Does GPS ever just 'go bad'?

[sfhub]

Originally Posted by mira2000

I had the same issue with the GPS. I installed the original HTC Rom for the TP http://www.htc.com/us/SupportDownload.aspx?p_id=195&cat=2&dl_id=683 and then re-installed EnergyROM and it is working perfect. My last QuickGPS update was 23 hrs ago

Unless you have a really new Touch Pro, the ROM on the HTC site wasn't your stock ROM. That was the semi-silent update Sprint put out about a month ago. It includes the 1.12.34F Radio that people on this thread have been saying is one way to workaround the problem.

It is likely what resolved your problem was actually the new radio. I mention this because when you say "original" ROM, for most people it means something else.

[swlaraut]

Originally Posted by sfhub

It is likely what resolved your problem was actually the new radio. I mention this because when you say "original" ROM, for most people it means something else.

Actually for me going original did not work. I am with USCC and have a copy of the original shipped rom, not the one from the HTC site. Anyway it did not solve the problem, nor did a couple of other radios. It was recommended that I use Sprint 1.12.34f and that solved the problem. I have tried going to other radios since and the problem returns. I have not tried after the DST change so who knows.

[sfhub]

To summarize:
Many people are having problems with their GPS since 10/28/09.

Some symptoms of the problem include the phone crashing and rebooting, the GPS getting lock momentarily then losing it, phone freezing up, no data coming from the GPS COM port, and no GPS device available.

This has been seen across carriers (Verizon, Sprint, USCC, Bell Canada, etc.)
This has been seen across different models and manufacturers (HTC Touch Pro, HTC Touch Diamond, Palm Treo Pro)

Cause
The problem has been partially narrowed down to the data downloaded by the "QuickGPS" app which downloads from the Internet a package of data which helps the GPS obtain a lock faster.

From around 10/28/09 and afterwards the data downloaded by QuickGPS seems to be causing or interacting with the radio causing the symptoms above. Some people theorize this might have something to do with DST but this has not been conclusively verified.

Workarounds:
1) If you are using *Touch Pro*, use the latest Sprint Touch Pro Radio, v1.12.34F (Not sure if the radio would work on Touch Diamond and very likely would brick Palm Treo Pro) This can be downloaded here:

Thread: http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=74422
Direct: http://dcd1182.n715dp.com/index.php?...o+1.12.34F.exe

This is a self-contained installer which will update your Radio over the USB cable. If you have an unlocked phone and want to update your Radio via SD card method you can open up the .exe in 7-zip and extract RAPHIMG.nbh and update as you would any ROM update.

2) Use an earlier copy of the QuickGPS data set which doesn't exhibit the problem

Thread: http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread...60#post1278260
Direct: http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/attachment...3&d=1256910087

psiphi was nice enough to post an earlier copy of the QuickGPS data set which doesn't exhibit the GPS problem. This is the xtra.bin file for QuickGPS 1.0 installations. Newer versions of QuickGPS use "packedEphemeris.ee". That might be just a renaming of xtra.bin or could be a different file format.
To use this workaround

a) start QuickGPS and disable automatic downloads
b) extract the xtra.bin from the above .zip
c) update the date on xtra.bin to today's date using your favorite file manager or equivalent technique
if you don't have one, you can use your PC and filetouch.exe for DOS available here: http://www.softtreetech.com/24x7/archive/47.htm
d) copy the date-modified xtra.bin to your phone, replacing the *two* existing files, \windows\xtra.bin and \temp\xtra.bin
e) reboot your phone

3) If you have a Sprint Touch Pro and don't mind reinstalling everything, you can install the updated Sprint 2.01.651.6 ROM.

This will automatically update your Radio to 1.12.34F. Please note, this will install an updated OS/ROM as well so you will need to reinstall your apps.

This ROM update is available on the HTC site here:
http://www.htc.com/us/SupportDownloa...at=2&dl_id=683

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by fnakfhe

your right.

it works now.

before i just copyed the file over, and it kept the same date as the original poster's date.

but you have to use todays date.

so i just used NOTEPAD.EXE and opened the file then save it again,

this re-save caused the CREATION date of the file to be todays date, and now it works.


save to \windows and \temp

You're lucky. Don't use NOTEPAD it will corrupt the file (Both XP and Win 7).

To safely trigger the date change without changing contents.

Open a DOS Window (Command Prompt) and CD to where you have the file then just type

copy xtra.bin+,,

That will basically copy a NEW file to itself and change the date.
Then copy it down to \Windows and \Temp on your phone.

[fnakfhe]

Originally Posted by mswlogo

You're lucky. Don't use NOTEPAD it will corrupt the file (Both XP and Win 7).

To safely trigger the date change without changing contents.

Open a DOS Window (Command Prompt) and CD to where you have the file then just type

copy xtra.bin+,,

That will basically copy a NEW file to itself and change the date.
Then copy it down to \Windows and \Temp on your phone.

i was useing windows 7,

that version of notepad.exe has a ENCODING option, just set it to ANSI and not unicode or unicode bigendion or utf8 cuz that will kill it for sure. (i think)

but that ULTRA EDIT text editor is free to download form google.com

[fnakfhe]

Originally Posted by mira2000

I had the same issue with the GPS. I installed the original HTC Rom for the TP http://www.htc.com/us/SupportDownloa...at=2&dl_id=683 and then re-installed EnergyROM and it is working perfect. My last QuickGPS update was 23 hrs ago

could your ROM that you flash include a RADIO update?

im on bell and all updates like jucy and ENERGY and PSY rom flash never come with RADIO included.

maybe cuz your useing the spring orignal ROM it could be doing your radio too ??

[fnakfhe]

Originally Posted by sparhawk6

Having the same issue. I'm on MightyRom4, Radio 1.11.00F. I'll try re-flashing the radio tonight.

dont bother with radio flash, just copy the file over.

[tware]

just adding to the statistics, new HTC Pure on ATT also stopped locking over the weekend. old bin copied to temp and windows also fixed my problem.

I'm really quite surprised this topic hasnt popped up in more places, like att forums.

I can also confirm a coworker's pantech pro also stopped locking after quickgps data refresh... which really sucked from him because he was hiking, got signal long enough for quickgps to refresh on Saturday... then no gps. doh!

[fenixjn]

I can confirm: Reflashing a radio fixed my GPS. I'm not using QGPS anymore.

[Deadpool14]

I to have had this problem and swapping out the xtra.bin worked on the 23081 build of the Energy Rom and it seems to have fixed the problem. I guess still no word from HTC about this mess?