Solve problems with Pharos iGPS 500 device and the Navation GPS 168 devices in Streets and Trips or in MapPoint

In Microsoft Streets and Trips or in Microsoft MapPoint, when you try to configure the Pharos iGPS-500 device or the Navation GPS 168 device, or you try to use GPS functionality, you may experience the following errors or problems:

• The GPS is not being detected in the product.
• No blue light turns on when you connect the GPS device.
• You receive the following error message:
  No gps receiver is detected. Make sure that the gps is plugged into the communication (COM) port on your computer and no other program is using it.
  You receive this message even if you have a GPS device plugged into your computer.
• You receive the following error message:
  A connection cannot be made to the GPS receiver using the specified port. Make sure another program is not using that port and try again.

Before you start, check whether you installed a Standard version of the program over a version that includes GPS. For example, you installed Streets and Trips 2009 Standard (does not include GPS) over Streets and Trips 2007 (includes GPS). This kind of installation removes any GPS drivers that were installed because the Standard version does not include GPS drivers.

Also, be aware that neither the Pharos iGPS 500 device nor the Navation GPS 168 device runs on Windows XP 64-bit editions because they are incompatible with those systems. Both devices are compatible with Windows Vista 64-bit systems.

To resolve this issue, you must determine the cause of the issue on your computer. To do this, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented.

Note The following steps are lengthy. You may want to print them before you begin.

Method 1: Configure and connect the GPS device

Preliminary steps

Before you start this method, connect the GPS device directly to the USB Port. Do not use a USB cable (long cable). Do not use any USB hubs. The device must be directly connected to the computer, as shown in the following picture.

Pharos iGPS 500



Navation GPS 168



Some Pharos iGPS 500 devices include a black device or that you can use to directly to attach your GPS device to the USB port. However, you must open both sides of the device to see both the GPS connector and the USB connector.

Connector before



Connector after

Main steps

Install Streets and Trips or MapPoint before you connect the GPS device to your computer. To configure your GPS device correctly, follow these steps:

1. Follow the instructions that are provided with Streets and Trips or with MapPoint to install the program. Do not connect the GPS before you install the program.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Plug the GPS device into the USB port on your computer.
   Note Connect the GPS device directly to your computer as shown in the picture. Do not use a USB cable or a USB hub.
4. A light on the GPS device illuminates to indicate that the device is connected correctly. On the Pharos iGPS 500, you should see a blue light. On the Navation GPS 168, the “Microsoft” logo should illuminate.
   
   Pharos showing blue light (bottom of device) when connected
   
   
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   
   
   Navation showing Microsoft logo illuminated in white when connected
   
   
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5. If the connection light does not illuminate, try to use a different USB port on your computer. Typically, ports that are located on the back of the computer work best.
   
   If the light still does not illuminate, go to method 7.
   
   If the light does illuminate, go to step 6.
6. Start Streets and Trips or MapPoint.
7. On the Tools menu, point to GPS, and then click Configure GPS Receiver.
8. In the Available ports list, all the available com ports are listed. Click Scan. The GPS device is listed in the Available ports list as Communications Port (COM xx) - Microsoft GPS device found.
9. In the GPS Pane, click Track Position.

The GPS device initializes. If the GPS device is not detected, go to method 2.

Method 2: Check whether the GPS device receives a clear signal

Make sure that your GPS receiver is turned on, that it is connected to your computer, and that it is running for several minutes. Many GPS receivers must perform an initial search, during which they identify satellite signals and start to receive data. This search can require up to 14 minutes.

Make sure that there are no obstructions between your GPS receiver and the sky. For example, if you are inside a building, surrounded by tall buildings, or in a tunnel, your GPS receiver may be unable to get a clear signal. Because the GPS receiver requires signals from at least three satellites, even a partial obstruction can prevent the receiver from functioning correctly.

If you can get a clear signal but the GPS device is not detected, go to method 3.

Method 3: Check for device conflicts

Other devices that are currently running in the system may conflict with the GPS device. These include Bluetooth devices, hotsync devices, HID devices, and wireless aircards. You may see icons for these programs in the notification area on the right side of the taskbar. You can usually right-click the icons to temporarily disable these devices. If you cannot disable these devices, go to method 4.

Method 4: Perform a clean startup

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, right-click Startup, and then click Explore.
2. Examine the Startup folder for programs such as HotSync Manager, Bluetooth, or DeLorme Serial Emulator.
3. Right- click all instances of these programs, and then select Delete.
4. Restart the computer, and then try to configure the GPS device.

Note Deleting the shortcut to these programs removes only the icon. It does not uninstall the program.

For more information about how to perform a clean startup in Windows XP or in Windows Vista, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If the GPS device is not detected after a clean startup, go to method 5.

Method 5: Check whether the GPS drivers are installed correctly

You can use Device Manager to check whether the GPS drivers are installed correctly.To do this, follow these steps:

1. Close Streets and Trips or MapPoint.
2. Make sure that the GPS device is connected according to the pictures in method 1.
3. Start Device Manager.
   
   To start Device Manager in Windows XP and earlier versions, click Start, click Run, type devmgmt.msc, and then click OK.
   
   To start Device Manager in Windows Vista, click Start
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , and then type devmgmt.msc in the Start Search box.
4. In the list, expand Ports (COM & LPT) in Device Manager.
   
   If you have a Pharos device connected, you should see Microsoft USB GPS Port. If you have a Navation device connected, you should see u-blox 5 GPS and Galileo Receiver. For demonstration, the following picture shows both devices connected.
   
   
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   Note Do not close Device Manager yet because you may have to reinstall the device drivers.

If Device Manager does not list Microsoft GPS Port or u-blox 5 GPS and Galileo Receiver, the GPS drivers are probably missing or are installed incorrectly. A yellow exclamation point or a question mark next to Other devices with USB serial controller also indicates that the drivers are not installed. You can install the drivers either by using the product disc or by downloading the files from the manufacturer's Web site.

Reinstall the device drivers from the product disc

To install the GPS drivers by using the product disc, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Streets and Trips or MapPoint DVD in the DVD drive. If you are prompted to install the program, or if the program starts, close all windows. Do not start Streets and Trips or MapPoint.
2. If the device is installed incorrectly, it will appear in Device Manager under Other.
3. Expand Other.
4. Under the COM or LPT section, right-click the device name that has a yellow mark.
5. Select Update Driver or Update Driver Software.
6. • In Windows XP, select No, not this time, click Next, click Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), and then click Next.
   • In later operating system, such as Windows Vista, select Browse my computer for Driver software, and then click Next.
7. Click Browse, and browse to the following folder:
   <DVD_ROM>:>\GPSDRVRS
8. Under Ports (Com & LPT), right-click the USB device that you are installing. Click Update drivers.
9. Click Browse for drivers software on your computer, and then browse to the following folder:
   <D>:\GPSDrvrs
   Note In this path, <D> is the drive letter for your DVD drive.
10. Examine the back of your GPS device, and then do the following:
    • If you are using a Pharos device, double-click the Pharos folder, expand either the 32-bit folder or 64-bit as appropriate for your hardware (most computers are 32-bit), and then click OK.
    • If you are using a Navation device, click the Navation folder, and then click OK.
11. Click Next.

Reinstall the device drivers from the manufacturer's Web site

To install the GPS drivers from the manufacturer's Web site, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect the GPS device.
2. Click the Windows link on the appropriate Web page to download the GPS drivers:
   • Pharos:
     
     Windows XP/Windows Vista 32 bit:
     http://www.pharosgps.com/support/downloads/get_binary2.asp?fname=PL_2303_Driver_Installer.zip&cat=drivers

     (http://www.pharosgps.com/support/downloads/get_binary2.asp?fname=PL_2303_Driver_Installer.zip&cat=drivers)
     Windows Vista 64-bit:
     http://www.pharosgps.com/support/downloads/get_binary2.asp?fname=PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_10311.zip&cat=drivers

     (http://www.pharosgps.com/support/downloads/get_binary2.asp?fname=PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_10311.zip&cat=drivers)
     For instructions to download and install drivers, visit the following Pharos Web site:
     http://www.pharosgps.com/support/downloads/list_subcategory.asp?TYPE_ID=2&SUBTYPE_ID=35

     (http://www.pharosgps.com/support/downloads/list_subcategory.asp?TYPE_ID=2&SUBTYPE_ID=35)
     On this site, click Drivers and Updates, click GPS & Related Drivers, and then see the appropriate section for either “USB Driver for iGPS-360 and iGPS-500 for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista” or "USB Driver for iGPS-360 and iGPS-500 for Windows Vista 64 Bit."
   • Navation:
     
     Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 2000:
     http://www.u-blox.com/images/downloads/Product_Docs/ublox_A4_U5_USB_drv3264_install_UI.zip

     (http://www.u-blox.com/images/downloads/Product_Docs/ublox_A4_U5_USB_drv3264_install_UI.zip)
      You can also visit Support on the u-Blox Web site:
     http://www.u-blox.com/

     (http://www.u-blox.com/)
3. Save the file to the desktop, and then run it from the desktop.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Reconnect the GPS device without starting Streets & Trips or MapPoint. If the GPS drivers are installed, you should see the following message in the notification area:
   The new hardware is installed & ready to use.
6. Start Streets and Trips or MapPoint.

Configure the GPS after installation

After you install the new GPS driver, follow these steps to configure GPS in the product:

1. On the Tools menu, point to GPS, and then click Configure GPS Receiver.
2. In the Available ports list, all the available COM ports are listed. Click Scan.
   Note The GPS device is listed in the Available ports list as Communications Port (COM xx) - Microsoft GPS device found.
3. In the GPS Pane, click Track Position.

The GPS device starts to initialize. If the GPS device is not detected, go to method 6.

Method 6: Adjust the GPS port settings

1. Close Streets and Trips.
2. Verify that the GPS cable is connected to the receiver and to the computer.
3. Start Device Manager.
   
   To start Device Manager in Windows Vista, click Start
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , and then type devmgmt.msc in the Start Search box.
   
   To start Device Manager in Windows XP and earlier versions, click Start, click Run, type devmgmt.msc, and then click OK.
4. In the list in Device Manager, expand Ports (COM & LPT).
5. Right-click Microsoft USB GPS Port, and then click Properties.
6. On the Port Settings tab, click 4800 in the Bits per second list.
7. Click Advanced.
8. At the bottom of the window, in the Comp Port Number box, select either port 8 or port 9.
9. Click OK two times.
10. Close all the windows, and then restart computer.

If the issue continues to occur, try another port. To do this, repeat steps 1 through 9 of this method, and then select port 12.

If the GPS device is not detected, go to method 7.

Method 7: Try to connect your GPS to another computer

If it is possible, try to connect your GPS device to another computer that is running Streets and Trips or MapPoint. For example, if you are trying to connect your GPS device to a portable computer, install Streets and Trips or MapPoint and the GPS device on a desktop computer. If the GPS device cannot be detected on a different computer, you may have defective hardware. For example, the cable for the device may be defective, and it may have to be replaced.

If the Pharos iGPS 500 device is defective, contact Pharos to receive the replacement device at 1-888-742-7678. For more information about how to submit a support request to Pharos, visit the following Pharos Web site: Note Pharos is third-party company that has its own processes and procedures for device replacement. Pharos may need your original proof of purchase to process a replacement.

If the Navation GPS-168 device does not work on a different computer, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services. To do this, visit the following Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.