GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

I'm hoping someone can help with this. I am having trouble getting GPS working without using a data connection.

A little over a year ago I got GPS working. I'm not sure what I did that finally worked. I did everything from registry edits to driver installs to swapping WM libraries. I also believe I have been using one of OMJ's ROMs this whole time. I can't remember. I've been using TomTom 6 with fair success.

This week I finally decided to update my year+ old ROM. Now I can't seem to get GPS working again.


Here's what I've done:

First, I installed the official Verizon update, letting customizations run with the Valhalla Legends GPSServer:
RUU_Vogue_VZW_WWE_3.14.605.1_Radio_3.37.78_Ship.exe

I later discovered that the official 3.37.78 radio release changes the lockdown on GPS so it no longer works. So I followed the steps here:
http://wiki.ppchaven.com/index.php?t...IX_VERIZON_GPS

After installing the Verizon leaked 3.37.77 release (no customization), I installed the Bell update (for the radio, no customization):
RUU_Vogue_BM_WWE_3.09.666.1_Radio3.42.50_Ship.exe
Then, I tried:
NFSFAN's VERIZON 1.12 ROM.rar

I followed the top part of the guide here:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index...VerizonAGPSFix
My phone was automatically signing into data and it didn't work anyway. So, I tried using QPST with the following settings instead:
PDE Transport: DBM
Position Calculation: PDE

I also tried Position Calculation "Mobile".

I tried changing the GPSMode registry to "1" (MS Based?)

I tried Valhalla again, even though that shouldn't work; it didn't.

I repeated the steps here:
http://wiki.ppchaven.com/index.php?t...IX_VERIZON_GPS

This time I stayed with the Verizon 3.37.77 release without customizations. I expected the non-Valhalla method to work. I tried all the same methods mentioned above (QPST/Registry/Valhalla) but none of them work.

I'm considering reinstalling the leaked Verizon 3.37.77 radio release WITH customizations in combination with the Valhalla method. Won't this screw up installing 3rd party ROMs?

After a thousand soft resets, I've been using TomTom and HTC GPS Tool to verify connectivity. TomTom says "No GPS Device" and HTC GPS Tool says "Fix not available".


At this point, I'm so f'n annoyed that I've wasted so much personal time on this. I swear when my contract is up I'm switching to a GSM network. I love Verizon's coverage but I'm sick of these games where Verizon (and Sprint) try to force users to pay for services they don't want or need by crippling the phones.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

I feel your pain. From what I have read, if you let customizations run then you are basically screwed. My phone came with WM6 loaded. I unlocked it with 2.31 & then flashed the leaked Verizon Rom & radio. I never let customizations run with the original ROM or the leaked one. The GPS did work I was able to get a fix using the HTC GPS Viewer. It took quite a while to get a fix though. I tried the AGPS fix & encountered the same problem as you.

At this point I decided to flash the official rom. I did the registry edit.

Registry Edit:
HLKM/Software/HTC/SUPL AGPS:
Registry Key name value
EnableAGPS: 1
EnableGPSSmartMode: 1
GPSMode: 4

After this I was getting locks a lot faster but still having issues with TomTom. The I found this thread over at XDA-Developers.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=363464

Even after this the GPS would not work after my phone went to suspend mode. I lived with it for a few days & decided to flash a custom ROM. I flashed NFSFAN's Verizon ROM & let the customizations run. Now the GPS work flawlessly. People seem to have mixed success & I cannot explain it. I never let customizations run until I flashed NFSFAN's Verizon ROM

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

I think the first lock after a flash always takes a long time, after that it can assume many things so the lock becomes faster. I have Sprint so YMMV.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Follow this exactly, it will fix your gps even if you accidentally let the customizations run.

http://wiki.ppchaven.com/index.php?t...IX_VERIZON_GPS

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

X20000000000000

it worked for me and now i'm running nfsfans 1.12 rom with gps fully functioning =D

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

I'm having issues too. I upgraded to the VZW 6.1 update and let customizations run. Then I unlocked it with 2.31 then did the Bell Update for Radio without Customizations then NFS ROM. Should it work or do I have to do what the link (http://wiki.ppchaven.com/index.php?t...IX_VERIZON_GPS) says?

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Did you use the radio from the leaked rom 3.37.77 or the radio from the official rom 3.37.78? I am having the same problems as you. Also, did you have to authenticate your phone after following this tutorial?

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

You will most likely have to authenicate your phone after flashing another carries ROM.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Hey, thanks for all the replies. I had to take a break from messing with my phone as it was starting to affect my temperament. ](*,)

Just to clarify, one of my problems is that all of the tutorials and information out there assume the user has a data plan. The instructions configure the phone for IP based aGPS. I can't use that. I also know it works without data as I had it working before.

To be honest, I'm having a hard time finding reliable information beyond what's in the tutorials. I'm a member here, at xda-developers, at PPC Haven, and at Howard Forums so I have been looking.

Basically, here are a couple things I'm trying to understand/confirm:

If you run the Verizon MR1 leaked ROM (with 3.37.77 radio) with customizations you must use the Valhalla Legends GPSServer; even if you install a custom ROM later, correct? Or will it not work with custom ROMs after that? Is this because the customization changes the PRI perhaps? I currently have the 3.37.77 radio ROM with 1.37_002 PRI (no customization run); does that sound right?

If you install the Verizon MR1 ROM (with 3.37.78 radio) and let customizations run, there is no way to get GPS working. You must follow the downgrade proceedure to fix it. However, you can install this ROM if you do NOT let customizations run, correct?

Can anyone explain how the Valhalla Legends GPSServer works? I know it replaces the GPS driver to decrypt Verizon’s customized hardware communication with the gpsOne chip. But does it only support IP-based aGPS hardware calls or does it support all driver routines?

If you install any of the official Verizon ROMs without customizations, you need to follow the longer method (use QPST and registry settings provided in "GC Verizon aGPS.cab"). The same instructions apply if you install a custom ROM later. I've read mixed instructions on whether to use the registry settings or not and which settings to use.

Now within QPST, I have can choose position determination entity or "Mobile". What is "Mobile"? …Tower triangulation? I assume the "PDE Transport" option only applies if I set position calculation to PDE. How does data burst messaging work? I would just like to figure out what setting I should use for non-data.

In the registry I can choose GPSMode 1 for no assistance (no aGPS at all?), 2 for server assistance (IP/data based?), or 4 for hybrid which is satellite and… (IP/data or tower based)? I swear I remember reading something about EnableGPSSmartMode using data but now I can't remember or find it. What does that option do?

Lastly, regardless of QPST and the registry options, I expect I should at least see "no valid GPS signal" instead of "no GPS device" in TomTom. I expect similar in HTC GPS Tool instead of "fix not available". I used to prime my GPS with a launcher but it's my understanding that it's not needed anymore.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

First the RUU_Vogue_VZW_WWE_3.14.605.1_Radio_3.37.78_Ship.exe does not lock the ROM as long as you DO NOT LET THE CUSTOMIZATIONS RUN. I have proven this. I was able to obtain GPS locks with Holux GPS viewer without any hacks or fixes. The GPS didn't work great because it took minutes to lock. I would have to soft rest every time I wanted to use it.

Make sure GPS registry settings afterwards are on in HLKM/Software/HTC/SUPL AGPS:
Registry Key name
value
EnableAGPS
1
EnableGPSSmartMode
1
GPSMode
4
ServerIP
66.174.95.132
ServerPort
8888


This was the only thing that I did.

In order to get TomTom to work I used this fix.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=363464

I still had to soft reset every time I wanted to use TomTom because the GPS would not lock after my phone had been off.

I had the same problem with the AGPS fix where the data connection turned on. I went through the process even though I wasn't seeing the same ports the directions showed. I went back in later & restored the old configuration that was saved at the beginning to resolve that issue.

I then flashed NFSFAN's Verizon ROM & now my GPS work flawlessly without any hacks or fixes.

If all else fail I would try the fix posted over at PPC Haven.
http://wiki.ppchaven.com/index.php?title=Pocket_PC_WIki:FIX_VERIZON_GPS

After step 4 see if you can get a GPS lock with HTC GPS viewer or the Holux viewer. I you can then flash NFSFAN's ROM & don't worry about the AGPS fix.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

This is confirmed using both mine and my wife's XV6900 with data blocked on my wife's phone:

Verizon official 3.37.78 or leaked 3.37.77, customization or no customization, Valhalla

Change the registry setting in Valhalla GPSServer as follows:

HKLM\Software\Valhalla Legends\GPSServer\Mode=0, then soft reset.

This one disables the AGPS mode to use the GPS standalone mode. So no data plan is necessary. The lock is not as fast as agps but still locks in 2 min in cold start in open ground. The satellite number is not as many either, but still OK to get Google Maps and iGuidance working.

If it doesn't lock sometimes, just soft reset the phone.

Thanks Thenikonian for the great tips!

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Nothing new, we already told you that you didn't need a data plan for the GPS to work & why would you? That is the whole point of having it unlocked.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

You are right. But I never realized it was that simple until yesterday and this was also the first time I saw such change in the registry.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

I don't know about you guys, but I still can't seem to get it to work. I've got the 3.37.77 radio, flashed on nfsfan's rom, did the valhalla fix (and changed the registry to gps only), did the qpst fix, and I still can't get it to work. :(

I really hate to sound like such a newb but I feel like I've tried just about everything I've found without luck.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

I don't think you should have to do the valhalla fix with NFSFAN's ROM. Did you have the GPS working before you flashed his ROM? I had the GPS on my Vogue working with both the leak & offical Verizon Rom's but I never let the customizations run. The only reason you would need to use the valhalla fix is if you ran the customizations.

It seems like fuctionality of the GPS' on these phones is spotty. The GPS on my Vogue has always worked with hardly an hacks or fixes but I never let the customizatios run. My phone is also unlocked. Try the 2 links below.

http://wiki.ppchaven.com/index.php?t...IX_VERIZON_GPS

http://www.atwistedweb.com/xv6900/index.html

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

I can tell you all first hand here for whatever reason on a stock rom TomTom takes a dump, Garmon mobile xt works great. Any time I ran a custom rom Tom Tom worked out fine.

RD

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

TomTom worked on mine with the stock ROM but there was a problem. After turning the phone off or if it went to suspend mode I would have top soft rest everytime which wasn't a big deal. NFSFAN's Rom did take care of this issue for me.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

what program are you ppl using to get the maps? google maps for what?

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

How do you prevent customizations from running? Soft reset before it starts? But then won't it try it again the next time you reboot?

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

yeah, just soft reset before they run.. it won't try it afterwards

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Stevens, I just ordered a xv6900 and am planning to put a data block. What was your wife's exact setup? 3.37.78 or leaked 3.37.77, customization or no customization? I saw you had 3.37.78 customization but I'm not sure if you have a data plan. So I just wanted to copy your wife's setup so there's no problems. Thanks!

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

what radio do you guys generally recommend? right now im using 3.42.30 and while phonecalls have been good i havent actually been able to get a gps lock yet, very hit and miss with finding sats, no locks yet, any ideas and radio that will work good for me on VZW in nyc?

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Don't you need a data plan to get the maps? If so it totally defeats the "gps without data" in the first place, unless there is alternative software????

MR4,

As I understand it, as long as you have a gps capable radio you should be good. I don't think one is preferred over another one.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

i was wondering because my radio is VERY glitchy with current radio on gps flashing multiple sats for a split second then going back to one or two or almost locking then making them all disapear , i wanted to try and flash something else cuz i beleive the one i used was from a sprint rom, im going to end up trying it again today using a vzw rom/radio then making my own again

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

3.37.78 with customization.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

I'm using iGuidance installed in my 6900, so I don't need the data plan. If you're using Google Maps or Live Search, then yes you'll need data plan to download the maps.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Stevens,

I installed official Verizon Windows Mobile 6.1 update with Radio 3.37.78 and customization from
http://www.pcdphones.com/downloads/X...grade_file.zip
Device information shows ROM 3.14.605.1, ROM date 10/3/08, Radio 3.37.78, PRL 51344, PRI 2.03_002

I installed "Valhalla Legends GPSServer.cab" I found on the web and changed HKLM\Software\Valhalla Legends\GPSServer\Mode=0

I installed iGuidance v4.0 onto the phone and put my maps on MicroSD. I did autodetect GPS to Comm4/Baud4800. Not sure what to do now? Is it suppose to automatically get a GPS signal and my location? I manually entered my location and a destination, and I get "Waiting for GPS Signal." Nothing after that.

The phone is activated on Verizon with Data Block.

Any ideas on why I can't get a GPS signal? Is there a way to test/confirm it working? Did you need to change any other settings like COM, LOCATION (911 only?), registry keys? Any help appreciated. If anything, I may just start all over.

I saw you posted a link to http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread...1493&page=6#59. but it looks like it's instructions to fix aGPS not GPS standalone and using a custom rom not Verizon rom? Unless I missed something.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

you need prime GPS first, then it will work. I installed the official verizon rom too, but I didn't let customization run. i don't install GPSServer too. GPS is working with TomTom. but I can't let phone go to sleep. GPS only work after soft-reset before go to sleep.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

you need to set LOCATION to ON, not 911

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

To get it working, do the follwing:

1. Turn GPS Location to ON.
2. Install GPS Toggle from http://www.baf.cc/gpstoggle and run it to prime the GPS
3. Install GPS Gate 2.6 and follow the instruction from my other post here: http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread...133#post730133

Hope this helps.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

ALMOST THERE!!!

Double checked Location is "ON" and GPS managed automatically. Installed GPS Toggle and GPS Gate 2.6.0.280. I couldn't find input "WMGPS" so selected input "COM4" and output "Virtual COM2 / (All NMEA) NMEA Filter". GPS Toggle shows "Lock: 6" and GPS Gate Green icon confirms "GPS data with valid position."

Using WMMiniGPS, I get my location!

Using iGuidance shows sat 6/7 but the lat and lon coordinates jump around. If I enter a destination, it shows I'm "Outside of Map Area" / "Off Road." I've left it to see if it just needs time to lock but nothing happens. I also installed Garmin Mobile XT but my location keeps jumping around Africa. Any thoughts on how to get the GPS to communicate with the software?

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

You're really close. The only thing missing is WM GPS. You should be able to find it in the GPSGate Input pull down list.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Steve, you're the best! My GPSGate was 2.6.0 and WM GPS is available on 2.6.1 I guess it goes back to reading the directions and user error! Standalone GPS works great on iGuidance 4.0.

I've been trying to get it work with Garmin Mobile XT. It assumes Port 4, so the coordinates jump around. I disable it and gives me the options "COM4:COM4", "COM6: RIL ON COM6", "COM7:COM7", and "COM9:Virtual COM9"... no COM2. Any ideas to try or have you read anything about it?

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Go into Gamin and tell it to "Disable" the gps. Then re-enable but use the interm. driver/port. You will see it in there once you disable it. Mine works better there for some reason. It might help.

RD

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

I turn on the GPS, and go into garmin and disable it, and it shows COM2. I select it and enable, but then it defaults back to COM4. I'm using 4.10.00wp btw. What version are you using? I've also read in other forums about a "GPS Intermediate Driver" option but it's not available in mine. I'll read a bit more and maybe upgrade to see what happens.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Since the 6900 built-in GPS is using COM4, try to avoid using this port. Instead of using COM2 on the GPSGate output, you can try to use Virtual COM7 (or 9) / (All NMEA) NMEA Filter and see how it works.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Hi All, I was able to finally get Garmin to work. I had to install DeviceX to disable Port 4. After, I set up GPSGate input as "WMGPS" and output as "Virtual COM4 / (All NMEA) NMEA Filter." In Garmin, it now shows I'm using device "COM4:COM4 Franson" (Franson is the maker of GPS Gate) instead previously showing "COM4:COM4" and with my coordinates jumping around all the place.

My last question is if anybody has tips regarding getting faster satellite locks? Mine usually takes 2-5 minutes, maybe even a few tries since I get impatient and toggle the GPS on and off. I saw this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...=496494&page=5
but it seems to be a aGPS fix instead of a standalone GPS fix. Also, looks like there's mix results whether it really works or not.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Hi,

I have been following this thread and had been tweaking my phone to get it work with GPS and finally I got it working. Had tried tough things but it was simple though, here is what I did -

Got my Verizon XV6900 with datablock last week.

Followed each step stated here -

http://wiki.ppchaven.com/index.php?t...IX_VERIZON_GPS

[1] Unlock with 0.40.coke
[2] Flash Sprint ROM RUU_Vogue_SPRINT_WWE_1.12.651.1_2.13.00_SPC_NV133_ Ship DO NOT LET CUSTOMIZATIONS RUN
[3] Unlock with 2.31.coke
[4] Flash Verizon ROM RUU_Vogue_VZW_WWE_3.14.605.1_Radio_3.37.77_Ship DO NOT LET CUSTOMIZATIONS RUN

(I didn't let the customization run in any of the step above, just did soft reset by poking stylus in the hole as soon as 3 sec msg pops up)

[5] Flash any custom rom (I let the cutomization run afterward in this step)

Skip the step 6 aGPS fix since we are working with data block so no data can be transmitted for aGPS.

As a custom Rom in step 5 I used NfsFan's wm 6.5 V10.

standalone GPS is working without any further tweak or hack, tested with TomTom and Garmin Mobile XT, gets lock inside my room, though my apartment is fairly open and considering i' m in CA, I get a lock in 2-3 min.
GPS works great, only thing is I was not able to authenticate phone automatically after updates, will have to call VZW tomorrow. finger crossed hopefully they will do it.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Cool, please let me know how it goes, i am planning on doing the same thing here, i don't use data.

Re: GPS on XV6900 Without Data
 

Getting the phone authenticated was quite easy, I just called them early morning telling that I had to do a hard reset and the girl took no time to re authenticate my phone. It took less than a min.

The bad thing is, just after my phone got authenticated, I am not having any luck in getting locks, gps viewer still sees the sats but no fix. Garmin did get a lock for sometime but then lost it. Before the authentication everything was working flawlessly. I ran tomtom and garmin multiple time at least 3 times each of them and got locks pretty soon. it was able to show my location correctly all the time, GPS viewer had the fix everytime i rebooted in a few min. I am not able to digest that getting authenticated created this problem.

Any suggestions ??? Do I have to disable aGPS, is that the cause ?

Also I feel that since I did a flash with (ROM RUU_Vogue_VZW_WWE_3.14.605.1_Radio_3.37.77_Ship)

I have less cell signals then I used to have with stockrom the phone was shipped with (wm 6.1 and radio 3.37.78..) Any suggestion on that ??


PS: I still see the satellites on GPS viewer.... :-( cann't get a fix as before....