Streets and Trips 06, hacking the gps unit

**blk02si** · 02-22-2006, 08:49 AM

Hello,

Ive read and searched the threads but have not found anything conclusive. Is there a way to have the gps unit start when you launch streets and trips? Right now the way its setup where you have to launch the GPS task pane, then check 3 boxes before it will start tracking. Its hard on the touchscreen to check those little boxes. Has anyone hacked this app to launch the gps when the program starts? Or is there some kind of option to do this? Ive looked through the file menu and have seen no options for this. Thank you for any help you can provide. I will start hacking the program files if this has not been done.

Aslo is there a way to turn off the blue LED inside the actual gps housing?

**DarquePervert** · 02-22-2006, 09:22 AM

iGuidance automatically connects to the GPS. I'd be surprised if S&T didn't have the same functionality. But then again it is a MS product.

Just cover over te blue LED with a black sharpie or black model paint. If the housing for the unit is translucent, this obviously ins't going to work...

**Marvin Hlavac** · 02-22-2006, 10:06 AM

No, S&T 2006 doesn't automatically connect to GPS receiver. One possible way to try to achieve it would be by automatically sending keystrokes (but this may not be a perfect solution). Another possibility would be to use the more expensive MS MapPoint (+ some custom programming). MP 2006 is expected to be released by the end of April.

**Drake69** · 02-25-2006, 01:21 PM

Mine does it fine, and I got it to work with my new Earthmate GPS LT-20 (the new model, not the older one, that POS). First, bring up the GPS Task Plane, click on Configure GPS, set it to the specific port of your COM where you have the GPS device plugged in, make sure it finds it, then OK out of the screen and click "Start GPS Tracking". Piece of cake.

Also, you need the MS Location Finder Handler running in your Startup folder when you boot up your laptop, and this needs to be in your System Tray while running. This will automatically connect whatever GPS device your using without any problems, so long as you've got it in the right COM port.

If you're using USB as your COM, go out to Microsoft and download the patch to make sure your Locator software is current. I had to do that to make mine work with Earthmate, and now it's running perfectly. Also watch which port your plugging your USB cable in, unless you have ALL the USB ports set to be recognized as COM.

HTH

**Silentbob343** · 02-25-2006, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Drake69

Mine does it fine, and I got it to work with my new Earthmate GPS LT-20 (the new model, not the older one, that POS). First, bring up the GPS Task Plane, click on Configure GPS, set it to the specific port of your COM where you have the GPS device plugged in, make sure it finds it, then OK out of the screen and click "Start GPS Tracking". Piece of cake.

Do you need to do this every time you start S&T?