yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Desire HD General] rakesh2002:
Hi Friends,

I totally agree with the point that it's hardware and it is not something to be messed up with. This is a delicate process needing surgical precision in repairing. For anyone planning to use this technique, please think twice and make sure that you are equipped with required tools. Watch YouTube videos on disassembling, or look for HTC tech support. I too am disappointed with HTC and I feel that HTC guys need to pick up with Apple guys when it comes to hardware testing. It's a shame that they are not able to rectify such issues. May be they will rectify this issue, but the future generation phone customers will benefit out of our disappointments.

The challenge is to make the GPS work without the support of WiFi and/ or data plan. In my case, I don't use data plan due to expenses, so I rely solely on GPS and not A-GPS. Apart from the radio signal for audio communication, the GPS uses extremely high frequency (around 1560 MHz) and other than the internal software performing complex convolution of Baseband signal along with the acquired GPS signal (could be weak) in order to triangulate our locations based on the radio stations nearby, I don't think they will be of any help for this matter. The issue arises when there are few radio stations or towers, specially in outskirts or country sides.

Internal GPS receiver module defect is like 1:1000 and GPS antenna contact issue, I believe, is around 20:100 due to mechanical wear/ vibration and hence the probability of making your GPS work, using the technique I mentioned, is pretty much high.

Like most of the posted messages: BE CAREFUL.
[Desire HD General] ikostas_1:
can anyone upload a video to learn us how can we do this????
[Desire HD General] odin13:
Yes kids please do be careful with this...

Yesterday i totally borked one of the copper connectors so now my gps is completely dead...

I'm going for a replacement...
[Desire HD General] Antonios76:
Why do i think that the GPS issue is involved with the software and not with the hardware ?. If you use any root explorer, you will see what. There is a folder named etc. There, you will see the file gps.conf . Open it, and you will notice what. Check what it is written. I bet that there is somewhat like

NTP_Server=asia.pool.ntp.org

...

...

...

I think that causes the issue in the GPS. Unfortunately we can not change this if our phone is not rooted.
[Desire HD General] ikostas_1:
So, i am totally stupid..

i accept your regurds...

I BROKE GPS contacts!!! And i scratch my favorite DHD... :'(
[Desire HD General] Antonios76:
Λυπάμαι ρε καρντάσι. Μα και εσύ να πούμε τι το ήθελες να το ανοίξεις...

In english

I am so sorry listening that, especially when i hear that from someone that he lives in Salonika !!!
[Desire HD General] zunaedsaki:
you tube video

can you make a YouTube video for this.because i am a beginner user.
[Desire HD General] wonghyf:
The GPS won't fix after the procedure and I also scratched my DHD :(

Sent from my Desire HD
[Desire HD General] eliashadow:
Im really sorry for u mate...:(

I wish will fix it in service soon...

But it was really work if someone doing this carefully.

@Leith51 post a possible wifi-data fix which is almost like that.To increase these two just pull the 2 covers (battery+sim card), check 2+2 gold prongs and bend them away from phone GENTLY to much and will snap off.Then put phone back together reboot.

Here his post.

I tried it but i didnt realized any improvment.
[Desire HD General] LondonTownGuy:
Another user has posted a youtube link showing in detail how to remove GPS cover.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1084209&highlight=gps

If you still have no signal, try clearing EFS data and I have also posted a file to try,

but clearing efs might kick start your device, before you assume its broken.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1097422
[Desire HD General] amm009uk:
Thanks for sharing this info. I did it but it made no difference. I notice depending on which ROM I'm on I get different results. It was fantastic under Froyo but hasnt been so good since moving to GB. I've tried fasterfix which may or may not help, got GPS Status doing its thing and I've cleared EFS data. Basically it feels like an old GPS where they use to take 2 days for a fix! Gonna try Froyo just to be sure I'm not imaging it. We shouldnt be having issues like this for the money paid for such HW!!

EDIT: londontownguy just read your post after I said it was better on Froyo! I will try your fix dude:-)
[Desire HD General] amm009uk:
That GPS file didn't I'm afraid:( Its not replacing an existing file so not sure what it does IN SENSE ROM's. Worth trying though. I tried it on ARHD 5.1.8.

At least your post tells me that other ppl are finding it worst on GB versus Froyo so its not just me.

By the way, not sure the Fasterfix actually helps cause back on Froyo it was set to Euro and I'm in the middle east. GPS worked a charm then. But ppl are reporting it helps:rolleyes:

Bloody frustrating!
[Desire HD General] LondonTownGuy:
I know the feeling, shame on HTC.

Itested it in my own Rom and it works I also tested it in ARHD 5.1.8 and it worked after I reset EFS data. I think it increases polling rate amongst other things. Be sure to change file permissions and check after reboot, other than that cant think of any other suggestions.
[Desire HD General] loganbell45:
Hey, well its way better than before, in about 20 seconds I can get around 7 satellites, and when I'm outside Google maps can locate me, but its still not as good as when I first bought it. It could lock on indoors in seconds, really amazing stuff. Anyways thank you :) its better than broken at least :p

NOTE, if you're having a hard time opening it use a thin dart flight and put it under the bottom corner nearest the camera. Use that to shimmy it open then use a small screwdriver to open the rest
[Desire HD General] odin13:
A guitarpick also works well for opening the cover...just dont bend the connectors too much
[Desire HD General] Xtrema:
The problem i have is getting the GPS working when the phone is in its case. It's only a chrome looking plastic case but with it on i'm lucky to get 2 or 3 weak sattelites. without the case i get 8 within seconds outside and 5 or so indoors.
[Desire HD General] ikostas_1:
where can we find a change of the gps cover ???
[Desire HD General] amm009uk:
Cases can cause problems even plastic ones. I suppose it depends on the materials in the paint. I have a rubber/plastic one the S-Line and it definitely effects reception!

For the GPS case I bet you have to go back to HTC:(

So from what I understand Froyo/2.2.1 was ok with our GPS. May go back as a quick test to confirm that. Does anyone know how the CyanogenMod builds behave with our GPS?

In fact now that I think about it Froyo was perfectly ok except of a couple of security holes:(

Its funny how so MANY ppl don't even use the GPS to know the problem exists:eek:
[Desire HD General] dugsoft:
ok here is my 2cents worth

having tried all other info i found on the web but with no joy i thought i would give this a go..

i did manage to get the cover off, clean out and replace but

i did manage to scratch the cover :eek:

fired up the phone and run gps test

unbelievable ( for the first time ever ) picked up 2 then 3 then 4 sats :-)

happy i was but not for long...

got up the next day tried again and back to not working

cover off bend up the pins a bit more then refit

result gps dead :-( no signal at all

right i guess i will have to live without gps function on dhd as i don't want to break it compleatly..

then i saw this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140529713778&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

new gps cover, as it's quite cheap and my cover was all scratched i thought one last go then i will give up.

came yesterday, fitted last night

bingo 7,8,9,10 sats straight away :D how happy was i

got up today booted phone gps test 10 sats in less than 20 seconds

been out in car and for the first time ever used phone sat nav...:p:p

now i am not saying this will work for all and this is the root of our problems but

i am happy and for me it was worth a try.

not only is my gps working no scratched cover so phone is back to mint condition :p:p
[Desire HD General] apple123boy:
thanks for sharing your idea.

Have any idea about opening the casing?:D
[Desire HD General] chwads2k8:
awesome defo picked up 8 sattelite within 5 mins inside house... urse reli small flat scre driver to open and open formt he right rest is easy should only tke 5 mins to do it .... thx rakesh
[Desire HD General] Malobestino:
Thanks for the advice OP, but it didn't solved my problems.

The GPS still track the same number of sat (7-9) with the same strenght (I used a program called GPS test, it says that saltellites are on 25-32 SNR, I don't know what that means) but the problem remains the same as it doesn't do the first lock in less than 3-4 minutes (I don't know if it's a bad or good result, but my previous phone - HTC wildfire - used to lock in less than 2 mins).

I will test again in the next days (today is a bit cloudy) but i'm a bit skeptical that anything is going to improve because i used to have the same results (n°sat, signal strenght, and time to lock) even before doing that trick to the GPS antenna.

(for completeness' sake I'm using ARHD 5.1.7 and I tried all the solutions posted in ARHD's trhead, also trying different gps.conf files but still with no visible improvement)
[Desire HD General] jonpenn101:
Amazing had real problems with getting an accurate location forme but now it's sorted this fix is excellent.
[Desire HD General] rosswaa:
Sorted, read post below
[Desire HD General] rosswaa:
after months of no gps working i can finally say the problem IS the antenna

i tried stretching the springs with no joy so did some reading and found a video on the tube where someone mentioned soldering some wire across, so i went on the hunt for some copper cable, found some from an old charger and bridged it

went outside and bam 8 sats in use and they kept coming to 15 with an accuracy of 11ft i was blown away so now need to bust out my soldering iron and make it permanent!!

amd as iv just written this i realize i just lost my flash cover in the excitement *facepalm*
[Desire HD General] amm009uk:
You're the man for going thru with this well done!!!

Do you have that youtube link?
[Desire HD General] rosswaa:
nah i didnt do a video, i have no camera

i really dont recomend doin this though, it seems that if you solder the wire only to the right hand side and leave the bit of case off and have it pointing up in the air like a little arial u get loads of satelites and accurate to under 5 ft

as soon as the case goes on it seems to shield the gps antennae and takes ages to get a fix to only 2 satellites

so im working on my own fix for this

my bit of case broke the contacts off completely which turned the original ariel into the shield when the contacts were on though the mod worked perfectly
[Desire HD General] amm009uk:
So if you had a copper strip attached to each of those GPS contacts AND it was long so it stuck out of the cover do you think that would do it? Keep us posted please.
[Desire HD General] rosswaa:
if the original contacts were still there and ok i would get some copper wire and make a loop inside and solder it to the spring things but mae sure the wire goes through the springs so it stops them springing that worked well

i guess it used the original antena and the wire as a double so signal was really good

my contacts on the cover broke off so i soldered the copper wire on the right hand side and left the one on the left then drilled 2 small holes in the cover so the wire would come out and go back through the other hole

now when the wire is out with the cover on the signal is great, but when im no using it i can poke it through the other hole so its not in the way, when its away it gets signal but not strong at all when its out its about 4-5 ft accurate so im happy
[Desire HD General] MrPloppy:
I was wondering, what's a "good" satellite fix? Using GPS Test, I'm getting SNR values for satellites of about 15-30ish (the scale goes all the way up to 99), and generally a Accuracy of about 40-50ft, sometimes worse, sometimes better. Its not that good, I think.

I've tried the method that the OP has suggested - managed it without breaking anything or scratching the case ;), but there isn't much difference...
[Desire HD General] rosswaa:
well i fix to about 12-15 satellites and within 20-40 of the scale but 4-5 ft accurate not 40-50ft
[Desire HD General] chwads2k8:
i do not reccomend this.. its killin the dhd... can confirm from previous post that after a day or so stretchin springs it worked like magic but looks like my gps is dead now gettin nothing
[Desire HD General] amm009uk:
So far we have these suggestions to be tried in the order listed:

1) GPS Status tool and download fresh GPS data

2) Fasterfix to update to a server in your area

3) wipe efs data

4) Opening the cover on the back and bend the springs (ouch) as in post #1

5) Adding copper wire:eek:

Needless to say... make sure you have matching RIL+Radio, you do complete reboots even battery out, give the device a good 10 mins in clear daylight.

When mine use to work correctly I could get a lock in less then 30 secs with about 4-8 sats and some showing 40+ SNR. Now I am getting 0 - 6 sats and lock takes FOREVER (sometimes NEVER) and moving the device causes massive signal loss.

I'm beginning to think my HW has degraded:mad:
[Desire HD General] amm009uk:
I think you're right and most ppl will break the copper springs.
[Desire HD General] chwads2k8:
my springs are fine. everythin ok jus gps seems to hav died lol guess its tine to bury this phone.

it is wierd but i think u dhudnt do this phones gps is dead even tho spribgs n gps is fine
[Desire HD General] hisheeraz:
Those two springs are for led power connectors ... Some one worked hard but missed out on HomeWork :-(
[Desire HD General] jackop87:
Interesting solution, thx!
[Desire HD General] Holst1981:
They are NOT for the LED power connectors, there are SMD LEDs on the motherboard below the lenses (at least on my phone)

I am running the stock Orange Rom and my GPS stopped working a few weeks ago.

As nothing has changed in software I figured this was a hardware issue.

Taking the cover off and cleaning the contacts and springs worked for me. Previously I could only get 1-2 satellites after cleaning the contacts I now see 8-10 and have a fix in 30 seconds.

The contacts on my phone were oxidized especially on the cover side and this may have been causing a poor connection.

I did bend the spring contacts up a little, but only very slightly.

If you watch the disassembly video posted in the beginning of the thread it explains how to remove the cover without scratches or damage. I made a tool from an old spanner (4mm spanner) and this made removing the cover pretty simple.

How long it will last till it degrades again we will see.. my phone is quite new and I don't fancy doing this every 6 months. If it goes wrong again I may replace the contacts with a small plug + wire.

Those of you who have no GPS after removing the cover may have damaged the contacts onto the aerial inside the cover, especially if you bent it and pushed it around trying to remove it. You could check the aerial using a multimeter to make sure you have continuity across the contacts.
[Desire HD General] chwads2k8:
see the thing is i didnt touch borad jus springs. n there fine it worked for a day then jus stopd so doubt its coz broke sum connection. may hav jus burnt out
[Desire HD General] rosswaa:
if you understood how the signal works then youll know what you say is ****e
[Desire HD General] amm009uk:
After a struggle I get 1 or 2 sats and I think I've tried most things:confused:

This morning as someone already suggested I pushed the cover real tight and held it in while running GPS Test. A few secs later I got up to 10 sats and a lock:)

Thinking now what to do next.
[Desire HD General] amm009uk:
Cell towers are useful especially when you haven't had a GPS lock for a few days. However, I've traveled with my DHD in the middle of no where several times and had no issues getting a lock. No wifi or cell towers where we go. So yes getting a AGPS data you'll need data download. Even the NTP settings in the gps.conf are wrong for me but it worked fine. I'm in Saudi Arabia and my gps.conf is set to Europe. So I'm gutted at its current performance compared to a few months back:mad: (Yes I carry more than 1 GPS for safety).
[Desire HD General] chwads2k8:
my apologies to everyone for some reason i took the cover off and cleaned contacts on cover and springs and reconnected and gps seems to be working fine again getting a fix inside living room within 30 secs

jus hope it stays like that now lol
[Desire HD General] 160bpm:
I have done the sollution... Before 2 sopme 3 gps connections... within buildings nothing... (i know.. clear sky for using GPS).

After the sollution.. have more then 10 gps connections and within building i hold 6 to 7 connections as well...

Locked within 10seconds...
[Desire HD General] emwdava:
Awesome fix.

Before = 4sat fix in 2 mins Outside with clear sky.

After = 8sat fix in less than 5 sec indoor :D
[Desire HD General] waveking9:
I think I found a good video on how to open our DHD for this procedure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qm_z65LA8k
[Desire HD General] t-bon3:
Yes, that's the video I used to guide me through getting the rear case off of mine.

I cut out some clear plastic tabs from an old blister pack I had lying around and bent a knitting needle to press the rear case up from the inside. Cleaned the contacts and put it back together, big improvement for me.

[YOUTUBE]7qm_z65LA8k[/YOUTUBE]
[Desire HD General] caronlyall:
Mine isn't after pulling the springs up a little and cleaning the contacts. I can't find any satellites plus I scratched the unibody trying to pry the flash cover off.
[Desire HD General] dlads:
The creator of this thread needs to put a warning in big letters which is visible to all that this procedure could in effect break your device (the GPS anyway)

Some people appear to have tried this and have broken their GPS while others have had no results at all from it, i appreciate that it's an attempt to rid people of their horrible GPS issues but the tutorial needs to be more indepth and it also needs that warning sign.

Just letting you know before a mod spots it and advises the same.
[Desire HD General] denialnw10:
I am flabbergasted!!!

I previously owned the original desire, which, in my opinion, had one of the best gps receivers I had ever used, and I was so disappointed to find that the DHD receiver actually has not worked at all since I got it.

Tried all the software fixes, of which none worked, and now to try this hardware fix, which seemed dodgy as hell (I do not generally like to prise open my £450, 3 month old phone with a screwdriver), but it worked!!!

I now get a minimum 7 satellite fix indoors within 20 seconds, where previously I couldn't get one outside with clear skies after more than an hour!!!

This is crazy!!! I can't believe that HTC are allowing phones to be sold with this problem! This is a hardware issue and in reality there should be a recall on these handsets as they are being sold faulty!!!

Thanks to the original poster! You have made me a happy man! Although this has really made me think twice about my buying of HTC products (of which my girlfriend and I have owned 9 since 2002).
[Desire HD General] rakesh2002:
Thanks for the notice. I have addressed your concern and I hope it is sufficient enough for the mods to be considered as reasonable/safe.

Regards.
[Desire HD General] lrm537:
I used this as a guide also. Before finding i was sh**ing myself to even try it, but i did and it works.

I also noticed some mentions of a fix involving solder. Maybe something for the future. For now though gps is working a whole lot better.

Thanks

ps. The guy who made the video also had these pics on flicker that i found handy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45881470@N06/5671817895/in/set-72157626706509210/
[Desire HD General] wywywywy:
Thanks for the solution. It seems to have worked for me so far (only one day in).

Can I also mention that you can open the cover without scratching it if you have long fingernails, or one of those iPod opening tools.

And also use sandpaper for proper cleaning of the oxidised contacts. But remember to blow away the dust afterwards.
[Desire HD General] dell.oxl:
People with this hardware fix, please, use this program:

4pda.ru/forum/dl/post/840231/TestDHDVideoGPS.apk

from this develop:

4pda.ru/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=190567&view=findpost&p=5282962

and please look at how they behave satellites for video recording.

Without hardware fix, when you start recording video companions flee, or very badly caught. As satellites behave with you?
[Desire HD General] WinterMage:
I have given up on trying to fix it myself.

Since the phone isn't under warranty, do you have any idea how much it would cost to repair this? Does the motherboard need to be replaced?

Are there any repair centers in Washington DC you might recommend?

(When moving to new city, I absolutely have to have working GPS).

Thanks guys, and good luck!
[Desire HD General] Black1982:
I think this is a very dangerous post and I highly doubt if this is he kind of procedure you'd want do do yourself.

I strongly suggest people to send their HD back to HTC under warrenty if tey think their GPS is faulty.

At the very least I would ask the OP to add a list of all software options to be followed before even considering this kind of procedure.

download GPS status: clear AGPS data. Download new data.

download fasterfix and set the right area.

Messing with the hardware yourself is a desperate measure is you ask me.
[Desire HD General] dlads:
No problem man, I think what you've done is fantastic and even if it helps a handful of people then I think its worth it, you've put up the warning and people even have videos to watch so there's not much else you could have done.

I personally tried it and I'm having problems with my GPS still, it's a pain in the arsenal if im honest, tried GPS status, faster fix, good radio with corresponding ril but still have issues, indoors and out, however I am in Spain at the moment so that may be why?

Ill give it a whirl when I get back to the UK, hoping it works.
[Desire HD General] nothing94:
I broked one gold contacts... And now? My gps seems don't fix

Ok, I just get a fix
[Desire HD General] uzairi:
Thanks man nice guide!
[Desire HD General] filojs:
Nice guide, thanks dude!!

Enviado desde mi Desire HD usando XDA Premium App
[Desire HD General] futur1sm:
Did this and GPS stopped working completely after a few days, so everyone should be warned it's their risk to try it. Oh well, Nandroid and move SD card to my other DHD so HTC can repair this one lol. Anybody know how much they will charge roughly in UK? :D