GPS issue - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I spent the last couple of weeks trying to fix my i9100 GPS problem, which is that it takes a few minutes to lock and loses the signal very frequently.
I tried many things :
* changing ROM (Neatrom 6.3 Aroma)
* trying different modems (LPW, MS2, MS4 and LS9 at the moment)
* installing fasterfix
* installing GPS Status & toolbox which I replaced with GPS Status Test & Fix
* trying the static navigation thingy suggested on this forum.
It's pretty much the same as it used to be. I was considering that I have a faulty hardware but if I keep GPS Status T&F running with no GPS navigator app it never loses the signal. The signal isn't very powerful tho, ranging from 6 to 8 used sats. I also get the signal back very quickly if I open GPS Status T&F while using, say, Waze. But then it loses it again when I switch back to Waze. It seems that GPS Status is doing something even tho I'm just opening it without using any other features.
So I'm not sure where the problem lies. Hardware ? Software ? Bit of both ?
Any ideas ?
edit : also, does anyone know how to do this on an i9100 ?

I think you have korean s2 converted phone

I've got the same problem since the end of June. Don't know how to fix it.

This might help on speed. It did to mine. From +5 minutes to 20 seconds
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1239713
I doubt if will fix the dropouts

Sorry I didn't reply before. Finally fixed this freaking issue.
It definitely was an hardware problem : bad contact between the motherboard and the antenna. I previously found a fix about this for the i9000 but had no idea where to find the contacts on the i9100.
Shiwer : sorry I can't post outside links yet so you'll have to look for the page by yourself. Google 'Améliorer la réception GPS galaxy s team'. You should find a thread in which in the 2nd post there will be 2 photos : one of the antenna, one of the contact that connects to the motherboard of the mobile. All you need to do is open your phone by removing the screws, then put some iron on this contact and on the contact of the motherboard with a solder. It'll make a proper connection between them which results in a solid GPS signal. Enjoy!

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

[Q] Poor Signal Quality - Please Help!

Hello - Dear XDA Developers Community,
First up... I'm a NOOB! (thought I'd get that out of the way first & foremost).
2nd - Please no suggestions I get my money back (already pursuing that option)
I've had a fairly modest history with Android devices, culminating in my most recent purchase a used Samsung Galaxy SII (18 months old) off eBay from a private seller. Unfortunately, from the minute I switched it on I expereinced chronic problems in achieving a reliable & consistent signal for voice & data. I'm in the UK on a PAYG & 3 are my network provider.
Upon switching the S II on with my old SIM inserted & going through some initial config (google account, SMS configuration settings, etc). I experienced intermittent signal loss for both voice & data. sporadically my phone would have no service or 1 bar (voice only!!). Expecting this to be a transient network issue I switched my SIM back into my old phone (Samsung Galaxy Ace) which gave me a consistent 3G signal. Now alarmed, I called 3 Customer services & we went through a rather lengthy trouble shooting session on the phone (multiple reboots, manually entering network details, restoring factory settings, etc). None of this worked and the 3 guy recommended I upgrade to the latest Samsung approved firmware in the hope that would perhaps fix the problem. I successfully update the firmware (details below) but the problem remained the same....
Current Android Level :-
Android Version : 4.1.2
Baseband Version: I9100NELS1
Kernel Version 3.0.31-889555
I perfomed the same tests at my house with identical results. Galaxy Ace with same SIM had decent, reliable & consistent 3G signal whereas my S2 with the same SIM struggled to achieve 1 bar at best (not even 3G or HDSPA - just a very weak voice signal). I called 3 customer services again who advised following all the action taken (and in light of both locations - B98 9AY & CV11 6GH having no coverage or network problems) the problem is definitely with the handset & there's nothing they can do.
So, I went for a stroll...... Amazingly in other areas I can achieve a good signal with high speed data transfer rates on HDSPA+ (up to 8 meg according to speedtest app). Unfortunately, in the two locations I spend the vast majority of my time (Office & Home) the phone is rarely anything other than a glorified WiFi enabled device.
I also remembered I had a GiffGaff SIM so gave this a try as well. The singal was also patchy at best and I didn't even get anything approaching a data strength reception. I checked on the o2 coverage checker which informed my location should easily be able to pick up a good voice & data signal. All of which strengthens my suspicions the problem is with the handset itself.
I've spent many hours trawling the Internet for solutions and can't see too many instances that closely match the symptoms I'm experiencing. I've downloaded the OpenSignal app - which is of limited use for me. At the moment I'm thinking this will have one of three root causes (at the moment I'm sulking and thinking it's option 1).
1) The Samsung Galaxy S II receiver is simply crap and there's nothing I can do
2) The Samsung Galaxy S II receiver is defective or inefficient at a hardware level (could send off to have it fixed)
3) There's some problem with the drivers/firmware for the receiver that will require a custom ROM upgrade to fix.
I'm open to the idea of rooting & installing a custom ROM to fix this, but only want to go down this route if it's pretty certain to have a positive outcome for this problem.
Thanks for taking the time to read this & look forward to your replies.
Kind Regards,
BrokenSparrow.
try the nordic 4.1.2 rom download HERE link from sammobile.com. flash it and see if it helps other than that you could try different modem files.. there is as thread about it around here some were....... HERE give that a go and see what happens gotta be worth the shot before righting off the whole phone... GOOD LUCK
That's tells me it's most likely down to the particular equipment your carrier is using in the cells close to where you use the phone the most (when it doesn't work). If it were a hardware issue, you'd either have the problem intermittently everywhere or all the time/everywhere. Tho that doesn't completely rule out a hardware issue; I'm just saying, on balance & on the evidence you've offered, that's my theory.
What I'd do in your situation phone-wise is to go back to ICS stock - rooted (not 4.0.4) & flash a bunch of different modems (rooting your phone/having CWM rather than stock recovery will make this process relatively simple) & see if you find one that improves your connectivity where you use the phone most. Unfortunately, modems are black boxes & largely undocumented (publicly at least), so people have found out through trial & error which modems seem to work well with which carriers/in which countries (and sometimes even in certain areas; that variation in equipment carriers use in different base stations).
A good place to start is try all the modems bundled with stock roms released by your carrier. Reasoning being you'd hoped your carrier would have thoroughly tested every facet of a rom before releasing it, and that the modem bundled with it would work with their network most of the time/in most places.
If you still didn't have any joy once you've done that (not very many to try given your carrier has probably only released a handful or roms, so it wouldn't take you long), then you could search here & look at what modems other people had tried with your carrier & try those, then you could start trying any/every modem you can get your hands on (there's dozens; relax, if one doesn't work, the worst thing that can happen to your phone is you'll have no connectivity with that particular modem, which you remedy by going back to one you know works).
If you'd done all that & still had the same problem, I'd be sending it back to seller & frankly, given the problems you've had from the get-go, you may want to consider that sooner rather than later unless you have the stomach to try a lot of stuff that has no guarantee of fixing your problem. You could also have a phone tech take a look at it either before or after you start your own troubleshooting, but if it were me, I'd be returning it given you have no real way of knowing it's history.
brokensparrow said:
So, I went for a stroll...... Amazingly in other areas I can achieve a good signal with high speed data transfer rates on HDSPA+ (up to 8 meg according to speedtest app). Unfortunately, in the two locations I spend the vast majority of my time (Office & Home) the phone is rarely anything other than a glorified WiFi enabled device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root and updae RIL (and SIM)
brokensparrow said:
I'm open to the idea of rooting & installing a custom ROM to fix this, but only want to go down this route if it's pretty certain to have a positive outcome for this problem.
Thanks for taking the time to read this & look forward to your replies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root the handset (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1826497 (thanks pelpa87)) and look into updating the RIL (Radio Interface Layer) / BaseBand (free app available form Play called GetRIL (thanx to SIBBOR) will assist in updating RIL) BaseBand tends to be updates with ROM (so poss update ROM too).
Also, people forget that the SIM card is a micro controller, with its own software, memory and (big pinch of salt here) processor, using a new(er) SIM / USIM card will help improve signal.
All,
Many thanks for your advice so far. I've done the following
- Rooted the phone
- Gone back to ICS 4.0.4 and tried various modems from links provided
- Tried JellyBAM, NordicOS & SlimBean with a combination of different modems
- Ran the GetIRL utility and matched up with Baseband version
I get similar results from all of these steps & the common denominator appears to be the modem. I experience slightly improved reception using NEL3 and XXG3. These improvements are marginal, but do at least give me a voice only connection in the afforementioned locations (but interestingly only on Orange/3 - which I guess is 3's failsafe network).
Also, discovered Samsung warranty for all smart phones is 24 months.... As this handset is only 18 months old it may be eligible for repair as the small print on the warranty statement declares the warranty entitlement can be transferred to different end users. This does represent me with a slightly different problem however! I've been messing around with the phone rather a lot (more than enough to void the warranty). So, before I send it off I need to make it as close to the stock version of Android as I can. These are the things I can think of....
- Install latest stock Firmware via Kies (think this should unroot and put me back on a stock kernel)
- Remove all the zip files used for "tinkering" from the internal SD card
- Also noticed several times there a utility that shows you exactly how many times custom ROM's have been put on the device - so this is something I'm anxious to remove as well. Any other points or advice on how to conceal my "tinkering" from Samsung?
Thanks & Regards,
Graham.
-
Triangle away to reset the rom counter otherwise your there. Triangle away is on xda here some were but you'll have to go search fir it as I dont have a link or computer to hand just now. Good luck.
LSJ Powered Time Machine.
---------- Post added at 06:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:23 PM ----------
FOUND IT... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=22462960
LSJ Powered Time Machine.
It's possible that the previous owner replaced the USB flex cable/board with the newer version, which requires a resistor to be de-soldered otherwise it will have extremely poor reception. The previous owner might not have stumbled upon this fix, and thought he'd just get his money back by selling it. Check LittleCanon's post and pictures on page 2 of this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1611409 and compare the pictures to your usb flex cable/board. It's a very simple & easy fix if that's the case. I replaced the usb flex cable/board on my i777 and had the same exact issue until I de-soldered that resistor, now it works perfectly.

[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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