLS select the 'Intermediate Driver'

and in Google Maps select the 'Set By Windows'. It takes from 20s to 1 min to get

a GPS lock outside. I actually like WLS more because of handly speeech recognition.

This is exactly what I do and I agree it works just fine. The reason you install the Modaco COM4 patch is for older programs made for WM5 not WM6 which communicate using a COM port instead of a driver. WLS and Google Maps are WM6 compliant so you don't need anything to make it work.

sfleuriet, I'm sorry to hear your thing is messed up. as long as you don't install any other hacks/cracks or that dreaded Microsoft COM garbage, I don't think you can mess up the GPS. Just use the BJ2 GPStest and let it run outside for a bit. Always works for me.

[Guest sfleuriet]

Well... I was travelling today, and it seems to work fine if I let it sit to find the satellites. It took between 5 seconds and 2-3 minutes for it to work. Once it was connected, it worked like a dream.

I've also found it to pretty much never work indoors.

Having GPStest (BJII) running in the background now seems to have no effect on Google Maps working.

[Guest su6oxone]

Well... I was travelling today, and it seems to work fine if I let it sit to find the satellites. It took between 5 seconds and 2-3 minutes for it to work. Once it was connected, it worked like a dream.

I've also found it to pretty much never work indoors.

Having GPStest (BJII) running in the background now seems to have no effect on Google Maps working.

Like the threads about GPS suggest, it's probably the best thing to not install the gps hacks, and just content yourself to use MLS, gmaps, and garmin mobile xt using the intermediate driver. I think ppl are expecting gps to connect with the satellites in under 2 minutes or something, which I find it almost never does. 2-5 min in the city is typical for me, and never used gps test or any other programs. Live, google maps, or garmin will all connect with the sats by themselves just fine if I just give it some time.

[Guest sfleuriet]

For as well as it works once it does start finding satellites, it is well worth the wait. It was very useful while travelling!

Now I just need to try this other program somebody linked that tells speed in MPH and other info...

[Guest Road Warrior Mike]

I am relatively new to this forum and have been trying to get GPS working on my Moto Q9h. I have downloaded both the Com and the MS GPSID programs and had gotten the GPS to work - at least on Saturday it was working with MS LiveSearch. Today - nothing!

I downloaded the gpstest.lnk file put it into the start menu and tried to launch the gpstest app - but apparently there is no resident application for this on the Moto Q9h... as all I get is no application could be found...

Getting very frustrated at this point and before anyone replies, I've tried uninstalling both the .com and the GPSID app and did a hard reboot - reinstalled just the COM app but nothing seems to work at this point ---HELP!

:D

I believe I've found a GPS fix... with the help of reading through this forum. It has been working great for me so far, so I just hope it continues to work!!

• I did a re-install of Google Maps and left the settings just like they were
  
• Put the GPStest link on my phone
  
• Launched GPStest first, Menu > Start, then left it running in the background
  
• Launched Google Maps, Menu > Use GPS
  

Everything seems perfect! Seems like running GPStest in the background may be the ticket.

I've restarted the phone, closed everything out and restarted them multiple times and it still works great. :( Knock on wood for this one

[Guest Mysterious Caveman]

sorry to hear this. i'd offer to send yo the gpstest app that came with the bj2, but activesync on XP and vista don't let me pull it off :D

I'd post in the forums for the q9 -- this is for the BJ2, so you can presume that many remedys/tricks will not be the same.

[Guest Natalie Nicole]

Hi,

I generally understand and can follow directions, but I'm new to the BJ2, windows mobile, and this style phone in general. I am pretty pc apt, but this is a lil different for me... I tried doing the com4 thing so that I can then install the gps but, when I click run it brings up a screen asking what I want to install/remove and it only shows AT&T xpress mail with a lil checkbox next to it... this confuses me and I'm not sure if I'm doing something right. Can someone please help me understand how to download apps from PC with phone connected?

Secondly, and probably for another forum but just wanted to throw this out here, as for the same app install question, i saved some .cab game files to my desktop, but I'm not sure how to install and get them to go on my phone?

Thanks ahead of time for your help :D

[Guest jonathanbaker1]

Hi,

I generally understand and can follow directions, but I'm new to the BJ2, windows mobile, and this style phone in general. I am pretty pc apt, but this is a lil different for me... I tried doing the com4 thing so that I can then install the gps but, when I click run it brings up a screen asking what I want to install/remove and it only shows AT&T xpress mail with a lil checkbox next to it... this confuses me and I'm not sure if I'm doing something right. Can someone please help me understand how to download apps from PC with phone connected?

Secondly, and probably for another forum but just wanted to throw this out here, as for the same app install question, i saved some .cab game files to my desktop, but I'm not sure how to install and get them to go on my phone?

Thanks ahead of time for your help :D

Hi Natalie! The first, and most important part, is properly understanding what to do with the .CAB files. (((part of the confusion usually results from the fact that WinZip and WinRar will open them, making them appear to be for your computer))) What you have to do is connect your phone to the computer, which will undoubtedly bring up ActiveSync (windows XP) or Mobile Device Center (in vista). If you have XP and don't have ActiveSync, you can get it free from the Microsoft website. Just google Active Sync. Vista will connect automatically with the built in program.

After the phone is connected, you should be able to look at the folders on the phone, and then you can drag and drop the .CABs into your phone. I would *create folder* and keep your .cabs in there, or else you'll have 30 .cabs all over your phone before you know it.

To use/install the .cabs, you must run them from the phone! Using your phone, click Start, go to Applications, then to File Explorer. Now just browse the phone with File Explorer and click on the .cab!! That's it in a nutshell, the phone will install the .cabs to where they're supposed to go.

So basically, to use the COM4 GPS Unlocker .cab, just drag and drop it into the phone, then find it with file explorer and click it.