[Galaxy S I9000 General] aurelm:
GPS fix (workaround) - My version

Hi all. I hope this is helpful.

It is similar somehow to the alternative hack on this thread:

h**p://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=72889494

(seems I cannot post actual links because I'm new so I replaced http with stars)

That is not actualy alternative as it deals with a different issue that locking problems.

I have tried each and every hack possible to get the gps working (not locking, even if this is a big issue sometimes), but just getting a decent coherent lock that dosen't jump everywhere around the map.

At times I got the feeling that everything worked great and on the next try all went to hell. Nothing, nothing helped.

So after playing a while I tought that maybe the gps test on LbsTestMode may use some settings that a normal software might not.

So first of all.

You should have a rooted phone (for convenience)

Install from the market a widget for easy gps on/off switching called GPS OnOff. The rooted Galaxy is Good because you can do the one click switch.

First of all you should keep your gps off from that button when not using.

Turn on the gps.

Enter the gps app from the dialer:

Dial *#*#1472365#*#*

My application settings:

session : tracking

test mode s/w test

operation mode : standalone (this can ONLY help getting a faster lock if you use ms based ms assisted by getting the satellite positions from the net. And that is not the major issue here. If you do have problem getting a lock maybe you should try ms assisted with the settings from the other thread and not ms based. Ms Based by the name implies that is based on internet connection and not your gps chipset. I keep everything to off so my device is independent).

Start mode : I use hot start but in case you encounter issues try cold start.

GPS PLUS : I think this may be bull****. Gets you faster lock but not reliable. Turn it off.

Dynamic accuracy (I have no clue what this does however the side effect of turning it off is that the gps shuts down after a couple of minutes. The name implies that may have something to do with something else and could be a key to the mystery).

Accuracy : I keep it to 150, I get a much faster unreliable lock but I do wait for it to stabilize to 5m accuracy.

Skyhook : Bull****. Turn it off, It's absurd to use wi-fi for getting a lock. What the hel kind of trick is this anyway, have the gps chipset manufacturers got lazy and started to put the load on anything else but the gps itself ? I cannot see how this could possibly be ok. Btw, using skyhook gets you faster lock but the most jumping around of them all. IF you have mapped routers around you.

However this may be helpful navigating around skyscrapers areas where there is no satelite coverage/

Use PCTOOL : I don't know what this does but sounds unusefull.

Ok, so that was my setup.

Now go to the previous menu using the back button, hit "clear gps data" and then "get position test"

Go in an area outside where you can get a lock. DO not try getting a lock whiole driving.

Wait for it to get a lock. Wait for it to get a good lock. The info shown there may not have much to do with the real situation anyway. If you turn off the gps externaly and return to this menu it will still show it has a good lock. And the locked satelites jump from one another anyway. Just give it some time to get a 5 meter lock and stay a little bit longer.

NOW : Do not hit the back button. Hit the home button. The application will run in the background and have control over the gps. Start google maps (do not use navigation software for testing the results as they lock the position to the road even if the gps position is way off).

You should now have a reliable 5 meters accuracy lock that has no issues at all and it's quite impressive anyway. The arrow should not jump more than 10 meters of road. THe only issue for me left now is the one I found in all smartphone gps system, the fact that there is a 2 second lag between the moment you are somewhere and the moment the gps shows the location.

After you are done close the map and the gps from the button. When you open it again the test application will still be running in the background getting a new lock.

Since the lock was so good I am very sure this is a software issue and not hardware.

Test it and tell me of the results. Even If I tested it for 2 hours and found no issues, the way things worked out until now, tomorrow the problems may come back and start swearing at Samsung again for their crappy support.

Speaking of : Samsung, where the hell are you with that fix ???????