yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Captivate General] RichMD:
I currently have a batch 1007 Captivate. I'd like to know if many people have compared a newer batch for GPS performance with the same software config. My current sw config makes it "decent" most of the time but I think the hw is limiting it from improving any further. My serial # falls in the range for the "random shutdowns" issue as well. Other than GPS, I have been fairly happy with it overall but the 1 year warranty is about up so I'd like to know if I switch it out, what batch # (at least) is required to have the GPS antennae issue fixed as well as possible.
[Captivate General] blacura:
wonderful guide. my gps was buggin before
[Captivate General] toy028:
Im getting the best results by using these setting on in the US

SUPL/CP Settings/SErver FQDN Type/Custom Config

Application settings/Operation Mode/Standalone

SUPL/CP Settings/Server/www.spirent-lcs.com

SUPL/CP Settings/Port/7275
[Captivate General] nehal51086:
Thank you...great wright up
[Captivate General] -=chad=-:
finally decided to turn my phone back in (1007 version). First attempt was through the phone customer service, they sent me a 1012 version. That phone's gps didn't work at all, wouldn't even grab my location within 1300meters.

I decided to drive the 40 minutes to the service center and they exchanged it on the spot for an 1102 version. This one grabs a lock within 5 seconds and holds it.

I'm just reaffirming that exchanging the phone is the only way to fix this problem.
[Captivate General] movrshakr:
Do you know if you have a phone within the IMEI range for the lockup problem...will they exchange the phone even if it was bought aftermarket?
[Captivate General] -=chad=-:
It never hurts to try. I'd suggest taking it to a repair center rather than doing it over the phone.

Do you best to connect with the person behind the counter and they'll be more willing to work with you.
[Captivate General] falcaraz:
In the website "http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/north-america" it says to use:

0.north-america.pool.ntp.org

1.north-america.pool.ntp.org

2.north-america.pool.ntp.org

3.north-america.pool.ntp.org

This is a pretty long thread but maybe this has been covered already but incase it hasn't heres some pics showing the difference.

The first pic is with the 0.north-america.pool.ntp.org setting. Lock was very quick and stable at around 15-20 feet.

The second pic is with the north-america.pool.ntp.org settings shown in the OP. Lock did take a noticeably longer time compared to the other setting, and seems to hover around 25-30 feet. Maybe it takes longer to lock because it isn't finding the server located at north-america.pool.ntp.org?

Like I said, this has probably already been covered :)
[Captivate General] movrshakr:
%&Y^##W#^

I have Root Explorer and YAFFS. Neither one will let me edit gps.conf. I can't find ANYTHING on my phone that will let me edit the file. Annoyed.
[Captivate General] hmose:
Could you tell me whether you are talking about an AT&T or a Samsung repair center? A phone number perhaps. Where does one find this version number ie. 1007, 1102 etc?

After which version do we know the GPS got fixed??

My year is running out.....

Thanks
[Captivate General] chrislj:
Has anyone confirmed where the internal GPS antenna is located? It was speculated that is is the back cover. I do not believe that is correct as far as I can tell. I think I found it's location but want some input on it first.

I know exactly where the wifi antenna is. Bluetooth? unknown unless it's combined with wifi.
[Captivate General] movrshakr:
WHICH Captivate model are you talking about?

Why do you say the antenna is NOT the back cover? On my i897 ATT, there are the little touch springs on the phone which provide the electrical connection to the back cover by touching the little square contact spot on the inside of the back cover.

I have read elsewhere that different models are different however, e.g. Rogers, i9000 etc.
[Captivate General] chrislj:
Well I'm in the Captivate forum so I am talking about the captivate. You can still detect satellites with or without the back cover on. I can even pull the whole back off the phone and still see satellites. If you disconnect an antenna from a normal GPS you won't detect anything either which got me looking to begin with. Also if you notice there are 4 separate touch springs you refer to and a fourth pin type connector. Anyway I am attempting a mod to increase the antenna's ability but I'm not throwing out there yet in case I am wrong. If I am right I will definitely be posting my findings since I personally would like better GPS performance along with loads of others I'm sure.
[Captivate General] movrshakr:
Didn't you read what I said? There are VARIANTS of the Captivate--not to mention other Galaxy S phones like the Vibrant for T-Mobile and Fascinate for Verizon. But even within the Captivate line, there are variants: i896 = Rogers = Canada; i897 = ATT = USA; maybe more.

wiki shows lots of info about variants of Galaxy S

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_i9000_Galaxy_S#Variants

but again, even within the Captivate sub-line, there are variants.

Which do you have?

And do you not have the "spring contacts" which provide a connection to the back cover?

I am still trying to understand the basis on which you say the cover is not the antenna. It may not be on yours, but it certainly is on my i897 ATT 1006 build unit.
[Captivate General] chrislj:
My phone type has been in my signature since I started posting here lol. I have a Samsung Captivate I897 ATT build 1008. Yes it has the spring contacts. Like I said though I am only speculating that the back cover may not be our antenna. If and when I find anything I will post it.
[Captivate General] rockfrawg:
i had the same problem. I used Droid Explorer from my laptop, had to copy the gps.conf file to the desktop, then edit it, and then copy it back to the phone.

might be able to do the same thing with dropbox, didnt get that far.
[Captivate General] mastergrillo:
I just replaced my launch phone yesterday at a "att device support center" and got a 1101 and it works perfect I'm very happy with my phone just go and say your gps doesn't work and when it does its sucks and you want it replaced thats it

Btw the new phone has a sticker where the battery goes and it should say the build number I would say get anything with 1101 or higher.
[Captivate General] chrislj:
For those of you who believe the battery cover serves as a gps antenna I want to throw this out there for some others to experiment. I have found an antenna that was previously hidden to me until I really started looking for where the contacts go to. This antenna directly affects the gps signal drastically. If the antenna connection is removed I promise you it will never see a single satellite based on my tests. I haven't done much work with it but I have managed to increase my average 20-30 dbhz signal strength to 40-50 dbhz by electrically disconnecting the antenna without removing it (electrical tape) and substituting it with thin strips of aluminum foil cut and folded into various designs. I am trying to see what design yields the best signal increase but I am running into the problem of space. The increase I got requires a rather larger antenna area than whats there originally. So I am hoping some others join in and maybe we can get stronger locks which may help us keep our locks accurate during driving. So for any interested that didn't know where this antenna was located it is on the back side of the speaker where the spring contact is right next to the usb connector. If you look closely it is a black sticker that has a single copper trace that serves as an antenna to the gps chip. I am baffled though why there is only 1 single conductor antenna that I can find. All gps devices I have came across have a 2 conductor antenna design.

Also if anyone is interested in increasing their wifi range with an altered antenna it is found on the inside of the back cover right next to the camera lens opening.
[Captivate General] movrshakr:
chrislj, that is tremendously interesting. Do the contacts that connect to the back cover route to this device? I am wondering if this is not just a 'part' of the antenna system rather than being THE or a "second" antenna. For example, it might be a balun, antenna tuner, loading coil, impedance matcher, etc).

When you say "electrically disconnect the antenna," are you talking about this new piece you have discovered or the back cover?

Also. please post your design details with pictures.
[Captivate General] chrislj:
Okay, I don't have any pictures yet but to electrically disconnect the antenna in question I popped the speaker out and put a small piece of electrical tape over the contact. Then I completely reassembled the phone, battery cover and all. I did this to make sure the antenna was tied to the gps which it is. The experimental antenna designs I've been trying are kind of tricky to get into place because there is virtually no room in that area for much of an antenna so they are ugly so far but they do yield some better numbers. I'll try and get some photos up tonight with what I've tried so far. Also I forgot to mention earlier I have a 1008 build Captivate running KF1 Gingerbread rom. I have not done any software fixes either. My phone does have the tracking issues too.

The battery cover and the antenna seem to be grounded according to a multimeter.
[Captivate General] chrislj:
This one shows the antenna contact on the rear side of the speaker assembly

This one shows the opposite side of the antenna. It is normally solid black but I scraped off the coating to expose the antenna so it could be seen ore easily

This is how I disconnect the antenna when its all assembled

The antenna design testing is fairly simple. I just cut a few inches of aluminum foil just wide enough to fit where the original antenna contacts the board. Then I tape it to hold it in place. Then I try various designs by folding it different ways til I get a higher signal. If I get one good enough I'm going to use aluminum tape so its more permanent.
[Captivate General] InfiniteNomad:
Just replaced mine at device support center. Received an 1102 build and was relieved to finally see fast and accurate gps. Very happy now!
[Captivate General] chrislj:
Someone who has received 1102 build date phones with working GPS should post updated photos of the motherboard front and back, inside and outside of the back plastic case, backside of the battery door, and a front and backside pic of the speaker that I posted above. I'm wondering if their fix is on a hardware level or if it's firmware. We already know of the KB2 software change but that could be irrelevant.
[Captivate General] RageJKH:
I exchanged my Captivate yesterday after about 11 months of trying every fix around, and just dealing with the fact that it didn't work that well. The new one has the sticker with 1010 and the gps works perfectly. It gets a fast lock and the tracking is perfect, even while driving.

It worked on kb2, which is what it had when it left the repair center, and I have since put 2.3.4 Mosaic V on and it still works.
[Captivate General] movrshakr:
What was the rationale that authorized the replacement?
[Captivate General] latinoguy:
Sorry but I didnt understand your mod, what exactly do I have to do to improve the sat signal? thnks
[Captivate General] chrislj:
That post was to only show where the antenna is I found. The last picture shows the contact to "disconnect" and experiment with alternative antennas. I haven't posted any modded photos yet of antenna designs. The reason is is that I am testing with aluminum foil strips for now that will not fit inside the case in a way that I feel is presentable. I'm still fiddling with it. My gains were mainly to prove an increase in signal strength is possible.
[Captivate General] RageJKH:
I just told them the gps didn't work. They checked it and it couldn't get a lock, so they exchanged it.
[Captivate General] movrshakr:
Were they trying inside their building, or did they take it outside?
[Captivate General] RageJKH:
Inside, but right by a window. It would not have made any difference. The gps basically was not working at all, inside or outside. Even outside, it was not getting closer than about 2200m accuracy. Assisted, it would sometimes get within about 50m, but never a lock.
[Captivate General] walkah21:
Can't get into setting

So I've tried entering the key combo and as soon as I enter the last *, the numbers just disappear from the screen. I can't hit send or anything. I was able to get into these options this last summer, but I recently reset my phone to clean up some stuff and now I can't get into it. I'm running an older 2.2 ROM, but I was running it this summer and never had a problem getting into those settings. Any suggestions?? :confused:
[Captivate General] Hogan773:
on my 2.2 and now 2.3, it was

*#*#3214789650#*#*
[Captivate General] walkah21:
That worked! Thank you so much!

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 PM ----------

Now I'm seeing that I don't have a Skyhook option... Not good.
[Captivate General] BELbX:
Sorry for my English.My I897 has problems with GPS. Satellites are fast, but the signal is weak (several satellites with signal strength 30-33, and the remaining 20 - +), and very often lost. CM set 4.2.1sun semaphore 2.9.5. , Modem GKG3. is written in the file gps.conf following: watch the attachment.

1. How to increase the signal reception of GPS?

2. where i897 is GPS antenna? if you can mark the location of the antenna gps in the picture.

thank you for your help.

By the way I'm Ukraine.
[Captivate General] BWolf56:
The GPS is quite bad on the Captivate. Other than the mods that are already cooked in your ROM, there's not much we can do.

Although, you could try different modems, see if you get a better reception.
[Captivate General] BELbX:
where i897 is GPS antenna? if you can mark the location of the antenna gps in the picture.
[Captivate General] BELbX:
Founded location GPS antenna on i897. Well, then disassemble the phone and the antenna to be under the speaker if the speaker remove the antenna located in the top right corner of the board. Who can come up with how to enhance signal reception, write.
[Captivate General] 4-2ndtwin:
^

There are literally dozens, if not more, threads on the gps performance of the Captivate. U will just have to search back, even way back, in the General, Q&A, and even Dev forums and do a lot of reading.

The gps of the Captivate has always had its problems. Some users say their gps is good and some don't, even with tweaks, mods or whatever. It is was it is, with the Captivate's GPS. :thumbup:

And there is no need to post ur same post several times over.

Happy searchin ! :)
[Captivate General] Piglet76:
THX

Cheers! :)
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
Just enter that code *#*#1472365#*#*

and goto the application settings and the supl settings.

See if it is default or different from the first post.
[Captivate General] TexUs:
Oh you mean the server? Yea it's at www.spirent-lcs.com

Port 7275
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
Thanks, was seeing if maybe some phones came with different settings, I think I am going to set mine back.

Almost tempted to exchange it, but takes so much time to setup the phone.
[Captivate General] TexUs:
Do a ROM backup and restore it to the new one...

But then it'd also restore all your settings, too.
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
Yea maybe, I am trying Skyhock with the other settings default, it worked the first time, but so did the other settings, i will have to try it again on my lunch and see how fast it is, if it works at all.

I really wish ATT had more phones to choose from, hard for me to switch carriers after like 12 years. I am having more reason too now, especially since I couldn't keep my medianet unlimited plan anymore, did when i got the fuze. oh well. See how this plays out.

I hope there is a OTA fix before my 30 days though.
[Captivate General] Rizz67:
Looks Promising

androidforums.com/samsung-captivate/133545-official-gps-fix-being-pushed-out.html

Hope this happens. Should we be worried that our phones are rooted? Im coming from a Tilt, so this whole Android Experience is new (but awesome).
[Captivate General] tysj:
Apparently there's supposed to be an update regarding the GPS issue rolling out:

http://androidforums.com/samsung-captivate/133545-official-gps-fix-being-pushed-out.html
[Captivate General] TexUs:
What do us rooted users need to do?
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
That would be sweetness! Except I don't see why being root would affect the update.
[Captivate General] TexUs:
Me, either, that's why I was wondering...

Unless you've uninstalled the update component or something.
[Captivate General] tysj:
I think if you're rooted, you just won't get the push update and you'd have to manually check for updates. And when you manually check for updates, you'd only be able to check every 24hours. The root will probably break after alleged update.
[Captivate General] ptc62:
Really hope this is true and not somebody's cruel idea of a joke... This would save me a trip to AT&T to return the phone...
[Captivate General] systoxity:
you mis interpret what he said. dont worry about it. hang tight.
[Captivate General] RootPhisher:
Works

Tried a lot of different settings, but using the OP's settings it locks rather quickly:

Application Settings/Operation Mode/MS Assisted

Application Settings/Operation Mode/SkyHook/ON (VERY IMPORTANT)

SUPL/CP Settings/Server FQDN Type/Custom Config

SUPL/CP Settings/Server/supl.google.com

SUPL/CP Settings/Server Port/7276

SUPL/CP Settings/SUPL Secure Socket/Off

The SUPL Secure Socket - turning it off was the change that made it all work for me...
[Captivate General] foxbat121:
I too find that turning off Secure Socket works for me. But you may want to change the operation mode from MS Assisted to MS Based instead. The former has the inherent lag because all GPS calculations are trasmitted to backend server to perform and the result be send back to your phone. It is designed for cheap dumb phones that doesn't have the horse power to caculate its own position.
[Captivate General] JiminSD:
GPS settings for San Diego area

My GPS on the Captivate is pretty poor most of the time specially in the morning at midday it does better. I was starting to imagine that maybe DOD was playing with the satellites but my Aria GPS was excellent.
[Captivate General] hayjoelb:
Made the recommended setting adjustments. Position Test locates around 5-6 satellites...then doesn't do crap for the next couple minutes. Eventually it'll lock onto 3, sometimes 4 for...then loose the lock on all for a few sections and then reacquire. Average accuracy seems to be 30meters.

Doesn't sound right, does it? :(
[Captivate General] dressanderc:
Thank you!!!! These settings work great for me.
[Captivate General] BoostedSR20:
Yeah mine is alot better with these settings, and the edited .conf file. I will say, still not near as good as the Nexus 1.
[Captivate General] TexUs:
No update pushed out for me yet.
[Captivate General] falabarce:
I'll agree with making the change to the MS setting SHOULD help.

I just got my Captivate a few days ago and am on the same boat as many....no lock whatsoever. Google Maps seems to find me pretty well with AGPS, but GPS SAT lock is essentially non-existent.

I've changed the supl settings and doesn't seem to work at all. I have not rooted (read: I should have done this day one but haven't had time and wanted to tinker around with AT&T bloatware, but will all be gone today), but I did want to bring something else up that was odd in the LbsTestMode.

Has anyone tried an Antenna Test yet?

Mine fails every time and causes the whole application to crash. Right before I get the screen dump, I do see "File create error!!!" and then the pop up comes up.

Any thoughts on that? Seems a bit odd to me that it would...
[Captivate General] lilo777:
I installed GPS Test and it indicates that GPS actually gets signal from many (6...10) satellites just fine but the software fails to utilize it properly. I do get a GPS lock. I believe my current setting is what came as a default with wireless assist disabled, using cold start.
[Captivate General] smeltn:
I don't think we will see it this week.
[Captivate General] falabarce:
Outdoors...check...indoors or interference...not so much...

I don't think we'll see it this month....maybe next. I think that Sammy might have bigger fish to fry with the whole claim that they are short on AMOLED displays, and of course their release of the Verizon and Sprint versions of the Galaxy S.

I just changed the settings and went outside for a while...within 30 seconds, I got a cold start lock from 4 SATs with 10 being visible. However, as soon as I step inside my building (which here in Texas, buildings are paper thin) and lost the signal almost immediately...no lock. And I can see that there is no data being loaded as well, telling me it's an issue with AGPS itself. Especially after seeing the posts that people are putting up about disabling Wireless Network flag in settings. Not that I care THAT much about indoor tracking, but this does say a lot about what any kind of line-of-sight interference will do to the phone.

I'm saddened by this...because I have a phonepod 3GS which I have gotten tired of using and having to jump through hoops to do something...and then Sammy comes around with a great device that has issues because of a specific carrier build...why couldn't Sammy just pull rank on carriers and tell them, "This is our design, leave it alone" just as Apple told AT&T? Of course, that's another discussion all together in and of itself....

I hope that devs start migrating and working on more Android code. So far in the 3 days of using it, I have been very very satisfied by it and look forward to more. C'mon someone...fix this! :)
[Captivate General] Rizz67:
Same exact thing happening to me. I live in Atlanta. Outside, i can get 7-10 SAT's, lock relatively quickly. Soon as i go inside, i lose them all. Hope this gets fixed soon.
[Captivate General] NOSintake:
I'm not seeing the point to having GPS inside a building...maybe its just me though. On the flip side, my room mate just got the Droid X, and his GPS does seem to locate our apt relatively quickly. I'm not sure how the X is set up (using skyhook maybe?), but it did make a lock pretty fast when opening up Google Navigation.

I'll have to dig around some more, but we have really different schedules, so it's hard to get to sit down with it. I figured I'd tell people my findings though.
[Captivate General] dougatkins:
Word from Samsung tech support.

Today I talked with a level 3 samsung tech support guy (888-987-HELP) and he states that the GPS SW fix has been provided to AT&T and the carrier will be releasing it OTA. He didn't know how long it would take, but he said that he thinks a few people might have received it already.

For what it's worth.

Doug
[Captivate General] hmose:
Of course it does not work inside, even marine units that cost thousands are unreliable inside, even through a fiberglass deck there is attenuation, especially if there are metal fasteners or if the deck is moist. Do not rely on it unless you have the assist turned off and you have a clear view of the sky. Marine units do not have assist because the assist algorithms cause unpredictable problems and outcomes. Almost ALL of the supposed fixes I've seen in these forums are silly on their face. Absolutely nobody looks at the "nmea" sentences to see what the GPS chipset is trying to put out so they do not even have a clue about what the problem is.
[Captivate General] larryccf:
i'll second what hmose just said

every garmin unit i've had, including the current one (nuvi 680) will not get a lock on any satellites inside my house - if i want to preroute my garmin to a new destination, i've got to go outside to get a lock first

suspect anyboy's phone that is getting location lock inside is simply using A-GPS to show location