scott8813
01-16-2009, 10:57 PM
HTC Touch Pro: GPS problem tweaking
Since the day that I get my HTC Touch Pro, I've been making countless attempts to get the GPS working. But all of my attempts failed. Just to make sure that it's not GPS satellite problem, I bring along my previous Nokia N95 for testing. It just works fine. N95 is getting satellite fix normally.
Consulting HTC Touch Pro manual is no use as well. Suprisingly, this is the only page in the manual that talks about GPS feature on HTC Touch Pro.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3008660061_2fcfc6b1d9.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008660061%2F)
So lets do what is suggested in the manual. I open up QuickGPS application,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/3009497112_e23fe23a79.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009497112%2F)
and download the latest satellite data.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/3009497196_852aeb57ac.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009497196%2F)
Still. No sign at all that my GPS is working. So many scary thoughts coming to my mind of whether I'm got a defect product.
Frustrated with that, I tried to consult a friend of mine who is using HTC TyTN II, and he said that he's got no problem with GPS. Upon searching numerous forum on the net, it seems I'm not alone. There are so many forums talking about GPS lag problem on HTC Touch Pro. So, what is GPS lag anyway? The following photo should explains everything.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/3008659973_09cb5bd187.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008659973%2F)
My case is even worse. I cannot get the satellite to fix the connection on my at all. So how do I know that I'm getting no fix? I have this MapKing 2007 software installed. Once I'm in, I just click the GPS icon on top right hand corner.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/3009497374_1f2d6c8e19.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009497374%2F)
Now I'm in the GPS navigation screen. Nothing happened here since no GPS fixed on my device. So I tap anywhere on the screen to bring the option screen.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/3008660615_93f8916665.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008660615%2F)
Once I'm in the option screen, I tap the GPS Status icon to look at what really happening.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/3008660701_87a1f67a82.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008660701%2F)
So I'm on the status screen. I bet the red dots are the satellites that scattered around the earth orbit. See the status that says No Fix. Well, this is the screen that I see all times whenever I test the GPS function. It annoys greatly to see those red bars picking up high signal, but still no satellites fix.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/3008660891_4cf543958b.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008660891%2F)
Keep digging the forum, I finally come across this thread, which suggest the following tweaks to enhance GPS performance on HTC Touch Pro:
A. With Advanced config 3.2
disable A-GPS
disable GPS logging
logfile name must be empty
old logfile name must be empty
maximum size of logfile must be 0
delete the files :
\windows\GPSLogFile.txt and \windows\GPSLogFileBack.txt
With those changes car usage will be quite perfect
B. Then edit registry with TotalCommander
Under: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\GPS Intermediate Driver\
Drivers\GpsOneDevice\PollInterval -> 100 (default is 1000)
Drivers\InputBufferSize -> 512 (default is 4096)
Drivers\OutputBufferSize -> 512 (default is 4096)
Drivers\SleepOnNoData -> 100 (default is 1000)
Multiplexer\MaxBufferSize -> 512 (by default not present, you have to create it)
With those tweaks pedestrian usage will be much better but not perfect.
Plain texts never work for me. So here is the very graphics tweak that I did on my HTC Touch Pro, based on the above steps. But first, lets download the following free tools that will be used first
Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 3.5 (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wckediden.com% 2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D177299%26highlight%3Dframew ork)(Advanced Configuration Tool needs this)
Advanced Configuration Tool 3.3 (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wckediden.com% 2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D174777%26highlight%3DAdvanc ed)
Total Commander 7.04a (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wckediden.com% 2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D178990%26highlight%3DTotal% 2BCommander)
First, I open the Advanced Configuration Tool application.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/3009497900_5f29cc5e19.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009497900%2F)
Once in, I just navigate to the GPS tree. This is what I see initially. Assisted GPS (A-GPS) is disabled by default.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/3009498156_74c1dc919e.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009498156%2F)
Go to Log File option. By double clicking, I set the option to No Logging.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/3009498360_41cd5e2c93.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009498360%2F)
Then, I delete the entry for Old Log File. Max. log file size is set to 0 by default. And this is how the screen showing the final setting for this. I'm done here. When I close this utility, it will warn me to soft reset the device for the effect to take place. I don't do this first as I will do it after the next section.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/3009498456_07386ff46d.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009498456%2F)
So next, I open up the Total Commander application.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/3008661661_0a186a7fab.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008661661%2F)
I actually need to edit the registry here. First, just double click the \\Plugins folder,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/3008662147_684fbf265d.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008662147%2F)
then I will see the registry folder.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/3009499176_0dfabb82f5.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009499176%2F)
Then I need to navigate myself this this location HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\GPS Intermediate Driver\. I do this by doing by starting with HLKM first,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/3008662473_e454f60cdc.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008662473%2F)
and all the way to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\GPS Intermediate Driver\Drivers\GpsOneDevice\, as they key that I need to edit is located there - which is PollInterval. Just double click the key to edit the value.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3008662707_93cf0f610d.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008662707%2F)
So I repeat the same thing for all other keys, and here is the summary of what to be editted again
Drivers\GpsOneDevice\PollInterval -> 100 (default is 1000)
Drivers\InputBufferSize -> 512 (default is 4096)
Drivers\OutputBufferSize -> 512 (default is 4096)
Drivers\SleepOnNoData -> 100 (default is 1000)
For the last key, which is Multiplexer\MaxBufferSize, the key doesn't exist yet, so I have to create it. So what I need to do is to tap on the +Add Value+ option,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/3008663007_5c3cf1193c.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008663007%2F)
and specify the name of the key that I want. In this case, it should be MaxBufferSize. Make sure DWORD is selected for the Type. I tap OK button to confirm.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3009500008_7d11d4e7f4.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009500008%2F)
Then it will ask me to enter the value for that newly created key. So I enter 512 here.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/3008663135_64d0d1d477.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008663135%2F)
Here is the new key that I just created.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/3009500134_cac001718f.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009500134%2F)
Finally, I exit Total Command, and soft reset my HTC Touch Pro. One I'm in, I get into MapKing 2007 again, and to the same GPS status screen in MapKing 2007 again. It's the moment of truth of whether my trouble of tweaking the settings worth or not.... drum rolls.....
Yippe! It works! I'm very happy. Finally, the satellite is able to fix my device. Oh dear, what a relief to see this.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/3008663331_ce338e463c.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008663331%2F)
So, let test this in Google Map. Yeap. That is my location at this instant. It's very accurate I have to say.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/3009500462_834a213287.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009500462%2F)
I guess my worries are over. I'm quite happy with this tweak for the time being, until HTC release the updated ROM for HTC Touch Pro that will fix this issue. Patience is what I need most now. I have been testing this on the road as well, and it's pretty good. I don't face GPS lag at all.
Since the day that I get my HTC Touch Pro, I've been making countless attempts to get the GPS working. But all of my attempts failed. Just to make sure that it's not GPS satellite problem, I bring along my previous Nokia N95 for testing. It just works fine. N95 is getting satellite fix normally.
Consulting HTC Touch Pro manual is no use as well. Suprisingly, this is the only page in the manual that talks about GPS feature on HTC Touch Pro.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3008660061_2fcfc6b1d9.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008660061%2F)
So lets do what is suggested in the manual. I open up QuickGPS application,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/3009497112_e23fe23a79.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009497112%2F)
and download the latest satellite data.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/3009497196_852aeb57ac.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009497196%2F)
Still. No sign at all that my GPS is working. So many scary thoughts coming to my mind of whether I'm got a defect product.
Frustrated with that, I tried to consult a friend of mine who is using HTC TyTN II, and he said that he's got no problem with GPS. Upon searching numerous forum on the net, it seems I'm not alone. There are so many forums talking about GPS lag problem on HTC Touch Pro. So, what is GPS lag anyway? The following photo should explains everything.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/3008659973_09cb5bd187.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008659973%2F)
My case is even worse. I cannot get the satellite to fix the connection on my at all. So how do I know that I'm getting no fix? I have this MapKing 2007 software installed. Once I'm in, I just click the GPS icon on top right hand corner.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/3009497374_1f2d6c8e19.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009497374%2F)
Now I'm in the GPS navigation screen. Nothing happened here since no GPS fixed on my device. So I tap anywhere on the screen to bring the option screen.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/3008660615_93f8916665.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008660615%2F)
Once I'm in the option screen, I tap the GPS Status icon to look at what really happening.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/3008660701_87a1f67a82.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008660701%2F)
So I'm on the status screen. I bet the red dots are the satellites that scattered around the earth orbit. See the status that says No Fix. Well, this is the screen that I see all times whenever I test the GPS function. It annoys greatly to see those red bars picking up high signal, but still no satellites fix.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/3008660891_4cf543958b.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008660891%2F)
Keep digging the forum, I finally come across this thread, which suggest the following tweaks to enhance GPS performance on HTC Touch Pro:
A. With Advanced config 3.2
disable A-GPS
disable GPS logging
logfile name must be empty
old logfile name must be empty
maximum size of logfile must be 0
delete the files :
\windows\GPSLogFile.txt and \windows\GPSLogFileBack.txt
With those changes car usage will be quite perfect
B. Then edit registry with TotalCommander
Under: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\GPS Intermediate Driver\
Drivers\GpsOneDevice\PollInterval -> 100 (default is 1000)
Drivers\InputBufferSize -> 512 (default is 4096)
Drivers\OutputBufferSize -> 512 (default is 4096)
Drivers\SleepOnNoData -> 100 (default is 1000)
Multiplexer\MaxBufferSize -> 512 (by default not present, you have to create it)
With those tweaks pedestrian usage will be much better but not perfect.
Plain texts never work for me. So here is the very graphics tweak that I did on my HTC Touch Pro, based on the above steps. But first, lets download the following free tools that will be used first
Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 3.5 (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wckediden.com% 2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D177299%26highlight%3Dframew ork)(Advanced Configuration Tool needs this)
Advanced Configuration Tool 3.3 (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wckediden.com% 2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D174777%26highlight%3DAdvanc ed)
Total Commander 7.04a (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wckediden.com% 2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D178990%26highlight%3DTotal% 2BCommander)
First, I open the Advanced Configuration Tool application.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/3009497900_5f29cc5e19.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009497900%2F)
Once in, I just navigate to the GPS tree. This is what I see initially. Assisted GPS (A-GPS) is disabled by default.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/3009498156_74c1dc919e.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009498156%2F)
Go to Log File option. By double clicking, I set the option to No Logging.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/3009498360_41cd5e2c93.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009498360%2F)
Then, I delete the entry for Old Log File. Max. log file size is set to 0 by default. And this is how the screen showing the final setting for this. I'm done here. When I close this utility, it will warn me to soft reset the device for the effect to take place. I don't do this first as I will do it after the next section.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/3009498456_07386ff46d.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009498456%2F)
So next, I open up the Total Commander application.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/3008661661_0a186a7fab.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008661661%2F)
I actually need to edit the registry here. First, just double click the \\Plugins folder,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/3008662147_684fbf265d.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008662147%2F)
then I will see the registry folder.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/3009499176_0dfabb82f5.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009499176%2F)
Then I need to navigate myself this this location HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\GPS Intermediate Driver\. I do this by doing by starting with HLKM first,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/3008662473_e454f60cdc.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008662473%2F)
and all the way to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\GPS Intermediate Driver\Drivers\GpsOneDevice\, as they key that I need to edit is located there - which is PollInterval. Just double click the key to edit the value.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3008662707_93cf0f610d.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008662707%2F)
So I repeat the same thing for all other keys, and here is the summary of what to be editted again
Drivers\GpsOneDevice\PollInterval -> 100 (default is 1000)
Drivers\InputBufferSize -> 512 (default is 4096)
Drivers\OutputBufferSize -> 512 (default is 4096)
Drivers\SleepOnNoData -> 100 (default is 1000)
For the last key, which is Multiplexer\MaxBufferSize, the key doesn't exist yet, so I have to create it. So what I need to do is to tap on the +Add Value+ option,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/3008663007_5c3cf1193c.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008663007%2F)
and specify the name of the key that I want. In this case, it should be MaxBufferSize. Make sure DWORD is selected for the Type. I tap OK button to confirm.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3009500008_7d11d4e7f4.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009500008%2F)
Then it will ask me to enter the value for that newly created key. So I enter 512 here.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/3008663135_64d0d1d477.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008663135%2F)
Here is the new key that I just created.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/3009500134_cac001718f.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009500134%2F)
Finally, I exit Total Command, and soft reset my HTC Touch Pro. One I'm in, I get into MapKing 2007 again, and to the same GPS status screen in MapKing 2007 again. It's the moment of truth of whether my trouble of tweaking the settings worth or not.... drum rolls.....
Yippe! It works! I'm very happy. Finally, the satellite is able to fix my device. Oh dear, what a relief to see this.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/3008663331_ce338e463c.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3008663331%2F)
So, let test this in Google Map. Yeap. That is my location at this instant. It's very accurate I have to say.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/3009500462_834a213287.jpg (https://www.wckediden.com/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fp hotos%2Fmohdimran%2F3009500462%2F)
I guess my worries are over. I'm quite happy with this tweak for the time being, until HTC release the updated ROM for HTC Touch Pro that will fix this issue. Patience is what I need most now. I have been testing this on the road as well, and it's pretty good. I don't face GPS lag at all.