GPS suddenly bad - HTC Desire X

Hi there,
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the GPS on my Desire X is experiencing poor signal. Even if outside I can barely see any satelites (according to "GPS Status"). Previously, I could lock on satelites even from within my house.
I've tried rebooting, but no luck.
Does any of you know if the GPS antenna can disconnect inside the device? I have indeed dropped the device (but that's more a rule than an exception)
BR,
Egholm

xdaegholm said:
Hi there,
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the GPS on my Desire X is experiencing poor signal. Even if outside I can barely see any satelites (according to "GPS Status"). Previously, I could lock on satelites even from within my house.
I've tried rebooting, but no luck.
Does any of you know if the GPS antenna can disconnect inside the device? I have indeed dropped the device (but that's more a rule than an exception)
BR,
Egholm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe possible. You can check by opening your device according to this video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzRsLDahWVg
But, do you are still on stock ROM or did you install a custom ROM / kernel recently?

dansou901 said:
Maybe possible. You can check by opening your device according to this video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzRsLDahWVg
But, do you are still on stock ROM or did you install a custom ROM / kernel recently?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@dansou901, good idea. But it would be nice if anyone could tell on beforehand before cranking the device apart
(I'm on myONEdx 2.0, and as you can see, that's an old one)
Thanks

Then maybe try to update to recent version (RC 4.0) and do a factory reset before that, may help.

dansou901 said:
Then maybe try to update to recent version (RC 4.0) and do a factory reset before that, may help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe - that will be my "last" attempt. I'll rather take it apart - I think that is time better invested based on the theory that an antenna may have disconnected... I may end up doing both

xdaegholm said:
Maybe - that will be my "last" attempt. I'll rather take it apart - I think that is time better invested based on the theory that an antenna may have disconnected... I may end up doing both
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And so I did. And I believe that I found and solved the problem... Under the plate surrounding the camera are connectors that connect to what I believe are antennas in that very same plate (did that make sense?). One of them fell out when disassembling, so I soldered it on, assembled again, and at least gps is working again.
(I reckon a hard concentrated punch in the vicinity of the camera can break these connectors, either breaking wifi or gps, so be careful)

Related

[Q] Bad WIFI reception, driver or hardware issue?

Hey guys,
I do got some issues with the WIFI reception on my gtab. The signal is always very low and weak. I tried every rom, even did an NVFlash to go stock but that didnt help either. I did put carbon stickers on the whole device though, can that have any impact? Are there more people with this problem and if so have you got stickers on the device? Please let me know, thanks in adance!!
Peace!
After submitting this post my connection dropped which it also does more often.
Anyone has a clue?
3sade,
I actually had this same problem about 2 weeks ago. I would be directly over my WiFi AP and had a weak signal (2bars) no matter what ROM I used. I called up GTab support (310) 228-4000 and opened a RMA with them. Despite what's I've read in other posts, support was very nice and willing to help for me. They will tell you that you'll have to remove the carbon stick from the device and restore it to the stock ROM. That part sucks but when I got my gtab back (14 business day wait), it is in better working condition then when I sent it to them (the screen is more responsive, seems less sluggish with the stock ROM).
I don't know if this is what you were hoping to hear, but I thought I would pass it along.
I'm sorry to reply to an old thread but I've just recieved a hannspad sn10t1 which I believe has similar if not the same hardware as the GTab. I'm having the same issue with wifi connection, if I actually touch it to the router then I might get 3 bars! I definately cant leave the room and still be connected.
Have I got a faulty unit or is there a software or settings fix? By the sound of this its a hardware fault but I'd rather try and find a fix first.
htc-rocks said:
I'm sorry to reply to an old thread but I've just recieved a hannspad sn10t1 which I believe has similar if not the same hardware as the GTab. I'm having the same issue with wifi connection, if I actually touch it to the router then I might get 3 bars! I definately cant leave the room and still be connected.
Have I got a faulty unit or is there a software or settings fix? By the sound of this its a hardware fault but I'd rather try and find a fix first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most definitely a hardware issue. It sound like your antenna is not even connected at all. I would contact the manufacture for a RMA. If not crack it open and find the antenna

Need some help, or this has to go back

I travel a lot, and I'm a minimalist. In other words, I'll travel for a week and take a paper lunch bag as my carry-on with hopes that I can get by with wearing the same outfit the entire week. I don't like carrying a full Navigation system and use my phone. This isn't an 'iPhone lovefest' because honestly, I hate everything about Apple, but I never had problems like this on my iPhone.
My problem though is the GPS. I'm on my third phone because of the GPS. The first phone would never get a lock on GPS. I could be sitting outside with a GPS satellite dedicated to me directly above me, and it would still say "Searching for Satellite". That phone went back and I took on another one.
Second phone had a problem where every now and then it would work, then stop working and never start working again until I rebooted the phone and even then it was questionable if it would start working again.
I just got my third phone a couple days ago. I did a stock root w/ no bootloaders, used Entropy's 11/13 Kernel, then threw on UnNamed ROM. This morning, I started up my car to drive somewhere and decided to test the GPS/Navigation. It took it a couple minutes to find the Satellite, then all seemed to be working ok. Then 20 minutes later it dropped the Satellite and it spent the next 40 minutes of my drive into the office saying "Searching for Satellite" no matter what I did.
This is really important to me as is the ability to tether when I want to (hence the reason I want a phone I can Root). So what can I do. At the moment, I've (In my head, so I could be wrong) narrowed it down to a couple things that could be wrong.
1. It's the ROM that's the problem. Though unlikely, it is a factor and it's me messing with the way the phone was designed and distributed.
2. It's the GPS in general. Seems like 95% of the people on here aren't having problems at all. There does seem to be 5% that seem to be having the same problems I am.
3. My region has crappy Satellite Coverage. Doubtful since my iPhone worked fine, and unless Apple did something amazing like put in an entire dedicated Satellite network to work with Jailbroke iPhones then this kinds of negates this though.
4. My cars are interferring. While this is entirely a possibility (I never do think to test this out in the open not in a car, so i can't say for sure) if it is the problem, then the device goes back as it's much cheaper to get a new device than to replace 2 cars. Again, though, my iPhone never had a problem doing this in these cars.
I love the phone, the speed, the Android OS etc... I don't want to go back to an iPhone because I"ll shoot myself. I just want to be able to have GPS work on this as it's the only hold up on the device. Any help anyone can do?
Take it back then. Honestly you say you have tried 3 different phones and all 3 are broken. I call bull****.
Never had a problem with it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
You didn't mention if you've tried in ANY of the three (3) phones if the GPS worked before rooting?? I'm not saying it's the rooting that's causing the problem, but I'm still running stock on my SGSII and have had no issues with GPS? Not saying it's not possible but three phones is kinda stretching it a bit to all have the same issue.
Yes, I know you took it back to STOCK rom with #3 but who knows if the STOCK ROM is really *STOCK*, you should try a new phone #4 stock without ROOT for at least a day or two to determine if it is a DESIGN/HARDWARE issue rule that out first and then try from there... If this still happens with STOCK phone, you may have to switch to another phone (iphone or otherwise)...
Good Luck!
I just took it back to stock and was going to go outside to see if it had problems finding service. Though as mentioned in many other threads on here, it's not so much it finding you when you're standing still. It's when you're driving the streets of Atlanta that things get crazy.
stalked_r/t said:
I just took it back to stock and was going to go outside to see if it had problems finding service. Though as mentioned in many other threads on here, it's not so much it finding you when you're standing still. It's when you're driving the streets of Atlanta that things get crazy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Stalk,
Keep in STOCK mode and drive around with it and see if this is still an issue then... Also if you have an aluminum case, this has been a known issue where the TARGUS (SP?) korean made BEAUTIFUL/GORGEOUS case affected the GPS antennae. Try it stock no case on the dash away from DIRECT sunslight and begin troubleshooting there...
UNFORTUNATELY it may boil down to Stock and working GPS or ROOT with Tethering... You ***MIGHT*** not be able to do both...
Good Luck...
If you JUST root, it shouldn't affect GPS - but test without rooting first.
And I agree - if you've got a metal case, DITCH IT.
So far, my experience is that the GPS chipset is almost as good as any standalone GPS chipset I've used - Sirf StarIII, MTKv2, STM Cartesio (the latter being the chipset in my Garmin Oregon, the former being chipsets in various Bluetooth dataloggers I've used for hiking). Actually, the GPS in this phone beats the StarIII and is around on par with the Cartesio. So far nothing I've ever used can touch an MTKv2 though.
I'm used to phones having crappy awful GPS chipsets - this is the first device I would ever consider using for geocaching on its own.
Thanks for the replies. I did test just now on the way to and from lunch with stock everything. I do have a case that's part aluminum (Case-Mate). I didn't try it without the case. didn't even think it could affect this.
Running a stock setup, I attempted to get navigation to my lunch location The drive was about 6 miles each way. When I left the office, I started Navigation. It never found a satellite enroute to the restaurant. I never stopped it during lunch from looking, though I was in a building, so i didn't expect it to find anything. On the way home, same status. Searching for satellites. I'm torn. I want this phone bad, love the Dev support, and there's nothing coming from AT&T that makes me want to use an old Blackberry to wait for. I also don't know what I can do to test this further.
On the way home, I'm going to do something very simple. I'm going to wipe the phone. I'm going to skip all steps of the initial setup, just have service and that's it. I'll start navigation and have it direct me home. If it doesn't work, I'll look at my options. If it works, then I know it's an app that's causing the problem.
Unless someone else can think of something for me to try. I wish this just worked like I know it can.
Ok. So an update. Wiped phone, not even associated with Google, Removed my 32 gig SD card for the heck of it, removed the case. Started nav and INSANTLY inside a building it had me pinpointed and was directing me to the next turn point to get home.
Here's the case I have: http://www.case-mate.com/Samsung-Ga...rsion-Barely-There-Brushed-Aluminum-Cases.asp
In one of the reviews, this is said:
As much as I wanted to love this case, I couldn't. I've used many Case Mate products before and I am just disappointed in them for the lack of quality of this case. There is a noticeable issue with the case fitting the bezel on the top right corner of the phone. The lip of the case fails to properly wrap around the front bezel. There is also the connectivity problems that come with this case. GPS has especially weakened with this case on. Other than that, I like the quality material that this case is built out of and feels very sturdy. Unfortunately though as of this writing, this is really the only choice for a decent case for this phone on the market. Time will tell if better choices come about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to keep this setup through tomorrow, then root the phone if there's no difference in performance and all is well. If that works fine for 2 days, I'll throw the Kernel on and throw UnNamed on. If that works, I'll throw the case on and see what happens. I now feel like this could be the problem. Thanks for the thoughts guys. I'll continue my abuse of the "THANKS" button and thank you all.
ride home was flawless. If ride to work tomorrow is flawless, I'll root and flash.
Entropy512 said:
If you JUST root, it shouldn't affect GPS - but test without rooting first.
And I agree - if you've got a metal case, DITCH IT.
So far, my experience is that the GPS chipset is almost as good as any standalone GPS chipset I've used - Sirf StarIII, MTKv2, STM Cartesio (the latter being the chipset in my Garmin Oregon, the former being chipsets in various Bluetooth dataloggers I've used for hiking). Actually, the GPS in this phone beats the StarIII and is around on par with the Cartesio. So far nothing I've ever used can touch an MTKv2 though.
I'm used to phones having crappy awful GPS chipsets - this is the first device I would ever consider using for geocaching on its own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't gotten enough free time to log the NMEA output, but I don't think our "SirfSTAR IV" chipset is actually even using DGPS/WAAS. Which makes the accuracy it get's even more impressive. The chip definitely supports WAAS, but who knows exactly how the implementation is done between Android & Samsung...
I've also owned a SirfStar III based Bluetooth GPS, a MTK-based GPS (also the best I've found), and several phones with dedicated and integrated GPS chipsets. Have to agree our GS2 is one of the best. I can't exactly wander around the house and have it track my every movement like my Bluetooth pucks can (also having a large ceramic patch antenna helps a bit no doubt), but my GS2 locks fast, and stays locked. What else can you want from a GPS?
Might be worth it to look into WAAS either way though. On any standalone GPS unit, WAAS is the difference between 15-30 meter accuracy, and 3-5 meter (or better) accuracy. That is unless you have a military GPS unit, and the appropriate keys to receive the high accuracy P(Y)/M signals...
If you want to get a good idea of how the GPS is doing, this app will show you the strength of your GPS lock:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
Also, upon further research, the NMEA output is reporting that WAAS/DGPS is not in use.
Example: "$GPGGA,222520.000,4218.460926,N,07111.901869,W,1,06,1.2,77.1,M,-33.8,M,,*53"
Where the bold "1" should be 2, and the null field right before the checksum "*53" should be the age of the DGPS/WAAS info if it were in use.
The chipset in our phones (http://www.csr.com/products/35/sirfstariv-gsd4e) clearly states that it supports WAAS. And since the choice of DGPS or not is solely in the hands of the chip and software (wiring/antenna connection/configuration is irrelevant) perhaps there is a way to enable the DGPS mode? If so, I'm sure we would all see MUCH better position and accuracy information.
WAAS probably requires modifications to the host processing binary (SIRFHost)
BTW, our chip is a GSD4t, not 4e.
I was having problems with my gps losing its lock for the longest time, i got a replacement phone and it started doing it again AFTER root. Im thinking some app might be causing the issue. I read somewhere that ROM Manager can cause issues. I deleted it and so far my gps has been working. I am really baffled on to what can be causing it.
stalked_r/t said:
ride home was flawless. If ride to work tomorrow is flawless, I'll root and flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the case man. Great looking case, but kills the cell signal and terrible GPS. Mine went back after 3 days.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Yep. Ride into work today lost signal once. After letting it sit for a couple minutes, I rebooted. After reboot it worked flawlessly. Definitely the case at this point. Putting Root/Kernel/ROM on it today and seeing how the drive home is. If it's good, then the case can be tossed and I'll find a different one.
Entropy512 said:
WAAS probably requires modifications to the host processing binary (SIRFHost)
BTW, our chip is a GSD4t, not 4e.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good catch. Interesting. Haven't checked out the sources, but I'm assuming all the GPS binaries are blobs? And source is not available?
Always wondered why mobile phones never have WAAS support... course then again, if the hardware was developed in Korea, that would make a little bit of sense. Seeing as there isn't WAAS coverage there, although I do believe there is an alternate DGPS solution for Asia.

[Q] Weak GPS signal : hardware fix ?

Hello there,
I'm facing some troubles using my GPS (i9100P). I think it's a hardware issue since I already tested different kernels / ROM and tried multiple GPS tools without big changes. I just successfully improved the quickness of the fix.
For now, fix is just awesome : 10 satellites fixed in 3-4s. The issue is related to the weakness of the signal. It can be lost when driving near a truck, a bridge or small buildings. Using "GPS test" software outdoor in a clear view, SNR is about 25-30 for the best satellites. I think it's weak !
Do you think it's a hardware issue (probably my GPS module ending its life) ? Which part should I change ? I think it's the module including speaker but I'm not sure :
http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/148/330/446/446330148_718.jpg
Hope someone can help me to fix that issue ! Thanks
Lwysiwyg said:
Hello there,
I'm facing some troubles using my GPS (i9100P). I think it's a hardware issue since I already tested different kernels / ROM and tried multiple GPS tools without big changes. I just successfully improved the quickness of the fix.
For now, fix is just awesome : 10 satellites fixed in 3-4s. The issue is related to the weakness of the signal. It can be lost when driving near a truck, a bridge or small buildings. Using "GPS test" software outdoor in a clear view, SNR is about 25-30 for the best satellites. I think it's weak !
Do you think it's a hardware issue (probably my GPS module ending its life) ? Which part should I change ? I think it's the module including speaker but I'm not sure :
http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/148/330/446/446330148_718.jpg
Hope someone can help me to fix that issue ! Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chk on stock rom or else it is a n hardware issue
bhavstech said:
chk on stock rom or else it is a n hardware issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clean install made using Odin : repartition / full wipe, XXKI3/XXLPX install, but same issue with GPS. I really think it's a hardware issue.
Lwysiwyg said:
Clean install made using Odin : repartition / full wipe, XXKI3/XXLPX install, but same issue with GPS. I really think it's a hardware issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
show in service centre
bhavstech said:
show in service centre
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have service center near home / work :-s.
If my S2 needs to be repaired, I will probably do it myself. That's why I need to know what part to change. Since phone's value is near 100€, I don't want to repair it if that costs more than 20-30€.
Anyone knows which part of the phone integrate GPS module ?
You need the service manuals; they've been posted here from time to time - do an XDA search (or a Google search with XDA appended to your search terms), or a Google search should find them easily enough on other sites.
You could also take it to any local mobile repair shop, it doesn't have to be a Samsung service centre who does the repair.
Got it ! Thanks
I learned that speaker part integrates antenna, and GPS receiver is fixed on motherboard ! It seems to be hard to change GPS receiver without equipment (and experience !).
Will check if speaker part seems good (removing / cleaning it), then checking / cleaning GPS receiver part. Hope this will solve my issue.
I found a local mobile repair shop near my home. I asked it how much it will cost... waiting for the answer
Yeah it can be tricky to replace parts like that if you don't have experience. Good luck, let us know how you get on in this thread.
MistahBungle said:
Yeah it can be tricky to replace parts like that if you don't have experience. Good luck, let us know how you get on in this thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This week-end, I cleaned my i9100p hardware but nothing changed ! I noticed that without HP/antenna part, I can't fix GSM nor GPS signal. This part seems to be the heart of the signal reception. I plan to change it as soon as possible. This morning, I ordered HP/antenna part :
http://www.htcn.fr/pieces-detachees...ut-parleur-dock-galaxy-s2-i9100-sonnerie.html
I don't know if this will solve my issue, but I really hope for it !
Someone in a french forum explained me a way to improve GPS signal. This seems to be really easy to do. I will try it tonight and test it tomorrow
http://galaxys-team.fr/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=41110&p=634046#p634044
More news tomorrow !
Keep posting your progress, this thread is going to be a really useful reference for people in future once you've fixed it
I have tested the hardware fix linked in my previous post. Unfortunately, that doesn't solve my issue. Maybe because it's a i9100P (NFC version), with a special battery cover. Moreover, I made this fix quickly. Will try again later.
I'm now waiting for my new HP/antenna part, that will probably be received this week-end !
Edit : HP/antenna part has been sent by HTCN. I will received part thurday or friday. More news soon
HP/antenna part changed. Unfortunately, issue not solved
For now, I don't know what to do... It seems that the guilty is the GPS receiver (fixed on motherboard), but it's a bit hard to change. I will check again /root/etc/gps, sirfgps.conf and gps.conf, but I'm not optimist ! Phone only costs about 100€ here : ask a center to repair it is not a good idea, in my opinion.
If anyone has an idea, please post here ! It seems that I have to buy a S3 4G soon :-s
Yeah unfortunately replacing individual components on the board is really really difficult to do unless you absolutely know what you're doing - a fiddly job, very easy to damage the board itself or other components beyond repair if you mess up. And you'd have to source a 2nd hand board to get the components to replace anyway, so you might as well just swap the whole board. Samsung service centres don't replace individual components on the board because it's easier for them to just swap the whole board and they charge a lot for labour.
If you want to keep the phone, replace the whole motherboard; source a 2nd hand one online, and either swap yourself or pay a local mobile repair shop (not Samsung service centre) to swap. But you could also buy a fairly good phone for not much more than that (or even the same amount if you bought a 2nd hand phone).
So given what you've already tried (and you have tried everything), I'd probably be looking at a new phone if I was in your situation.

GPS Issue with LG G2 mini?

Just finally got my new LG G2 mini!
Just that when I just came across a problem. I don't think the GPS is locking on. But the funny thing is that my location moves ( like it miraculously locks ) when I access the Maps application. So I got curious and then Installed GPS status and it shows me Looking for GPS location with the SAT showing 0/22 or 0/21. I even tried to download GPS Assistance Data and no fix done. For I also play ingress, I do need to use the GPS to play it.
Is it a problem with the Phone or the Apps I have installed or maybe its a problem with the OS?
PS. I also tried connecting to Wifi outside via a wireless modem and GPS Status shows me 1+1/22 for a second and then back to 0/22
Yelp.
Also a GPS Issues
Hi,
I also have a LG G2 Mini and have the same problem...
THe Phone finds a lot of satalites but does not lock on the the position.
Need to wait a long time for it has the position.
Resetted the Phone etc. but no luck.
Hope someone can help?
I have same problem. I think, it's a bug in software. Maybe fix it.
Just received a software update but it was only for apps.
Oh no... The GPS just became a little bit worst than before when setting to high accuracy. The GPS icon is not turning white every since then. Unless I set to device only.
GNT00Q said:
Just received a software update but it was only for apps.
Oh no... The GPS just became a little bit worst than before when setting to high accuracy. The GPS icon is not turning white every since then. Unless I set to device only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my phone gps works fine until I recently installed this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1685726 ,
but now it wont set any location at all
I was hoping by installing those gps fix will fasten the locktime
SIM1 Problem LG G2 Mini
i have problem with my new LG G2 Mini
sometimes SIM1 signal disappears for no reason
hope LG fix it with new update next time
and also it's happening with my LG L90 , same problem
mandrive said:
i have problem with my new LG G2 Mini
sometimes SIM1 signal disappears for no reason
hope LG fix it with new update next time
and also it's happening with my LG L90 , same problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me and my girfrend have two of this g2 mini
1. my (black ) loses fix everywhere - in car i must place it under the mirror because if i grab it to hand it lose fix under the roof of the car.
2. her white always make fix first and signal stench is about 3-5 points better (measured with GPS test app) but i never checked it in car
In opposite 3 other devices :
htc HD (sic!) (only gps no glonas),
galaxy gio (only GPS no glonas),
asus memo pad 10
obtains fix as fast as white g2 mini but signal is always stronger by next 4-5 points (hd is windows stuff so app is different)
htc hd can be putted to pocked and still works ...
So basically there is something wrong with g2 mini it obtains fix much slower and probably have problems with antenna or gps strength.
I got 10 days to resign from it so probably i will go this way
jareeq said:
Me and my girfrend have two of this g2 mini
1. my (black ) loses fix everywhere - in car i must place it under the mirror because if i grab it to hand it lose fix under the roof of the car.
2. her white always make fix first and signal stench is about 3-5 points better (measured with GPS test app) but i never checked it in car
In opposite 3 other devices :
htc HD (sic!) (only gps no glonas),
galaxy gio (only GPS no glonas),
asus memo pad 10
obtains fix as fast as white g2 mini but signal is always stronger by next 4-5 points (hd is windows stuff so app is different)
htc hd can be putted to pocked and still works ...
So basically there is something wrong with g2 mini it obtains fix much slower and probably have problems with antenna or gps strength.
I got 10 days to resign from it so probably i will go this way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the same for me. I got a black G2 mini and when I have the device near car's window the GPS signal is slightly better but it still loses signal from time to time.
Using my previous device a Sony Neo V GPS it works prefectly. I sent the device to local service but they returned it to me that it works properly.
Unfortunatelly the days to resign have passed for me.
amythos said:
It's the same for me. I got a black G2 mini and when I have the device near car's window the GPS signal is slightly better but it still loses signal from time to time.
Using my previous device a Sony Neo V GPS it works prefectly. I sent the device to local service but they returned it to me that it works properly.
Unfortunatelly the days to resign have passed for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people on forums said you can use fix from nexus 5, but the approach must to be differ because antenna is not located on back cover (there is only lte antenna visible). Some plus is that you do not need to use extra torx but simple small +. Anyway if you are on warranty go this way.
Hi all
(in advance, sorry for my english XD )
I have a G2 mini, and I think the GPS is now worse, if I compare when it was new. Antenna problem ? Is anyone has open his G2 mini (with pics ? XD) ? Anyone know where is the gps antenna on the G2 mini ? I think it's the grey circuit on the bottom at the back, with 4 screw...What do you think about that ? I'm not sure.
In car, it's a little the same pb, under the windscreen it's ok, but if I take it in hands, the signal fall...still fix, but very bad signal, and the accuracy is less...
At outdoor, it's ok, but indoor it's hard to have enough good signal to fix. Ok, i know a gps is to use outdoor But...
...But recently, I buy a Moto G 2nd gen for my wife (same snapdragon 400 than the G2 mini (D620fr for me)) and the gps fix between 3-5 seconds...with 3m of accuracy oO Indoor or outdoor... Better gps antenna ? I don't know...
How can I improve the signal to have a good SNR ?
(For the rest, if you have agps pb, you need to root and change manually or with fasterfix (don't run on mine......strange) the NTP server in file 'gps.conf' in 'system/etc' with your country server (if you want root your G2 mini, you can use the method for G3 (purpledrake). Easy to found with search engine.)).
THanks !
Fred
---------- Post added at 11:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:30 PM ----------
Again me...
Finally, I unmount it (easier than G2 or nexus 5 on videos...) but don't found GPS antenna.........But sure it's not the element with grey circuit on the bottom under battery...I release the 4 screw, get off the piece, but gps signal still here...
I think gps signal is probably from LTE antenna. And effectively, it's the same system than G2 or nexus 5, flat antenna with contacts...(like NFC by the way in the back).
Maybe in your case these contacts are not enough good. Perhaps in mine too, cause I still have bad signal in indoor (sometimes enough to fix....)...But I did not dare push the contact, affraid to break it :/
(Again, I hope my english os enough good...).
++
Fred
Hi, Im dealing with Signal loss too.
Any solution? is it a known bug? should i return it to the store?
I had same issues with gps, worked fine at first then could not get a fix.
I solved the problem by rolling back to a previous version of Google maps.
The latest version appears to mess something up and no gps software can get a fix, I tried stuff like faster fix and changing the gps.conf file but nothing worked.
Now I've gone back to version 7.5.0 of Google maps all is fine I get a fix indoors.
i've had a simmilar problem... but i found out that my d620r won't fix gps only when mobile data is off, otherwise it works just fine
Yes, there is a problem with GPS.
There is an easy way to fix it, IF you are rooted.
1. You download this: Faster GPS
2. Set the missing parameters and you're done. Works perfect for me and couple other people.
If you are not rooted, then sorrry, you need to get it rooted.
Hi
For the D620 with a gps who get fix, what do you think about the signal quality ? Outdoor, I think it's ok, but in car ? Indoor ?
Do you know where is the GPS antenna ? Three days ago, I opened my D620, but I did'nt saw the GPS antenna...I think the signal is from LTE antenna, but I can't be sure...
Thanks you for infos !
Fred
croqueurdos said:
Hi all
...But recently, I buy a Moto G 2nd gen for my wife (same snapdragon 400 than the G2 mini (D620fr for me)) and the gps fix between 3-5 seconds...with 3m of accuracy oO Indoor or outdoor... Better gps antenna ? I don't know...
How can I improve the signal to have a good SNR ?
(For the rest, if you have agps pb, you need to root and change manually or with fasterfix (don't run on mine......strange) the NTP server in file 'gps.conf' in 'system/etc' with your country server (if you want root your G2 mini, you can use the method for G3 (purpledrake). Easy to found with search engine.)).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Running on rooted D620r but with minimal changes from stock 4.4.2(Purpledrake worked for me as well).
I got TTFF of many minutes (on a good day!) vs. 5 seconds on a moto G and 30 secs on Nexus 7 2013 all under the same conditions. Clearing and reloading AGPS data just made it take longer, especially if there was no data connection. It seems like it is an RF problem as, even once it has the almanac, it only receives <5 sats out of 15-18 "visible". The SNR is at least 10dB less than other GPS under the same conditions. I normally have most things blocked on the firewall but did allow all connections to see if it improved. However, I don't see much point in a GPS that needs data connectivity to work. It didn't make much difference in the final performance allowing it to get to an NTP server.
I go slightly better performance pointing the back to the sky but there was not much in it. I have returned it for a refund and can't decide if it is worth trying another one.
moochermick said:
I had same issues with gps, worked fine at first then could not get a fix.
I solved the problem by rolling back to a previous version of Google maps.
The latest version appears to mess something up and no gps software can get a fix, I tried stuff like faster fix and changing the gps.conf file but nothing worked.
Now I've gone back to version 7.5.0 of Google maps all is fine I get a fix indoors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine with Google Maps 7.7.0, and it updated to 9.2.0. I've uninstalled Maps completely (by using Titanium Backup - root needed), and I got a fix today in some 15 sec. It was inside the car, and it was raining. Under the way I lost the signal a couple of times, but I could not expect anything better with such wetter. Let's see how good it will be with nice wetter outside.
btw. I've also uninstalled GSP-Status. It is a small app that starts with every GPS app, and it helps by "injecting" AGPS data.
I have found out, that GPS is really terrible on g2 mini - for example playing Ingress is a pain.. The pointer is randomly moving within 20-30 m range .
Does anyone know, if under cyanogenmod the GPS is better? Or is it a feature due to a poor HW?
I have run gps test, compared to LG Fino.
As seen on the attached picture, LG G2 mini has got far worse signal. Is this a bug?
jozka said:
I have run gps test, compared to LG Fino.
As seen on the attached picture, LG G2 mini has got far worse signal. Is this a bug?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it just has a very bad GPS sensor.
Sent from my D620r [Stock 4.4.2]

Jiayu G4S - bad GPS issues, low accuracy, time to first fix...

Many jiayu users complain about bad or even unusable GPS, even worse than on other Mediatek devices. We all hope, it's a software issue and can be improved.
Let's collect information here. Please help by summarizing statements from other threads here and include links to the sources. Please stay on topic
General discussion about this device is here
Read a trojan warning here
Maybe I will update this first posting with the most useful information from time to time...
Software issue
I have the very strong and positive feeling, it is a software issue:
When I got my device with the 20140410 ROM, the GPS was really bad. Time to first fix was sometimes fast, sometimes it took more than 5 minutes, and accuracy was really bad most of the time. And as I could see on the map, it was much worse than reported - accuracy as can be seen i.e. in the GPS Test app was many times quite ok, like 4-7 meters, but the position on the map was 50m off, or more. Many times, the GPS continued to advance in the original direction after I stopped or changed direction. Sometimes there was some fixed offset, which stayed the same for 15 minutes.
Or I had a usable fix for a while, then I paused GPS just for a minute, and next try again took very, very long, even with a fresh AGPS download.
And all those problems under clear sky!
I tried many suggestions I found, but nothing really helped.
Then I upgraded to the 20140609-211642 ROM and first didn't notice a difference for some days (but didn't make methodic tests, and didn't use GPS much) and tried some of the suggested fixes again.
I also read about a hardware fix with some photos. I opened my back cover, just to see if my GPS antenna looked the same. I pressed the antenna down with my finger.
Then I noticed my GPS became really good! For a week I really enjoyed usable GPS and was very happy.
I thought it could be bad electric connection of the antenna to the mainboard, which was improved by pressing it down. But now I think it is not related:
After that week I got aware of the trojans in that ROM and restored a backup from before. Back to the April ROM, my GPS was immediately as bad as before! - pressing down the antenna didn't help again.
This unusable GPS annoyed me a lot last weeks and yesterday I decided to try the BORX ROM, but before I started a short test by restoring the 0609 backup where it all worked so well. I didn't have the time to really test (and I'm afraid of enabling internet - of course the 2 trojans are removed, but who knows what else is in there?). But it really looks like it is much better again! (First fix took really long without AGPS, of course, but then it was accurate, and also next tries, hours later, were fast.)
The problem is, I don't know exactly what I did, and don't have much time for experiments. So I don't know if it's just the newer ROM, or other changes. Can someone tell me what config or other files to compare between the 2 backups? I can also post them here.
Alex
My points and observations (I've tried 3-4 different 4.2.2 ROMs and 2-3 different 4.4.2 ROMs).
- GPS for me was about the same regarding its accuracy
- fix time also about the same, a few seconds up to a minute on the clear sky, a few minutes up to "give up" in the woods/buildings
- every ROM had a 1 hour difference bug between GPS reported time and the actual local time
- almost every time accuracy reported by GPS Test is very good (~4-10m)... the real one is much worse, I can confirm what Alex1a noticed. Also, what is really strange, my wife's Galaxy S4 Mini GPS Test accuracy (Snapdragon with Glonass) is significantly worse, yet there is no navigation and positioning issues
- some apps (Google Maps as example) have an arrow pointing your movement direction... this is usualy different than the real direction. Even the map is not rotated well.
I've sent a few emails to the Jiayu people I've found on some official website... but there was no response at all. I know that there is quite a strong community in Spain (Jiayu.es) and in Russia (4pda.ru). I'd also appreciate if anyone native tries to speak to these people regarding our GPS issues.
The good word is, that the GPS works I've done ~1000km over the last weekend and G4S led me to the places I needed. I've used Sygic, that in my opinion has better algorithms handling bad GPS signal. It also shows a nice line to the planned road, when the GPS signal puts you in the adjacent forrest The problem for me is, that the navigation can become frustrating, nervous and annoying. Especially when you have a lot of small and close roads/turns or you need to use it very quickly from the time you start the app.
I am trying to play ingress (a gps game) and half of the time it is unplayable. Ingress also often just quits/crashes without notice, and I think it is because it detects my gps as a fake gps for cheating
When that happened, I restart ingress immediately and sometimes it took more than 5 minutes to get a fix again, even though it worked seconds before.
With 0609 this was much better during that week.
I'm still on 20140609-211642 and GPS is really usable - much better compared to 0410, even inside a building, where 0410 could run hours without getting a fix! Please tell me what to compare between the two backups, to find out what setting makes this difference!
I am not sure, but I think I used MT GPS and faster GPS on both ROMs. Let's find out.
In the EngineeMode I saw some automated tests, and I am willing to do them with both ROMs - if someone exactly tells me how. I am too busy to find out myself...
Alex1a, could you quantify "really usable" when on 20140609-211642 ROM? How long does first fix last (in the streets), and do you have accuracy problems where GPS puts you on a nearby road by mistake?
I'm sorry I can't help more at the moment, I'm still holding off from buying this phone, but GPS is the only real issue I have with it, if I knew it would work correctly I'd get it right away, but everywhere I read problem is the same and since this is one of 2 reasons why I'm changing my current phone it's really important to me that it works fine
[EDIT 2014-Aug-06]
Here is one feedback, anyone else?
srkonus said:
Yesterday i tested GPS with the TeamForce v2 ROM and had no problems. Accurancy of 11 feet - 10 minutes later i wanted to navigate and the phone got no fix.
Navigon and GPS-Test shows nothing and it was not possible to get a fix. So i installed the TeamForce Android L ROM and for now everything seems to be okay again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LuxZg said:
Alex1a, could you quantify "really usable" when on 20140609-211642 ROM? How long does first fix last (in the streets), and do you have accuracy problems where GPS puts you on a nearby road by mistake?
I'm sorry I can't help more at the moment, I'm still holding off from buying this phone, but GPS is the only real issue I have with it, if I knew it would work correctly I'd get it right away, but everywhere I read problem is the same and since this is one of 2 reasons why I'm changing my current phone it's really important to me that it works fine
[EDIT 2014-Aug-06]
Here is one feedback, anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the GPS today again under heavy enviroment (inside a building, many metal around) and i got a fix on the window. In use was the TeamForce Kitkat Android L style without any changed (GPS location/time server is spain, i am sitting in germany). I have the feeling that i had only problems if i change it to germany.
The GPS on my old Samsung Galaxy S is more better but the G4S is enough for my use (tracking of running, car navigiation).
srkonus said:
I tried the GPS today again under heavy enviroment (inside a building, many metal around) and i got a fix on the window. In use was the TeamForce Kitkat Android L style without any changed (GPS location/time server is spain, i am sitting in germany). I have the feeling that i had only problems if i change it to germany.
The GPS on my old Samsung Galaxy S is more better but the G4S is enough for my use (tracking of running, car navigiation).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback, looks like this is it.. If you get a chance to test it on road (car navigation or tracking), just to see if you get any issues with "signal lost" or being put on the wrong road / in the fields beside roads and similar that would be great as well, but I'm thankfull for this much as well as it sounds as good news for all owners (and future owners )
LuxZg said:
Alex1a, could you quantify "really usable" when on 20140609-211642 ROM? How long does first fix last (in the streets), and do you have accuracy problems where GPS puts you on a nearby road by mistake?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hard to quantify - I was really happy most of the time in the last weeks. First fix after long time of no use felt a bit long, something like 1-2 minutes, but then "real" accuracy was good and especially getting a new fix after some minutes of standby, was 5-10 seconds, I would say. With the older ROM, it sometimes took 5-10 minutes, even after only seconds of stopped gps.
BUT! yesterday, still on the same rom, I did a bicycle trip. first fix took more than 5 minutes, that was annoying. Then I recorded a track for about an hour. The track was quite accurate and looked good. Then I stopped the tracking and GPS. Only 20 minutes later, under free sky, I didn't get a new fix, no matter what I tried. Some time later, after some reboots it worked again, but was very inaccurate...
srkonus said:
I tried the GPS today again under heavy enviroment (inside a building, many metal around) and i got a fix on the window. In use was the TeamForce Kitkat Android L style without any changed (GPS location/time server is spain, i am sitting in germany). I have the feeling that i had only problems if i change it to germany.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean the time server set by "faster GPS" app? I tried that and rebooted, but no positive effect. I'm in germany, too.
Just ordered the phone, when it arrives I'll do as many tests as I can.
In the meantime - I'm assuming you did all this because I've seen this (and similar) solutions all over the forums and YouTube, but let me propose it just the same:
Code:
What you need is Mobileuncle mtk tools,root explorer,gps test download them from play store.
THIS SHOULD BE DONE OUTDOORS.
1. Turn GPS off on your phone.
2. Open Root Explorer and find the mtkgps.dat file in /data or /data/misc
3. Delete mtkgps.dat
4. Reboot phone
5. Open Mobileuncle Tools
6. Tap on 'Engineer Mode'
7. Tap on 'Engineer Mode (MTK)'
8. Scroll across to 'Location'
9. Tap on 'Location Based Service'
10. Tap on 'AGPS' and then make sure 'A-GPS On/Off' is checked
11. Tap on 'EPO' and then make sure 'Enable EPO' is checked
12. Swipe down (notification bar) and turn GPS on
13. Hit back and then tap 'YGPS'
14. Wait until you get position lock (mine took about 6 seconds).
15. This process should create a new mtkgps.dat file.
16. Hit home button and open GPS Test.
17. You should get a position lock reasonably quickly.
Also setting /etc/gps.conf (with any root-supporting text editor) manually to settings such as these:
Code:
NTP_SERVER=europe.pool.ntp.org
XTRA_SERVER_1=http://xtra1.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
XTRA_SERVER_2=http://xtra2.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
XTRA_SERVER_3=http://xtra3.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
INTERMEDIATE_POS=1
ACCURACY_THRES=5000
SUPL_HOST=supl.google.com
SUPL_PORT=7275
SUPL_TLS_HOST=supl.google.com
SUPL_TLS_CERT=/etc/SuplRootCert
PHONE_TYPE=UMTS
(instead of europe in first line you can modify according to lists on this website: http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/@ )
EDIT: On my old (current) phone, I also have these issues with GPS, and doing above helped a lot, but it seems that I need to repeat some of the steps from time to time. Interesting thing is the delete of mtkgps.dat, sometimes it's enough to turn GPS off, delete it, and turn it back on and go to YGPS to renew the positions, and it works in <10 seconds. We'll see if Jiayu has same or better/worse track record.
Rom: G4SW 20140609-150354
I've installed a new ROM yesterday. Well it's not new, but I haven't met it before.
It is a stock ROM but modified by Jiayu Poland. So it is official one, but nicely cleaned from Chinese apps, keyboard is normal, no troyans... a nice worldwide multi language official ROM that you can use "out of the box".
But what impress' me the most is the GPS. It's the best one I've ever met on Jiayu G4S! This one really works for me! At least at the moment I don't know if it is because it's a fresh installation or the GPS is set for my part of the world. The facts is that the GPS fixes within seconds without 3G and I can get a fix even inside the building. What is more it is the first ROM that the arrow directing my position is aligned properly and it moves exactly as I turn around with the phone.
I've made a simple point to point navigation today morning. A few times it still put me on the adjacent road... but it is still WAY better experience than before. My cursor used to stop when I stopped... that did not happen before, it was always living it's own life
So please give it a try yourself and let me know if I'm dreaming or this one actually works. This is 4.2.2 for Jiayu G4S 2GB/16GB:
http://jiayupolska.pl/download/rom/G4S_20140609-150354_[jiayupolska_PL].zip
Thanks for the info, I just got a new G4S and will try this soon, as GPS is important to me, and I sure don't need trojans and chinese apps
Could you just tell me one thing, does this ROM still have Caller ID bug or is that one fixed as well?
Hmm... hard to tell as I've never experienced that problem. An easy way (step by step) to check that?
Do you get SMS threads for contacts separated because of numebers (not) starting with country code, does your phone show who's calling correctly, etc? But we'll be offtopic here, perhaps just edit your post in the "main" G4S thread
EDIT: Just came back home, downloading it, and erasing original system to factory settings.. will be there soon myself to check GPS, but I won't have SIM in it for a day or so..
EDIT2: installed, got GPS fix in 10 seconds from window, which is good, but I had WiFi running. I'll install iGO soon, and check on the road next day or two
Jiayu's GPS.
In many roms that problem is now fixed. MTK chips normally do not usually behave very well with their gps. But Jiayu suffers a lot from this lack. That is solved by changing a line system / etc / agps_profiles_conf.xml roaming on the file.
roaming = "yes"
And the application of Google Play "FasterGPS" help position quite quickly.
Only then the terminal has no problem to download the epo file and position well satellites.
Greetings.
Sorry, but that's just theory. In practice people claim that GPS is fixed in thier ROM but it did not work for me. GPS I mean not only the fix time but also accuracy.
Apart of the ROMs I've tried a few additional apps and fixes... with not much improvement.
The ROM quoted by me it's the first one that GPS works out of the box, without any additional fixes and apps and on GPS antenna only (no AGPS at all).
If anyone do some GPS navigation tests please try both with mobile network assistance (AGPS) and without it.
I'm not sure if I'm right, but I have a feeling that with a ROM from post #11 the navigation apps work better without that assistance, with the GPS antenna only.
A few days now and I'm still amazed with that ROM regarding the GPS usage. Anyone unsure I recommend to give it a try
Doman said:
I've installed a new ROM yesterday. Well it's not new, but I haven't met it before.
It is a stock ROM but modified by Jiayu Poland. So it is official one, but nicely cleaned from Chinese apps, keyboard is normal, no troyans... a nice worldwide multi language official ROM that you can use "out of the box".
But what impress' me the most is the GPS. It's the best one I've ever met on Jiayu G4S! This one really works for me! At least at the moment I don't know if it is because it's a fresh installation or the GPS is set for my part of the world. The facts is that the GPS fixes within seconds without 3G and I can get a fix even inside the building. What is more it is the first ROM that the arrow directing my position is aligned properly and it moves exactly as I turn around with the phone.
I've made a simple point to point navigation today morning. A few times it still put me on the adjacent road... but it is still WAY better experience than before. My cursor used to stop when I stopped... that did not happen before, it was always living it's own life
So please give it a try yourself and let me know if I'm dreaming or this one actually works. This is 4.2.2 for Jiayu G4S 2GB/16GB:
http://jiayupolska.pl/download/rom/G4S_20140609-150354_[jiayupolska_PL].zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
Good News.
Can you install Xposed and gravitybox in this ROM?
Roms with GPS fixed.
Hello everyone! Apart from the many roms (and very good all) that ye can download, there is a website where there for our G4S and the G3S. androidteamforce.es
I say this because there all roms have fixed the gps well and are very stable. And even more so those in kitchen. If you want to try, you know (are also in needrom). While development is Spanish, the website is translated into English as well.We recommend them! I'm using the AOSP v2 with fixes memory and root, and I'm doing everything works perfectly, even Titanium. The GPS usually takes me ten radars detected, seven or eight. A marvel.
A greeting.
Doman said:
If anyone do some GPS navigation tests please try both with mobile network assistance (AGPS) and without it.
I'm not sure if I'm right, but I have a feeling that with a ROM from post #11 the navigation apps work better without that assistance, with the GPS antenna only.
A few days now and I'm still amazed with that ROM regarding the GPS usage. Anyone unsure I recommend to give it a try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... now I'm not sure if I'm seeing things either, but you could be right. It took me few days to transfer 100% to new phone so I was testing it on and off. Always with WIFI/3G turned on. While I got fix quickly, precision was a bit off, well.. up to 40-50 meters sometimes, enough to cause problems.
Today on my way from work I've turned on tracking, was still for a minute or so, and than started ride on a bike. Than minute or so later I remembered your advice, and turned off all data (Wi-Fi/3G) and continued. Now I'm looking at a chart, and first part of the ride looks terrible, like I was a crazy bug flying all over the place (with speeds up to 80km/h), and than suddenly I'm straight on course, with normal data being recorded and all the way to the finish line. From the tracking side, first 3,5 minutes I was off by soooo much, but from then on I had a positional error of margin of about 5 meters, no more (other side of the road etc.), and kept on going like that for 14 more minutes.
Since I'm biking a lot, well, when it's not raining, I'll do some more tracking, and I'll track test routes with car as well. I'll try not to use WIFI/3G at all during tracking, and we'll see if data will be consistent. I know that GPS on this ROM isn't perfect, as can be seen from todays 80km/h data and some extra 2km while I was mostly standing, but let's see if indeed data is being a culprit for GPS errors. Who knows, maybe the same way as Bluetooth interferes with Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi Display, maybe Wi-Fi and/or 3G causes malfunctions in GPS data, or somehow chip uses Wi-Fi positioning in addition to GPS causing it to add wider errors. We'll see, so far this is just a theoretic thing, I'm waiting for at least 4-5 good rides till I'm satisfied

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