Should GPS stay locked thru hibernation?

technopsych · 07-12-2004, 06:18 PM

I have earthmate GPS unit working with Routis software running on XP. I have only recently started using Routis and I love it, very easy to use, touchscreen friendly, and nice features.

I am wondering though, can or should GPS lock survive hibernation? Mine doesn't. If I have a good lock when going into hibernation, when I restart the computer the lock is gone and sometimes Routis has a difficult time locking back on to satellites without shutting down the software completely and restarting it. Maybe it stays locked thru Standby but not hibernation?

Also, I have seen that people use hyperterminal to start GPS on computer startup. Could someone please explain this more, that seems very useful. Also, any ideas on faster lock-on (besides the location of the GPS unit)?

Oh ya, in Routis, I want to leave the sound on for directions, but is there a way to have the speed function enabled but not make beeping sound - just turn the speed reading red (I want just a silent notification when speeding).

I guess that is all for now... any help is appreciated.

veetid · 07-12-2004, 06:41 PM

When you hibernate you kill power to the GPS receiver... There is no way for it to keep its sat lock with no power... The unit itself is what actually locks onto the sats.. However in the amount of time it takes to come out of hibernation, your earthmate should have enough time to re-lock the sats (usually takes mine about 30 seconds to lock)... I use to have the same problem you are having with my earthmate... It was the USB/serial drivers that was causing it for me... You need to use the serial cable for your Earthmate... You can either purchase one from Delorme or make one yourself...

carpcnoobie · 07-12-2004, 06:49 PM

I think some GPS devices have batteries or something like that to retain where it was last and be able to lock on quicker. Also, when you come out of hibernation, make sure you're sitting still to help the GPS get it's lock. I know mine comes out of hibernation and like said before... by the time it's up and running again the GPS has regained lock and Routis is right back in business.

As for your speed alert. There is no direct way of doing that. One way that you could 'cheat' would be to modify the .wav file that makes the alarm noise. You could make it a .wav of just silence or even a quieter tone if you wish. I think the .wav still has to be there though. I don't know how Routis would react if it were missing. Just follow the path to where you're Routis is located and there should be a folder marked SND. This has all the .wav files for Routis to talk and such. There are also two files for the tones. Alarm1 and Alarm2 I think. Not sure which is which, but I'm sure you can figure them out.

Good luck.

technopsych · 07-12-2004, 06:50 PM

Thanks for the quick reply, that makes sense. I will search for stuff on making a serial cable. If I make or buy one, do I need different drivers than I am currently using? Also, I have been fortunate to not have any problems with Earthmate and Routis working together, will going to serial mess with this at all? Thanks for the help...

veetid · 07-12-2004, 09:01 PM

Thats the best part... When you go serial there is no driver... You just tell Routis to use the com port you plug it into and you are off... No more usb/serial drivers... Just straight data to a serial port..

technopsych · 07-13-2004, 11:49 AM

Wait a minute, can I buy an USB to serial cable for my Earthmate and if so, how is the unit powered? I searched but couldn't find what I was looking for.

veetid · 07-13-2004, 02:32 PM

its not a USB to Serial cable, but just a serial cable for you Earthmate.. It has nothing to do with USB... It has a serial cable on one end as well as a cigarette plug.. On the other end it has the Earthmate connector... I bought the cable and then cut the cigarette plug off and powered it from my power supply... You can also build the cables yourself and power it however you like..

cadence117 · 07-13-2004, 02:58 PM

hmm... I have one of those small mouse GPS units,
and whenever I'm tracking and then hibernate, and then startup again, Routis gives me a:
"make sure your gps device is properly connected error"

I have to shutdown and then relaunch the program for it to start searching for Sats and locking again.

vcbb5 · 07-13-2004, 02:59 PM

maybe a usb after hybernation error

nl4jy · 08-04-2004, 12:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cadence117

hmm... I have one of those small mouse GPS units,
and whenever I'm tracking and then hibernate, and then startup again, Routis gives me a:
"make sure your gps device is properly connected error"

I have to shutdown and then relaunch the program for it to start searching for Sats and locking again.

This happens cause when you hibernate, Windows xp cuts the power off the USB root hubs by default. You can try to disable this. I haven't tried it yet. Will try it later today. This might also keep the GPS mouse alive too.

To disable this:
In the Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus Controllers > USB Root Hub > Power Management, Uncheck the box "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"

Ricky327 · 08-04-2004, 01:30 PM

Yes you need to keep the power to GPS if you wanna keep the lock on. Problem with this is it consume some current and may run down your battery sooner.

There are some talk about keeping the USB power alive...cant remember where is the thread now but do a search

Best is just to keep the power to the GPS rather than to all USB devices.