GPS sucks - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

Anyone know why the gps takes forever to lock on when in navigation
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No idea. The GPS signal is almost instantaneous on my phone once I open up Navigation.

Yea its spotty with me. It'll connect quickly, but ill be driving on the highway, then itll think im on some side road, and be really confused. I rebooted, and happened again, three times in a row. Also tried disabling GPS services and everything.
I would recommend taking it to Verizon to get a replacement. GPS isn't one of those things that's that fixable, its kind of hit or miss.
I'll probably take mine to VZW this week and demand a replacement for a faulty GPS.

Mine excellent has not seen this issue with others...if not rooted I would update to the newest radio...well you do not have to be rooted to do that but update for the latest radio to see if that helps...but I had no issues with the old...

You could try downloading an app called FasterGPS which supposedly helps lock on faster.

mine keeps putting me in the wrong place

Im coming from the droid charge and that and this phones gps is garbage. The only way i can get it to work is to turn on gps 5 minutes prior to opening maps/navigation and hope it will lock. That works about 30% of the time. Other than that no gps for me
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SFniner415 said:
Im coming from the droid charge and that and this phones gps is garbage. The only way i can get it to work is to turn on gps 5 minutes prior to opening maps/navigation and hope it will lock. That works about 30% of the time. Other than that no gps for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GPS in the Droid Charge I had was virtually useless half the time, but I am finding the GPS in my G3 works perfectly (it works so well I never use my Garmin portable GPS anymore)

Related

JI6 no more GPS lock

Upgraded to JI6 via ODIN, a while back from JI7 that I got over the air. Anyways, now waiting official froyo now from sammy. The rare time I need a gps came the other day. Apparently my phone no longer locks any satellites. Haven't played with the LBSTestMode Settings but shouldn't the gps at least be usable with the default settings? What programs do you guys use to workout and test the gps. Google maps doesn't even use my gps when its on. What should I try or should I downgrade to JH7 and call samsung?
I'm not very savvy with my phone yet but I found a couple tricks to make my gps work better. I downloaded an app off the market called GPS Status and toolbox and changed the settings to update gps assistance every time I open the app. It sometimes takes a minute but does better than it used to.
Also, how long are you waiting? Just curious. Another trick you may use is something I found off the forums. Take off your battery cover. Seriously. It helped me get a signal quicker and stronger. I have a phone case that keeps my battery in pretty well without the cover, so I don't have my cover on half the time.
These are both really annoying issues, hardware and software, but I haven't given up yet.let me know if this helps you or if you find something that works better.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
If you want Froyo and don't want to wait for Samsung's crap stock version, I just loaded the newest Cognition. GPS works great.
Swyping...please read slowly!
cappysw10 said:
If you want Froyo and don't want to wait for Samsung's crap stock version, I just loaded the newest Cognition. GPS works great.
Swyping...please read slowly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah! I just tested gps on Cogv2.3b4, it really rocks, took 20 seconds for the first fix, and get fix in 3 sec for the next time~~~
It's the best performance I've ever seen! on Cogv2.4.1 it never get a lock, so I believe that maybe the problem of that Vibrant rom.
Ive been usig gps status, i left my phone outside with a clear sky view for about 15 minutes and gps status never even finds a satellite let alone a fix on it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
updated to Cognition today. It actually finds satellites after a few minutes now, still can't lock any. It was pretty cloudy today but that shouldn't have affected it much.
Is it GPS Status from EclipSim? Try going to settings - gps & sensors - auto download AGPS data, and set it to update if older than one hour or six hours... And seriously try taking off the metal battery cover. If only as an experiment for my sake. I want to know if it's just my phone. Other than that, be patient. The first fix of the day always takes the longest. And GPS Status has a help and release note section for more info. Take two and call me in the morning.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

GPS finally works!

I just updated my google maps and all of the sudden my GPS works! Just went on a 25 mile ride and tutn by turn worked flawlessly with no hiccups and it locks in a mtter of seconds.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Confirmed
I was skeptical of your claim, we've heard this before, but dang, something IS different! I've put countless hours into the GPS issue, tried everything, and I'll be darned, the phone does something now that it never has before. Sitting in my same desk position as always, after a fresh reboot, Google maps locks incredibly quick, inside the house, where it never would before, never. Time to lock is probably somewhere in the 15 seconds with 4 out of 8 sats found. Inside! Something most certainly changed with this version of Google maps. I'm running stock ROM (JH7) and only GPS change was to use supl.google.com
I want to try this but I'm worried if by some chance out messes up ill be worse off. If I back it up using titanium she it doesn't work as well, titanium will restore it just as b4 right?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Well I was just exploring through the Market and noticed I had an update for google maps. So I updated it. As I type this, my phone is locking in a matter of 10-15 seconds inside my house. I posted a few times talking really bad about this phone a few times and was very disgusted . I dont know, it must have been software all along. And now after 4 months I am satisfied!
designgears said:
Thats funny, I just picked up copilot and gps is fine with it... maybe there is something something funky with how the gps works that google maps wasn't designed to handle...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope this is true.
I've noticed that with each google maps update, my GPS gets better, but then goes back to crap. Don't get too excited.
Edit: BTW... with wifi and GPS off, the phone has me in Germany. I'd hope that I'm using a cell tower closer than that.
UPDATED,still not working,such a cool phone,i love the movies and music,i love this phone,,just hoping the koreans wont forget the captivated,prisoners? damnit.we should BE getting ginger,they want to feed souryougurt,****YOU
My GPS worked well before. I saw this post and decided to try it, since I updated GMaps recently. And there IS a difference. It locked even faster and seemed to track movement better. I'm pleased.
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I read this just a little while ago and updated mine. It certainly locks much faster with stock settings for gps. I locked on here at work under 30 seconds next to a 21 story building...something it would never do before.I'll try it out and see how it tracks tomorrow while driving around.
Mac
Come back here in 3-5 days and tell us it still works. Every single fix to date stops working after a period of time. I strongly suspect it's an issue of the cached GPS Sat positions going out of date. Every time I clear the data in libtstmode, I get a better working GPS.
Read the OP and searched for an update. Low and behold, there it was. I had GPS lock within 15 seconds at 35mph driving through town. We'll see if it keeps up; I was among the worst in terms of GPS performance.
With WiFi and aGPS on, GMaps always used to put me about 5 miles away when I was in my house, now it puts me close to my actual position (less that 100 ft away, but within the circle of ambiguity), so the new version is definitely better.
Not that this has anything to do with the slow lock for the actual GPS . . .
settings
what are you using for Supl/CP Settings
and Applcation settings?
I'm using all the default settings except I have Skyhook on.
This is definitely better. GMaps puts me almost spot on inside my house. However, whatever they are doing may be smoke and mirrors because I still have the same GPS issues with applications like MyTracks and GPS Status (major inaccuracy and drifting).
When you all are getting locks indoors, do you have 'Use wireless networks' turned on or off in the Location and Security settings?
I have AGPS off.
GPS still sucks for me with new maps update. No lock at all after waiting like 10 min
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897
hopefully this is hte answer we are looking for!
SiL3nTKiLL said:
hopefully this is hte answer we are looking for!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not. You've only changed the front end interface.
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Droid Charge GPS?

Howdy all?
I don't know WHAT I was thinking but on impulse bought the LG Revolution last night. It's a decent and I do want to emphasize just decent, however it has an AMAZING GPS capability.
Well I am going to right my wrong and get the Charge, hence how is the GPS on it in comparison? I need a device that locks fast and can get below 20 meters (long story with crap phone at AT&T)!
Any guidance/perspective would be appreciated.
Angieutc
gps is great. Locks quickly. Much better than the fasciante was. I wouldnt regret buying the revo...its a great phone too.
Doesn't the Revo have Bing by default for search engine? I thought about getting the Revo but I hate Bing.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
sir2545 said:
Doesn't the Revo have Bing by default for search engine? I thought about getting the Revo but I hate Bing.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
Exactly why I am taking it back. I did not know how deeply intergrated bing was into the phone. I thought it was just to higlight the search engine.
Plus there is not excitement about the phone. Verizon reps weren't excited to talk about it and there is not support on XDA.
On thing -- GPS and call quality were some of the best i have had on a phone.
I made a mistake and thankful I can fix it within my 14 day period.
sir2545 said:
Doesn't the Revo have Bing by default for search engine? I thought about getting the Revo but I hate Bing.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easily removed.
suzook said:
Easily removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. However, I would feel better with a Samsung or HTC model. Something is nagging in my mind that I would regret the LG purchase down the line. Just a feeling.
angieutc said:
On thing -- GPS and call quality were some of the best i have had on a phone.
I made a mistake and thankful I can fix it within my 14 day period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you will maybe regret making the change. There WILL be roms, with debloat. And make the phone what it should be.
GPS on the Charge is okay. Doesn't lock nearly as fast as other Moto devices that I have had.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
Gps rocks under 5 meter accuracy and fast lock times. Way better than the captivate I used to own
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im very unimpressed by ALL of its wireless network capabilities, the gps can take minutes to lock on its fairly accurate but sometimes i'll go threw 2 songs and pass 4 exits before it locks and i find out im going the wrong way. on top of that i had the HTC TB and it had great 4G signal all around my area but my charge is maybe 1/2 to 3/4 as strong in the same places, also the bluetooth will NOT stay connected to anything which is a HUGE problem at least for me because i have a tablet and the entire reason i bought the charge was for th 4g hotspot to share with my transformer but as of right now that is nothing more than a pipe dream. I'm hoping that some of these issues will be ironed out because i can't take this phone back now and i have to wait for something newer to come out.
sadly i'm slightly disappointed in this phone so far but i do understand that in time problems will be addressed.
as far as another phone to get its hard to suggest ANY of verizons 4G phones as they all kinda suck....
So far, the GPS on my Charge has been awful. I love the phone to death, but every time I try to use the GPS, it just laaaags. Doesn't matter what program I'm using to access the GPS.
Thankfully, there are very few reasons I need GPS and most of those reasons, I really don't need GPS, I just need a location, which I can get with cell tower triangulation or whatever.
...Ok, I just opened my phone, flipped on GPS, opened Google maps and it is working perfectly. Eh... so I guess I'll amend "awful" to "spotty with a chance of awesome."
The GPS in my Charge works. It is not nearly as fast as my Droid X was, and it struggles to get a lock indoors, but I only rely on it for 1 app and can make do.
My DX would have a lock within 2 seconds max, and the Charge will take up to 10 seconds for an initial lock. That being said, I have not experienced any latency/accuracy issues once locked on to 5+ satellites.
--------------------
Sent via the combination of 4G airwaves and a Samsung device, using the full featured version of Tapatalk, better known as Forum Runner.
GPS has been terrible for me. I have had to use additional testing apps to get it to lock at all on occasion and it has been slow in those instance. Prior to EE4 it was excellent, but since it has been horrible.
My GPS completely blows, just like the Fascinate.
For those with the GPS issues, download GPS Test by Chartcross and fire that up one time. It should get a signal within 15 seconds. After opening that one time, my other GPS apps lock a signal very quickly.
It sounds strange but that solved my GPS issues...
robstamack said:
For those with the GPS issues, download GPS Test by Chartcross and fire that up one time. It should get a signal within 15 seconds. After opening that one time, my other GPS apps lock a signal very quickly.
It sounds strange but that solved my GPS issues...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have taken to using that app as well. For me it means the difference between not being able to lock and being able to lock in a minute or three. Now, I have taken to modifying my gps.conf .. so we'll see how that goes.
My wife's takes literally over five minutes to lock the first use each day or so, but sped up with a the testing app. It seems like Samsung has issues with pull GPS data off the net/cell towers to speed the initial connection. Just a theory.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
My GPS has also been very awful since ive gotten my charge last week. It takes forever to lock and mostly it doesn't even lock accurately on my location kinda disappointing coming from a BB that locks on almost instantly on my exact location.
I remember it working real well but then yesterday I went to use Navigation and got nothing. Since then I've tried to clear the DV cache, clear the GPS data, reinstall Maps. Nothing has worked. Through the testing apps, I can see it is getting some gps signal but they are mostly weak and it never locks on to anything. I am thinking about wiping my phone to see if maybe that will do the trick. Might be a good time to start getting into Roms.
I've only used mine twice, but it seems to consistently position me about .25 to .5mi away to the south from my actual location. (Both times I was using it indoors.)

Horrible GPS

My GPS on the Skyrocket has been horrible since day one. It takes a minute or longer to lock and then loses lock in about 15 seconds. I am currently using SKYICS. Anyone have a fix? Am I the only one?
Sent from my SmartQT20 using Tapatalk 2
agps fix flash via cwm. Google it.
I will be kind.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1438129
Thanks. Will try tomorrow. It is killing me that my HTC hero has great GPS on it - fast lock and doesn't drop and the new phone doesn't.
Sent from my SmartQT20 using Tapatalk 2
Which skyics? And you might try downloading GPS test just to see.
occupational_hazard said:
Which skyics? And you might try downloading GPS test just to see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.2E Update 6
But it didn't work well on stock either. The only other phone I have to compare it with is my old Sprint HTC Hero and it is quick to lock on and solid as a rock. I've flashed the gps fix zip and will try the gps on the way into work in the morning. That is about a 26 mile drive.... here's hoping....
Check your nav settings too.
Go to settings then location service. Check all three options. Then try again. It should work like a charm!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
The agps fix is nothing short of amazing. Mine will lock in to my location, even inside a building, within a few seconds.
The patch appears to have worked. I'll test again on the way home. Thanks all!
Your welcome.
Works for a few minutes and then loses signal and has to re-acquire. I'll try some of the other versions to see if they are any better. In the meantime, back to the Hero and an offline gps program.
Must be something with your setup, I used it for an hour last night and it worked beautifully.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727
Out of all of the Android phones I have owned the Skyrocket has the best GPS. Locks in just a few seconds. I have gotten quick fixes on Gingerbread and ICS.
Very strange that mine doesn't work right. Can anyone post which ROM you use and if you flashed the agps patch, which one you flashed? Oh.. and do you use a case on your SkyRocket? I'll remove my case tomorrow and test also.
Could be a bad GPS chip. Mine locks in under 10 seconds indoors to an accuracy of 5 meters. It willl hold the lock driving at 80mph. I've tested it stock, on SKY, and on Embryo with the same results. I've never found the need to flash the agps fix. A huge improvement compared to my last phone.
My skyrocket is the best GPS device I've ever had. Including dedicated GPS devices. My skyrocket is stock, with no fixes whatsoever. At 500 miles an hour over the middle of the Pacific Ocean I can get a lock on in less than 30 seconds. Nothing else has ever even come close. Dedicated GPS's from Garmin, tom-tom and others take over 15 minutes under the same situation. Reception in difficult areas, like downtown with lots of buildings around, is also the best I've ever seen. It's really too bad there isn't a decent GPS navigation program for android.
Copilot's maps suck. Sygic has good maps, but a terrible navigation display, and even worse POI implementation. Routing is horrible. Don't even get me started on the problems with Google maps. Sure it's pretty, but it isn't really a great dedicated navigation service. All three of these stress form and features over function.
For great GPS software, nothing beats the old Garmin mobile XT for windows mobile. It didn't have the latest and greatest features, but as far as function, nothing could touch it for use on a worldwide basis. If you could put that software on a skyrocket, you'd have the best handheld GPS device on the planet--bar none.
I had to exchange my skyrocket for a new one because of this issue. It was just terrible - wide open spaces it would just blink for a minute then maybe lock, driving normal speeds trying to use Navigation was futile because it would lose lock all the time. I just took it to an at&t store had them put it next to another skyrocket and showed him how bad it was, in fact indoors it just couldn't get a lock at all ever.
Got a new one and it's flawless, now running cm9.
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styx66 said:
I had to exchange my skyrocket for a new one because of this issue. It was just terrible - wide open spaces it would just blink for a minute then maybe lock, driving normal speeds trying to use Navigation was futile because it would lose lock all the time. I just took it to an at&t store had them put it next to another skyrocket and showed him how bad it was, in fact indoors it just couldn't get a lock at all ever.
Got a new one and it's flawless, now running cm9.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is very good to know. I am going to try it without my case and then without it running stock. If I still have the issue, I'll take it to an AT&T store and get it swapped out.
Thanks!
occupational_hazard said:
I will be kind.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1438129
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I run this every time i flash a rom or update. I lock onto 10-20 sats with ease. lock on usually takes 3-5 seconds. This is a must have!
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Problems with GPS: Myth or fact?

I notice that some people have reported their S3's to receive poor GPS signal or that their phones can not lock onto a location at all, even to the point of having to return their phones. This paranoia had also struck me, and I noticed that I began to have problems too. However, I realized that at some point (for me personally) it had nothing to do with the phone. I just wanted to provide some tips as to how to improve GPS or use it more properly.
1. You need a line of sight to the satellites from your phone. That means that being in the middle of midtown Manhattan, you're likely to not get a signal. That also means that if you're in the middle of your living room, don't also expect to magically receive a GPS lock. It just doesn't work that way.
2. While it's controversial whether or not bad weather affects GPS signals, I notice that heavy clouds and poor weather affects my phone's ability to lock on at all.
3. If you're in an area where you can't get a lock (i.e. Midtown Manhattan, etc), turn on Google Location Services. This will always put you within a 500-1000 meter radius of where you are (in which case you would just read a map the old fashioned way).
4. I almost never have a problem locking on a location within 5 seconds while driving on a clear day, outside of the city. If your GPS and Google Navigation still does not work in this situation, you probably really have an issue.
5. During my paranoia, I cleared cache/data for Google Framework Services (warning: this will remove your sync account) and uninstalled updates to Maps and reinstalled. That may help if you've been flashing back and forth between roms.
Hope these simple tips might help some people out.
I don't know if it's because I leave GPS and Location services on all the time but I've never had an issue with GPS lock with this phone whether I'm in the burbs or in a city.
Yesterday I was in open line of site in Fitchburg MA, I had the GPS on for 20 minutes as I was scrambling for and event. It just would not lock at all. When I do get a lock. Yesterday same day driving 2 hours to Cape Cod (105 miles of open space) it would lock work good for a couple minutes then lag for a few seconds to minutes and not move then just jump and update. (Says GPS signal lost.) Sometimes it would then put me on side streets and struggle for find that I was still on 495 South. It did this when whole way. I knew where I was going so it wasn't a problem but there is something up and I am interested in finding out what. BTW this started after the first OTA update from Verizon.
If you have problems with gps get a replacement phone.
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A lot of people don't know is to turn on wifi first. You will get a lock on in seconds.
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loonie01 said:
A lot of people don't know is to turn on wifi first. You will get a lock on in seconds.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tough to sign onto wifi on the highway
Even when I was in line of sight and with wifi on. My s3 wouldn't get a gps signal or lock on. My wife's Rezound did. So, I called Verizon and they sent me a replacement and now everything is fine. It was the hardware in my first one that was the problem.
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Boss428man said:
Yesterday I was in open line of site in Fitchburg MA, I had the GPS on for 20 minutes as I was scrambling for and event. It just would not lock at all. When I do get a lock. Yesterday same day driving 2 hours to Cape Cod (105 miles of open space) it would lock work good for a couple minutes then lag for a few seconds to minutes and not move then just jump and update. (Says GPS signal lost.) Sometimes it would then put me on side streets and struggle for find that I was still on 495 South. It did this when whole way. I knew where I was going so it wasn't a problem but there is something up and I am interested in finding out what. BTW this started after the first OTA update from Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exact same issue with me. I haven't tried it bout lately because it pissed me off. I started using GPS status and toolbox and beginning to calibrate and update things. Hopefully its better now. Unfortunately, I cant get a replacement because I bought the phone off contract on eBay (just like I always do).
Boss428man said:
Tough to sign onto wifi on the highway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to. For some reason enabling WiFi alone will improve the GPS's ability to get a lock. Though this isn't always the case, its one of the first things I do when I have trouble getting a lock.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Yeah I don't understand it also but when I flash a new ROM, I would go to google maps. At that time I would not get a GPS lock until I turn on Wifi. GPS status app also helps with a good GPS lock.
Div033 said:
You don't have to. For some reason enabling WiFi alone will improve the GPS's ability to get a lock. Though this isn't always the case, its one of the first things I do when I have trouble getting a lock.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's getting a rough location estimate from access points when your turn WiFi on. WiFi location doesn't have anything to do with GPS. This will only work if you're by access points.
I've had problems since day one of owning this phone. I've owned a droid 1 and droid 3. My og droid honestly never failed to lock almost instantly whether in my house or on the road. Its a shame to get such a new phone and have issues like this. Multiple threads show many users are having the same issues. I've tried fixes, clearing caches, flashing new roms and nothing.
http://m.cnet.com/news/street-view-cars-grabbed-locations-of-phones-pcs/20082777?ds=1
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396403,00.asp
All wifi is used for is helping finding a rough location by send info through Verizon about access points nearby. Turning it doesn't make the internal gps work "better" in regards to seeing satellites it just helps Google get a fix on the phone faster
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I suspect the Chinese are setting up random gps blockers tuned specifically to the S3. /conspiracy theory
All I know is that I can never get it to work. Ever.
My Nexus 10 is better than your tablet. Hah.
As stated before if you have problems then get the phone replaced. I have never had a single problem getting a lock at all and I live in the cities.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
unique77 said:
As stated before if you have problems then get the phone replaced. I have never had a single problem getting a lock at all and I live in the cities.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, its probably the rom they're on. Even on 4.2.1 I get GPS though (not inside, but I can on TW roms).
OP: I can get a lock inside my living room
My GPS locks 20% of the time...outside on a clear day in Cali. Not sure what to do anymore. I've tried everything I read on here but returning it. I have a feeling they'll just give me a used refurbished phone so I hesitate to do it.
I can safely say that S3 gps is the best I've had out of all the smartphones I used. I am frequently in midtown Manhattan and it locks there within 10 seconds, and it works in my livingroom
Every time I load a new Rom I open up gps status toolbox get a lock instantly then open maps to locate me then I never have any trouble after that at all.
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