yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] paniro187:
**** trying to fix it just return yours and get a new one. i did and my gps works absolutely perfect.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
I hear ya, will be taking mine in soon enough, just want to get to the bottom of the issue (if possible). When you exchanged yours, how did that go? Curious to see if they admitted that it was a known hardware issue - what information did they offer?

I've really let Sprint have it (:mad:) more times than I can remember, but it expends alot of time and energy. Since there are many people with the issue, if we can collect enough info from experiences like yours, perhaps we can provide some ammo for them to expedite the replacement when they commence the "confrontation".
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] datajosh:
It seems like GPS craps out after the phone goes to sleep for me. Looking in GPS Status, it's finding satellites but not locking onto any of them. I've tried to disable and re-enable GPS but that doesn't help, only a restart does.

Edit: Found a fix for my issue! Opened Terminal Emulator, typed gpsd, hit enter and the GPS service came back. Not sure what's causing it to die in the first place but I imagine it can be fixed in an update.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] I'M NOT YELLING:
I'd love to do that except for the fact that I don't want to pay the deductible because of the ****ty GPS. Sigh.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Drumrocker:
Undervolting really messes up my GPS and Data Speeds. You might want to add this to the list of things to check.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] paniro187:
Do what I did go to Odin then Odin a kernel in the phone slot. This creates a soft brick. If you want to unbrick Odin a modem in the phone phone slot. Take it to sprint say say I don't know wat happened. (When it tries to boot it will just say you have to update drivers. They sent me a new one to the store with no paying a deductible.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] br0ken_shad0w:
The CM7/EVO driver was the only fix I tried, but currently works for me. May be a placebo effect, but it only takes a few seconds to lock on now. (used to take up to a minute if at all) This is on EK02 rooted stock btw. I'm gonna test it some more once I move back to my college town.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Whosdaman:
EL29 locks very quickly for me
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
Had you experienced issues prior to EL29? I am on Calk's 2.8, EL29 all the way. No change for me.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] colorado_al:
EVO driver was the only fix that reliably works for me. Tried it with all radio/modem updates and first fix is now within 10-20 seconds and GPS position is also more accurate. This is the one I used with my EVO and have been using with the E4GT.

Edit - different driver than posted by OP but is what I used for my CM7.1 EVO and works for my E4GT - this is qualcomm 1.1 driver

I normally don't use any scripts or other GPS setup programs but if a fix is not found within 30 seconds I do try GPS Status. Fix is fastest in GMaps, but also good in GNavigation and TeleNav

PS- must flash after flashing ROM or ROM updates

Curently on Calk's 2.7 and modem EL29
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] puch0021:
Currently running CM7/EVO driver + a gps script and it's been running way better. Prior to installing driver I just had the script. With the driver, it seems to lock even faster with stronger locks. I'll keep testing it out the rest of the week.

Knock on wood that this is a fix for me. Like others have said, getting a new phone is the only real consistent option.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] stargaterules:
I've never had GPS issues, running EL29 modem and kernel and Blazer ROM. I guess I got lucky. I used to have so many issues with my old EVO, especially on AOSP. Glad I dodged the bullet on this one
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
Thanks, driver testing is next for me. I've updated the postings and actually had some improvement with AngelDeath's config file for my area. Not perfect, but certainly better than before. I kinda hate the config file approach though - I travel for work and need GPS to avoid getting lost (which is a talent of mine). Just want GPS to work. When I was overseas with my good 'ol EVO, the geotagged pictures worked flawlessly - was not connected to any network or wifi the whole time.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] misticd:
So when I first started using the GPS after rooting and installing Calks Rom back in the EG30 days, my GPS would never lock and if it did lock it would go in and out of GPS signal as I was driving (on Google Nav) and on top that it would be very inaccurate. For example, let's say I would be driving down a high way and suddenly it positions me in one of the backroads next to the high way. I tried every type of GPS fix and here is what I did to fix mine.

So I start at 2.5.1 of Calks ROM (EL13 modem)

-then go into CWM.

-wipe cache and dalvik's -->flash 2.6 (Don't reboot yet)

-flash the undervolt STOCK (no reboot yet)

-flash the "CM7-N39-GPS-Driver_Supersonic.zip" from the other post in the forum

-flash that again (the gps driver) (Don't know why I did it. maybe just to reassure I had it lol)

-reboot the phone and make sure you are outside and get the first lock where you are. (stand far enough away from an airrave, if you have one)

after that I get locks instantly even after idling for 8 hours and it's accurate to like 16 ft or around there depending on how many satellites are around me.

Those steps were done like 3 weeks ago. tested many times but only today had I had a chance to tested it for a long distance drive. Today driving down to Hunter Mountain from Brooklyn and GPS signal stayed strong all the way through even through the backroads. Not once did it lose GPS signal.

As I was driving back from the Mountain to my house it only lost signal once because I my reception was jumping from tower to tower and somehow the reception is connected to the GPS, but right after I had signal, my GPS signal connected right back. Basically the GPS works as it's supposed to.

PS - I didn't change my gps.conf files either.

I have a hunch that for certain phones, the GPS is caused by the undervolting when you first flash a rom and reboot into the rom (that's why I didn't reboot after flashing the ROM, just went straight for the undervolting and GPS driver). Before this I did the same steps but rebooted after flashing ROM and then rebooted back into CWM and continued with the undervolting and GPS driver, the GPS issue would still plague the phone.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Whosdaman:
I had problems on EG30 with multiple original touch, then I got it replaced and haven't had an issue since
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] locoboi187:
Didn't work for me
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] BUCE:
No gps problems here after flashing chalk's v2.8, I've logged 2 runs over 5 miles each with cardiotrainer and it didn't skip a beat
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ayman86:
i wanted to confirm if my phone is indeed having gps issues.

i was at my brothers place ealier today. i tried my phone and his e4gt. his locked within seconds (no fixes, stock). mines couldnt get anything. lol. ill try a few more "fixes", if not im gonna talk to sprint and get a replacement
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] adma84:
As discussed between just_s and myself here: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=21093807&postcount=37

I don't think the driver 'fix' in it's current state does ANYTHING. It is possible through softlinking (or something similar) that this method could work. Just FYI. This is the one problem I have with this phone.

---------- Post added at 07:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:02 AM ----------

Go check /system/lib/hw, the flashing of this zip doesn't even work. The results are a placebo unfortunately, or coincidental. :(
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] puch0021:
Sensor aidling?

Yay or nay?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Whosdaman:
Yes turn on sensor aiding
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
Very helpful, thanks! I'm testing the driver fix now, will report my experience as well.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
If you pursue a replacement, please share how it goes. Thanks
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
Yep, I read through those reports as well - hence my sasquatch :D reference. For whatever reason, many reports of this making an improvement, so I am going to attempt a very thorough test in an effort to validate.

There are so many reports of GPS voodoo - I hope we can rule out some of these.

I also want to try volatage tweaks - I've pretty much done that already (when I tried going back to stock), but will give it another go.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] adma84:
maddocs, can you confirm what I stated above? Thanks for your thread!

My apologies, somehow I missed your above response before posting.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
I'll try! I've been using AgelDeath's config file tweaks. I am going to report on my experience with those, nandroid restore my 2.8 install and then flash the drivers and review.

I'm trying to take some time to really validate these, so bear with me. In order to really vett these approaches, I try to use my nav in addition to just pulling up gmaps and doing sat lock checks.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] colorado_al:
I could not find any reference to what GPS chip is used in the E4GT. I suspect qualcomm, but no confirmation. I contacted ifixit to see if they had identified it. It was not listed in their teardown.

If I hear back from them I will post.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] a_c_s:
For what's it's worth, my GPS has been working, but was extremely slow to lock... it would see 7 satellites typically and lock on 4-6 intermittently... during long road trips signal loss was frequent... after applying the zip in this thread, my performance is significantly enhanced, and it's not placebo effect... I get a lock on 10 satellites by the window in my apartment in NYC with a lock on 8... and it happens within seconds as opposed to minutes previously... I'm on strongsteves odexed EL13 ROM from 12/20/2011 for what it's worth...
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] adma84:
if you look at the flash.zip script and where it puts the file, the placement fails. How is that not a placebo. There is no effect on the /system folder.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] locoboi187:
http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=21221397&postcount=10
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ayman86:
i just chatted with a csr rep and he/she said "I will refresh the device remotely and it takes 15-20 minutes to provision the service."

30 minutes later, no go in the basement (did not try outside). since my phone has the yellow triangle, i needed to get rid of it, if i take it in. i made a backup and then returned to stock. yellow triangle gone.

since i did so many hacks and such, i wanted to see how gps performed fresh. went outside, locked within seconds (could never do this before in the past 2 months.)

not sure if it was sprints doing or returning it to stock. could be a combination. ill be testing out the gps tomorrow wherever i go and see how it performs. if everywhere works besides my basement. im fine with that.

after that, ill reflash unnamed rom (as it was great)
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] hduenas1989:
Why not just turn on wifi? Thats what immediately pulls up my location on Navigator when it cant find where I'm at

Sent from my rooted GameBoy Color
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Whosdaman:
Cold starts inside a basement is extremely tough on a phone. Think about it, you are in a basement! Try taking a dedicated gps unit into the basement and turn it on for the first time and see if it gets a lock quickly. Highly doubtful
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ayman86:
my evo has zero problems in my basement. gets a lock within seconds

when i need gps, im not near a wifi point. lol
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sling:
A script is only realistic fix in my opinion all the hack driver play is a waste of time.

If a talented developer can put together script that user could set time of day gps cached data cleared then gps assistance data refreshed automatically problem would be solved.

The app GPS Status has features but doesn't have auto update user must do it manually.

If it had auto update I would set timer to 5:00am daily trouble free gps use would be had.

I'm throwing 10.00 donation to whom ever puts such script together :)
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] nsxla:
I never tried using Gps Status to clear cache as a fix (will try it) nor was I aware it worked. I just reboot the device, but i was thinking maybe a Tasker script for now? that would type a scheduled command in the terminal?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sling:
Yeah GPS Staus works like a champ giving full refresh

Open menu click on tools select (Manage A-GPS State) popup option will display.

Clears gps cache= (Reset)

Update gps info - (Download)

Those both combined make for A+ gps use , The only problem is you have to manually update once a day to keep it that way.

I clear & update every morning at 5am

I'm Not sure if Tasker script is capable , If so that would be great
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sponger1:
+1

_______________________________________
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ayman86:
After a days use, GPS works pretty well outside but no go indoors. I'll talk to sprint once more before I take it inside for a replacement.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] graffix31:
I noticed someone say something about getting your first fix after a flash not near an airwave. i am having an issue with gps now for the first time that i can really remember. i did just recently get an airwave and recently flashed while at my house. im going to reflash my rom and see if that helps at all while i am at work. who knows. anyone else having issues use an airwave?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
For some, update of A-GPS data helps, but not all. None of these apps have been "champ" like for me. They may result in a location fix in maps, but do not seem to assist in keeping more than 4 or 5 sats locked. With only a few sats, you are prone to street jumping in navigation.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sling:
If your only getting 4-5 lock outside after cache clear & A-gps update you may want to swap hardware out for new.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
Thanks for the info - that is very helpful. Testing all the fixes that I could find, and I am nearing the end. I certainly feel that some of us got the short end of the antennae in this deal and it is a hardware issue. Unless something magical happens in my next round of testing, I'll be pursuing a replacement soon and will report back.

I wish we had a clear way to identify the phones with the hardware issue. Before I pursue replacement, I plan to take a detailed photos and save some log files so that I can compare to my new device. This is assuming my Sprint fight goes well of course, which it will, just not sure how much of a beating it will be this time.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] locoboi187:
Everyone ignored my solution which I found very vital over anything the user is capable on their end. Well your loss
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] nibrwr:
Your solution applied to your situation. Thanks for the info.

Do you want a cookie? ;-)
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] adma84:
I see what you did there.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] colorado_al:
I heard back from ifixit. They were unable to identify the GPS chipset in the E4GT.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
glad someone appreciates it, that's original ****e right there.

weird, but almost makes sense -I'm beginning to think that Samsung forgot to put a GPS chip in mine.:p
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] puch0021:
As others have concluded, I think the best route is to get a replacement. Literally this thing has been a nightmare for GPS and it wasn't working stock. Instead of trying to bandaid my E4GT, I'm going to ask for a replacement.

I just hate having to deal with this hassle.

Thanks for everyone who has worked on this issue by posting information, comments, tweaks etc. It's nice to know we can collectively work on the issue.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ayman86:
i stopped by a local sprint store with a ticket number in hand so they can look up the details. they disregarded it and didnt even look it up. so i re-explained the problem. so he checks the phone in front of me. tries google maps, no go. tries telenav, it says out loudly can not get signal. and telenav just shows directions from previous lock (it locks outside fine but not inside, so what he thinks he is seeing is real navigation when its not). i explained to him in detail how my brothers work perfectly fine and as such. (he also mentioned google maps is 3rd party and thus we dont support it. only telenav)

so he says he need to give it to his tech and let her look at it. i was like fine, ill come back in 45 minutes.

came back, the lady explains to the system is upto date and find nothing wrong with it. i told her does it work inside the store. she says it works fine outside. disregarding what i said. so i made sure she understood what i was saying. she says, "sir it works outside just fine". i kept explaining over and over to her, the problem is the GPS hardware and not software. she is like "sir, the computers we have here doesnt work internal hardware". i told her how can you fix something internally if you dont have the computers to find out. she gave no response.

i told her i have insurance so i should be able to get a replacement. she says gps is not covered. its only there to ensure you can make and receive calls and such (she didnt expand what else its covered). i explained to her that the gps not working is a manufacture defect so under insurance i should be able to get a replacement.

i knew from the get go, she wouldnt help me as when i entered the place and was talking to the rep, she said from afar we cant do anything about it (even though she doesnt know the problem). pissed me off.

so i said to her ill talk to sprint cuz obviously you dont know anything and went on my way.

ill talk to sprint tomorrow explaining my situation and get it resolved. i always hated talking to in person csr. they can never help with situations as these as they dont have any power to do so.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] adma84:
You are never going to win an argument by convincing them that GPS should work indoors. I would modify your position on this one (e.g., it street jumps when I am navigating)
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] rgregg504:
I just explained to them that sometimes it would take forever to lock even outside and out would lose gps during a trip. They took the phone did some sort of reset and told me to try it out, if it happens again come back tomorrow and we will order a new phone. Got the new phone 3 days later. It all depends on who you deal with.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] jamesey:
My GPS was terrible until I rooted and went to a newer stock build. Ever since el26+ my GPS has been rock solid and super fast fixation on sats
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] nsxla:
My girlfriend's phone (purchased on initial release date) continues to have GPS lock issues, I have tried everything suggested, flashing stock, flashing GPS drivers, different GPS config file.

My phone on the other hand (purchased a month ago) works okay apart from locking issues here and there which is resolved by rebooting. As someone posted earlier Sprint won't be keen to replacing a phone only for GPS conflicts, hence I am debating soft bricking her phone before going to the sprint store =]

I am pondering if the tech will be able to load stock OS if I do soft brick it? I don't have any experience using odin, any insight would be appreciated. Has anyone tried contacting Samsung to get a replacement or will they just lead you towards sprint? Or ask you to ship the phone so they can repair it =]
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Whosdaman:
My GPS locks so quick now. Better than any phone I've had
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] adma84:
How did you get this fixed?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Sh0wty:
I did the following (As suggested by just_s):

GPS EPST (##GPSCLRX#) Fix

Get your Master Subsidy Lock (MSL) code (Use Terminal Emulator and type "su" then "getprop ril.MSL" (case sensitive and don't use stock swype as the "I" malfunctions.)

Launch phone dialer and dial ##GPSCLRX# (##4772579#)

Enter the MSL Number from above as the password

Your phone will automatically reboot

Once booted back in the ROM open Maps or Navigation and obtain a GPS fix (This is an important step!)

GPS works lovely now.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] JimSmith94:
I just tried this GPS Clear (again). It gets into the screen but doesn't reboot. My phone is running Calkulin's 2.81, but this has happened with older ROMs too. Does that indicate a problem with my phone hardware?

I often have to reboot to get my GPS to work, although once I do that, it works fine for as I continuously use it. I have tried the software fixes posted here and there, and nothing seems to do much if anything to make it work consistently.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] adma84:
hmm, the first page of this OP specifically says this 'fix' does NOTHING on the E4GT. The GPS is the ONE thing I miss about the EVO :(
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sec1rxg:
This is a real good point, unless the tech takes your phone on a ride around the block to test, they are almost forced to replace it. It does however, take a bit of patience and a few phone calls to get this issue resolved with a new ET4G.

My steps towards having my phone replaced:

1 Call sprint, have your account noted of gps issue you're having

2 Go to a Sprint Store to have tech do a diagnosis.

( the tech i saw said that their Samsung rep told them that the GPS chip set are of poor quality and GPS issues are something customers are going to live with as long as the own the ET4G. Sprint Tech did a factory reset and said "sorry they're all like that" and on I went.

3 Called Sprint back, explained the details of my visit at the Sprint store, she laughed and issued me a E-Ticket number and directed me to a third party service center.

4 Going out to service center later today ...stay tuned for the exciting conclusion
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] nsxla:
I have 3 GS2 phones in the family two act as you described and 1 just refuses to lock any longer, I don't believe anyone who says their phone doesn't have any issue at all...either they don't use GPS day to day or they are constantly rebooting :)

I wonder if the GSM version has the same problem.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] madocs:
Hmm, can you post a video of this? I read this far too much, never seen proof that the code works. It does not work for me and everyone else I know. These are the types of myth that I am trying to dispell, but perhaps there is a difference that I have overlooked.

What is your setup?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sec1rxg:
very weird.... I restored my phone back to the original build, EG30 everything. My GPS now works consistently , it might just be my phone. Im still gonna try to get it replaced anyway, this issue might come back once i root again and load my fav custom ROM. Perhaps that might be root of the problem...
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] colorado_al:
I think that undervolting is causing problems with the GPS chip.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] nibrwr:
I UV and have very little problems with GPS
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sec1rxg:
UV might be key. is there a way to load a custom rom but still keep stock voltage & CPU speeds just like in stock. Perhaps a some script that restores this after flashing a ROM that edits these two items. What are those specs anyway, stock voltage...?

I restored my ET4G back to stock EG30 , went thru a couple of charging cycles and just like that my GPS works now. WTF , is this the fix or just temporary fix? Undervolting could be a plausible blame but not definitive.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] graffix31:
i had issues with my gps using el29. i could get a good sat fix outside but no location in doors with data only. went back to el26 modem and everything works again. read a few others with the same thing. just throwing it out there, i know some have much bigger problems than this.

thanks
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sec1rxg:
After running the original EG 30 ROM for 2 1/2 days and 3 0%-100% charge cycles and of course many reboots and trying all ways and conditions that causes GPS to fail and applying ZERO "gps fixes" available to regain normal Gps function, I have concluded that no matter what my gps will continue to work as long as I don't change to ROMs edited voltage scripts . I can now lock in 9-10 satellites outside and 6-7 inside, all strong locks too.

.....i'm just saying.