Bizzare bluetooth GPS problem

Hi All,

I am trying to connect a bluetooth GPS to a laptop (WinXP) running a
fairly normal moving map app (Memory Map).

The laptop doesn't have built-in BT so I bought this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NANO-TINY-USB-2-0-BLUETOOTH-ADAPTER-DONGLE-EDR-WIRELESS-/170457212869?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item27b00aa7c5

There is no documentation on it but it appears to be made by IVT, and
one can find drivers and software which goes back to 2001 (!!) which
has a fantastic range of (mostly useless) features.

Anyway, the system works using the windoze BT driver... no additional
software was installed.

Under the BT software on the desktp, I see

outgoing com9 (that's the one used)
incoming com10 (not used)

and similarly under Control Panel -> Ports

BUT...

The whole thing falls over if the laptop is powered up *before* the
GPS is powered up.

If the GPS is left running, the laptop can be rebooted any number of
times and it reconnects OK.

But if the power-up sequence is reversed, the application says it
cannot connect to the COM port, and the only way is to configure "no
GPS" and then configure the usual "NMEA" GPS. That clears it...

I vaguely recall having this kind of problem before.

Is there some config whereby windoze can be forced to reconnect the
outgoing com port automatically?

Many thanks for any tips.

(The IVT software is a piece of 30MB+ bloat-ware and I don't really
want to install it unless I have to; also I have no idea if it is even
relevant).

I bought one that looked just like that one to connect my cell phone to the
computer. After struggling with it for several weeks I bought a Belkin
adapter. It came with drivers and worked perfectly from the time I first
plugged it in. Throw that unit in the trash and spend the money on one that
works and is backed by the manufacturer. It will cost much more but will
work.

> Hi All,
> I am trying to connect a bluetooth GPS to a laptop (WinXP) running a
> fairly normal moving map app (Memory Map).
> The laptop doesn't have built-in BT so I bought this
>

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NANO-TINY-USB-2-0-BLUETOOTH-ADAPTER-DONGLE-EDR-WIRELESS-/170457212869?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item27b00aa7c5

> There is no documentation on it but it appears to be made by IVT, and
> one can find drivers and software which goes back to 2001 (!!) which
> has a fantastic range of (mostly useless) features.
> Anyway, the system works using the windoze BT driver... no additional
> software was installed.
> Under the BT software on the desktp, I see
> outgoing com9 (that's the one used)
> incoming com10 (not used)
> and similarly under Control Panel -> Ports
> BUT...
> The whole thing falls over if the laptop is powered up *before* the
> GPS is powered up.
> If the GPS is left running, the laptop can be rebooted any number of
> times and it reconnects OK.
> But if the power-up sequence is reversed, the application says it
> cannot connect to the COM port, and the only way is to configure "no
> GPS" and then configure the usual "NMEA" GPS. That clears it...
> I vaguely recall having this kind of problem before.
> Is there some config whereby windoze can be forced to reconnect the
> outgoing com port automatically?
> Many thanks for any tips.
> (The IVT software is a piece of 30MB+ bloat-ware and I don't really
> want to install it unless I have to; also I have no idea if it is even
> relevant).

Have you tried using the BT drivers that came with the device?

I have GlobalSat BT GPS receivers and loggers, sound similar to your
devices, I always use the drivers from the disk that came with the devices
and have no problems.

Cheers.

Pete

> Hi All,
> I am trying to connect a bluetooth GPS to a laptop (WinXP) running a
> fairly normal moving map app (Memory Map).
> The laptop doesn't have built-in BT so I bought this
>

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NANO-TINY-USB-2-0-BLUETOOTH-ADAPTER-DONGLE-EDR-WIRELESS-/170457212869?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item27b00aa7c5

> There is no documentation on it but it appears to be made by IVT, and
> one can find drivers and software which goes back to 2001 (!!) which
> has a fantastic range of (mostly useless) features.
> Anyway, the system works using the windoze BT driver... no additional
> software was installed.
> Under the BT software on the desktp, I see
> outgoing com9 (that's the one used)
> incoming com10 (not used)
> and similarly under Control Panel -> Ports
> BUT...
> The whole thing falls over if the laptop is powered up *before* the
> GPS is powered up.
> If the GPS is left running, the laptop can be rebooted any number of
> times and it reconnects OK.
> But if the power-up sequence is reversed, the application says it
> cannot connect to the COM port, and the only way is to configure "no
> GPS" and then configure the usual "NMEA" GPS. That clears it...
> I vaguely recall having this kind of problem before.
> Is there some config whereby windoze can be forced to reconnect the
> outgoing com port automatically?
> Many thanks for any tips.
> (The IVT software is a piece of 30MB+ bloat-ware and I don't really
> want to install it unless I have to; also I have no idea if it is even
> relevant).