N95 GPS newbie help!

nickmon wrote:OK,forgive me if i ask the obvious, but hopefully one of you wide buds can help me out here...I am trying to activate the GPS for the first time just to see if I can get my position. I go to Maps, it asks me to connect to WLAN (I have wi-fi at home), I say yes, and then nothing happens. What should happen next? Do I have to purchase maps first? (Can I do this for free over the WLAN?)

you dont need the MAPS app to test the GPS,

do this instead:-

Press MENU BUTTON
then TOOLS
then GPS DATA
then POSITION
This screen (when you have a satellite lock) will display your co-ordinates and other data
you can also press OPTIONS>SATELLITE STATUS from here,
the bars represent each satellite together with its number (1-24) and the shaded area (like a progress bar) indicates the signal strength i think!

Dont quote me here but GPS can be assisted in finding your position by downloading info from the net. TomTom all-in-ones (EG: Go510) do this.

I believe there are 24 satellites in space and they, as well as ourselves are constantantly moving/rotating,
so, the data that can be downloaded over the net contains approx locations/coordinates of all the satellites at the time it is requested.
Infact firmware version 12 actually adds something called a-gps (assisted GPS) that n95 users are praising right now,
the stories are saying that the additional data is being downloaded over GPRS (network data),
this does exactly the same as the aformentioned ultimately obtaining a quicker GPS lock for the user.

so if you want to test only the GPS in your device with no additional assistance, then do the following:-

press MENU BUTTON
then TOOLS
then SETTINGS
then GENERAL
then POSITIONING
then POSITIONING METHODS
and uncheck all but INTEGRATED GPS

this way only the built in GPS module will be trying to communicate with the satellites.
Note: if you have firmware version 12 you should also have "a-GPS" listed here.

WARNING: a sat lock can take a while, please read this for help.
http://www.nokia.co.uk/A4486252

a tip from me...
1) place it in your garden/yard
2) make a coffee
3) watch that film you've been meaning to watch for a long time.
4) check N95 for sat signal

Follow sirius-c advice and to put it in short and add some extra info:
- First time GPS look may take a while (everything from 5-20 minutes) so be patient.
- The "...connect to WLAN.." question has NO inpact on your ability to get a GPS signal/lock. It's simply in order to download maps (unless you've already have downloaded them to memory card using a PC and the 'Nokia Map Loader' application). You can disable this feature in the settings for Maps application if you like.
- Maps can be downloaded free of charge using Nokia Map Loader (pc application which you can download from Nokia.com). If you use phone network to download them you should have a flat rate data subscription otherwise you'll be in for a suprise (££...).
- Check your firmware version on phone (*#0000#). It should say 12.xx something. If not (eg. says 10.xx or 11.xx), you should upgrade phone in order to get A-GPS support which (after first time lock) significantly will decrease TTL (TimeToLock) time. With firmware 12.xx I get a lock in 30 sec's or less.
- With firmware 12.xx make sure that both Assisted GPS (A-GPS) and Integrated GPS are enabled in settings.

superswede wrote:- The "...connect to WLAN.." question has NO inpact on your ability to get a GPS signal/lock. It's simply in order to download maps (unless you've already have downloaded them to memory card using a PC and the 'Nokia Map Loader' application).

You learn something new everyday!
:shakehand

Have you noticed any new bugs in version 12,

Ive not got the balls to debrand my o2 handset with a euro code just yet so i can upgrade to v12 and have a-gps.
My theory is, if o2 are holding back there must be an issue somewhere.
This was a good theory to follow with the o2 XDA Exec, o2 released firmwares only if they were rock solid.

Thanks for the guidance, I will try it tomorrow (I have been told to leave it charging over night). A couple more questions arising from that though,

Do I have to go outside to do this, if so I need to wait out in the gardedn for up to 20 mins with the phone slid open?

When it does find the position, how will I know? Will i get that zoom down to street level, or do I need the maps for that?

Do download the Nokia maps I just download them from Nokias website and use the USB cable to put them into the phone memory? (Is there enough memory without a card?)

Would another simple solution just be to get a hold of Co-Pilot N95 edition where you just put the memory card into the phone and thats it?

Do I have to go outside to do this, if so I need to wait out in the gardedn for up to 20 mins with the phone slid open?
[SIZE="2"]YES[/SIZE]

When it does find the position, how will I know? Will i get that zoom down to street level, or do I need the maps for that?
[SIZE="2"]You need maps for that, or follow my instructions in 2nd post. you can see coordinates and bars representing satellite signals and strengths.[/SIZE]

Do download the Nokia maps I just download them from Nokias website and use the USB cable to put them into the phone memory?
[SIZE="2"]Download with PC and N95 connected to your USB[/SIZE]
(Is there enough memory without a card?)
[SIZE="2"]I believe the N95 has 160MB internal memory, So i dont know you would have to try it.
I would have thought it would be ok if you just downloaded the map you needed and didnt get silly[/SIZE]

Would another simple solution just be to get a hold of Co-Pilot N95 edition where you just put the memory card into the phone and thats it?
[SIZE="2"]Possibly but its more expense isnt it? check the freebie out first in my opinion[/SIZE]

Thanks I will do this tomorrow and let you know!