Help GPS apps do not -but gmaps does!

[goslings]

Been using smartraing app for several months then upgraded to android 2.2
And now this app and gps test, gps essentials, my tracks (google). Do not work
BUT gmaps stills works ???
HTC desire Android 2.2
Real pain
Anyone any ideas ?
IanS

 

[goslings]

Nobody else found this with HTC desire
Just such a real pain in the at%%

 

[SiHa]

Only thing that I can think is that maybe your GPS got turned off with the update, and maps is actually using cell triangulation.

Have you checked Settings -> Location -> Use GPS Satellites?

 

[goslings]

Most of these apps request to switch on gps if not already on
thanks anyway
is there a way to roll back the OS to a time when it worked. bit very much a last resort
can't understand why nobody else has experienced this problem
regards
IanS

 

[SiHa]

Most of these apps request to switch on gps if not already on

No, they can only turn it on if it is already enabled in the settings I mentioned. This feature was introduced in 2.2 as a security measure - should've mentioned that last time, but I forgot it was a recent addition.

Enabling GPS doesn't actually turn it on, just makes it available for apps to use.

If it is not enabled as above, then I guarantee you that's your problem.

 

[goslings]

tried as you suggested
sertimgs, location, gps enabled
and selected gps icon from power bar
still no joy
gps-test app shows nothing but the heading compassion working
this has a button top left that takes you to the settings screen
utterly baffled
is thus any diagnostic tool to check gps is not broke ?
thanks for your help
IanS

 

[SiHa]

So in GPS test, you have a green light, saying GPS on?
Do you have the GPS icon? (satellite dish with green lines) displayed in Status bar - you might have to turn of 'Hide Status Bar' in settings
Are the green lines flashing? (indicating it's searching for satellites)

I'd say a factory reset is probably the best idea, maybe the update screwed something. If that doesn't work - back for warranty repair.

 

[goslings]

interestingly the gps dish only appears when I fire up gmaps
All other apps it does not show up at all !
Does a factory update destroy all data
If so is there a user backup to SD
15 months old
Thanks for yr help
IanS

 

[SiHa]

Sounds like something has screwed the GPS access routines. Odd.
It may be that there is some security setting that blocks downloaded apps from using GPS to get a fine fix, but I can't find it. Have you recently installed any security apps?


Yes, a factory reset returns the OS to stock with no user data and no downloaded apps.

There are loads of backup app out there, but I've not really used any but Titanium. You need root for this, which can be got using VISIONary+ (temproot only, lost at reboot). It will backup user apps + data though.

Except I lost all my Dolphin HD Bookmarks...

You can backup your contacts by importing them to your Gmail account, so they sync to Google's servers

I expect others will recommed better backup solutions for you.

 

[goslings]

Been away so did not want to try this invade all went pear shaped
Always slightly concerned when.people mention "rooting" as I'm really a non fiddler when it comes to phones.

Thanks for your help

 

[SiHa]

Fair nuff.

Just one comment though, Temproot is entirely risk-free, you just run the program and it gives you root access. Run Titanium to back up. Reboot and root is gone. It's nothing like flashing ROM's or anything like that.

 

[goslings]

Cant seem to find temproot (visonary+) on Android market ??

 

[goslings]

just back from hols and I am none the wiser about where to get visionary+
can anyone help thanks

 

[goslings]

Been on hols
still cannot find visionary+ as you suggest
Now I back in UK I will try what you suggest, if you can point me at it
Thanks

 

[speedycolzalez]

19/Nov r14: VISIONary + one click root - Android @ MoDaCo

HTH

 

[goslings]

I tried a factory reset, but this still fails on trying GPS test or GPS essentials, the dish does show as transmitting
gmaps does appear to work.
Utterly baffled ?

 

[SiHa]

Sorry - missed your earlier posts, been a bit busy lately.

Are you outdoors when trying GPS test etc?

 

[goslings]

yep !

 

[SiHa]

+1 for the utterly baffled club then. Not a clue TBH. When you get a location in GMaps, what sort of accuracy does it give - how big is the blue shaded circle around your location - it might be that it's actually still using the cell towers, I generally get 50-100m accuracy if using cell triangulation.
If the GPS icon is flashing continously, it means that it can't get a lock, the green lines stop flashing when it does.

If it's flashing even after a factory reset, when outdoors with a good view of the sky, then most likely your GPS antenna has come detached from the motherboard, somehow, maybe due to a drop? Whatever, it's most likely a hardware fault. If you're feeling confident, you could try stripping it down - check the guide here: Blog: HTC Desire tear-down and re-assembly ? TJworld

If the GPS icon is on and not flashing and you still can't get a lock, then f*ck knows, perhaps the Ruskies* have shot down all the GPS satellites above your part of the UK.

Edit: just spotted this. How's your signal?


*Please note, anyone resident in Russia, or any other part of Eastern Europe who reads this - it's a (probably poor) attempt at humour harking back to the days when the USSR was a place to be scared of and "4 Minute Warning" was a common phrase, before Reagan and Gorbachev started trying to make the world a better place.

And there were probably no GPS satellites...

Please do not take offence.