Apparent GPS Failure

[spalding12]

ONE other interesting thing:

download "GPS STATUS"
it's a free app for the droid
when you run it, you can see the "sky" like stand-alone GPS units
you can watch your DROID find the satellites but NEVER be able to complete the "HANDSHAKE" necessary to gather data from them
makes no sense at all.... WHY in just THIS area of the country?

 

[Erich_F]

If you've read all the posts in this and other forums, you will find cases like this in CA and other regions, as well. It is not limited to JUST the the SW FL area, although it does seem to be a larger number here.

I have been thinking that the "AGPS" system, which uses the Wireless Networks Location system, might be part of the problem. When I managed to get my GPS working again, I initially turned off Location by Wireless Networks. At the time, I didn't think it was really necessary, but after getting more data here, I think it was a key part of getting my GPS back online. After getting the GPS working again, I have re-enabled the Networks location feature, but also don't run a couple location-based apps that I was before.

Erich

 

[spalding12]

I have been thinking that the "AGPS" system, which uses the Wireless Networks Location system, might be part of the problem. When I managed to get my GPS working again, I initially turned off Location by Wireless Networks. At the time, I didn't think it was really necessary, but after getting more data here, I think it was a key part of getting my GPS back online. After getting the GPS working again, I have re-enabled the Networks location feature, but also don't run a couple location-based apps that I was before.

Erich

thank you, erich
i really appreciate it
i have turned off the "location by wireless networks" setting as well
makes no difference here... without that one, i never get "located"
your thoughts are very interesting.... my feeling is that it MUST be a SIMPLE FIX... since it works in the majority of the country and there should be nothing strange about the equipment in the area where it isn't working
i can't imagine why it hasn't been fixed yet
thanks, again

 

[darreno1]

i guess it really comes down to this
the gps doesn't work in south west florida
i live in clearwater, fl
have had the phone for a week
have 7 other gps units..... garmin and tomtom
they all work
this one doesn't
i downloaded "GPS STATUS"
a great program....
it shows you the sky, like other gps units
it find the satellites..... but never locks into them
i have NO idea why this is the case
even my rep's (verizon) phone won't work around here
most techs on the phone know about the problem (some don't, of course)
i've been given the same "song and dance"
a "FIX" is coming.... it'll be an automatic download update by the end of the THIS year
we'll see
i didn't buy the phone for its gps capabilities....
afterall..... the phone won't work more than an hour when it's tracking by satellite
but.... it's a useful feature i'd LIKE to have working
by the end of the year.....
who knows why it seems to work EVERYWHERE else in the US
makes NO sense to me
one thing.... ALLTEL was king here until the "merger"
not sure if the high-density of alltel towers that verizon now owns has something to do with this

any thoughts?
thanks for the forum and this thread
greg

I live in SW Florida and mine has been flawless. My previous phone had no issues as well.

 

[spalding12]

I live in SW Florida and mine has been flawless. My previous phone had no issues as well.

hmmmmmm
man....
what gives with the TAMPA BAY problems with the gps on THIS phone?
makes ABSOLUTELY no sense

 

[summerfieldjason]

Heading to NYC on Wed. I also live in Tampa, on my second not working GPS unit. Don't know if I want to deal with another trip to the Verizon store. I have only had it work the first 10 minutes of getting a new phone. I have done a factory reset, removed battery, pretty much everything and NO LUCK. I will see if it works in the big apple.

 

[dvjones12]

I am amazed at the number of FLORIDA issues. I am in Palm Bay Florida and my droid just started the same issues. I got in my car today to use the navigation, I put it in the car dock on my window and it NEVER got a GPS lock. Funny thing was yesterday it found me down to a 8 meter resolution. I was showing a friend and it worked perfect. It has not worked at all today.
Not unless I am in the middle of Mexico right now

I have read other forums and the majority of them are in the Florida area

 

[ly92078]

Was at the Verizon store, again. A rep called me this morning saying my GPS problem was probably due to having my service through an Altel account. He tried to switch me but was not able to get to one of their business departments which was only open m-f. So I again am still using droid number three with NO gps at all.

Question: Has anybody switched thier cellphone account from Altel to Verizon to solve this?

And as posted before, my droid number three gps was not working right along a demo droid gps fully working in the store.

 

[JerrytheGreat]

Switching does NOT work

I switched from ann alltel plan to Verizon--it did NOT work--they suspect it has something to do with Alltel phone numbers.

I also feel it has to do with agps. I wrote about it in detail earlier on in this thread.

 

[ly92078]

Thank you for your reply Jerry.

I did reread your posts.

Two seeming identical droid phones, from same batch, sitting side by side in the Verizon store. One gets gps and one does not. Both only have native apps. Only difference is the telephone number and billing as Altel vs Verizon.

You indicated that changing the billing did not help.

Is it therefore logical to conclude that it is the telephone number itself, as has been suggested?

I dont have a big problem changing my phone number it if would clear up the gps problem.

Just trying to reach a return or no return decision!

 

[ly92078]

A ps

Returned to Winter Haven from Spring Hill, Fl. Phone did not work at all there (for 36 hours,constantly checking), as previously posted. Have been doing other things with the phone, pandora, tethering, etc. today.

And just for the heck of it I rechecked GPS test...and it decided to lock in!! 11 seen and 10 in use. In the house.

 

[spalding12]

Was at the Verizon store, again. A rep called me this morning saying my GPS problem was probably due to having my service through an Altel account. He tried to switch me but was not able to get to one of their business departments which was only open m-f. So I again am still using droid number three with NO gps at all.

Question: Has anybody switched thier cellphone account from Altel to Verizon to solve this?

And as posted before, my droid number three gps was not working right along a demo droid gps fully working in the store.

i had an alltel number, but when i bought the droid i had to commit to 2 years with verizon, of course.
the number stayed the same
but.... it is now a VERIZON phone.... so, the phone number ought to have nothing to do with it... right?
makes no sense to me.... at all
but.....
it would explain a lot
sounds like a computer programming issue, in that case
so.....
when will verizon get off their butts and fix it?

 

[JerrytheGreat]

Go for it!

Hey man, by all means, go for it--I'd love to know if it works.
Change to a verizon plan, and get a verizon number--then we'll all have a definitive answer.

JTG

 

[spalding12]

Hey man, by all means, go for it--I'd love to know if it works.
Change to a verizon plan, and get a verizon number--then we'll all have a definitive answer.

JTG

i'm on a verizon plan now.... afterall, verizon BOUGHT alltel
alltel no longer exists
therefore, ALL ALLTEL NUMBERS BELONG TO VERIZON..... no?
i won't change my number
i've had it for 15 years and i'm a physician... i can't change it
why can't THEY change my number's "STATUS" to VERIZON?

 

[JerrytheGreat]

Comment was for ly92078

That comment was directed at ly92078, or anyone else able and willing to try it.

Spalding12: I'm in the same boat as you--my cell # was the old number for my business line--I can't change it.