Gps On Vaio VGN Z ?

Ok, I have the european Z31WN, pretty much like NHT's. I've replaced VAIO Smart Network with SmartWi, seems I can still use the European Sony 3G Connection Manager and connect to the internet. I haven't tested the GPS yet. What would work with the "Launch Navigation" link?

NHT, did you install the VZAccess Manager? My guess is probably you didn't since it sounds like for Verizon only. I use 3 UK network SIM for WWAN.

 

"Launch Navigation" will work with Microsoft Streets and Trips, I think, but I don't know how to config it. I'm still searching for it.
I didn't install VZAccess Manager beceause it only works for Verizon and Sony 3G Connection Manager works very well

 

I got to test my Z31WN outside whether the GPS works but it doesn't. It kept on searching and searching after 5 minutes. Wasn't even a cloud in the sky. Also can't seem to get HSDPA speed on the WWAN, only UMTS. I think I remember getting HSDPA at home before upgrading to 7. I wonder if you're getting full WWAN speed and GPS, NHT, and others who installed the SmartWi.

 

SmartWi has nothing to do with the speed of WWAN. It depends on your service and your provider. As for GPS, I use Garmin and it works.

 

Yeah I know it depends on the service provider, just that I remembered I was getting HSDPA speed before upgrading. I'll test it again then I'm in the city or something.

 

Got myself Garmin Mobile PC, and boy GPS really worked (eventhough SmartWi says it's still searching for a signal). Signal strength was acceptable too even inside the house. Love getting extras from some hidden features!

 

Hello NHT,

I just upgraded the HSDPA board to my US Vaio Z790DLX ,
but I deleted the SmartWI and everything regarding the WWAN and Verizon because afraid of some incompatibility issue with the wwan card ,
than I installed the EU Vaio Smart Network + the option driver and connect.

so now what about the SmartWi ? may i place it back even if i am using the GTM382?
and one more thing ... I have a wwan Gobi UNDP-1 and I would like to have it unlocked ....how can I do?

thank you

 

Hello thepinkpanter,
the GPS in SmartWi is supposed to work only with Gobi Qualcomm WWAN card.
As for unlocking the Gobi UNDP-1, I don't know anything about it. The EU's model is unlocked.

 

Thank you NHT,

I'll keep searching around about the Gobi,

please let me know if in the future you find out some news about it...

Ciao ciao

 

Hello NHT,

do you know if there is a SmartWi for Europe in order to use it with the Gobi ?

thank you

 

SmartWi will work no problem on Europe Vaio Z. Works just fine on mine.

 

No, I just use the SmartWi from US. It works

 

So at this point is only get the gobi 2000 unlocked in order to make it work with any US carrier while in US ......and when i am in EU I can use any EU sim card......

ciao for now

 

Hello ShadowFlare,

do you have the link in order to get the Garmin Mobile PC ??

thank you

 

I have GPS on my Z650, I have a Sierra Wireless 880 PCMCIA card (originally from AT&T but unlocked) and t works nice with Garmin Mobile PC.

 

are you using the Smartwi ?????

 

thepinkpanter, you can purchase the Garmin Mobile PC from www.garmin.com. Select your country from the top menu.

SmartWi is used for the built-in GPS within Gobi WWAN, fbloise uses an external WWAN device, so the SmartWi doesn't do anything for the external device.

 

thank you ShadowFlare,

but once I download it and pay for one country could I switch after for a different one?...for free! unfortunately I am always around.........

 

I don't think you can. When you buy for, say Europe, then you need USA next, you'll have to pay for USA map.

 

Hello ShadowFlare,

as I bought my Z in US with the Gobi locked with verizon I upgraded the HSDPA by add. the sim slot,removing the SmartWi and replaced the Gobi with one unlocked GTM382E,
now everything is working good but now I would like to make working the GPS,
so as that I am using the Vaio Smart Network I don't know to go at head....
also I did the same modification to my TT but I used one GTM382W,

thank you

 

-Is there a built-in GPS in a Sony Vaio Z UK system, e.g. the VGNZ55X ? It is not stated anywhere on any EU country sites.

-If buying a new US system, say the VGN-Z890, will the GPS work in Europe without WWAN (3G) service, but with updated European maps for either Microsoft Streets and Trips, AutoRoute or Garmin MobilePC?
Since it is not A-GPS, therefore if maps correspond to the location you are in it should work, even in areas where there is no 3G coverage, right?


Edit: In previous posts it is claimed that EU models are unlocked and US models are locked. And if someone with a US system wants GPS in Europe, they would have to replace the WWAN (3G) which has the built-in GPS module on it with a EU one. Or find any other alternative.

What would approximately be the price for replacing such a module? And what other things would need replacing, e.g. antenna? +more?

 

gps is unlocked also for US model.
i have it!
GPS should work anywhere in world.
Im using GARMIN PC mobile with European and US maps instaled.
i didnt have chance to try it in europe yet but i dont see why it should be a problem.
GPS is GPS.
Only thing we need to do with US model is to turn ON Verison Vireles option ON!
Because that will activate also GPS device! But you dont need to be Verizon subscriber. You need to turn it on only because GPS is connected to it.
Then garmin mobile will find it in second.

GPS is one of the reasons why i bought my vgn-Z750D and i can say GPS is GREAT an FAST!
it finds signal in les then 15 sec.
I dont understand why some people say its not "real" GPS?
It exactely is doing what any GPS will do!

 

I don't know if you can use the word "unlocked" for US model, please correct me if I'm wrong. Yes GPS is usable but I thought you are tied to use only Verizon services and cannot use other SIM card? And you need Verizon active for the GPS to work in US model. That's what I read/understood anyway.

As for my UK Z31, it's really unlocked, which means I can use any SIM card in the UK that provides mobile internet. And I think GPS works even without a SIM card present for me.

I also use Garmin, there's a utility there to show which sattelites you are currently locked on to, that's real enough GPS for me.

UK models do not advertise the GPS capability of the WWAN module embedded in the Z. Besides, their VAIO Smart Network does not show you a GPS switch. You have to use US's VAIO SmartWi to see the GPS setting. I don't know if the latest UK Vaio Z still uses the same Gobi WWAN module that has GPS in it.

 

the US model like my Z79DLX (before the modification I have done)are without simslot on the HSDPA board and no way to place or replace the sim card.
unfortunately till now I am withut GPS because I am waiting to find out the way how to unlock the Gobi2000 in order to replace the GTM382 that I temporarily placed into my Z in order to have the 3G connection .
anyway once I'll get unlocked the Gobi2000 I'll ask your help to setup the GPS.

 

If the GPS really doesn't work, then it'll be far easier and cheaper to buy a tiny (matchbox sized) bluetooth GPS receiver from the likes of Holux, Globalsat, etc. The more advanced units can sometimes work if they're kept in your pocket or worn on a lanyard.

 

Has anyone been able to activate the GPS on the sprint card without paying for sprint WWAN?

 

WWAN and GPS work fine using SmartWi on UK Vaio Z4.
You do not need a WWAN connection (not even a SIM card installed) for GPS to work. You do however need the WWAN interface turned on, which also means- no WiFi and GPS at the same time.

 

OK, can someone tell me which card I have to have to be able to turn GPS on? Should I just download SmartWi from European site and try it? Or does anybody know, if it's possible to use GPS on Japanese Z? I don't need WWAN, as nearly everywhere around is wifi and I have data plan in my mobile phone...

 

European SmartWi is called Smart Network and doesn't have the GPS switch. My UK Vaio Z uses the US SmartWi to get the GPS capability.

 

So you downloaded SmartWi from the US support page to get the GPS capability? No need to have WWAN ON or even SIM card? Will have to probably try it out, just asking before I'll install some Sony junk on beautifully newly installed system...

 

These are the steps I followed for enabling GPS on a UK/Euro Vaio:

1. Downloaded and extracted ( Universal Extractor v1.6) 'SmartWi™ Connection Utility'.
2. Uninstall 'VAIO Smart Network';
3. Install 'SmartWi™ Connection Utility';
4. Reboot.

No idea what the JP version of Smart Network/SmartWi is called but you'll likely have to uninstall it first.

WWAN needs to be turned on- hence no WiFi and GPS at the same time. WWAN drivers will need to be installed but WWAN does not need to be configured/connected/payed for.

I have Qualcomm Gobi WWAN hardware which appears in Device Manager as shown when GPS is enabled:



SmartWi VS Smart Network:-
Pro:
- WWAN not turned on by default after reboot;
- GPS.

Con:
- No WiFi profiles (Can use 'Intel PROSet/Wireless Tools' instead- not as user friendly as SN);
- Cannot launch '3G Connection Utility' from SW.

 

Thank you for the post, at least my WWAN is not turned on anymore But I probably got bigger problem, as it seems like I don't have Qualcomm modem, but Globetrotter one...

 

Hello CaptainHardcore,

do you have the Gobi 2000 UNDP-1(unlocked) ?????

thank you

 

I just got my GPS working. I have an european Z11 with Option Globetrotter GMT378. I use VAIO Smart Network (older version, no GPS switch) to activate WWAN (WIFI and WWAN at the same time possible) and then Putty to connect to the Modem and enable the GPS (just the AT_OPGS=2 command).
Works fine with MS Mappoint.

Now I just need a small program to toggle the GPS on and off with one click.

 

Hello NHT,

do you have installed also the VZaccess?

would you tell me which software and driver you you have installed?

thank you

 

I have a Z790 with the Gobi Qualcom WWAN and built-in GPS. WWAN service is provided by Verizon, but I don't have it, and don't need it to make the GPS work.

I think there is some confusion about whether this modem is "locked." Verizon uses a CDMA standard, not GSM which is common in most of the rest of the world. With CDMA, there is no SIM card. A Verizon cell phone can be reprogrammed for use on another CDMA system, but that is not done very often, as when you change SIM cards in a GSM system.

None of this affects the GPS radio that is embedded in the modem. So long as you have software that addresses the GPS, it shouldn't matter what cell phone carrier you use, or whether you use cellular service at all.

So I can start the SmartWi program, turn on the GPS ("Location Services"), click on the "Launch Navigation" link, and that will call up Microsoft Streets & Trips, which was included with the computer. If the GPS gets a signal, MSS&T will track my movements just like my Garmin GPSMap. It's a nice feature that wasn't advertised by Sony when I bought the computer.

The only problem, and it's a small one, is that turning on the GPS turns off WiFi. I can understand why they do this: most of the time when you are outside receiving a GPS signal, you will be out of range of WiFi. Similarly, most of the time when you can get WiFi you can't get a GPS signal. Also, they probably figure you won't need to get internet service via both WiFi and WWAN at the same time. Nevertheless, there are times when I would like to use the GPS and also check something on the internet (as I said, I don't have WWAN). Does anyone know whether one of the other connection utilities will work with both the Qualcom modem/GPS and WiFi so that both can be used at the same time?

 

Hello Metsn,

I am installing the Qualcomm UNDP_1 and I got the same warning sign you have in your listed photo,
how did you solve the problem?

thank you

 

Oh well...I would like to help you but I can't. It's been some time, so I don't remember clearly, but I think I did nothing.

I personally don't use WWAN, so I didn't care much...the only thing I did was, I installed SmartWi instead of the Smart Network to solve the problem with bluetooth on.

The thing is, I don't have that warning in the device manager anymore.

Do you know if our Globetrotter modem has the GPS possibility as well?

If you'll find some better solution, pls write back here.

Thank you and I'm sorry I couldn't help.

 

I have the VGN-Z790 as well, and I would like to be able to use both at the same time. If i'm on the road, I'd like to have my phone connection tethered to the laptop via WIFI, while i'm using the GPS at the same time.

Anybody figure this out yet?

 

This is an interesting solution without to install the US wireless connection manager, can you explain with more details?
"Putty" what's this? Have you found a solution to switch on and off the gps ?

 

From the web page putty.org:

"PuTTY is an SSH and telnet client, developed originally by Simon Tatham for the Windows platform. PuTTY is open source software that is available with source code and is developed and supported by a group of volunteers."

PuTTY Download Page

 

I have a Z12 bought in Canada, is it possible to have GPS on it? i dont see any WWAN options on it or in the settings.

 

Ok guys, so I'm left with 2 problems now:
I have managed to get GPS working on my VPCZ11, but, unfortunately, as I live in Brazil, I dont have access to verizon wireless.
I know GPS and 3G have nothing to do with each other, and I was even able to get the GPS working with my navigation software and see that 7 sattellites were found. Anyways, I am getting a very weak signal for my GPS and my navigation software always says that signal is too weak. Any ideas on how to make my signal better?
On to my last problem: I need to connect to the 3G network, and I have already ordered a USIM ( USIM SIM Card Reader Expansion Pack 3G/HSPA WWAN Module - eBay (item 200449878675 end time Jul-11-10 15:25:14 PDT)) in order to add a SIM card to my laptop. However, I am still not sure if that will solve my problem on connecting to HDSPA speeds?
Any help on those topics?
Thankfully,
Andre Baracat

 

Are you indoors? GPS signals are always very weak indoors.

 

Negative man, tried on the car and then stopped and tried on the open sky, not a single cloud!
Still weak reception

 

For those who don't want to change from Smart Network to SmartWi and still use GPS on Gobi 2000 cards (like me), I've written a small utility to enable it.

Extract gobi2000gps.exe from this archive and put it into your VAIO Smart Network folder (usually C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Smart Network) as it needs QCWWAN2k.dll to function. I don't use GPS much, so this program is just a console application with minimal error checking. Enable WWAN in Smart Network (this is required to power on and initialize the card), then run the utility - it should say GPS has been enabled. After you've done using GPS, press any key to disable it, then you can turn WWAN off. With Smart Network you should be able to run WWAN, and hence GPS, simultaneously with any other wireless interfaces. This works for me on my VPCZ11A7R/X, russian model.

Source code is provided in the same archive, you're free to improve it.

Edit: You have to reinstall WWAN drivers with GPS=1 setting for this to work.

 

Cool! Thanks for including the source code.

 

Tank you very much. as soon as my z12 will arrive @ home i will try this
Only 1 question, in Italy you must pay to use wwan ( € for time or € for traffic volume ) so, any idea how to use gps without to connect threw wwan card?

 

SetPDSState returned 1003.

It doesn't launch.

 

This might be the sign that the card hasn't finished initializing. After turning on WWAN, give it about 20 seconds to finish initializing before running my utility. Several steps in the algorithm retry up to 4 times with a delay of 3 seconds. That's what I get on my VAIO after running the utility immediately after turning on WWAN:

Code:

QCWWANConnect returned 6, retrying after 3 seconds...
QCWWANConnect returned 6, retrying after 3 seconds...
SetPDSState returned 1003, retrying after 3 seconds...
GPS enabled. Press any key to disable and exit.

First two errors are the usual result when WWAN is still off, the third line, I think, is due to the card being on already but still initializing, and then it succeeds on the fourth try.

Gobi 2000 driver installer is launched with a batch file containing several options. One of them is GPS=0 - I changed that to GPS=1 before installing and never checked how it works by default - this change may be required. Edit: Yes, it is.

Also, the card's functionality may depend on the firmware used to boot it. In russian models "OneClick Internet" software is used for WWAN connections and it allows to change firmware. For me it works with the default of "Generic UMTS". Edit: Should work with any.

No idea what else could have gone wrong. The algorithm to turn GPS on is based on disassembly of SmartWi, and I tried to reproduce all the details, including those I don't fully understand.

There's a screenshot in Smart Network help file that shows its main window with a GPS switch. I've been able to confirm that Smart Network contains code to manipulate GPS units with Qualcomm APIs and others that need AT_OGPS=2 command, but I couldn't figure out what's preventing it from displaying that switch. SmartWi is written in .NET and therefore is trivial to disassemble, but Smart Network is in C++. Although figuring out why Smart Network doesn't allow controlling GPS and patching it somehow would have been the "best" solution, I'm not using GPS that frequently to spend extra effort on this, so I'm fine with my little utility.