GPS Antenna Swap out (and Scratched Lens)

[managerxxx]

Reading this thread, where people have reported the shop just did a factory reset and claimed it was fixed, made me think... Besides checking the lens to see if it had no scratches, how can you physically tell if everything has been replaced (Lens & GPS)? Is there something that looks different inside when you remove the battery cover?

I can't see anything different but maybe someone could post a before shot for comparison.

Can you check Locations, and see how many satelites you're connected to thats full?

Accuracy is dramatically improved. Previously I was getting anything from 20m-200m which clearly isn't useable whereas now I'm seeing around 15-20m accuracy with 6-8 satellites showing 70%+ signal strength.

[sjdean]

Originally Posted by spirit44

give them a call tomorrow, if they have parts in stock, know what they are doing and can/will do the job in a couple of hours it could be the solution you're waiting for!

Give who a call? I don't know who it is or what the number is!

[zxon]

Originally Posted by managerxxx

I can't see anything different but maybe someone could post a before shot for comparison.

See enclosed - some close ups of my unfixed N97... complete with dust!

[managerxxx]

Thanks for the pics. I honestly can't see any difference but Steve mentions the mod is related to shielding were the antenna is connected so I guess it may not be possible to see a difference without further dismantling of the phone.

I did a 30 mile journey tonight and it maintained an accurate signal throughout and at no point was I shown to be driving in a field or a housing estate on the side of the motorway!

Just need V20 now! :-)

[TurtlePower]

The shop i went into (Luton) said she had checked the computer and there were 2 service bulletins relating to this -she had not heard of these problems before!!

[Seft]

Originally Posted by sjdean

Give who a call? I don't know who it is or what the number is!

Town & County in Sandhurst, according to the OP

http://maps.google.co.uk/places/gb/s...town-&-country

[MonarchX]

I live in the US and there are no Nokia centers here and I can't afford not to have my phone for weeks. I did fix my GPS but I was wondering whether Nokia could just send me those protected antenna strips that I can attach myself?!??!

[Seft]

Originally Posted by Seft

I've taken my phone to Next Communications in Southampton. I'll post back with the results.

Dropped off on Friday 16th. Received it back today (they sent it to Nokia). GPS appears to be fixed, but I haven't given it a proper test yet.

Still has a squeaky back cover. The shop suggested Nokia didn't fix it as it wasn't a warranty issue. Has anyone managed to have theirs replaced?

[rdcinhou]

Originally Posted by MonarchX

I live in the US and there are no Nokia centers here and I can't afford not to have my phone for weeks. I did fix my GPS but I was wondering whether Nokia could just send me those protected antenna strips that I can attach myself?!??!

I too live in the US (Houston, Texas). According to NokiaUSA.com repair locator, my nearest Customer Care center is in Huntsville, Alabama.

I sent mine in on a Tuesday and had it back by the following Tuesday.

The GPS repair is MORE than just the antenna strips. It turns out that the early units were missing some shielding in the right location. The whole backplain assembly is replaced so you need special tools and skills (and don't want to void the warranty).

On the NokiaUSA repair web page, they will validate your warranty status from your IMEI number and then give you a form to complete...you have to send a copy of it in with your N97 (keeping a copy for yourself). After beginning the process you have 10 days to get the unit to them.

Since we're all waiting for v20 firmware, now would be a good time to send it in. BTW...they did a factory distribution firmware update to my N97...using v12 and I got all the games and bloatware back that went aware after the v11 and v12 self-firmware updates.

[theshocker]

To those that got their GPS antennas replaced, does the GPS still work flawlessly with a car charger plugged in? I had my N97 replaced a few months ago because the old one had a completely useless GPS. The replacement one worked better, as long as I wasn't charging it. As soon as I plugged in my car charger the signal would keep dropping, almost as bad as my first N97.

[rdcinhou]

I don't have a car charger to see if it makes any differnence.

I could try using an A/C inverter and the conventional mains charger, but it might take me a day or two to thoroughly test it.

I did read in another forum to consider buying a clamp-on "choke" from Radio Shack or other electronics parts store and installing it on the charging cable, near to where you plug into the N97.

A "choke" is just a wrap-around magnet that prevents the cable from becoming an antenna by surpressing any superimposed frequencies.

[Seft]

Originally Posted by theshocker

To those that got their GPS antennas replaced, does the GPS still work flawlessly with a car charger plugged in? I had my N97 replaced a few months ago because the old one had a completely useless GPS. The replacement one worked better, as long as I wasn't charging it. As soon as I plugged in my car charger the signal would keep dropping, almost as bad as my first N97.

I'll try it out in the next few days. The revised hardware has more shielding installed, so hopefully it will fix that too.