Other manufacturers and OS discussion

[Martincrosbie]

I have an LG E900. After the update to Mango, the GPS will not fully lock in to less than 350m accuracy, in any application including the default mapping application.

I have cleared the phone's memory, the fault still occurs.

I have restored a backup (pre-Mango) the fault goes away

Repeated the update, the problem has returned.

GPS activities start as normal, but jump straight from 'searching' to 350m, and stay there.

Anyone else?

Version Info:

OS 7.10.7720.68

FW 1.0.13.10

Hardware 1.0.0.0

Radio SW 1.0.13.10

Radio HW 0.3.5.0

Bootloader 1.5.1.0

Chip SOC 0.30.2.0

[Lee]

Hi there Martincrosbie,

Many thanks for the information about the GPS on your LG handset since the Mango update.

I've checked our known issues board and there's nothing listed for this type of error. Further to this, I've done a Google search and can't find any more references to this type of problem since the Mango update.

Despite this, the fact you've removed Mango and the issue disappears would indicate a bug. So I can raise this to our devices team, I'll need ten other examples of this.

If there is anyone else reading this that is affected by the issue, please could you update the thread with the following information?

OS version

Firmware version

Cheers,

Lee

eForum Team

[Martincrosbie]

Which google did you use?

A search for 'windows phone 7 mango gps problems' gives many results. the top one being the exact same issue posted by 5 people to the microsoft board. The second is the exact same issue posted to the XDAdevelopers forum. (note I've tried reinstalling as suggested there, and had the same failure, and no time to try a third yet) yesterday evening I had time to pop into the Yeovil vodafone branch, where the trainee there handed me to the correct local expert (who couldn't suggest much given the WP7 platform but happily suggested sending for repair), and then found the above posts in less than 2 minutes.

LG customer services, responded straight away with suggesting I send the device in for repair, as it's still under warranty. I'm unable to send it back to them for another month, and vodafone could not provide a loan handset (since I don't insure my phone through vodafone), but they are still happy to take it later as it's the reporting date that counts, not when they actually receive the handset.

I'm going to carry on with Mango, and no accurate GPS, since this is prefferable to a three year old WM6.1 device with a barely functioning keyboard (although I will still have to carry this device for some GPS use).

[Redwards5]

Hello,

I have an LG E900 on Vodafone and have the exact same issue. When I upgrade to Mango I get no GPS signal at all. As soon as I roll back to NoDo I get full GPS signal straight away. I have tried reseting the phone to factory default but every time as soon as I install Mango I can't get a GPS signal.

Has there been a resolution for this?

Thanks,

Ryan

[rfayers]

Same problem here.

GPS worked perfectly before the update now the accuracy is either 350m or 3000m. Not good when you are on the golf course trying to find out the distance to the hole.

Model  : LG-E900

OS version : 7.10.7720.68

Firmware Version : 1.0.13.10

Hope you can get this fixed as soon as possible.

Rob

[Martincrosbie]

kind of glad I'm not the only one...

The only thing I can offer as a solution is to contact LG. They offered me a repair straight away, although scheduling means I can't submit my handset just yet, I'm confident that their repair will work (its obviously working for some people). And maybe just needs a complete reflash with mango at the factory level. I know its a harsh thing, but if it works (and free under warranty..)

I'm presuming that it is simply due to an unexpected combination of settings at the time of upgrade, or the device being at the wrong (unpredictable) phase of searching orsone other random flutter the patch didn't take into account. Such is the price of in-place upgrades.

[Martincrosbie]

strange, but last night I was looking something up on the map, and noticed that it had locked ny location properly. its not worked everytime I've tried for the last 12 hours. Im not complaining, and it's too early to say its fixed, but its looking positive. Without me actually doing anything in any setting. If you've stuck with mango despite this problem, don't stop trying.

[rfayers]

I have decided to stay with mango for now but will contact vodafone about a fix (then lg if no joy with vf)

I've also noticed that when looking at the map it is usually showing the correct position but i think that is down to the A-GPS info through the GSM signal rather than the GPS hardware.

Problem is this does not update enough to use on the move.

try the 'GPSInfo' app from the Marketplace and you'll probably see the same.

Hopefully this will be sorted soon.

This is the only problem i've found so far.

[Redwards5]

Hello all,

I've got a bit of an update. After not being able to get a GPS signal at all on my LG Optimus 7 I called vodafone and got a replacement handset. The same thing happened with the new handset (again an LG Optimus 7), I could get a quick and exact GPS lock while running Windows Phone 7 NoDo but as soon as I updated to Windows Phone 7.5 Mango I couldn't get a GPS signal.

I did however notice that my location was pretty accurate but this was from A-GPS mode using GSM data. After restarting my phone several times and trying I was able to get a GPS lock but this wouldn't last after restarting my phone. I would only get a GPS lock once every 10 restarts, all other times wouldn't get more than 350meters accuracy.

I have called Vodafone business support who informed me that there is a known bug with Mango 7.5 and the Optimus 7 and that they are working on a fix. They have suggested not updating to Mango for a few weeks.

Ryan

[rfayers]

Here's one to keep you all smiling while we wait for a fix.

I contacted vodafone about the mango update and the gps issue on the LG E900.

Here's the reply.

Hello Mr. Fayers,

Thank you for writing to Vodafone Customer Services. I understand your concern with regard to the issues with Mango version of update.

I discussed the matter with our technical team and they have confirmed that currently the software is only supported for iPhone and Blackberry handsets. In this case, you will have to contact the manufacturer of your phone i.e. LG and check with them whether it is compatible to use the software update.

I trust the above information helps.

Kind regards,

(removed for security)
Vodafone Customer Services

We hope you have found our Email Customer Service helpful and convenient.

So according to their technical team the problem is we should be putting the update on an iPhone or Blackberry. How stupid of us to think a Windows operating system goes on a windows phone.

A suitably sarcastic response has been sent.

[mrjetking]

Its a software problem, probably in the LG Update that came with Mango.

GPS locks on to satellites properly if you turn off location services before you shut down your phone and turn it on again when your phone has booted up.

Bit of a faff but at least we have a temporary solution until a fix comes.

[rfayers]

Are you sure you are actually getting a 'GPS' lock or is it just the A-GPS signal through the mobile phone signal?

Mine usually shows the correct location if stationary. But if moving the location is not updated enough to be useful.

GPSInfo (a free app) shows that the lock is through A-GPS and has an accuracy of 350 meters.

[mrjetking]

Navigon Europe is showing my coodinates, speed, altitude etc and looks spot on so I'd say it was a lock since Navigon won't run on purely AGPS

[mrjetking]

Just downloaded and run GPSInfo and its showing as Full Satellite Mode, accuracy is 26 meters with my Optimus 7 on the window sill in the office.

[Redwards5]

Out of curiosity, have you all forced the Mango update on your phone by disconnecting the internet? or did you get the update "naturally" without any tricks?

[mrjetking]

Natural here

[rfayers]

Natural update.

Tried reverting to NoDo and then redoing the update. (twice)

But still no good.

Just trying out your idea. with standalone garmin gps along side just to make sure satelites are in range

[mrjetking]

Keep us posted on your findings.

The location off / turn off / turn on / location on trick seems to be rock solid for me. Works every time, and very quick to lock. Seems to continue to work no matter how long your phone is on for too. Just need to remember to turn off location before shutting down...

[rfayers]

If i can get this to work then that wont be a problem as i never switch it off.

No luck so far. 

[mrjetking]

What are your firmware and radio versions (in settings / about / more information)?

Mine (which clearly works using the trick I discovered) has:

Firmware revision number: 1.0.13.10

Radio software version: 1.0.13.10