Verizon’s HTC XV6900 Update Packs Punch, We’re Offering It Early

Wow. I downloaded the update. Who is brave enough to try it first??

We’ve tested the update and found it to be problem-free. But, please do post back with your after-update experiences.

In the past, reader feedback from PhoneNews.com has helped the industry find bugs, and even tweak releases right before they are posted online… but this update (being approved) should not void your warranty in any way.

As such, it’s very low risk, and we have no problem encouraging readers to give it a go.

….”Hackers have already bypassed Verizon’s lockdown of GPS services on the XV6800, and it appears the same workaround functions on the XV6900.”……………..

Has anyone actually tested it after the ROM update though???

Yes. I upgraded my stock XV6900 to 6.1 using the official ROM then patched with the GPS fix from the link below, and it works great!

http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=VerizonAGPSFix

tender – you state that you got the GPS to work from the link. Did you do the custom install or the ‘already have MR1 install’. I have trid the later and failed…

A follow up to my post – my phone became de-activated on Verizon, i had to call in and get it activated. Once that happened all was well – including the GPS ‘fix’ listed prior!

Well, mine is working.

Remote desktop mobile is in this ROM. Verizon had yanked it out under 6.0 and I had to put a hacked copy on. huh.

Yes, I had to call in and reactivate mine as well.

does this upgrade fix the ‘missed calls’ problem?

What missed call problem?

Phone won’t wakeup to calls after it falls asleep, then when you push the button to wake it up, you get bombarded with ‘incoming call, missed call, voice message’ notifications all at once and the phone does this half ring thing with the incoming call notification. Maybe there has been a software fix for this (temporary solution is a soft or hard reset every 2-3 days), but I haven’t found it in the threads I search. Many other owners of this phone experience it as well, seems to be more common than a random bug. I have exchanged the phone several times with vzw customer service to no avail.

Same BS happends to me. WTF?? i cant believe it hasnt happend to anyone else??

Also, I DL’d the update, and when i run the installer, everything goes fine, but as soon as my device “goes to sleep” the instal stops and sends an error???

It is with tremendous appreciation of the author of this article that I gladly downloaded and installed the update. The overall function of the phone is so much faster, especially while in sync with the PC. I had to dial #8899 to reactivate the phone, as *228, option 1 seemed to do it but actually did not. I have not activated my data yet (will do so Sunday, the 1st day of my next billing cycle). My home town is still not in the instant weather list, bummer. Thanks to Tender for the link to the xda forum and the GPS hack. Without it, we’d be forced to use a GPS receiver puck to effectively use Live Search or Google maps.
This update will truly make the 6900 worthy of its standing. Bottoms up!!

I did download the update and installed it and aftewards had to call verizon to get the phone authenticated again. I also dowloaded the GPS “fix” http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=VerizonAGPSFix from here and followed the instructions at the bottom of the page and it worked like a charm.

Downloaded the Google maps and windows live and the GPS worked just fine in both.

I would recommend that if you had previous applications installed on your storage card to completely remove them from your storage card and then install the app, my emoze application was giving me errors but once I uinstalled the app, deleted the folder on the storage card, and re-installed the app it hasn’t had any issues. I imagine other apps could possiby do the same so just be aware.

The “GPS Fix” mentioned above: I wondering what exactly it does. Without it, is the GPS on the 6900 locked in to VZ Navigator only?? Anyone tried this “before and after?” Thanks for any info……

Without the GPS hack, the phone will only work with VZ Navigator. After applying it, it should work with any modern Windows Mobile application supporting GPS.

Unfortunately it did not work for me. Got to about 10 percent and had a communication error. Followed the steps provided and did not fix it. I now have a phone displaying red green blue and white and the update utility will only tell me Error (328): Invalid Command “This update utility cannot be used for your PDA phone. Please check your update Utility. Any help?

The first thing I would suggest is to follow the recovery steps in the application, if any appear.

If that fails, I would restart the computer… close all applications (even systray applications) and try again.

And, when it comes to HTC updates… we do have to ask… are you running Vista or XP? While modern HTC updates are supposed to run fine on Vista, we still suggest using an XP system if at all possible. It’s what we always do internally.

I am running Vista. I tried the steps you suggested and no luck.

I was able to finish the install using another computer also running Vista. Like most I had to call in to authenticate but my phone is up and running again now with 6.1. Thanks for the help.

hey, i installed the mr1 update off that site, then installed the “Valhalla Legends GPSServer.cab” that is supposed to make the mr16.1pro update for the xv6900 able to use third party applications, i installed google maps and followed all the correct steps, and google maps still tells me that my phone is not compatible with the “my location” feature,

if those of you who have gotten the gps fix to work with the 6900, any ideas why its not working for me?
“http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=VerizonAGPSFix”
theres the site i used, the mr1 fix is at the bottom, (and the valhalla cab on that page)

Cant get aGPS to work on XV6900. Question: After updating XV6900 with new ROM do you then have to update with the MR1 update for the XV6800 before installing the aGPS fix/hack?

How do you install the update? Download to your computer, sync the phone, open the app?

How do you install the update? Download to your computer, sync the phone, open the app?
Can’t find any instructions….

I’ve successfully installed the update as well as the GPS hack and it works a treat.

One thing i have noticed is that the photo album viewer seems to lock up quite a bit. I did not have this issue with the initial ROM. It seems to lock up when zooming in on or rotating pictures. Anyone else running into this?

Other than that the browsing experience is much speedier with Rev A.

JOE, like other HTC firmware updates, you run the installer on your computer like any other PC application. Follow the on-screen instructions that appear for upgrading your XV6900.

Brian, do not install any XV6800 firmware on to the XV6900. While it shouldn’t let you, it could brick your phone if it did. Simply apply the GPS fix after upgrading with the XV6900 firmware linked in the article.

Thanks Christopher . I’ll try it when I get home. am a truck driver and won’t be home till Thanksgiving .

What should i use unlock gps to use Igo8 since I dont have VZ expensive data plan ?

………”jaxx on November 19th, 2008, 2:23 pm
What should i use unlock gps to use Igo8 since I dont have VZ expensive data plan ?……..”

Why would anyone have a smartphone without the unlimited data plan? It’s only $29.99 a month anymore these days and I remember paying 59 a few years back…..

times are though …what can i say Brent ,,,, lol …. tried different unlocks ..and still nothing …

<<>>

Without the unlock, the iGo program or any GPS program, won’t get a GPS fix unless you have an external GPS puck/receiver. VZ has locked the GPS to VZ Nav. But VZ Nav though it can be downloaded, can’t be run yet as VZ rep told me “your phone is not ready for VZ Nav. But that’s OK. For the little traveling I do, Google Maps is fine.

By the way the Valhalla GPS Un-lock program is not available any longer on the web site mentioned by Brent in a post above. I was lucky I managed to get the file before it was taken off. I wonder if VZ forced the removal of the program.

Roger, Verizon will not activate the XV6900 on VZ Navigator yet, as the update has not yet been released by them. It’s a billing issue because you have the update before the update has been released formally.

I downloaded and installed the update yesterday without a hitch, and I even was able to restore all of my programs without a problem. On the stock ROM, I had a hacked copy of the Internet Sharing tool running perfectly over both Bluetooth, and USB. However, with this new ROM, the tool no longer works. I’ve tried installing a wm6.1 fix, another hacked copy, and I made sure that the M.IP settings and everything you need to tether for free on Verizon were entered correctly. If anyone has figured out how to re-enable Internet Sharing with the new ROM, please tell me as I have no other PC internet access without it.

Am I an idiot? I am trying to install this and it keeps saying that it is not a valid pocket pc application. Am I missing something? Can someone give me a step by step on how they installed?

figured it out…guess it would help to read the posts…sorry fellas

Roger, the Valhalla unlock program is definitley still available on the site posted above. I just tried it out, and it is defintley still there. Give it another try. The cab file is about half way down the page and is called “GPSServer CAB”

hey guys… I installed the Valhalla Cab and it is not working with live or google maps…then, I try to uninstall with the cab from the link above and it won’t allow me. Anyone have any ideas?

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hello all,

Thanks for all the help listed above…I got everything installed…but I don’t have the VZ Navigator on my phone? I know you all said that Verizon wouldn’t activate it yet, but I don’t even have the program installed after I did the update.
Any ideas?

thanks

Google navigator is pretty nice. Earthcomber works if you don’t have data turned on, as it stores the maps onboard.

Do you know when Verizon will offer the update?
No offense, butI am a little nervous about going outside of the supported upgrade path.

Dustin, read the comments… you have to download it from the Verizon homepage in Internet Explorer Mobile.

Steve, we have no idea when Verizon will ship the update. They were supposed to do it before launching the Touch Pro… so it’s anybody’s guess.

hey guys… I installed the Valhalla Cab and it is not working with live or google maps…then, I try to uninstall with the cab from the link above and it won’t allow me. Anyone have any ideas?

Joe,

I had the same problem when attempting to uninstall the Valahalla Cab. You can either manually delete the files it installs, which I could not determine exactly (check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=424387 ) OR make sure you sync your data and perform a hard reset. But before you try any of those options I must make you aware that you MUST have a data connection on your phone in order for GPS to work. If you have a data block you must remove it.

Thanks…actually found the navigator in the mean time…but just wanted to say that my GPS works just fine with the new update…I really like the new txt message interface too, makes it actually look like a conversation.

anyone discover if this upgrade resolves the ‘missed calls’ issue mentioned in an earlier post?

So far so good on mine today. I used to have that problem too. I’ve had 3 calls and a few txt’s come through while the phone was asleep.

ok…so I did the hard reset and reinstalled the valhalla cab for gps. The wm 6.1 works fantastically…I still cannot get the GPS to work. Once you reinstall the cab do you need to do anything? or just download live or google maps? It is on location, not 911so not sure what is up. Thanks for your help

Joe,

Dont like to get into trouble shooting issues in such a forum but
1. Do you have a data connection? IF not, you need one.
2. Did you install Valhalla Cab to the device, NOT a storage card
3. Location set to “On”
4. Start->Settings->External GPS->Program Port set to COM4
5. Start->Settings->Ex.GPS->Hardware Port set to “None”
6. Start->Settings->Ex.GPS->Access should be checked to Manage GPS auto.
7. Install Google Maps. Open the GoogleMaps->Menu->UseGPS

If this doesn’t work, head over to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=424387
for possible solution.

I’m downloading this now.

I saw that some people had to re-activate their phones. What number do I have to call to do that ( if I need to after installing this update)

#8899 to get it reactivated. Thanks guys, I am up and running, not sure what it was. I don’t think I could get the satellite from my condo..

Hi. This is a silly question, but where can I find and download the new upgrade for xv6900? Is this th same as MR1 for xv6800? And also, after download, do I have to go to Verizon store to reactivate the phone with options that I have (email and web-browser)?
thanks

Sorry this might be a dumb question (I apologize), but with this patch to bypass the GPS lockdown, do you need to have a data plan to use the GPS? Or will it work like a GPS (i.e. garmin) and pick up a satellite signal? Reason I ask is because I have the pay per KB plan and I dont want to rack up a bunch of charges…Thanks in advance!

Roy, The actual GPS fix only uses a couple of kilobytes… if any data at all. If you are using a local application like Garmin, you should be fine on the pay per KB plan.

You can monitor this by calling #DATA a day or two after a GPS session and see for yourself.

Mark, re-read the article, the download link is given there. You can reactivate the phone without going to a Verizon store, it just takes a call to #8899.

Why Verizon is still sitting on this is beyond me. I installed last night, did not have to reactivate my phone, only reinstall my software. This fixed my bluetooth problem immediately (bluetooth stalling, device not reconnecting, etc.) and fixed the MS Voice Commander problem (confirmations). I think those guys are a bunch of fools for not releasing this sooner, we’ve been waiting since middle of summer for the update.

Dec 1st…Have there been any updates as to when Verizon will “officially” release the update?

From my point of view VERIZON like to force people in plan they don’t need. 90% of my time i am around wireless network. I wanted to upgrade my phone with Verizon and extend my contract. I choose there HTC touch pro, i was told by rep. that, i will have to add DATA plan on my monthly plan. They said all Smart phone/BB need to have data plan in order for customer to have them. I was baffle by that. I my self being a programmer and Engineer. I know there no way that’s right. Simple code can block the phone, so i don’t use there data network and still be able to use wi-fi. Offcourse Verizon cant do that how else they will make people cough up money for things they dont need. The HTC have wi-fi; so i should be able to use my wireless router or hot spot. But according to Verizon, they cant let me have the phone without the data plan. To me that just another way to extortion.

So i called: AT&T
For one they have huge selection of great phone that have Wi-fi compare to Verizon who have only 3 or 4 wi-fi based phone. I ask AT&T rep that if i get there HTC touch pro (FUZE), will they be forcing me in some data plan, there answer: NO. I can simply have AT&T have a block, so i cant use there data network, and just be able to use my wi-fi worry free.

As for maps. There are plenty of software that let you have the map on phone, not to mention i have a PC in my vehicle. With fully upgraded maps of the country.

That was the moment i switch to AT&T. And i used to be a loyal customer of Verizon for over 8 years.

Just updated my HTC XV6900, the update worked perfectly as described. However, I installed the Valahalla Cab, without error but, Google maps sits at searching for satelites indef. I followed the trouble shooting steps listed above, with reference to the com port (4) hardware (none), mange (autgo) and I configured google maps as listed but to no avail, any ideas, tips?

I checked the link for Valahalla Cab, and it recommend setting google maps to use the windows mangaged GPS, this did not change my results.

disregard, added the correct

I downloaded the update and HELP! Half of my pictures… that I took with my phone and have always been on the same memory card, used exclusively with this phone – are now encrypted… I went to the Verizon store and they basically told me – “Sorry”.

Can anyone help me? Please?!

I see that most of this blog is related to the GPS topic, but I was very interested in WM6.1 for the Bluetooth ActiveSync which after much trouble, I was able to figure out.

If you’ve tried unsuccessfully in the past to get Bluetooth ActiveSync to work, you may have a COM port tied up that is not available on the phone. The COM port in the Bluetooth settings on your PC, within the Connection Settings of ActiveSync and on the phone all have to match.

All Steps further below…

COM Ports for Bluetooth Issues:
In addition to the instructions below, you may need to manually go into System–>Hardware–>Device Manager. Once there, expand the Ports tree to see the Standard Serial over Bluetooth link. Right-Click on that entry.

Click on the Port Settings Tab, then click the Advanced button on that tab. There should be a COM Port Number drop-down box. Choose a COM port that is not “in use” and is compatible with the list of COM ports on your phone. Click OK to save that new COM port assignment. Delete the COM port from your Bluetooth settings display and re-add for Incoming. That should bring up the new COM port number for you.

A lot of the custom vendor bluetooh software, especially for notebook computers, has lots of trouble when trying to perform bluetooth activesync. The best way do do it is to use the built in Windows XP SP2 bluetooth stack. One way to tell if you have that stack/software is to:

Go to the Control Panel on your PC anfd check to see if you have the “Bluetooth Devices” option. NOT “Bluetooth Configuration” or “insert notebook vendor name here bluetooth software”. If you have the “Bluetooth Devices” option, follow these steps to perform BT ActiveSync. NOTE: you can try these steps with your custom software, they might work but I am not sure.

Steps to get Bluetooth ActiveSync working with WM6.1:
1. Turn ON Bluetooth on your Pocket PC and set it to Discoverable mode.
INSTRUCTIONS: on the PDA, go to Start=>Settings=>Connections TAB=>Bluetooth. MAKE sure that both the “Bluetooth”
and “Make the device discoverable to other devices” checkboxes are checked and then press the “OK” button on the top
right corner.

2. Now pair/connect your device via bluetooth; initiating the pairing from the PC.
INSTRUCTIONS: On the PC, go to the control panel and open up “Bluetooth Devices”. When the windows pops up. go to
the “options” tab and ensure that the “Allow bluetooth devices to connect to this computer” checkbox is checked. NEXT, on
“devices” tab, press the “Add…” button. The “Welcome to the add bluetooth device wizard” will show up. MAKE SURE that the
“My device is set up and ready to be found” checkbox is checked and then press “Next >”. It will then search for devices in
the area. After your Device has been found select it and press “Next >”. Then select “Choose my own passkey” and type in
a random passkey and press “next/connect”.

A prompt will then show up on you PDA device saying that “insert your computer name here” wants to connect with you. Accept it and type in the passkey to pair the device.

3. Now, set the COM PORT on the PC.
INSTRUCTIONS: go back to the control panel on your PC and open up the “Bluetooth Devices” program once again. then,
go to the “COM Ports” tab and then press the “Add..” button. A windows will pop up for “add a com port”. Select the
“Incoming (device initiates the connection)” bubble and then press the “OK” button at the bottom. After pressing OK, you will
notice that after a couple of seconds a com port # will now be listed in the “COM port” tab of the bluetooth devices program.
REMEBER which com port # was listed. Lets call it COM PORT X

4. VERY IMPORTANT. Program the comport in the ActiveSync program on the PC.
INSTRUCTIONS: Open up the ActiveSync program on your PC (usually by double clicking on the grey cricle with 2 arrows
near your system clock). Once the ActiveSync program is up, go to FILE=>CONNECTION SETTINGS… In the “connection
settings” window, ENSURE that the “allow connections to one of the following” checkbox is checked and then from the
dropbox below select THE COM PORT THAT YOU ADDED in the “Bluetooth Devices” program. Remeber, COM PORT X.
then press the “OK” button.

5. Add the “ActiveSync” service on the PDA for the partnership between the PDA and the PC.
INSTUCTIONS: On the PDA, go to START=>SETTINGS=>CONNECTIONS TAB=>BLUETOOTH=>DEVICES TAB. Then tap
on the partnership that was established. When the next screen pops up, make sure to hide the on screen keyboard (by
tapping on the keyboard icon at the bottom.)

THEN, keep tapping the “Refresh” button until the “AcitiveSync” check box shows up on the list of servies. Once it does, check that checkbox and the press the “OK” button on the top right corner.

6. INITIATE the ActiveSync connection from the PDA!
INSTRUCTIONS: On your PDA go to START=>PROGRAMS=>ACTIVESYNC=>MENU=>CONNECT VIA BLUETOOTH. Then
the “Cannot find an existing Bluetooth partnership with a PC that supports Activesync. Would you like to set up a partnership
now?” MIGHT pop up. At that point select YES or OK and then select the partnership with the PC that you have establised.

BLUETOOTH ACTIVESYNC SHOULD NOW FUNCTION CORRECTLY.

Let me know if you guys have any luck. Also, note that with the custom bluetooth software that a lot of you have on your PCs and DO NOT have the “Bluetooth Devices” option in their Control Panel, the PROCEDURE is the same but the TERMINOLOGY and LOCATION of those options may be different.

Is there anyting that I need to delete from the storage card, 2gb, prior to the ROM install?

Your storage card should be fine, but it’s always a good idea to back it up. Your internal storage will certainly be erased by this update.

I had nothing mission critical on the card. I went ahead and ran the ROM update, with *228 option 1 and a reboot the phone immediately worked. However the internet did not until I did a soft reset (taking the battery out while the phone is on for 10 seconds). Then I installed Valhalla and rebooted and that didn’t work until after also doing a soft reset after rebooting after the install. Google maps worked immediately, but Live Search didn’t until I set it to GPS intermediate driver in the program itself, not on the phone.

Wasn’t hard at all.

I found a program called Remote Desktop Mobile with 6.1. It doesn’t provide any information as to how to configure it but it appears that I can access my home pc if it is properly configured, similiar to GoToMyPC. I have Vista Ultimate and it has Remote Desktop Connection. Again, however, after going through the instructions in the help section, I still cannot seem to figure out if what I want to do is possible. With GoToMyPC, I can completely control my home PC from my 6900. Is this possible with Remote Desktop Mobile, if so, how?

Bryan,

Yes, you use it just like you use remote desktop on a computer..
Keep in mind that the phone will be bouncing in from the internet, so your computer must be accessible via RDP on the internet. So you’ll need to have port 3389 forwarded to your computer and then you will connect to your computer either by external IP address, or by dynamic DNS (assuming you don’t have a static address)

Very simple.

I bought this phone specifically for this feature… (installed hacked version on 6.0 which verizon had yanked out..)

Uh, maybe not so much… I’ve done some looking on Help in Vista about port 3389 being blocked in the past and that’s why there is a TS Gateway using port 443. But I’m pretty stuck at this point, and because this isn’t a Verizon ROM update, I can’t call technical support. Just guessing, I tried http://Bryan’s-PC/tsweb/, that didn’t work, then I tried my IPv4 IP Address under the server name. At least that was accepted. I then put that same IPv4 IP Address in the Computer section of RDM and my User name under than and hit Connect. At least it tried, unsuccessfully. I’m out of ideas.

But, wait. Some success?

I’m writing this from my phone over my computer via Remote desktop. But, boy is it slow! GoToMyPC has a much better, easier to use, and faster interface. But then again it costs $240 a year. Besides the obvious, 256 colors, disabling sound, smooth fonts, etc., is it possible to speed this up at all? And I’ve already lost the connection once while writing this. Finally, how can I make sure that no-one else can log onto my machine?

Sorry about all these posts. I guess I’m excited. Speed is much better now. And I can get around pretty well. But if I go to full screen, I can’t seem to find a way to disable it so that I can enable the keyboard so that I can write more posts as I’m doing now from the XV6900. This is soo cool! So how do you disable full screen?

Now the speed is blowing me away. I’m at 16 bit color with all the options. I guess it had some caching to do. Still concerned about security and finding a way out of full screen. Amazing stuff.

Thanks for all the great info! Did the update to 6.1 last night and it seemed to go through flawlessly. Had to go out this morning to hit a Verizon tower to try the update, then ended up calling in and got it authenticated without trouble. Working good since then.

As for the troubles… of course it can’t be all easy, heh. For some reason since the update my SMS is acting funky. Messages sent or received seem to work fine on the phone as it is. The problem is anytime the phone is reset using the soft-reset button on the bottom all of my messages disappear. Did this after restoring my messages with a backup utility and it would only remove new messages(my backed up messages stayed there), and have since hard-reset a few times and tried switching to classic messaging as well without any luck. Everytime the phone resets, all my text messages are gone. Any ideas or similar problems?

Bryan,

I think that that’s why verizon probably removed it from 6.0… it doesn’t come out of fullscreen very nicely. I know I get out of it by pushing the “end” button, but I think that disconnects you completely IIRC.
It will be interesting to see if they yank it from the final 6.1 release.

As far as security, you have your computer published to the internet for RDP. Just make sure all of your accounts have strong passwords. You could also only allow connections from a particular IP range if (you’re paranoid) you figured out what IP’s you’re likely to come in from on your phone. But mess it up and you may only be able to connect *sometimes*.

Updating:

SMS problem seems to have resolved itself and messages have remained on the phone after a series of resets now. Installed the Valhalla GPS update according to the instructions and GPS works like a charm as well! Thanks again for the great info!

I have tried to download the Valhalla cab many times from different computers and the connection always times out. Can someone put up a mirror on rapidshare or megaupload please. That would be great.

Since the update I have noticed one annoyance which I hadn’t noticed before. I use TX9 for texting and when typing very quickly sometimes it will lag just a little. Not a problem at all, except every now and then I will hit 8428 (for example) and instead of coming up with “that”, it will have a V for the first character (making the rest garbage) and will not change until you delete it and reenter it.
This isn’t really a problem other than the fact that if you don’t catch it, this jumble of characters gets saved into the dictionary and somehow always seems to have high precedence.
I have found one dictionary editor for WM, but it will not load the dictionaries in 6.1. Does anyone know of a dictionary editor that works in WM6.1?

Thanks

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NDIIEOM7

There ya go William. Took me a while to find it myself from a working link. There’s the copy I found to get it working on my 6900.

Tommy, I haven’t noticed much of a difference since the upgrade, other than a slight problem which was caused more by the resetting of the screen sensitivity. Did the registry hack for that to adjust it back to where it was before and it seems to be working properly for me now.

Thanks Daniel. I got it up and running in about 2 minutes and it works perfectly!

Glad to hear it – I was surprised how easily it went!

[...] Verizon HTC XV6900  NEW! [...]

[...] Verizon HTC XV6900  NEW! [...]

Does anyone know how to get the GPS to automatically start on boot up so I can go straight into any app and not have to open Google Maps to get the GPS to load?

Not really sure. Google Maps seems to be about the only thing I’ve tried so far that wants to recognize the GPS and lock onto any satellites.

William,

I don’t think you really want to do that… I notice horrible battery life when the GPS is connected for hours at a time.

hey I just upgraded to 6.1 and works great as does gps. One thing, I thought 6.1 was supposed to allow youtube to work on windows media player, but it gets an error just like 6.0 did. And when I install tcpmp it doesn’t work neither…any ideas??

I don’t know who told you that Windows Mobile 6.1 added YouTube support… but that makes no sense. You need to install third-party software such as Skyfire to watch YouTube videos.

I just read somewhere that 6.1 added flash support. I use skyfire but don’t like how the video plays small and can’t figure out how to play it fullscreen :\

@verizon rep

I use yotubeplay (http://bit.ly/u2v4) for my youtube. Its is very function and never crashes.

[...] Verizon HTC XV6900  [...]

2 questions…

Do they charge you if the re-activation is needed?

also, when the official update comes out, is it possible that it will brick my phone with this update installed?

Is anyone else having the problem of the camera popping up without having pushed the button after having installed the upgrade?

If you need to activate your phone and dont want to call in, go online and update your phone (activate new equiptment) and put in an old cellphone that you have lying around, activate it using *228, then repeat the process with your newly flashed 6.1 xv6900 and it will be able to place calls and everything just fine (Verizons tech support isnt always open it turns out).

My story, in case it’s helpful for some people who had some trouble along the way:

1. Updated to the WM 6.1 ROM — went smoothly. It wasn’t clear to me whether I should let the Verizon customization run, but I did, and I didn’t seem to be the worse for it.

2. Tried to use *228, option 1 to program my phone — didn’t do anything. Also tried *22800 and *22801 — the latter appeared to reprogram my phone, but I still can’t make calls due to Verizon being “unable to authenticate” my phone. I’ll call #8899 tomorrow to take care of that. (I read somewhere else that anytime you upgrade from a non-GPS radio to a GPS radio firmware, you have to call Verizon.)

2.5 Noted that my data plan was already working.

3. Installed the Valhalla GPS Server CAB (after I FINALLY found it at Daniel’s megaupload link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NDIIEOM7). Initially this did NOT appear to work, as Google Maps would search endlessly for satellites without finding anything. After rebooting a SECOND time after installing the Valhalla CAB, it worked like a charm!

Thanks to all for the helpful questions, answers and links here.

Does this new update (mobile 6.1) fix the missed calls and texts? Does anyone know?

There have been multiple messages regarding the missed calls when the phone is “sleeping.”

I also have the same problem. The phone is basically useless.

Has anyone used this update (6.1) or several weeks to see if it solved the problem?

It’s either this or I am changing to a blackberry..

Thanks

-David

Good tips- I’m going to DL the update later tonight. Does anyone know if this resolves the ringer/ vibrate issue (which is different than the one referred to already). Basically, my ringer will spontaneously change from vibrate to completely silent to full ring. It’s becoming a pain as I put the phone on vibrate for a reason and don’t want “magically” ringing during an important meeting. Anyone have any other thoughts on this?
Thanks

just talked to a verizon rep and they said it was ok to download this because they listed a patch for 6.1 on the xv6900 on their website

http://support.vzw.com/phones/index.html?p=3694

heres the link with the patch i talked about in the last post

David, that update is for a minor bug in the Messaging application. It is not a firmware update, and does not add any new features. You were misinformed that the update has been officially released.

correct, i just wanted to let everyone know that the rep said that because that patch is for 6.1, it must be ok to install 6.1 on the device, even though verizon has not released it

what MESSSAGING application are you guys referring to? the missed call/msg thing when phone is on sleep mode?

Ida, we’re referring to the Messaging application… the one you use to send and receive text messages and email with.

The hotfix on Verizon’s web site patches a bug in the Messaging app. It is not the firmware update posted here.

I suspect Verizon posted the patch accidentally, ahead of the firmware update being officially released.

thanks for the clarification christopher.

Is there some way to revert to the original WM 6.0 ROM if needed (such as for returning the phone to Verizon within the 30-day grace period if I don’t like how it works)? I have done this with some tools I found for my xv6700, so I would think comparable tools/commands exist for the 6900.

TiA

I needed to change my plan — and, discovered this evening that when you change your plan online, there is an option to purchase VZNavigator for $9.99/month. I check off the option, and moments later, it was up and running. This, even though the update is still not up officially at the verizon support site.

I did the update to 6.1, then dialed #8899 to reauth my phone and it’s working awesome. After reauthing my phone, I installed the Valhalla cab, using the MR1 instructions (location on, Com4, etc) at the bottom of the xda-developers site, then installed google maps, but GPS doesn’t work. All it does is say ‘initializing gps’, then brings up a screen that says that no gps receiver was detected. Can anyone give me a hand?

everyone who installed the update:

how is the text interface?

i have a threaded hack on my 6.0 xv6900 and the soft keyboard covers the text entry field and sometimes the letters type the numbers that should show up when you push and hold. Any of these problems in 6.1?

Finally switched to a Blackberry. Its much more stable and has no problems. I would recommend doing the same.

I figured the problem out. I did a hard reset, and some customizations ran. When I first did the ROM update, they didn’t run, but after they finished, I re-installed Valhalla, dialed *228, option 1, installed google maps, and everthing works. Hope this helps anyone else who had problems this late in the game!

HELP!! I have been using the xv6900 with WM 6.0 with no problems, for about 4 months. I have been reading up on the new update (WM 6.1) and noone seems to be having any big issues, so I decided to give it a try. I downloaded it fine and have verizon auth my phone. But now my phone seems to freeze up every now and then. I have to do many more soft resets than I had to do with the 6.0 version. Any suggestions please!!

If I decide to, can I contact VZ, or go back to 6.0??

FOR THE MISSED CALLS AND MSGS DURING SLEEP MODE:
Go to settings, then click the system tab and choose “power”. Click the advanced tab and uncheck both boxes that read “turn off device if not used for…” on battery and external power. I was running into the same situation you mentioned of missed messages and calls, but once I did this, no more issue. You just have to hit the power button to turn the screen off when you are not using the phone. I also just set the backlight to go off after a few seconds if I’m idle, while on battery power. I think this issue stems from Windows Mobile being originally designed as a PDA OS, so I have a feeling this “auto off” feature might ignore things coming over the phone radio. I highly recommend a program called “S2U2″ or Slide to Unlock 2 for this phone.
Laurie: What other programs do you have installed? What are you doing during the freeze? Have you checked any installed programs for updates related to WM 6.1?

I could be doing anything. Making a call, or texting. I don’t have any other programs installed except the ones that came with the phone. I did a hard reset today and it hasn’t froze yet but I think it’s going to happen again. Am I the only one??????

Flashed to 6.1 and GPS unlock. Called VZW to re-authenticate. Works like a charm! Battery life has actually seemed to increase, phone is faster… night and day difference. THANKS to all… I was really wanting an official release, I had already bricked one 6900 with a cooked ROM.

Laurie: If the freezing is consistent and even a hard reset won’t fix it, you may just have a defective phone. Check all the buttons to ensure nothing is stuck, then contact verizon to see about replacing the phone. To be honest, the only time my phone has frozen was when I was testing a Beta program on it, but thats to be expected. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.

Hey guys,
The update seems like a great idea. But I was wondering if after the update you still had the HTC Cube and interface that comes witht he stock rom. Also all the simple scrolling photo interfaces etc that are included with the stock rom and touchflo.

does it just keep everything intact while updating to wm 6.1 or does it change the whole feel of it away from the touch flo “iphone-ish” style cuz that’s what I like about the phone.

If it does eliminate these features, is there any other place i can find them? thanks.

No, It keeps all the features just updates W.M. and adds some cool stuff.

BTW: after the hardreset I have not had any problems

Thanks Laurie I just got the phone today and having non threaded texts drives me up the wall.

Zach, I tried your advice on the phone for the “missed calls/msgs during sleep mode” problem. I will let you know if it works. This problem have been driving me INSANE!

Also the phone, lock, messaging, etc buttons are now below the appointments, is there anyway to change that back to how it was before?

unless I am mistaken…

Mike: Go to Settings / Today, then select the Items tab. Here you can select what appears on the Home screen and the order they are displayed. just highlight Calendar and select “Move Down” till its where you want it.

zach, i tried your advice on the turning off the sleep mode, and the problem still remains…. still missing my calls/texts, etc…. i hate this phone.

ida: I did some hunting around. I found this link on a popular forum http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=288011 . I use a program call Slide to Unlock 2 (google S2U2) and I think it may make this registry change on its own. I would definitely recommend S2U2, and it can’t hurt to try. I hope this helps.

It appears as though there is an official release for the xv6900. Unfortunatley I am blocked from downloading the update so I cannot comment on it at this time. Perhaps someone else can take a look and provide any details or updates.

http://www.pcdphones.com/view_phone_details.aspx?mcode=XV6900&bID=95&sAct=0

Well it’s now officially, official.

http://www.pcdphones.com/phone_downloads.aspx?bid=95&cid=1&mid=302&carrier=Verizon%20Wireless

[...] Microsoft Windows Mobile, UTStarcom, Verizon Following up our early offering of the ROM update before its official release, PCD is now offering the XV6900 Windows Mobile 6.1 [...]

What’s the difference between this and the 6.1 update that was shown on this website a month ago?

thanks zach. ill give it a shot. are you having this problem too?

Same question as Bryan’s. What is the difference in this Rom and should I upgrade.

Now it is “official”!
I wondered how official “PCD” (Personal Communications Devices) was, so was a bit dubious. It turns out that Vzw’s own download page link points directly to the PCD page mentioned above – good enough for me

BTW, what are the connections between PCD, Vzw, and HTC?

rokky,

Can you post a link to the VZW page that points to PCD’s download page? I’ve been trying to verify the “officialness” of this update before applying it.

Thanks!

SLeepdepD, as we’ve reported on the news… the update has been officially released. PCD is the designated partner for HTC devices on CDMA… they can’t release an update for a Verizon device without Verizon’s approval. If it’s on pcdphones.com then it is an official release.

(And yes, Verizon is posting it on their support pages if they haven’t already).

Again, the release on pcdphones.com is the official, approved, released download. Anyone who says otherwise is 100% wrong.

PCD handles American carrier relations and adaptations for HTC in North America. It has been a dubious relationship ever since HTC started having carrier operations in North America, but PCD has their expertise in dealing with CDMA carriers, so HTC has continued the relationship.

Christopher,

Thanks for the response.

Here is the link to the VZW page which has the link to the d/l on PCD
http://support.vzw.com/phones/index.html?p=3694

Bottom right under “Downloads”, 2nd item, “Software Update (MR1)”
HTH

I found a link on this Verizon page: http://support.vzw.com/phones/index.html?p=3694 at the bottom in the downloads section. I’ve applied it and really like some of the new features…now I just wish I could get GPS working

I am getting this phone Monday because I could get it without the data plan through Verizon. What upgrades should I do before activation? Also does this device have the option to announce incoming calls. Thanks

Does anyone know the difference between this new upgrade and the one offered on this website last month?

All I know is this one is official and the other was leaked.

Buddy,

I applied the Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade here: http://support.vzw.com/phones/index.html?p=3694 . This is a firmware update–meaning it’s going to delete everything off your device–so backup first. The ZIP file you download has instructions and lists some of the benefits of the upgrade.

Other people may recommend different hacked firmware versions, but every post I’ve seen talking about it says something like “I can do all this great stuff, but MMS doesn’t work!” or “my phone freezes every 10 minutes”–so I’ve never messed around with any of these.

Make sure you can make and receive calls after updating; I had to place more than one call to *611 to get it working again.

I also applied the GPS fix found here: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=VerizonAGPSFix (the second method titled “Verizon MR1 GPS Instructions”). It says its for the XV6800, but it’s working on my XV6900 just fine. You said you don’t have a data plan, but I found this really great app called GPSToday http://www.geoterrestrial.com/download/ . Google Maps and Windows Live works as well.

Thanks SLeepdepD,

Thanks for your replay. I plan on doing the Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade before I activate the phone. I also would like to do the GPS fix you mentioned. I previously owned a Dell Axim so I am familiar with active sync and loading programs on a PDA. With my Axim I needed a GPS receiver. I assume this phone has an internal GPS receiver and interacts with the loaded map; is this correct?

Buddy,

Yes. The XV6900 has GPS.

SleepdepD,

Got my new phone and upgraded to Windows Mobile 6.1. I then tried the GPS fix but the link (http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=VerizonAGPSFix) is no longer working.

Buddy,

The link to wiki.xda-developers.com isn’t working? Or the link to download the CAB file? Oh…I’m unable to download the CAB file–so I assume that’s what you’re talking about.

There’s a link to download it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2625473&postcount=113 . Just now I was able to download it from there…and the CAB is the same as the one I originally downloaded (MD5 hash).

Buddy, there is a link earlier in this thread to a megaupload or rapidshare link for the GPS cab.

I updated to the new official ROM Friday night. I did my first soft reset today just to clean up the RAM. When the phone came back up, I had a system error that the phone wanted to report to Microsoft. It has complained about three different programs failing, but I can’t remember the first two. The third is cprog.exe. I remember that name because it is coming up every time I soft reset. Any ideas?

Scott,

Try a hard reset.

Does using the GPS fix rack up data charges on the Verizon network? Which maps are most using?

Buddy,

I pay for unlimited data so I’m not sure. I seem to remember reading something about an offline google maps (all US streets can be downloaded in one file). Anyone know what I’m talking about?

Using Vista SP1 to install the Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM which crashed the phone. Verizon Wireless is replacing my XV6900. Good luck to anyone attempting this. Make sure you have plenty of time and a backup phone to use while they send out the new one.

Well, I got the phone once I was assured of a legit Vzw source of the update (appreciate your efforts here, guys, but really wanted to play it “safe” – the info here has been most helpful). I applied the update before activating, and it went fine (from WinK) … except the reception was so bad, that I could not establish the connection with the *228 call for the initial phone programming!

My house is “cellular-resistant”, but all my other phones, including the xv6900 I tried for a week or so in July (before returning it due to various dissatisfactions) with the stock WM 6.0, have always been able to make that connection from one spot or another in my house. Has anyone else had this problem?

I finally got around it by inserting the stripped end of a twist-tie wire in the antenna jack under the camera mirror and routing it out the stylus opening. It is one of those heavy black ones that often is used to tie up cables with electronics, and is only about 2.5 inches long, but seems to be dong the trick. Still, that should not be needed!

r

samewise,

Sorry to hear about that. I have Vista SP1 (but 64-bit Ultimate) and didn’t have any problems. I was also extra sure to restart the computer, close other running applications–even anti-virus–before running the update. Firmware updates scare me!

Weirdly, the twist-tie antenna makes the phone seem “normal”. I have gotten download speeds with dslreports.com’s speed test of 600Kb/s, which is a nice rev A step up from the more usual 200-400 I would get with the xv6700 I am replacing with this one.

I even got Google Maps working nicely with the “Valhalla” GPS update from xda-developers. Tomorrow I will be going into my office for the first time with the phone, and I have always had full-strength Vzw signal there with all of my previous phones, so this should be “interesting” when I yank out the twist-tie ;-}

Has anyone else compared their signal strength before and after the ROM update? I would think the fieldtrial.exe program (”hidden” in the \windows directory) would be best to use for some “hard” data: it shows around 95 dbm RX Power with the antenna, and around -100 to -105 without it (as I recall).

Err make that fieldtrial reading -95 dbm.

Replacement phone did the trick – now I can get a signal after the update.

Help with GPS…

I have the Verizon vx6900. I updated it to Windows Mobile 6.1, followed the instructing at http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=VerizonAGPSFix, installed the “Valhalla” fix, and a third party mapping program. However, I am not getting a fix on any satellite. I did a search for the GPS and my mapping program found it on com 4 with a baud rate of 4800 but it is not finding a satellite. I am not sure the radio or GPS is really on. Maybe the GPS and my mapping program are not communicating. Anyone know of some trouble shooting tips that may help me? Thanks.

Buddy,

That sounds like the exact steps I followed. Did you install Valhalla to the device or storage card (should have been device)? Did you set “Location On” in Settings > Phone > Services > Location Setting ? (I forgot to do that once ). GPS works for me with Google Maps, Live Search and GPSToday–have you tried any of these? Are you indoors?…maybe it just can’t get a lock.

SLeepdepD

I installed Valhalla to the device and I followed each of the directions. I uninstalled Valhalla and went back through the directions and reinstalled Valhalla and still could not get a lock. I am using iGuidance maps for ppc. I used this mapping program on a Dell Axim with an external GPS with no problems.

I set my phone on the dashboard of the car this morning on the way to work but could not get a fix. Maybe I will try GPSToday and see what happens.

Buddy,

If it wouldn’t result in too much work, you could always hard reset and try again.

I thought about the hard reset. I might have to do that. Thanks SleepdepD

SleepdepD

I downloaded GPSToday and found the GPS to be working. That tells me I am having a problem with iGuidance mapping program communicating with the internal GPS on the phone. I am uninstalling and and then reloading it to see it that will help. Thanks for all your help. I am really enjoying this phone.

You all may already be familiar with this application but I found it to be very helpful to find out if my GPS is working. It is GPSToggle and it is a Today screen app. that lets turn on and off your gps. You can read more about it and download it at this link… http://www.mobiletopsoft.com/board/4054/gps-toggle-for-windows-mobile.html

has anyone as of late had luck upgrading vz xv6900 to 6.1. I tried it once and it fried the phone. im abit shy of doing it again.

The vast majority of users have had no problem updating to the final version. Try the final version, linked in the Phone Encyclopedia.

If it “fries” your phone again, take it to a Verizon Wireless store for replacement. Have them update the replaced phone before it leaves the store.

Buddy – I’ve ordered the phone and didn’t get the data plan either. Does the weather app on the home screen rack up KB…and they charge you?

Thanks!

mary,

Yes, the weather option on the Today Screen uses the Internet and thus KB. One thing I’ve liked about the phone (which I didn’t notice on my previous SmartPhone) was every time it tries to connect to the Internet it says the data connection is dialing #777 and has a button to Cancel.

Mary:
The weather update download is a data item, so it will use chargeable KB’s, but I have no idea how many since I have the “unlimited” (who knows how unlimited?) data plan.

rokky,

LOL…I’ve wondered about the “unlimited” plan too. Pandora was released for the Windows Mobile and I was planning on listing to it all day at work to see if Verizon gave me a nasty-call or something. I have the little adapter to turn the USB into a headphone jack, but it’s in mono–so I haven’t listened to it.

[...] with any of  them.  They look promising, just not yet.  I also was drawn into a lengthy thread concerning the XV6900 that’s actually from November 2008, when the “official” [...]

Mary:

As already stated the weather app does use data. I also realized that my phone was accessing data periodically even if I was not using it. I finally called and had a data block put on my phone. You can log onto your Verizon account and check usage to see how much data you have used. Keep a watch on this on you can really rack up some data charges.

Why would anyone grab a smartphone and not get unlimited data? That’s the whole purpose is to keep you connected…..geez people…

Thanks for all the information!

As for why I got the phone – I dropped my three year old phone in a smoothie yesterday, and when I was researching Verizon’s choices, it was the one I liked best…and it was free, so I thought I might as well. I really like the PDA features and the look of the 6900. But since I have a macbook and work in an office where I am primarily at my desk, I don’t really need inferior internet on my phone. It’d be nice to use the occasional KB, and perhaps someday I’ll feel it necessary to upgrade…so I’m glad it has the features, but for now I don’t want to be surprised by my bill.

I like this phone because I can sync it with my phone book and the calender appointments on my desktop. If I want I can even sync my email from my desktop on my phone, word, excelI, and powerpoint files.I can add many software applications to it and enjoy the many functions that it offers that a dumb phone does not offer. I can customize it according to my likes and dislikes and that includes not liking to pay for a data plan that I don’t really need. I am happy with my smartphone and not having to pay for unlimited data.

I received my phone yesterday and did the ROM update with no problems whatsoever. I didn’t do the GPS update since I have a data block on my pay per KB plan. That said, I’m still kinda confused about the GPS function… does it require data inorder for it to work?

Also, MS ActiveSync 4.5 is complete GARBAGE. Sometimes my phone doesn’t even connect and sync, and other times the program crashes my computer. Anyone having these problems as well? Is there another alternative to ActiveSync?

Lastly, I just wanna thank all the people that posted some useful info on this thread. This is my first time using a Windows Mobile phone and I wouldn’t have even known where to begin without all the feedback. Cheers!

Re ActiveSync issues: make sure you are plugging the USB cable directly into one of the PC’s own ports, and NOT into a hub. I have found that makes a huge difference in getting rid of problems like yours, PG.

BTW, I got tired of the antenna issues with both 6900’s I tried, and have returned it. Stock is too weak, and it seems sticking the twist-tie in the port makes the phone “throw a switch”, and become almost totally dependent on an external antenna. If anyone tries a “real” manufactured external, I would be very interested in learning of your experience.

Meantime I will stick with my trusty (bulky) xv6700 for now – maybe when the Alltel and Vzw networks are fully merged, and I see something else “interesting”, I might explore upgrade options again.

…“real” manufactured external ANTENNA that is…

A preview function for this forum would be REALLY helpful ;-}

Yup, I plug my USB directly to the ports on my PC. I don’t really have any files to sync so ActiveSync seems kinda pointless at this point. Can you still transfer files from your PC to the phone without ActiveSync? e.g., using it like an external HDD.

Anyone know anyting about Windows Mobile 7 that was recently introduced?

w.r.t. external antennas, for a few days I used a 9db omni antenna. Huge improvement! Rokky’s “thrown switch” is actually the TERRIBLE solder job that holds the surface mount female antenna connector on the VX6900 RF board. When you disconnect the antenna from the phone, you actually rip off the SMD’s center lead from the board and break the trace on the board, permanently disconnecting the internal antenna. Then your external antenna is your only working option. If you are under warranty, Verizon will replace it. If not, do what I did: unsolder the connector from the board and solder a tiny jumper where the trace broke.

I just upgraded to WM6.1. You can see the “messages in voicemailbox” icon briefly after the ROM flash but before personalization. After that, you have a great tethered modem (confirmed with both BT and USB), but no phone (and no voicemail or messaging icons). I guess I’ll have to call Verizon like everyone else who upgraded for reactivation. I’m on my 3rd VX6900 (first one the camera imager went, and the second one lost the antenna jack as I said above). All because HTC wants to save a few micrograms of solder per phone!

Ceez:
re external antenna, I seriously doubt my twist-tie improvisation connected firmly enough to “yank” the jack loose from its solder connection. It was downrigt loose feeling, and I had to work out a way to keep pressure on the twist-tie to maintain the connection.

I could tell a big difference between that and the way a real external antenna seats in the jack on my xv6700 (surprised that has not done damage such you have identified to my 6700 with the dozens of disconnects that I have done – feels like it is a very tight fit). But, maybe it was more fragile than I realized, and not giving my any indication by feel that it had broken – will not be able to tell now since I sent back the 2nd phone, and am done with 6900’s (for now – thinking about the Omnia with its bigger screen, and now that it’s down to $50 with NE2 …

BTW: aGPS is not working anymore.

forum.geeks.com

My GPS is no longer working as well. I upgraded to Windows Mobile 6.1, installed the Valhalla GPS mod, and everything had been working great. I tried to use Google Maps again a couple of days ago, and I couldn’t get it to see any satellites. I tried to uninstall Valhalla, but it was always unsucessful. I tried to reinstall Valhalla, but that was unsuccessful as well.

So what had been working is now dead. Anyone have an idea on what I can try to get my GPS working again?

Oh yes, when I try to uninstall Valhalla, it says it can’t and would I like to remove it from the list? I click on yes, but it is still showing in the program list. I soft reset the phone and try again, but same result. I can’t get it to uninstall from the device.

JT

JT,

I re-posted them here:

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showpost.php?p=791760&postcount=507

are you all retarted the update has been out for awhile now.. go to verizon and search xv6900 update dumbass

lol…no, we’re not retarded. We all have the WM 6.1 update; you should read the thread posted above about how GPS isn’t working anymore before you open your keyboard-warrior mouth.

I downloaded both of the files, one to uninstall and one to install, but the uninstaller was still unsuccessful. I can’t think of what would cause this program to be so difficult to remove. So the GPS was working perfectly, and now it’s not. No matter what I try, I can’t get the previous installation of Valhalla to be removed. I can delete the files in the GPSServer folder under Program Files, but there is more involved that can’t be removed.

So I take it my situation is unique? I’ll keep poking around to what I can do to get the GPS working again on my WM 6.1 XV6900.

Thanks,
JT

JT,
I had the same problem and found the solution here (post 641):

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?s=775f7bb70d9b0ce825a5009c8d8c2adc&t=424387&highlight=xv6900&page=65

This required changing registry settings but was easy to do. You will need a registry editor if you don’t have one.Hope this helps.

Yes, I got it working, thanks Brad. The link you gave had the perfect registry settings:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3516785&postcount=648

I used the RegEdit.mrln_ARM.cab file to install a registry editor (Pocket PC 2002,2003 (ARM/PXA)) and made the edits to the above link, soft reset the phone and tried Google Maps and the GPS is working again:
http://www.phm.lu/downloads/download.aspx?{940B734A-C437-41C7-ADED-2A4418802FD3}

So I still don’t know why the GPS crapped out in the first place, but at least it’s working now and I know what to do if it fails.

Thanks again,
JT

Could it be that Vzw is deliberately changing these network settings to “disable” do-it-yourself GPS on phones like these to push users to buying their VZnavigator service? Or was it just an unrelated network “update”? Yeah, right…

Not that I’m paranoid or anything…

;-}

hey jt I did the regedit with the same you used just got confused with the addres when i changed it its wont work

aaron,

In the post on xda-developers.com, the address is in HEX and you have to switch to HEX when entering it in the registry editor. Does that help or did I miss the problem?

sleepy,
yap its working now thanks a lot guys. you guys are awesome

anymore cool stuff i should know =) i love this phone and think before the only thing is missing is a navi but not anymore

To clarify, if I put a data block on my phone, will I be able to use GPS? From what I read, getting a GPS fix will require at least a small amount of kB, but it seems the GPS is built into the phone like a Garmin standalone device, so I’m confused. Thanks.

Looks like aGPS requires data but the GPS itself does not, as this person was able to use GPS with data block.

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=53561&page=2

I just got this phone, and my start menu will not work. What can I do?

Wow, that’s a new one–I’ve never heard of that. Possibly a hard-reset would fix it? Hard-resets will delete EVERYTHING on your device! (data on storage cards will be retained) To hard-reset, with the device turned on, hold SEND and END and then with the stylus press and release the reset button–while continuing to hold SEND and END. You will then receive instructions to reset the device.

Guys,
I have xv6900 wm6.1. I tried the registry change with Hex for address and everything but it’s not working. My PDEport was 8888 before and I changed it to 8889 as the link suggested. What is going on here? The navigation helped big time. I was lost in a very dangerous neighborhood once and it navigate me out in minutes .

Hey, can anyone tell me if this upgrade changes the home screen on the phone? I really like the black/white/red contrast and i’d be upset if windows mobile 6.1 changed that. Thanks!