CF-30 MK2 Stock GPS Issues " SOLVED "

Greetings,
as title says, I'm experiencing some (I hope easy to fix) issues with my stock GPS unit on a CF-30 MK2.

Let's try to explain: it's set on COM3 (it's the only port that tries to communicate with satellites), set to 4800 baud, but I'm always "not fixed". I can't even get my coordinates, date and time.

I tried with Winfast Navigator, GPSinfo and VisualGPS, but no fix. The only satellite it finds is a "mysterious" satellite n.15 (on zenith), but it appears to be a useless (or fake) one.
The Panasonic boot self test (CTRL+F7) says it's everything ok.

I bought it in Canada and it used to work (I've seen it "in action") with original Win Vista configuration.
Now it tries to communicate but I get no answer. I even thought there were no satellites visible, but my cell phone (not even an excellent one) finds them in a bunch of seconds.

I checked the antenna but everything seems ok: no broken or bad cable, I mean.

In case you need a log, this is about what I can read in VisualGPS...

Am I doing something wrong?


Giovanni

 

Where are you located?

 

Italy

 

How long do you wait while letting it search?

 

Hmmmm... In my last tests I tried to wait even 10 minutes, sometimes even more...

 

Excluding the chance it's faulty (it shouldn't), I would try to understand if I'm doing something wrong, for example with drivers, or port settings.

Before I opened this thread I tried to find a step-by-step GPS configuration guide, but nothing (and I understand it's nearly impossible, being in commerce different models and manufacturers).

On a GPS specialized website I found a couple of tweaks, but nothing seems to work (in Winfast Navigator "advanced" tab I tried to change some values, but when I close the tab everything is back to defaults...

Was the log useful for anything?

 

I am not an expert in GPS..I can get them to work, usually, but I don't know enough to offer much help to you...
I am sure someone else will come along to assist you more.
As far as I know you just need to install the drivers and it works. I never had to change any port settings on a stock GPS. Winfast always found them easily.
My only idea is that since it worked in Canada and now you are in Italy It may take a while for the GPS to find the new satellites. 10 minutes may not be enough time..

Did you install this GPS or was it already installed in your CF30?

 

I advised you not to go to another site If it is a Toughbook related issue. There are only two site that can help you out, Lol......

Now! Lets start trouble shooting your problem. First go to bios page and set to default setting. Then test your GPS, of course you need to save the default setting on the bios during an exit. Then report back.

ohlip

 

Listen to "ohlip" He is the guy when it comes to GPS Setup.

 

Thanks everyone.
Done, BIOS is reset to default (so GPS is set on "Auto"), I don't remember any change on BIOS except boot order, but it's ok.

Test is the same, no fix after 15 minutes. How much time has to pass to tell the test failed?

 

Update: after 2 hours no fix... I'm quite sure the test failed.....

 

Well at least you are sure you waited long enough...
"Ohlip" will respond again...He is the expert on the GPS in a Toughbook.

 

I'll wait. Thank you very much!

 

Ok! Glad you come back. Take out the main battery out and AC unplug for 30 sec. to 1 minute so that the OEM gps will force to reset into default. Then install it back together and power it up, then go to "device manager" then to COM 3(as you said the GPS is configured on that port ) then go to its properties. Under its properties hit/click the port setting, then hit or click "restore Defaults" then on that window hit OK to close. Remember this, do not adjust anything onto the port setting after setting it to default. Leave it alone unless I told you so.

Remember on testing the system. Only one application at a time to be open otherwise you can't make it to work unless you have a GPS gate or port multiplexes.

Report back again what happen.

ohlip

 

Are you outdoors, away from trees, with a completely clear view of the sky while trying to get the first fix? Are you near an airport or military installation? ATC radars can create dead zones where GPS will not work.
CAP

 

Update: I did everything you told me. The port default is 9600 baud.
After 30 minutes I thought Winfast Navigator could not work properly, so I switched to GPSinfo and VisualGPS. Same result.

capt.dogfish, I live in the countryside, far from trees and... Civilisation!

Today is a very rainy day here, may it affect GPS functionality? Because my not-top-of-the-line cell phone catches 7 satellites and my exact position even from my bedroom...

 

Some cell phones use the cell signal for GPS..They don't actually use GPS satellites.

 

Ok! As I told you, don't do anything on the port setting after switching it to default. I you do, even a whole month of discussion. We can't fixed the problem. Listen first, don't worry about the baudrate on com port. That is computer serial port setting default. BTW, are you sure that the GPS module installed on your unit is the OEM?

One more thing. Did you adjust any baudrate on Winfast nav. and make sure its on NMEA message or in GPS info. If you do, set it also to default. If all are failed, there are two possibilities. There is a conflict on com port and the second. You have a faulty connection.

Try this: This is how to change the port setting. Go to device manager, then COM 3, then hit the properties. Hit advanced, it will pop up a new window, look down and you will see COM port Number, hit/click the drop down arrow and it will display all the com port either in use and not in use. Look for the COM port not in use and choose one. After that hit OK and close everything. Remember what COM port you've choosen. Then reboot the computer and open one application only. Remember one application only, then configure your application to the com port that you have choosen.

ohlip

 

Update: instruction followed. No luck.
COM3 moved to COM10 (just to be sure). When I opened Winfast Navigator it asked for the right COM, i only selected COM10, then it adjusted baud rate.
After 30 minutes always the same story, and the same dreaded Satellite 15 (red).
Tomorrow I'll try to go near here, there's a hill with almost ZERO vegetation, and try to repeat the test.
Shouldn't it work, will my GPS unit be faulty?

 

Sorry, another answer: I think it's a stock GPS module because I was told it's the standard one, but is there a way to tell exactly what kind of module it is?
There's no trace in device manager or BIOS...

 

Did you buy the laptop with this GPS installed? Or did you install the GPS your self?

Could FFC be upside down?..I made that mistake once on a CF19..

If I recall, In the BIOS, under serial ports, The GPS shows up if installed correctly.

 

Oh boy!! Lets start all over again, Please post the complete model of your unit. We are going to make sure we are dealing on an OEM gps or maybe something else. If possible post a picture of your unit.

ohlip

 

Did you say 9600?

Try GPSInfo at 4800.

As Teo said "one" application at a time.

 

methinks it is looking like a problem with the module ...
that asides , you can pull the numbers off of the module (if need be) , this will require removal of the keyboard .

 

Remove spacer plate above keyboard.. Lift keyboard gently, remove plate under keyboard....post photo of what you see in the opening...

 

We are done on GPS configuration and according to you. You done it all but with same result. Now! we are going to trouble shoot on the hardware side that's is why I am asking the full model no. of your unit.

ohlip

 

This much I know

I have a Toughbook CF-30 MK2, Windows 7 64Bit installed

 

Why???
Why post this? and Why have 64 bit installed?

 

It's just a guess ...he posted this in another thread. Maybe it's a 64bit problem

 

and that is the 64 Kilobuck question ?

 

AHA!......Now the picture is in 3D.....

 

Here I am.
Yes, I have Win7 64bit (it seemed to me the right choice for more than 3Gb of RAM).
The complete model number is CF-30F5SAXAM.
Tonight I'll remove the keyboard and open the lid to show you the inside.
Is there some kind of special procedure I need to know?

 

It did not have GPS originally.

Model Number:
CF-30F5SAXAM
Status:
DISCONTINUED
MSRP:
$3,549
Description: WinXP (Vista COA), Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 1.60GHz (Centrino), 13.3" XGA Non Touch, 80GB, 1GB, Intel 802.11a/b/g, TPM1.2, Bluetooth, Dual Pass (Upper:WWAN/Lower:WLAN), Wireless Ready, No Drive

 

Update: here is the picture.

 

It is a Panasonic GPS. The antenna looks connected to the GPS module..

 

So is it a faulty GPS module?

 

Wait for ohlip to advise you.....He knows much more than I do about GPS's

 

Yepper,that's a stock unit. Trace the black wire all the way to the antenna and make sure it didn't get pinched ,especially near the hinge.Words of experience.

 

Your GPS module is fine, based on the previous discussion. Only the antenna has a problem. As Kerry(safn...) pointed out and please reroute that antenna outside as it may coz some problem if those outer conductor insulation has a damaged on it. Usually in a right installation. It must have a secondary insulation like heat shrinkable tubing.
Also check the center plug and if necessary squeeze a bit to make sure it has good contact on the center conductor of the antenna.

ohlip

 

I'm betting it got crunched at the hinge or maybe by the cover under the keyboard,I ruined one that way.


Oh,timeout. Blow that photo up and the cable into the module is not seated correctly it appears to me. On the right side of the photo.

 

Hello all.
I had the similar problem. The problem was in dead antenna. there was no visible damage on it. Perhaps it was damaged by static or something else. Replacing the antenna solved problem.

 

@keyzed.

Bravo..A first time poster offering help...We don't see that very often....

 

@Shawn

Sarcasm?

I did not write on this forum before, but I read a long time. A lot of useful information I gathered from many themes after buying my CF-30 with more problems. One of them was - GPS cannot determine sattelites. Those trouble was on my car navigation system (PNA) which has failed its internal antenna. They are the same in structure with the one that is in the laptop. I replace some in laptop and it start work. This problem can be caused by high humidity and static.
I think the topicstarter can replace antenna to check out that theory

 

No I am very serious about your post. Most first timers post something like this:

Help, I am trying to load Win7 64 bit on a CF 27 and the tablet drivers wont rotate the screen....Please come to my house and spend 127 hours fixing it because I am too lazy to read the FAQ. Can I also send you 312 PM's asking for advise that I won't follow anyway......(that's slightly exaggerated)

It is refreshing to see you give help in your first post..

PS:
I think I need breakfast.....My attitude this AM seems a bit ......extreme...
BTW..headed to Chik Fil A....Spicy chicken and egg on multi grain bagel with pepper jack cheese.....

 

Yep. This is problem with the users who didn't read FAQ.

 

Thank you very much! I'll check the antenna cable inch by inch and let you know.
And really thanks to you, keyzed!

 

Hmmm... I'm pretty sure I found where the problem is...



Now the solution: do I necessarily need to buy a new module or antenna? Is it reasonably good to somehow repair it, with say a soldering iron?

Can you suggest me a way to tell the seller about this problem without being excessively rude? xD

 

I would replace the whole antenna.....Those are actually coax cables. The wire inside a sheath of shielded wire. They are "repairable" but it is very challenging.

 

Simply send that photo with the explanation, if he is a straight up seller he can send you a replacement GPS for $45 or so plus shipping. That will cost him a lot less then returning the unit for a refund,but you never know.

 

Oh! boy, that's the problem. At least you know. Trouble shooting is not easy. The way I told you are the best way for other on how to trouble shoot from software to hardware. Way back from the very beginning. Some people are just jump up into conclusion and tell you that this is the problem but they don't know how to start.

Like for example on ebay who are selling a custom Toughbook or modified Toughbook that they call them self expert, specialist or whatever who just happened to learned how to turn the screw of the Toughbook. There is no such thing as what they called. Its a process and every machine that you work on is considered as different. Its like everyday is different.

Btw, where did you buy the machine?

To give you an idea to minimized your cost, look for local computer shop or a local vendor who are selling those flag antenna but make sure it had enough length. Cut the flag antenna and replace that one. If you can't do it by yourself. Go to a local repair shop and they will do it for you or maybe they have those antenna cable from an old laptop.

ohlip