Database Info

GPS files ripped from leaked JI2, flashable zip

This may be old news for many of you, but I just found this last night so I thought I would share. The flashable update .zip from the linked post worked wonders for my Captivates GPS.
Here is the original post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=782242
I flashed the file from clockworkmod recovery and my gps is markedly improved. It's not perfect but it is much better.
Just thought I would share this with those who didnt know about it.
I also attached the file that I used.
Just for references sake so that we are comparing apples to apples, I am using JH7, rooted with unhelpfuls 1.4.1 kernel.

my mistake. i reset the supl to auto config. I also realized that clockwork uses the internal SD as default so i was reinstalling my root update.zip i still had on the internal. I was trying to install without clockwork in the beginning so i just renamed it to update.zip and threw on my external 16gb but it was installing update.zip from my internal. It works great and i have a great lock within 6 seconds when I have never seen a lock on my device. I even rebooted a couple times to get my lock right away.
Thank you again!
Stock AT&T 2.1 rom with root, removed bloatware, clockwork, and sideload mod

Thank you for making this thread. I do not follow the vibrant section too often so I was unaware of this. Thanks for bringing this to my attention OP

Awesome! Glad I could help even a few people. I knew I couldnt be the only one who didnt know about this!

just an update. Overnight, the GPS magically stopped working again. I havent been able to get a lock at all and have a max of 4 sat. connected at once on a sunny clear day. Any ideas?

NFauteux said:
just an update. Overnight, the GPS magically stopped working again. I havent been able to get a lock at all and have a max of 4 sat. connected at once on a sunny clear day. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is wifi on? Wifi on its way hard too lock. Or try the Ms based trick a few pages back or the thread itself .. if wifi was on, exit maps or GPS test completely and turn GPS off, then turn GPS back on and try again......

smashpunks said:
Is wifi on? Wifi on its way hard too lock. Or try the Ms based trick a few pages back or the thread itself .. if wifi was on, exit maps or GPS test completely and turn GPS off, then turn GPS back on and try again......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seriously? that's a freakin hassle and half

pmpntl said:
seriously? that's a freakin hassle and half
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Turning off wifi from the get go is a hassle ? Just pull down turn it off, done. Just if you do it while its on gotta exit and do again. Semi annoying but not and a half.lol

Im starting to think that my phone is damaged I have never seen a lock, I have used every method and nothings works
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Wow this worked great on my phone. Locked on quickly and gave me the best accuracy I've seen. Gives me hope on an official update for our captivates.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

NFauteux said:
just an update. Overnight, the GPS magically stopped working again. I havent been able to get a lock at all and have a max of 4 sat. connected at once on a sunny clear day. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine stopped working as well as when I first flashed but still works much better.
I used the LbsTestMode hack to change to the supl.google.com settings and it helped it a little more. Like I said in the original post, this isnt perfect, but its still an improvement over stock and it gives me hope that this is correctable via software. I had all but convinced myself that the hardware and/or design was faulty.
-D

I dont remember what i did but the gps is now working again and it works great, even from inside sitting near a window. I know that it is a result from these files posted. I also set all my settings to :
Application Settings
session type: Tracking
Test Mode: S/W Test
Operation Mode: MS Based
Start Mode: Hot start
Gps Plus: On
Dynamic accuracy: on
accuracy : 100
skyhook: on
pc tool: off
SUPL/CP Settings
Server FQDN: auto config
SUPL Secure: On
AGPS Mode: SUPL
I hope these settings can help someone else. I dont know why my gps cut out before but after flashing the OP files and changing settings to these, I can get a lock indoors without WIFI on.
Also i never have wifi on unless I am in the house using youtube or downloading stuff.
Thank you again for the files! I was using my GPS all day with no issues. I owe you big time because my phone never saw a satellite lock before flashing these files.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I was having issues again today and changed to supl.google.com with 7276 i believe and it works perfect now and has been all day. I lock within 5 seconds of opening google maps. I now dont care if they ever release a GPS fix because mine is perfect and I wouldnt change it.

[TEMP][FIX] Potential GPS fix Froyo. 12/02/10

So after reading around and trying things and discovering that LbsTestMode.apk doesnt exist for our phone, I just editted the file directly.
So without futher ado follow the below steps to see if it fixes YOUR gps.
MOST of the credit for this goes to the guys in the captivate and vibrant forums.
1. Copy the following into a file named secgps.conf
Code:
#Generated by GpsLocationProvider.
#Thu Dec 02 13:09:21 EST 2010
SSL=1
SSL_TYPE=0
POSITION_MODE=7
OPERATION_TEST_MODE=0
ACCURACY=50
SESSION_TYPE=1
SERVER_MODE=0
ENABLE_NMEA=false
START_MODE=HOT
GPS_LOGGING=0
AGPS_MODE=0
DYNAMIC_ACCURACY=1
ADDRESS_MODE=1
TIME_BTW_FIX=2000
OPERATION_MODE=MSBASED
USE_DEFAULT=true
DYNAMIC_ACCURACY_VALUE=50
SUPL_PORT=7276
ENABLE_XTRA=true
SUPL_HOST=supl.google.com
NUM_OF_FIX=999999999
TIMEOUT=3600
2. adb push secgps.conf /sdcard/secgps.conf
3. adb shell
4. su
5. remount rw
6. cat /sdcard/secgps.conf > /data/gps/secgps.conf
or copy it with root explorer of esfile explorer
7. reboot
Secondary fix to help speed up gps locks.
Code:
Use Root Explorer or some other method (I use Root Explorer as it has a built in Text Editor and automatically backs up the altered file.) to go to here:
system/etc/gps.conf
Use the text editor to alter the gps.conf file to this (if you are in the US):
NTP_SERVER=us.pool.ntp.org
XTRA_SERVER_1=north-america.pool.ntp.org
XTRA_SERVER_2=http://xtra2.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
XTRA_SERVER_3=http://xtra3.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
Now go to some place you should normally get a gps signal and launch maps.
this should correct it.
Couple of notes, this file appears to be dynamically generated, so if we can someone get a LbsTestMode.apk that works with the epic, or a script to copy the file over cron based through to make sure the settings stick that would be best.
if your gps stops working as it did after the fix, simply copy it back to /data/gps/ and reboot.
This is entirely a beta attempt and may not correct anything..
this is also for ADVANCED people, do not bother posting if you dont understand how and what you're doing above as we're not here to hold hands we're here for a solution.

art3mis-nyc said:
So after reading around and trying things and discovering that LbsTestMode.apk doesnt exist for our phone, I just editted the file directly.
So without futher ado follow the below steps to see if it fixes YOUR gps.
MOST of the credit for this goes to the guys in the captivate and vibrant forums.
1. Copy the following into a file named secgps.conf
Code:
#Generated by GpsLocationProvider.
#Thu Dec 02 13:09:21 EST 2010
SSL=1
SSL_TYPE=0
POSITION_MODE=7
OPERATION_TEST_MODE=0
ACCURACY=50
SESSION_TYPE=1
SERVER_MODE=0
ENABLE_NMEA=false
START_MODE=HOT
GPS_LOGGING=0
AGPS_MODE=0
DYNAMIC_ACCURACY=1
ADDRESS_MODE=1
TIME_BTW_FIX=2000
OPERATION_MODE=MSBASED
USE_DEFAULT=true
DYNAMIC_ACCURACY_VALUE=50
SUPL_PORT=7276
ENABLE_XTRA=true
SUPL_HOST=supl.google.com
NUM_OF_FIX=999999999
TIMEOUT=3600
2. adb push secgps.conf /sdcard/secgps.conf
3. adb shell
4. su
5. remount rw
6. cat /sdcard/secgps.conf > /data/gps/secgps.conf
or copy it with root explorer of esfile explorer
7. reboot
Secondary fix to help speed up gps locks.
Code:
Use Root Explorer or some other method (I use Root Explorer as it has a built in Text Editor and automatically backs up the altered file.) to go to here:
system/etc/gps.conf
Use the text editor to alter the gps.conf file to this (if you are in the US):
NTP_SERVER=us.pool.ntp.org
XTRA_SERVER_1=north-america.pool.ntp.org
XTRA_SERVER_2=http://xtra2.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
XTRA_SERVER_3=http://xtra3.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
Now go to some place you should normally get a gps signal and launch maps.
this should correct it.
Couple of notes, this file appears to be dynamically generated, so if we can someone get a LbsTestMode.apk that works with the epic, or a script to copy the file over cron based through to make sure the settings stick that would be best.
if your gps stops working as it did after the fix, simply copy it back to /data/gps/ and reboot.
This is entirely a beta attempt and may not correct anything..
this is also for ADVANCED people, do not bother posting if you dont understand how and what you're doing above as we're not here to hold hands we're here for a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol... i'll hold ur hand. Plus it seems that the GPS locks faster now. but like u said it's temporary

I was playing around with this at work yesterday (also saw this on the captivate forum), but didn't have time to give it a test last night.
Here is a reference for more info on the captivate discussion http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=789383
Edit 20101203:
There are four major things going on in this fix, so lets talk about each one separately.
============================================================
1) Operation Mode - Switch to MSBASED
Standalone - The handset has no connection to the network, and uses only the GPS satellite signals it can currently receive to try and establish a location.
MS Based - The handset is connected to the network, and uses the GPS signals and a location signal from the network.
============================================================
2) Switching from WARM to HOT
Should make getting a fix faster provided you have cache money.
##GPSCLRX# if you aren't feeling as fresh as you would like to be
============================================================
3) SUPL server change for SUPL
Broadcom's Hosted Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP) offers Mobile Network Operators (MNO) and service providers all the functionality of the most precise wireless location technologies including Assisted GPS (AGPS) without the need to make investments in Location Based Services (LBS) infrastructure.
SUPL is the emerging standard developed by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) for AGPS using existing IP networks as the underlying data bearer. SUPL lends itself very well to a hosted
solution where the vendor takes responsibility for providing a specified quality of service, assured by Service Level Agreement.
Doing a quick pingarooski, the google SUPL servers seem to be faster
============================================================
4) Time server
Do-whatcha-like but if you are in the US, the pool us.pool.ntp.org is probably going to be the fastest. But hey be my guest. If you want to run a time server from your phone you could always put in localhost.

How did you switch from hot to cold start? The old dialer code doesn't work in froyo.
Is this file erased with #gpsclrx## dialercode?

Hi, I have a broken GPS. Im running the Froyo Stock(ish) ODIN Tar that has the built in root and clockwork.
I was running 2.1 Epic Experience before and GPS worked fine. I wiped my data and cache and then used ODIN to flash the DK17 Froyo.
My GPS has not worked and I have not gone back to other roms just to perform a workaround.
I did try as you suggested with the secgps.conf file but it still will not give me a lock.
Thanks for all your efforts on this.. I really want GPS working
Brian

Gps would not work at all, before.
This fixes it for me.
For those wondering, it didn't work until I did both fixes. do both fixes...
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

brian_hoffman said:
Hi, I have a broken GPS. Im running the Froyo Stock(ish) ODIN Tar that has the built in root and clockwork.
I was running 2.1 Epic Experience before and GPS worked fine. I wiped my data and cache and then used ODIN to flash the DK17 Froyo.
My GPS has not worked and I have not gone back to other roms just to perform a workaround.
I did try as you suggested with the secgps.conf file but it still will not give me a lock.
Thanks for all your efforts on this.. I really want GPS working
Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this issue. I put on stock..got a gps fix. the applied a froyo ROM Quantum over my stock..got another GPS fix. THEN I wiped the froyo ROM.
All good now. I use ##GPSCLRX# to reset the GPS if it's taking to long too lock. I get lock in about 10 seconds now. 9 satellites and more.

ZenInsight said:
I had this issue. I put on stock..got a gps fix. the applied a froyo ROM Quantum over my stock..got another GPS fix. THEN I wiped the froyo ROM.
All good now. I use ##GPSCLRX# to reset the GPS if it's taking to long too lock. I get lock in about 10 seconds now. 9 satellites and more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm hesitant to format my phone.. I just got it up and going and customized and synced. Not that its THAT big of a pain..
I guess I just hoped I could run this build till the official froyo comes out without re-doing everything.
On a side note, I did try both the above fixes as it was mentioned that it worked for someone else.
I also tried your ##GPSCLRX# to clear my GPS.. But it didn't work.
At this point it may be best to start over again.
I tried downloading some GPS test app, flashing some update.zip (gps Fix) from a different thread, manually changing the files mentioned here and clearing my GPS from the dialer code.
I'm feeling defeated, I'm not sure why we need to lock in a from a different modem. I'm guessing it generates some file? that sticks on a system upgrade?
I really hope this gets resolved the right way.

My GPS was working wonderfully using Mammon's Froyo 1.0.3 (I went through a bit of a process inspired by the first Froyo GPS fix post, involving flashing to DI18 and getting a lock before flashing Froyo)
Then today the nav program started to lose the GPS signal (going back to maps or toggling the GPS off and on seemed to get the signal back, but it was still flaky). I tried parts of this mod (I left start mode on warm and operating mode on standalone, going to experiment with each setting one at a time to look for any noticeable changes)
So the only thing I changed so far is the uml server and port, and while I am getting roughly the same performance as before the change, now my position is off - it used to be almost spot-on when reporting anything lower than 4m accuracy, but now it claims 1m and is still a good 15 feet (roughly 4 - 5m) north east of my actual position. It's still plenty accurate enough for navigation, so this is simply an observation - the google server appears to be slightly off, whether it's an (admittedly tiny) location error, or the maps aren't quite in sync with the GPS data on the server (I don't know much at all about how GPS works, so if anyone can explain the uml's role in the locating process, or anything else about how GPS works under the hood, please enlighten us)
That being said, I do think that I'm getting a lock ever so slightly quicker, but I was already getting a fairly rapid lock pre-mod so it's hard to be certain.

fastmikey1969 said:
How did you switch from hot to cold start? The old dialer code doesn't work in froyo.
Is this file erased with #gpsclrx## dialercode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is no dialer code(or associated program) in froyo on the epic for some reason hence the need to automate a cron to replace this file once it's been editted.
you can switch it just by editing the file directly and changing but im still not sure under what circumstance s the file gets regenerated dynamically.

brian_hoffman said:
I'm hesitant to format my phone.. I just got it up and going and customized and synced. Not that its THAT big of a pain..
I guess I just hoped I could run this build till the official froyo comes out without re-doing everything.
On a side note, I did try both the above fixes as it was mentioned that it worked for someone else.
I also tried your ##GPSCLRX# to clear my GPS.. But it didn't work.
At this point it may be best to start over again.
I tried downloading some GPS test app, flashing some update.zip (gps Fix) from a different thread, manually changing the files mentioned here and clearing my GPS from the dialer code.
I'm feeling defeated, I'm not sure why we need to lock in a from a different modem. I'm guessing it generates some file? that sticks on a system upgrade?
I really hope this gets resolved the right way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no real reason to format the phone, give the above settings a try thoruhg whatever file explorer you use and see how it works.
if nothing else it may work for a few hours

The "gps fix" post by BThomas22 does some of this (modifies the /system/etc/gps.conf). I'm curious about "secgps.conf" as it doesn't exist on the filesystem at all typically, and there's already a "gps.conf" with those settings in it. Are you sure that tool didn't just do backups to a secgps.conf or something? Are we sure this file is actually read?
This also seems more likely to help with slow locks and cache issues some people are facing, but is almost certainly not the solution to the no GPS at all issue some people are having after flashing a froyo modem.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=839710 has an inexplicably working solution (verified by several people including myself) for at least some of the people who get no lock ever. If you're on a froyo modem, install "GPS Status" or "GPS Test" from the market and if you don't get any sats in view, you'll likely be fixed by those steps.
I haven't had the cache/slow issue, so I can't speak to whether this helps that or not, but the AGPS parts seem as though they would.

drunix said:
The "gps fix" post by BThomas22 does some of this (modifies the /system/etc/gps.conf). I'm curious about "secgps.conf" as it doesn't exist on the filesystem at all typically, and there's already a "gps.conf" with those settings in it. Are you sure that tool didn't just do backups to a secgps.conf or something? Are we sure this file is actually read?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope not at all.
This also seems more likely to help with slow locks and cache issues some people are facing, but is almost certainly not the solution to the no GPS at all issue some people are having after flashing a froyo modem.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=839710 has an inexplicably working solution (verified by several people including myself) for at least some of the people who get no lock ever. If you're on a froyo modem, install "GPS Status" or "GPS Test" from the market and if you don't get any sats in view, you'll likely be fixed by those steps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That method has also not worked for a lot of people as well, so it's rather hard to say. I suspect that the only reason the modem flash "works" is because it caches data that the dk17 modem then reads as far as sat position and other things to basically give directions without actually "locking". No sats in view could also mean you just dont have a good line of site either(happens to me at work until i move near a window)
I haven't had the cache/slow issue, so I can't speak to whether this helps that or not, but the AGPS parts seem as though they would.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And the ntp part is meant to speed up caching and lock but the rest of it is more to configure it correctly.
I don't have the gps problem at all so couldnt say for sure.
PS: did you try this on your phone completely without other gps "fixes" or did you just come in to post a rather meaningless post about a bunch of stuff we're already aware of and attempting to dealing with, and not offer any solution or any new information or even just results?

brian_hoffman said:
I'm hesitant to format my phone.. I just got it up and going and customized and synced. Not that its THAT big of a pain..
I guess I just hoped I could run this build till the official froyo comes out without re-doing everything.
On a side note, I did try both the above fixes as it was mentioned that it worked for someone else.
I also tried your ##GPSCLRX# to clear my GPS.. But it didn't work.
At this point it may be best to start over again.
I tried downloading some GPS test app, flashing some update.zip (gps Fix) from a different thread, manually changing the files mentioned here and clearing my GPS from the dialer code.
I'm feeling defeated, I'm not sure why we need to lock in a from a different modem. I'm guessing it generates some file? that sticks on a system upgrade?
I really hope this gets resolved the right way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same/similar issue with GPS not working at all. Sound 0 satellites. Tried all of the stuff, but the only thing that I found to fix it was to redo the ODIN flash of froyo. I hope that helps.

ZenInsight said:
I had this issue. I put on stock..got a gps fix. the applied a froyo ROM Quantum over my stock..got another GPS fix. THEN I wiped the froyo ROM.
All good now. I use ##GPSCLRX# to reset the GPS if it's taking to long too lock. I get lock in about 10 seconds now. 9 satellites and more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get a good lock as well(most of the time). How do you see how many satellites are locking? I get accuracy reading of 8ft but nowhere does it state how many satellites...

1deviant said:
I get a good lock as well(most of the time). How do you see how many satellites are locking? I get accuracy reading of 8ft but nowhere does it state how many satellites...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
get the app GPS Status, that will show ya all the infos

art3mis-nyc said:
The "gps fix" post by BThomas22 does some of this (modifies the /system/etc/gps.conf). I'm curious about "secgps.conf" as it doesn't exist on the filesystem at all typically, and there's already a "gps.conf" with those settings in it. Are you sure that tool didn't just do backups to a secgps.conf or something? Are we sure this file is actually read?
Nope not at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you delete secgps.conf and reboot, the file is regenerated. This would seem to indicate that it is being used, as it is recreated upon reboot if it is missing. If it exists, it isn't overwritten however.
Also, gps.conf does not have the same settings as secgps.conf.

plapczyn said:
If you delete secgps.conf and reboot, the file is regenerated. This would seem to indicate that it is being used, as it is recreated upon reboot if it is missing. If it exists, it isn't overwritten however.
Also, gps.conf does not have the same settings as secgps.conf.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phil, you're very smart! Thanks for the info!

chillaxtodamax said:
Phil, you're very smart! Thanks for the info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Yuhan. I was waiting all semester for you to tell me that.

plapczyn said:
Thanks Yuhan. I was waiting all semester for you to tell me that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. See you in homeroom on Monday!

Fix the gps

How to fix the gps on the Samsung captivates GPS.
Insted of MS Based use MS assissted
Lbstestmode -> application settings -> operation mode-> MS Assisted
Let me know how it gose
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

*facepalm*
This does nothing. It makes it marginally better at best (read: not better at all). If you're really having that much trouble, flash to KB1 and use the PlumbBob GPS fix. Those ACTUALLY do something.

For most your suggestion will give them the most lag and least accurate GPS positioning.
I suggest you in stall Adams GPS fix to your phone, that or use ga_D's. (gadnarf_gpstweak_att)
Both are much better than what Samsung has provided...
There is also plumbBob GPS fix, but when I tried his version 2nd Beta 6, my GPS only saw 2 sats with no locks even with 10+ minutes of waiting... I did not try version 1 of his fix.
As for the GPS settings, use either Standalone or MS Based(some drift with this setting, much less than ms assisted) . Set your support server to google, distance to 80 and good luck...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

mwiz123 said:
How to fix the gps on the Samsung captivates GPS.
Insted of MS Based use MS assissted
Lbstestmode -> application settings -> operation mode-> MS Assisted
Let me know how it gose
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MS Assisted = uses cell towers only to determine position. Intended to be used for 'dumb phones' that are not GPS equipped or where only 'coarse' location data is required.
MS Based = uses cell towers to provide approximate location for initial fix, then GPS thereafter.
Thing of it is, Samsung's configuration interface for the GPS is so silly that changes in LbsTestMode don't always really affect anything. If you're getting good results after applying this 'fix' it's just coincidental, or perhaps that you'd finally used GPS long enough to get almanac and ephemerides downloaded over the satellite signal and your GPS was able to function unassisted.
What about this has anything to do with development?

crenshaw1979 said:
For most your suggestion will give them the most lag and least accurate GPS positioning.
I suggest you in stall Adams GPS fix to your phone, that or use ga_D's. (gadnarf_gpstweak_att)
Both are much better than what Samsung has provided...
There is also plumbBob GPS fix, but when I tried his version 2nd Beta 6, my GPS only saw 2 sats with no locks even with 10+ minutes of waiting... I did not try version 1 of his fix.
As for the GPS settings, use either Standalone or MS Based(some drift with this setting, much less than ms assisted) . Set your support server to google, distance to 80 and good luck...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.0 is in beta. It's still in development and is very much a work in progress and still has some issues. 1.0 is stable.

Thread moved.

Plumbob GPS fix works.

After flashing continuum, my gps works great (for this phone ). If you check the OP on Continuum in development, it says which gps fix cezar used.
Sent from a place my wife doesn't know about (yet)

After flashing Andromeda v3, the gps works great! Gets a lock and STAYS locked for once!

My personal experiences with MS Assisted and supl.google.com etc are that it works great for a few days... Tracking and all. Then you start to only see satellites and never get a lock...

The GPS on my warranty replacement works great out of the box.

Hooligan63 said:
The GPS on my warranty replacement works great out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you please be so kind as to post the info on the phone?
What's under "settings-->about phone:
--> Model Number
--> Firmware Version
--> Baseband version
-->Kernel Version and
--> Build Number?
What's under the battery? (aka 1004, 1008, etc -- mine says "1010 rev. 0.4"
Thanks!!
DD

I decided to make this a separate post...
My original phone had all sorts of trouble - GPS was the worst. I don't know what my original one was, I do recall I'd applied the OTA update that was supposed to fix the GPS issue - it didn't.
So I got a warranty replacement phone - it worked fine out of the box, but the next day it was doing the same old crap.
This one came with the OTA update pre-installed. It's a "1010 rev. 0.4" if I'm reading the sticker under the battery correctly...
I read countless pages of stuff online, tried various "fixes" that were posted, all with similar results.
One discussion I read was posted by a guy who claimed some GPS expertise, and indicated that the problem was in the driver - to paraphrase from memory it was something like the cache was getting corrupted and the HW/driver wasn't cleaning it up.
He basically said that they needed to write a new driver, but until hen you could use a 3rd-party app to clear the cache and re-download clean data from the satellites.
I found a (FREE!) app called "GPS Status & Toolbox" by author "EclipSim" (Disclosure: I have NO CONNECTION to this guy, just like his app!)
It has 2 menu options:
"Tools -->Manage A-GPS State-->Reset" and
"Tools -->Manage A-GPS State-->Download"
After doing those, it will usually grab a fix within 15 seconds at most. Once it's "timestamp" is updating every second (you'll see, in the app) I can then switch to Google Maps and it too will get a fix before too long.
Another nice thing about the GPS Status app is that it shows you how many satellites you "see" vs how many you're connected to. When it only sees one or 2, or when it sees a bunch but isn't connecting, you can be sure you need to reset/download again...
This thing DOES eat battery - so it's a good idea to be plugged in, or to kill the app once you've got Maps working the way you need it to...
Yes - it's a PITA to have to do all this to get a basic function of this high-dollar phone to frigging work - but it beats having it NOT work...
Hope this helps someone!
DD

Dedicated_Dad said:
Would you please be so kind as to post the info on the phone?
What's under "settings-->about phone:
--> Model Number
--> Firmware Version
--> Baseband version
-->Kernel Version and
--> Build Number?
What's under the battery? (aka 1004, 1008, etc -- mine says "1010 rev. 0.4"
Thanks!!
DD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a refurb warranty replacement which came loaded with 2.2 Froyo
SGH I897
I897UCKB1
2.6.32.9
1008.
Tested again last night on two rides. Worked great even sitting in the cupholder. Major improvement over my original Captivate which was returned for speaker problems.

not really much better for me.

Connor1 said:
Plumbob GPS fix works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it dose try it

Plumbob didnt do much for me. I am pretty well convinced that with the utmost optimization, the crappy hardware in the captivate can operate marginally well at best.

Ryans Plumbob fix does work. Its a much better improvement over stock on defected models. I had a 1009 and it worked great but the tracking and navigation were still buggy unless the phone was placed on the dashboard. (Always had a larger blue circle and would skip at times).
Finally gave up and noticed that the local atnt is a device service center. Went in and got a refurbed 1008 with stock 2.2 and the navigation is excellent. Even sitting in my lap...
I mean you all should still have the 1 year warranty. Just find a service center and exchange your phone. Hell the refurbed one I got was in better cosmic condition then my original.

YoungGun821 said:
After flashing Andromeda v3, the gps works great! Gets a lock and STAYS locked for once!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running Andromeda3 and my gps sucks!! Could it be google maps?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App

DaWongOne said:
I'm running Andromeda3 and my gps sucks!! Could it be google maps?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know everyone will tell me im wrong but try running the samsung gps restore app once then remove it from your phone. it is free in the market. and i assure you t doesn't revert to stock settings. atleast not in any location that i am aware of. i have checked the jupiter .xml and secgps.conf and lbs test mode before and after running the app and it doesn't revert anything. but it does seem to clear errors that may be caused by messing with settings without haveing a proper jupiter.xml or config file first. for instance on old roms if i chose msbased mode in lbs test mode it would work for 6 minutes and turn off. even after reverting the settings and clearing gps data the gps would turn off after 6 minutes. running gps restore or doing a factory reset were the only two things that would make my gps work again.
also yes google maps and captivates dont agree with each other 100% of the time. it is thought by some that the gps is recieving interference from the cell antenna (that's one theory at least) so the more data you use as you navigate the more issues you might see if that is true. try a gps app that downloads the maps to the phone. it takes up alot of space but if the app agrees with the phone it is worth it. in the past i had trouble with some aftermarket apps as well while others swore the same apps had solved there navigation problems, so try a few and find one that works. navdroyd is great on my phone.
also, though people are raving about plumb bob's fix, i have more blue circles with it. the problem is the msbased mode. it doesn't work on my phone very well. (back to the data/interference theory) i instead use Da_g's fix the control plane version with lbs test mode supl settings set to control plane and i turn off dynamic accuracy. and i use the kc1 modem. there are other modems with good gps but kc1 has the best call quality of them.

Problems with GPS

Hey guys, i had a question, and forgive me mod's if there is already a thread for this. Let me know and i'll post in there. But i was wondering if anyone else was having this problem. My shift's gps is not working, nor has it since i got it about a month ago. I've tried everything from downloading gps toolbox, to trying to to update the gpsone tab in qpst. Now, when i go to enter in the server ip address in gps, and the other settings, i write them to the phone, try turning on gps toolbox, standing in one place for 5 or so mins, nothing, not one damn satelite. I go back into qpst, and all my settings in gpsone tab are gone. Wtf? Anyone having this same problem?
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium

When you flash a rom, do you first thing connect up to your wifi before you sign in to your google account?
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium

FdxRider said:
When you flash a rom, do you first thing connect up to your wifi before you sign in to your google account?
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually, yeah
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium

In GPS settings turn on "Use wireless networks". Problem solved.

VICODAN said:
In GPS settings turn on "Use wireless networks". Problem solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish it was that easy. My phone picks up no satelite whatsoever

cbernardo13 said:
I wish it was that easy. My phone picks up no satelite whatsoever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured out GPS for the most part. Please read my earlier post:
VICODAN said:
2) After spending lots of time on GPS I found that getting the first lock is the most important thing and then it just works.
As of this time my opinion on GPS is that I am still unsure as to whether or not fasterfix changes anything but wireless assistance is definitely needed to get a good first lock and is used by some apps in acquiring location.
If you don't get more than 2 satellites in GPS status and it takes a long time to get those 2 satellites GPS hasn't gotten it's proper first lock yet.
This has nothing to do with having the GPS getting a lock in sense. It seems the GPS needs to use wireless assistance first to get the lock (contact sprint servers or something) and then it works pretty well. Still experimenting to figure out how exactly the GPS works and what the optimal settings are for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So yeah, try fasterfix and set to north america NTP Server and then in GPS status hit the menu button -> tools -> reset AGPS data and then menu tools -> download gps assistance data

VICODAN said:
I figured out GPS for the most part. Please read my earlier post:
So yeah, try fasterfix and set to north america NTP Server and then in GPS status hit the menu button -> tools -> reset AGPS data and then menu tools -> download gps assistance data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, Vicodan, thanks buddy. I'll give that a shot a little later tonight and let you know. Thanks a lot
Sent from my bad ass Supreme Shift - gtalk [email protected]

cbernardo13 said:
Hey, Vicodan, thanks buddy. I'll give that a shot a little later tonight and let you know. Thanks a lot
Sent from my bad ass Supreme Shift - gtalk [email protected]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha no problem and good luck! Make sure you keep us updated! GPS has frustrated the heck out of me for the past month. That's the best I can come up with at this point. Need to have wireless assistance on and the first time you boot the phone on any rom you should be outside and get a good lock with a clear view of the sky. After that it's good to go.

VICODAN said:
Haha no problem and good luck! Make sure you keep us updated! GPS has frustrated the heck out of me for the past month. That's the best I can come up with at this point. Need to have wireless assistance on and the first time you boot the phone on any rom you should be outside and get a good lock with a clear view of the sky. After that it's good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, should I flash my rom again? and avoid setting up google account, then run the apps?

cbernardo13 said:
So, should I flash my rom again? and avoid setting up google account, then run the apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No just go to GPS settings, turn on use wireless networks, use faster fix, then open maps and try and get your location while outside and with a clear view of the sky. The GPS icon will stop flashing in the status bar when it has a lock. It will stay in the status bar as a solid icon, meaning that it is locked.
Then run GPS status and see how many satellites you get. You should get at least 4-5+ (up to 9) when GPS is working properly.

VICODAN said:
No just go to GPS settings, turn on use wireless networks, use faster fix, then open maps and try and get your location while outside and with a clear view of the sky. The GPS icon will stop flashing in the status bar when it has a lock. It will stay in the status bar as a solid icon, meaning that it is locked.
Then run GPS status and see how many satellites you get. You should get at least 4-5+ (up to 9) when GPS is working properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any idea how long it takes to get a lock? i've literally waited 5 to 10 minutes before

cbernardo13 said:
any idea how long it takes to get a lock? i've literally waited 5 to 10 minutes before
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No longer than 30 seconds if you have good reception.

Spoke with OP via IRC, he is flashed on Metro PCS. Seems like he isn't flashed properly and also doesn't have MMS working. If anyone has any Metro PCS knowledge please feel free to chime in.

[Q] GPS issues

I read a while back that there was something that can help your phone lock on to GPS faster. Recently I have been having issues locking on to GPS without restarting my phone. When I restart it, it picks up GPS right away. But if the phone has been running for a few days it always says "searching for GPS" in Maps. Is there something I can flash to make it lock on quicker? So I dont have to restart my phone when I want to use GPS or Maps/Navigation? It has always done this on whatever ROM I flash.

I don't know if it will help with your situation or not but I use an app called GPS Test. Tons of useful info and such. Also allows updating of agps data. My GPS seems to lock quickly
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest
Good luck
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

GPS test didnt do anything. I thought there was something that was posted that you could flash that would make it lock on faster? But I cant find it now. I always have to restart my phone to get driving directions in Navigation. But the thread did have to do with a-gps. i just cant find it...

itsLYNDZ said:
GPS test didnt do anything. I thought there was something that was posted that you could flash that would make it lock on faster? But I cant find it now. I always have to restart my phone to get driving directions in Navigation. But the thread did have to do with a-gps. i just cant find it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a patch for HTC devices that uses an alternate data source for AGPS data. It *might* work on this phone-- I don't know why it wouldn't. Perhaps that's what you read.
Also, the updated Play store fixed an AGPS lock issue with HTC devices. Again, it appears this is only an HTC fix, but it could be what you came across elsewhere and are referencing above.
I haven't used "GPS Test", but there are two different apps named "GPS Status" in the play market. Both allow for AGPS location data to be refreshed, and produced satisfactory results on my HTC Sensation. They appear to be device agnostic, and would be worth a try. I went from a maximum fix of 4-6 satellites on my Sensation up to 12-15 satellites (under ideal circumstances).
Wifi and bluetooth can also cause occasional fix issues-- make sure both are turned off. I get massive GPS lock problems with Wifi turned on-- not so much with bluetooth.

I know this is a old thread but I thought it would be useful if I would share this. It was a fix for the Hercules but since its like our big brother (lol) I think it should work for our here blaze..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9923176
Sent from my Carbonized Blaze

I think the OP is talking about the AGPS Lock. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2016611