L502x GPS

How do you use the GPS in the L502x?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/554882-dell-xps-15-l501x-wwan.html

I hope this will come to your use.

 

it is working good to me, well, sometimes it take ages to find the satellites and start working, but once it start working, it works perfect with Microsoft AutoRoute 2010.

the GPS hardware is at the 3g minipci-e card (5540 HSPA) wich came with the laptop

 

Do you get a GPS signal inside the house? I cannot.

 

me either, specially at my own home, I had to pickup the laptop and get outside at my garden while on battery power, even doing that I had to wait arround 8 minutes. I suggest you download a program "named visual GPS" to check some progress unlike waiting forever to a "ready" status at the dell app. however you still need the dell app to connect the gps as far I know, the visual gps is just complementary.


I also had long delays connecting this GPS inside a car/bus.

for sometime it takes its time to get operative ^^

however once it finally got working it is way better than most tiny GPS stuff like phones, TOM TOM or similar stuff

 

Se puede link para visual GPS por favor mi amigo?

Muchas gracias.

 

sure 'amigo'

http://www.visualgps.net/VisualGPS/Download/VisualGPSInstall.exe

 

The GPS works on all the new XPS 15 or I should have ordered a special hardware for it?

 

it should work for all xps 15 (l502x), not sure about the l501x

when I ordered it I didnt even know iwich it had gps, now I'm very happy with it

 

hello capitankasar

Can you please write a step by step procedure on how to do this on L502X, software required etc..

Many thanks

 

Someone knows if my L701x has the GPS built in?

 

well, the best way to know is to check it by yourself.

I will try to make a small guide like Harry_C said

first,you must have all device drivers properly installed before continue, specially the HSPA modem (wich is the GPS hardware on my l502x), but you can skip this step in most cases

to know if your lappy have gps avalible, go to windows device manager and check for the gps word at the COM/LPT ports



as you can see, I have an avalible GPS port located at COM5


to connect the gps, just open "Dell Mobile Broadband Manager", it should come preinstalled with the proper drivers.



now click at the gps button (well, you can also run the "gps utility" directly instead run the "mobile broadband manager" first )

and then



click at start gps.

this may take a while until this window report the gps is ready and running, If you want to know the progress, and you dont wait for ages for the ready status, you can download an app named visualGPS



you can download Visual GPS here

I noticed when it have over 4 satellites operatives (blue lines at the top-left place, grey lines is when the satellite signal is not operative I think)

and finally when the dell mobile broadband manager report the gps is operative and running, you can start your favorite gps software, like miscrosoft autoroute 2010, but dont close the dell gps utility!



make sure you also select the propper COM port depending of your system config, I have COM5 on mine, but it may differs on your computer

I hope this help, and I'm sorry for the spanish screenshots, but setting up a english windows 7 installation with proper drivers and stuff just for this microguide would be like .....

 

The Quartier Latin is cool

 

hehehe yeah

well, last two Images I got them from Internet, I just took the first 3 ones from my laptop (basically all the ones on spanish language hehe)

also posting my current home location by a gps picture on internet may be dangerous, I dont want to die yet, hehe

 

Thanks for this proper explanation!

+1 rep

 

ty yukinok

@all

I edited my previus post and added the DL link for the visual gps and added/fixed some parts.

 

Does the L502x sold in the US have the built-in GPS? Below is my configuration.

Quantity Parts # Part Description
1 0VJFK MODULE..., LABEL..., DEO, ESTAR 5.0
1 7FHH7 SERVICE INSTALL MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., EXTREME PERFORMANCE SYSTEM..., L502X
1 F71M6 MODULE..., SHIPPING MATERIAL..., SXPS15, COLOR..., EPE
1 WY4K8 BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP)..., NOTEBOOK..., CTO, EXTREME PERFORMANCE SYSTEM..., L502X
1 V4874 MODULE..., PROCESSOR..., SNB, I7-2630QM, L502X
1 7YPMV Processor, I7-2630QM, 2.0, 4C, SNB, D2, P
1 V9KPP MODULE..., LABEL..., INTEL..., NO BIOS..., CI72
1 HPGRP MODULE..., DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE..., 6G, 1333M, DDR3, 1X2/1X4
1 V1RX3 Dual In-Line Memory Module, 2GB, 1333MHZ, 256X64, 8K, 204
1 X830D Dual In-Line Memory Module, 4GB1333MHZ, 512X64, 8K, 200
1 GRJ9V Module, Keyboard, 86, United States, English, C12SB
1 PVDG3 Keyboard, 86, United States, England/English, C12SB
1 KWHN4 Module, Documentation, English, Extreme Performance System, L502X, Dao/Bcc
1 4DJTN TECHNICAL SHEET..., NVIDIA..., CANADA/CANADIAN...
1 KPJR0 TECHNICAL SHEET..., NVIDIA..., FAQ, CANADA/CANADIAN...
1 U943P TECHNICAL SHEET..., DRIVER DOWNLOAD, ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
1 V586V KIT..., DOCUMENTATION..., ENGLAND/ENGLISH..., EXTREME PERFORMANCE SYSTEM..., L502X, D/B
1 8GFV1 MODULE..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 15.6FHD, TLF, AU OPTRONICS CORP..., NIMOY
1 K3Y8X Assembly, Bracket, Left, Right, Liquid Crystal Display, Light Emitting Diode, NIMOY
1 KYYVK Liquid Crystal Display, 15.6FHD, B+RG, Light Emitting Diode, True Life, Au Optronics Corp
1 V73D3 Assembly, Cable, Low Voltage Differential Signaling, Full High Definition, Light Emitting Diode, NIMOY
1 WGXV5 Module, Software, Creative, Camera, Consumer, 2.X, Factory Install
1 1NTJ9 Module, Software, Dell Computer Corporation, Framework, STAGE
1 2XY11 Module, Software, VIDEO, STAGE
1 6T9G4 Module, Software, PHOTO, STAGE
1 WRRR0 Module, Software, MUSIC, STAGE
1 3C4JR MODULE..., ASSEMBLY..., BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP)..., DISCRETE VIDEO..., 1G, L502X
1 YR8NN ASSEMBLY..., BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP)..., NOTEBOOK..., DISCRETE VIDEO..., 1G, L502X
1 R609C MODULE..., CORD..., POWER..., 125V, 1M, C5, UNITED STATES...
1 K260C CORD..., Power, 125V, 2.5A, 1M, C5 United States
1 U451C MODULE..., ADAPTER..., ALTERNATING CURRENT..., FLEXIBLE..., 130W, 3P, WORLD WIDE...
1 CM161 Adapter, Alternating Current 130W, Flexible, 3P, World Wide M09
1 VWX72 MODULE..., BRACKET..., WITH OUT..., Television Tuner..., PLASTIC..., L501X
1 D9HRK Assembly, Bracket, With Out, Television Tuner, Plastic, L501X
1 HD4KK MODULE..., HARD DRIVE..., Pentium M Dothan, 1.86GHZ, 2 MEGB, 533FSB..., 7.2, P11, 4KE, SGT-DRU
1 R6KNT Hard Drive, Pentium M Dothan, 1.86GHZ, 2 MEGB, 533FSB..., S2, 7.2K, P11, 4KE, SGT-DRU
1 V5H6X MODULE..., COVER..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., ALUMINUM..., SILVER..., WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK CARD..., L502X
1 52MKT ASSEMBLY..., COVER..., BACK..., ALUMINUM..., SILVER..., WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK CARD..., L502X
1 6XDKP Assembly, Bezel, Liquid Crystal Display, Plastic, L502X
1 GV0CP MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., WINDOWS-LIVE, WAVE4, CONSUMER...
1 W3HMK MODULE..., LABEL..., MICROSOFT..., NO BIOS..., WIN7
1 G3CY0 MODULE..., MEDIA..., DIGITAL VIDEO DISK DRIVE..., DRIVER..., RDVD, L502X
1 XM544 Module, Software, PC-RESTORE Transactional Line Of Business
1 JP927 Module, Software, DELL-WELCOME Transactional Line Of Business
1 D282K Module, Software, Data Safe Basic, 2.0
1 D453M Module, Software, COZI-CALENDAR
1 M239M Module, Software, LTG DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 K491T Module, Software, SKYPT, SKYPE Factory Install
1 TCFRM Module, Software, EBAY-WEBSLICE
1 X60PT Module, Software, WHITEPAGES.COM, WEBSLICE
1 99RFP MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DSPRT-CTR, 3.0
1 X5F0R Module, Software, TRUSTED-ID, ICON
1 4WYVT MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., QUICK FIX ENGINEERING..., WIN7SP1, NO BIOS...
1 TG4MT Module, Software, W7HP64SP1, English, Dao/Bcc
1 VR08H MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY..., W7HP32/64
1 4GF1R MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., SYNCHRONOUS..., UP
1 W6464 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., E-READER, BLIO, STAGE
1 WWMMD MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DIGITAL ..., MAGZ, STAGE
1 P6XPR MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., CRRS, MULTIPLE USER INTERFACE...
1 NW96J Module, Software, Adobe, Reader, X, Multi-Language
1 7N17C MODULE..., DVDRW/BD-ROM, HITACHI LG DATA STORAGE..., INSPIRON...
1 N5K09 Dvd+/-Rw And Bd-Rom, 12.7, Serial Ata, Hitachi Lg Data Storage
1 YTPW1 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., ROXIO..., CRTR, START..., FACTORY INSTALL...
1 CD6YF Module, Software, Powerdvd, 3D, 9.6, Factory Install
1 GR6PD SERVICE INSTALL MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., 13/63, WLAN/BT, L502X
1 HNXY9 MODULE..., CARD (CIRCUIT)..., NETWORK..., 6230, CNB, WORLD WIDE...
1 XXG96 Card, Wireless, INTEL6230, World Wide
1 DW8YJ SERVICE INSTALL MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., WIDI, UMA/OPTM, L502X
1 GMXRT MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., MCAF11, 15MTH, MULTIPLE USER INTERFACE...
1 243Y0 MODULE..., BATTERY..., PRIMARY..., 90WHR, 9C, LENGTH/LONG...
1 P27T3 Battery, Primary, 90WHR, 9C, Lithium, Length/Long
1 8H0XF MODULE..., KIT..., SOFTWARE..., OFCHS-2010, ENGLAND/ENGLISH..., DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION...
1 RD1JX Kit, Software, OFCHS-2010, Multi-Purpose Instructions, English, Dell Americas Organization
1 N96VP Module, Software, OFC-2010, Factory Install
1 J071G Module, Software, Soft Contracts, DELL-IN-HOME
1 61YKY Module, Software, DSO, 2GB-FREE, 2.0
1 GN268 Module, Information Instruction, FLYER, Dell Home Systems, NB
1 TD3P3 MODULE..., INFORMATION..., NORTH..., WIRELESS WIDE AREA NETWORK...

 

you will need to check what I said, you also can click on "sensors and locations" at windows control panel and check if there is any clickeable item like this.



however, whatching what you attached (the dell's site configuration machine stuff I think), I assume your system didnt even arrived yet.

I also just saw mention to the intel 6230 card, so i dont know if there will be another card in the another minipcie slot such as the 3G/HSPA card, I asume it will since I didnt saw anything on mine until I got it, it was like a surprise , GPS and 3G inside ^^

mine came with the HSPA 5540 card.


keep us updated

 

I bought my L502x last October. I did a fresh Windows x64 install. I have "No sensors are installed" in "sensors and locations" at windows control panel.

 

in that case:

if you already installed all the device drivers, and checked the COM/LPT devices at the device manager, and you didnt found anything related GPS port, your laptop probably doenst have any gps device installed.

anyway you can check the hardware by removing the 3 screws necessary to remove the small plastic door under the machine.

then you will have phisicall access to the ram modules and minipcie cards, the small minipcie card (half/sized) will be the intel 6230 card in your case.

check if there are a normal size minipcie card near the wifi one
(I think by default dell include a GPS/3G card or a TV tunner card in other cases, however the slot may be empty)

in my case the normal size minipcie was the HSPA 5540 GPS/3G card

let us to know what card u have there

 

I removed the cover and found that the WWAN/TV slot was empty. No GPS for me.

 

sorry to hear that.
well, if you are very interested on that feature, you can still add it by yourself by getting a GPS card

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Qualcomm-UN...=320756108022&ps=63&clkid=5718678952802434620

there are many cards and places you can buy them

 

Hi CapitanKasar, sorry for posting this message, but I need your help...Is there a way to contact you directly using PM? I already open a thread with my problem:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...led-bios-flash-dell-xps-l502.html#post8280901

Thank you!!! (creo que hablas espanhol, Gracias!!)

 

thanks for the hint, I replied at the another topic.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...led-bios-flash-dell-xps-l502.html#post8280901

if you still need to PM me or you want to talk with me in spanish (yes, I am spanish and can talk spanish) you can look at the top right section of this page and click on "private messages", then look for "Send New Message" at the menu located at the left corner of the next page and type my nickname, or just click at my nick name at this topic and select the private message setting.

 

I couldn't find the PM link, it seems like I don't have that privilege.

 

try with this link
http://forum.notebookreview.com/private.php?do=newpm
(I have the private message option enabled, make sure you also have the option enabled in your account/profile settings)

since this topic is GPS only related, we can keep talking at the another topic if the PM feature doesn't work (in english of course ^^)

 

Does having the dell 5540 3G card mean you have GPS aswell? That's what i assume from the Dell product site

But in my Device manger, I only see the HSPA (3G) device. And under the Locations in the Control Panel, i don't see anything at all. Could this be due to different drivers/firmware for my region (South africa)?

EDIT: Oh, and this is my very first laptop and my very first post! I just want to get the most out of it, in terms of the software/drivers an hardware I've always had a midrange gaming level Desktop PC, which I build/maintain myself. So im not a complete noob, but the different OEM drivers/software really confuses me!

 

I also have the 5540 HSPA card on my L502X and it comes with GPS.

that is weird since the drivers are avalible for all ppl in the dell's site and dell's ftp, In you case, I would try to reinstall the dell drivers for the 5540 HSPA card, and I would check the COM ports at the device manager.

 

Only the 3G modem shows up in COM ports, but I havn't tried reinstalling the drivers.

When I use the GPS utility, it allows me to start the GPS, then after a while it will say "Locked and Tracking" or something to that effect. But under the position data tab, everything remains blank, as if nothing ever happened.

I'm trying to compile all the latest drivers, for all components, install them and then create a stable backup image before starting to mess about with any beta drivers/mods, but had some trouble getting the Dell 5540 driver, as it turns up a "File not found" after initiating the download from the Dell site. Eventually got it through a google search.

Would you recommend installing the latest chipset drivers/bios first? Im currently on the A07 bios from 10/2011.

EDIT: I just realised something, would it be necessary to have a SIM card present to use the GPS module?

 

well, updating other drivers might help for other purposes.
I'm also using graphic drivers from intel and nvidia instead the ones from dell site, I just use the dell site as last resource drivers sinde most of them are outdated and comes with a lot of trash software, but in GPS case, i had to.


no, SIM card is not required to enable the GPS feature, as GPS is free and doesnt need any autentication type as far I know.

SIM card is needed to the movile internet data connections (3G,GPRS...)

I also has been using GPS with no SIM card for a while.

for internet outside home, I use my phone as mobile internet connection for my laptop, I just enable the Access point & internet share feature on my phone and I connect my laptop via WIFI to the phone to have mobile internet.

 

So I re-installed my Dell 5540 HSPA drivers that came with the CD, nothing, still no GPS Port under COMS.

I did install the Latest Intel HD driver from Intel Driver site, and got the geforce 285.62 drivers, both installed without any problems.

But, the Dell 5540 driver on the Dell Support Site seems to be an A11, release. Whereas the one on the CD is marked A12, meaning that the web version, which should be newer, cannot install.

I also found an updated Bios A09, would you recommend installing it over my current A07 bios?

 

well, I had the GPS also working with the A07 bios, but yep, keep bios updated is also recomendable.

well, I ran out of posible solutions for your GPS issue, not sure about what can be the source of the problem,anyway I would try to install all the windows updates avalible, then unistall all the hspa card drivers and the related hspa card dell utilities wich came from the cd and install the ones from the web site. (that was what I did and it worked fine for me)

well, as last resource you can allways format the drive and reinstall everything from 0, but I know that is not a acceptable fix for most cases. (I did on mine cause I didnt liked all the trash software which precame installed at the laptop and wanted a fully configured installation by me.)

also if someone else have any posible idea for the fix, he is welcome to post

wish you luck ^_^

 

It would be nice to have the GPS functionality. But hey, this is an awesome laptop, which I won in a contest, so I'm not complaining.

I've seen some threads in which people try to get the GPS to work in Non-Dell/different model laptops using the 5530 HSPA cards. They needed to manually install a certain part of the driver (from other drivers), to enable the GPS under the COM ports. I'll try messing around with reinstalling/removing the card itself. But a clean-install I'll probably leave for a future time, or an SSD upgrade(when I have enough money!) .

 

So I tried to manually add a legacy hardware device....long story short: I found the 5540 GPS device under COM port Devices, and allowed windows to search for the driver in the C:\driver directory supplied with my PC. While installing the device >>>BSOD...

A boot into Safe mode, showed the GPS under COM ports. But after a reset into normal mode, it was gone again. ::Sigh::

 

since it produced a uncomplete driver install due the BSOD, try boot insafe mode, unistall the driver, and try again, that may works.

thats kinda weird about you got a BSOD by installing the oem drivers for a hardware you have, I only had BSODs with this laptop while using two features, using a add-hoc wifi conection (computer to computer, without using an AP) and the other one was to hibernate the system, however, after I formated the drive last time, I think those problems went away, at least the one from hibernate, a function I use a lot.

 

I have exactly the same issue as you, and when I tried to do this, I also got a BSOD. Let me know if you have any luck!

 

Hi, venomizer, do you also have the Dell XPS l502x? Or are you using the Dell 3G card in another system?
I have seen threads where people try to get the GPS to work on non-dell systems, and they seem to have achieved it. But only after installing some older drivers for the Dell HSPA 5530, whereas the XPS L502x has the 55540 card, so the same fixes may not work. But I dont think there should be any need for a fix, as this is an OEM supplied fault.

I wonder if any other l502x users are unable to make use of their GPS?

Something else i came across in the bios was the AntiTheft feature, which would allow you to remotely deactivate the system through an SMS. Mine is currently deactivated, but the Bios warns that once you activate or deactivate the module, it cannot be undone. Maybe this prevents the GPS from being used?

 

I think you are talking about computrace, it was one of the first features I disabled at the bios, I consider it like a trojan like BIOS app, and its only real use is for a service I didnt paid for, thats why I dont want it at all running on my computer, I was even considering if fully remove the entire module on my BIOS mods.

relating the gps, It is working for me, and currently have Computrace disabled

 

Yes Computrace! Sorry about that, but thanks, it narrows it down a bit I guess.

So i tried installing the driver again, again a BSOD "Bad Pool Header" same as last time. Booting in safe mode is the only way to get past the Login screen. But, as before, the Dell Wireless 5540 HSPA mini-card GPS Port is available under Ports. But i guess any drivers installed would show up in safe mode, whether the hardware worked or not.

Driver Date: 2009/12/10 ; Version 1.0.0.1

Thats the only info i can get from the properties, can anyone confirm these are the correct drivers?

 

Yes, I'm just using the 5540 card which came built into my L502x

 

yes, it is the same driver version I am using, or at least same date and driver version.

mmm, definitly something is wrong with your system, not sure if it is a hardware (maybe card related?) , or software issues.

if you got your laptop recently and you dont want all the dell's bloatware, you can try backup your stuff, and try a complete format/OS new and clean installation, and then install everything step by step.

my system works better after doing that, I suspect dell just use a generic hard disk image to clone on those laptops, and as far my experiences with image clonning stuff, it is far from perfect, it got some random errors and some BSOD in some cases with almost no explains

 

Hmm, can anyone point me in the right direction please?

I've had the the L502x with the Dell 5540 card (for about a year now) and i'd like to use the GPS. I've read this thread but i'm still stumped.

The 5540 is showing up in Device Manager and the 3G module works great but I do not have the 'HSPA - Mini card GPS port' showing up. However the Dell GPS starts up, but I can't find the port (if any) the hardware is using.

Any ideas why the GPS is not visible in the Device Manager?

Many thanks for any help.

 

mmm, for some resason the GPS port is not being showed under the device manager, but it still working with the gps dell utility.

since it take a while, I recomend two things.

* download visual GPS
* place the laptop outside home or any other place inside a building, you need to have a clear view to the sky.

then you should be able to start the gps dell utility and also pick the visual gps to monitorize the progress, visual gps may need some aditional gps port configuration.

 

Thanks captainkasar,

Yes, it's a bit odd that the device manager does not show it.

I have tried connecting visualGPS to the comm port 4 (Dell Wireless 5540 HSPA Mini-Card Device Management) after activating the Dell GPS utility - but I only get the error message from visualGPS 'cannot open communications port'.

I'll keep trying various methods. Confused.

 

well, you can try the "blind" method, also known as, use only the GPS dell utility without any show progress apps like visual gps.

and wait a while until it get the "locked and tracking" status, it might take some minutes.

however if there is no avalible gps port to set up custom apps,even the GPS will be up and connected, I cant see how you are going to make to work any gps map utility working with it.

 

Cheers for the reply.

The Dell GPS utility managed to get a lock pretty quickly - 5 minutes first time, and within seconds forthwith.

What's odd though is that the Dell Utility states ' Locked and Tracking' but even after 20 minutes there is no data units showing in the 'Position' tab for Longitude and Latitude, Altitude, Speed etc...they are all blank. Is that normal?!

As for the lack of the GPS Comm port showing in the Device Manager- i'm at a loss. This would explain why other apps can't see the data stream but doesn't explain why the Dell GPS utility can't display any data in spite being locked.

I'll keep hacking away :/