Sprint still having GPS problems? Try this!

dew.man · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 07:54 AM

While the Alltel rom did enable GPS for me, I had a very long wait for a lock, the gps would stop working if the phone went to sleep, and it was generally unreliable (sometimes I'd have to do 3 resets to get it to lock).

After installing the leaked rom, I let the customizations run, and gps started working much better. Over the weekend, I played with different roms I had cooked up, and eventually decided to go back to the stock rom. Upon flashing back, I proceeded to reset before customizations and install my apps just as I always have with most of my devices. I then found that the gps was not working nearly as well as I had remembered.

This is when I ran across a suggestion that made all the difference for me: run the ppst.exe file in the windows folder. Supposedly, it sets some flag in the radio.

After doing a clean leaked rom install without customizations, making the gpsmode=4 registry change, and having run the ppst app, I now get consistent locks with an average wait of about 20 seconds and the device continues to work great without any resets (knock on wood)...

**mindfrost82** · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dew.man

While the Alltel rom did enable GPS for me, I had a very long wait for a lock, the gps would stop working if the phone went to sleep, and it was generally unreliable (sometimes I'd have to do 3 resets to get it to lock).

After installing the leaked rom, I let the customizations run, and gps started working much better. Over the weekend, I played with different roms I had cooked up, and eventually decided to go back to the stock rom. Upon flashing back, I proceeded to reset before customizations and install my apps just as I always have with most of my devices. I then found that the gps was not working nearly as well as I had remembered.

This is when I ran across a suggestion that made all the difference for me: run the ppst.exe file in the windows folder. Supposedly, it sets some flag in the radio.

After doing a clean leaked rom install without customizations, making the gpsmode=4 registry change, and having run the ppst app, I now get consistent locks with an average wait of about 20 seconds and the device continues to work great without any resets (knock on wood)...

I let the customizations run and it ran the PPST.exe file for me. I still don't usually get locks indoors (unless its a warm start), but its been working pretty good outside.

dew.man · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindfrost82

I let the customizations run and it ran the PPST.exe file for me. I still don't usually get locks indoors (unless its a warm start), but its been working pretty good outside.

You can't use indoor locks as a measuring stick, as building construction can greatly effect reception.

For example: at my home and in my car, I get very quick locks - average about 20 seconds, and a cold fix this morning took under a minute. In my office building, however, I can go in the hallway, and sometimes get a lock while other times nothing, and in my office, I have never gotten a lock with any gps receiver.

So the important thing when evaluating gps changes/fixes/performance, is that your tests be consistent. WAY too many users have to wait 10 minutes for a first fix, make a registry change, and then exclaim miraculous improvements when the subsequent fix only takes 10 seconds.

I try to base my observations on (somewhat) prolonged use under similar conditions with repeatability being key, and ppst seems to have made a huge difference.

UltramanV · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 08:28 AM

I have the same results as DewMan .. I did exactly what he said and I cant count to 20 b4 the GPS locks on . And over all my radio reception is greater.. i get bars in areas where i never did b4...

specv · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 08:31 AM

There is no absolute answer. I am running the OEM rom and didnt add the viser.dll file. I did not let the customization run and im getting consistent locks very quickly 20-30 seconds.

Im glad you are trying to help but everyone seems to be looking for the ultimate solution that just doesnt exist.

dew.man · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specv

Im glad you are trying to help but everyone seems to be looking for the ultimate solution that just doesnt exist.

Speak for yourself. I wanted my gps to be usable and until this, no matter what I did, it would never get a lock when I needed it. I'd be in the car, fire up TomTom, and then soft-reset three times over 10-20 minutes trying to get a lock. Hardly a usable solution.

I now can run TomTom and get a lock before I pull out of the driveway. "Ultimate" may not be the word for it, but definitely much better than before, and now very usefull.

Besides, as my title says: "try this." Who knows, maybe at least one person can benefit by running the ppst.exe which would make this thread worthwhile.

Thanks for you constructive input, though...

**clockcycle** · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindfrost82

I let the customizations run and it ran the PPST.exe file for me. I still don't usually get locks indoors (unless its a warm start), but its been working pretty good outside.

You have to re-run PPST.EXE after it reboots. Check to make sure you have PRI 2.03_003.

-CC

**mindfrost82** · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockcycle

You have to re-run PPST.EXE after it reboots. Check to make sure you have PRI 2.03_003.

-CC

I do now, not sure what I had before I ran PPST since I didn't check.

dutchman71 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 02:27 PM

Not sure what mine was either. I know when I first flashed the leaked version it hung on PPST. I then did another Hard reset and it sat on PPST for a long time before it moved on with the other customizations. I wonder if it didn't really run right the first time or second time I let it run the customizations...

So far everything has worked all day... Let's hope it stays that way but it sure looks promising...

johnnymac · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dew.man

After doing a clean leaked rom install without customizations, making the gpsmode=4 registry change, and having run the ppst app, I now get consistent locks with an average wait of about 20 seconds and the device continues to work great without any resets (knock on wood)...

What is the gpsmode=4 registry change? What does it do?