I've been a user of S&T 2007 and am now downloading the 2009 version. I'm going to try and bring into 2009 some of the 2007 files that I have and was wondering if there would be any problem doing that.
I was also wondering if there was any way to lower the Driving Guidance screen since it takes up so much of the map surface.
I was also wondering if there was any way to lower the Driving Guidance screen since it takes up so much of the map surface.
Hi cgrose54,
Welcome to Laptop GPS World.
In most cases I think there is no problem upgrading older version of saved Microsoft Streets & Trips files to a new version format. But do make back up copies of your important files before you open and save them in new Streets & Trips version. Once you convert them and save them, and if something goes wrong, there may not be a way to go back. So just copy & paste your important *.est files to a safe location.
There is no way to lower the height of Driving Guidance pane.
Welcome to Laptop GPS World.
In most cases I think there is no problem upgrading older version of saved Microsoft Streets & Trips files to a new version format. But do make back up copies of your important files before you open and save them in new Streets & Trips version. Once you convert them and save them, and if something goes wrong, there may not be a way to go back. So just copy & paste your important *.est files to a safe location.
There is no way to lower the height of Driving Guidance pane.
Take care to keep a backup of the old file. Some users have reported some issues with pushpins.
Actually i have find myself a problem after loading an old 2007 file, i cannot create new pushpins anymore. I will try to analyze and find a workaround as soon as i pause the modifications of S&T keys 2009...
Actually i have find myself a problem after loading an old 2007 file, i cannot create new pushpins anymore. I will try to analyze and find a workaround as soon as i pause the modifications of S&T keys 2009...
I appreciate the quick replies from you both. I did make backups of my 2007 files just in case. I was really hoping there was a way to lower the Driving Guidance pane but I've lived with it the last year and a half and I guess I'll have to live with it in the future also.
MM, I also am going to try and bring in some different pushpins, I really don't care for the new selections with 2009. If I find a good way to do it I'll get back to you.
MM, I also am going to try and bring in some different pushpins, I really don't care for the new selections with 2009. If I find a good way to do it I'll get back to you.
For more pushpins, try one of the templates in the following thread: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/1032-template-old-style-pushpins-streets-trips-2009-mappoint-2009-a
I will try the (template) old style pushpins. Where did the back/forward, pan/select go? All I can seem to do is pan, is there a way to change this?
Back/ forward is gone. Pan is left-click and Zoom is right-click and drag.
Terry
Terry
Ahhhhhhhh, thank you so much tcassidy.
One more question for you, in my S&T 2007 after the first year of use I'm having problems with the GPS, sometimes when I do a configure gps it cannot find a workable port. Other times it can find a port but the travel arrowhead becomes white and the program locks up. When this happens I turn off the GPS tracking and then turn it on again, sometimes it works, most the time not. Any suggestions? It might be time to invest in a new GPS.
One more question for you, in my S&T 2007 after the first year of use I'm having problems with the GPS, sometimes when I do a configure gps it cannot find a workable port. Other times it can find a port but the travel arrowhead becomes white and the program locks up. When this happens I turn off the GPS tracking and then turn it on again, sometimes it works, most the time not. Any suggestions? It might be time to invest in a new GPS.
The main reason I downloaded S&T 2009 on the 60 day trial version was to see if they had updated their maps. I355 in IL used to only run to I-55 but was extended to I-80 in the summer of 2007, it still has not been updated to show that and this is one major highway. If this highway wasn't updated, I'm sure alot more haven't either. Guess I'll just stick with my S&T 2007 until Microsoft comes up to speed with their maps on S&T.
Why would you have to configure the port more than once? As soon as you do it, S&T remembers which COM port it used and will look there next time.
If your GPS works with S&T 2009, the problem will be with the S&T 2007 software. Did you try a reinstall?
Terry
If your GPS works with S&T 2009, the problem will be with the S&T 2007 software. Did you try a reinstall?
Terry
S&T uses the same Navteq maps as most of the other mapping programs discussed here. For my area S&T was unusable until the 2009 version.
Terry
Terry
Hi cgrose54,
Keep in mind that no matter how long you wait the maps will always be a couple of years out of date by the time we get them. It is a long process to get the data from the various local sources to Navteq and then to Garmin, and then for Garmin to package it for sale. So the very best you'll see in the 2009 version is, maybe, some 2007 information. If you want 2009 information to be guaranteed, you'll have to wait until at least 2011, or more likely 2012.
I'm not trying to talk you into upgrading. You need to make that decision based on your needs. If you're getting by with the current data, then there's no pressure to do anything, of course. I just wanted to mention that there is no change to the lag in the map data in the forseeable future.
...ken...
Keep in mind that no matter how long you wait the maps will always be a couple of years out of date by the time we get them. It is a long process to get the data from the various local sources to Navteq and then to Garmin, and then for Garmin to package it for sale. So the very best you'll see in the 2009 version is, maybe, some 2007 information. If you want 2009 information to be guaranteed, you'll have to wait until at least 2011, or more likely 2012.
I'm not trying to talk you into upgrading. You need to make that decision based on your needs. If you're getting by with the current data, then there's no pressure to do anything, of course. I just wanted to mention that there is no change to the lag in the map data in the forseeable future.
...ken...
Ok, I'm going to try and answer both. Tcassidy first. I bought my Compaq presario laptop and S&T 2007 at the same time. The Compaq has 2 USB ports on the left side(one above each other) and one on the right side. For the first year I would always use the bottom port on the left untill I started getting messages that that port was not working. So then I tried the top USB port and that would work for a while and then that one would go down also. Now, sometimes I get a message that there are no ports available, I was wondering if it was time to get a new GPS receiver. I have a friend who has a GPS receiver and he is going to loan it to me this coming week to see if my original has pooped out.
KiR, I'm going to stick with S&T 2007 till they update their maps, when ever they get around to doing it. I really thought I would like the new interface but after realizing that I didn't have my back/forward, pan/select options, not to mention all the pushpins that I've been used to are gone, I'm not ready for an upgrade yet, I'll stick with what I have, just wish I could figure out what the heck is going on with my USB ports and the GPS receiver.
KiR, I'm going to stick with S&T 2007 till they update their maps, when ever they get around to doing it. I really thought I would like the new interface but after realizing that I didn't have my back/forward, pan/select options, not to mention all the pushpins that I've been used to are gone, I'm not ready for an upgrade yet, I'll stick with what I have, just wish I could figure out what the heck is going on with my USB ports and the GPS receiver.
You're on the right track by trying a receiver that is known to be good. That allows you to determine whether it's your USB ports or your receiver. You may not be any further ahead but at least you will know what's broken.
I understand your decision not to upgrade. Map data aside, I understand the annoyance when the interface gets changed and some features go away or are minimized in their usefulness. And it's especially annoying when some of your data can't be brought forward without a huge effort, or at all. I just want to go find someone and cause them equivalent pain when that happens.
I bought my first navigation device in 2003, a Garmin iQue 3600. It's a PDA that uses the Palm OS and has an integrated GPS. The GPS features are fully integrated with the relevant Palm functions. Garmin has declared it officially unsupported but has not developed anything to replace it. So I've been forced to buy a couple more off eBay as backups in case the original ever dies.
I've tried a number of other possibilities to replace it with newer technology, and continue to do so, but so far I've not found anything that fits the way I want to use it as well as this device does. With every other solution I lose something that I've become used to over the past five years of use and, in many cases, would require me to go to two or more devices to get the same total capability.
...ken...
I understand your decision not to upgrade. Map data aside, I understand the annoyance when the interface gets changed and some features go away or are minimized in their usefulness. And it's especially annoying when some of your data can't be brought forward without a huge effort, or at all. I just want to go find someone and cause them equivalent pain when that happens.
I bought my first navigation device in 2003, a Garmin iQue 3600. It's a PDA that uses the Palm OS and has an integrated GPS. The GPS features are fully integrated with the relevant Palm functions. Garmin has declared it officially unsupported but has not developed anything to replace it. So I've been forced to buy a couple more off eBay as backups in case the original ever dies.
I've tried a number of other possibilities to replace it with newer technology, and continue to do so, but so far I've not found anything that fits the way I want to use it as well as this device does. With every other solution I lose something that I've become used to over the past five years of use and, in many cases, would require me to go to two or more devices to get the same total capability.
...ken...
cgrose54:
* It's great that you have a friend who can lend you a USB GPS receiver for testing. Hope it is just your GPS unit that is faulty, not your laptop's USB ports. A new USB GPS receiver is only about $35 nowadays, but a repair of a laptop could cost much more.
* Microsoft, just like other vendors, update map data annually, but as Ken and Terry have already explained, the two two three year lag is still there.
* Pan/select options are present in Streets & Trips 2009, but the function now no longer requires users to click the old pan/select button. The feature is now simpler to use, provided you discover how to use it. Read more about it in Tips & Tricks for Streets & Trips - tip #25.
* It's great that you have a friend who can lend you a USB GPS receiver for testing. Hope it is just your GPS unit that is faulty, not your laptop's USB ports. A new USB GPS receiver is only about $35 nowadays, but a repair of a laptop could cost much more.
* Microsoft, just like other vendors, update map data annually, but as Ken and Terry have already explained, the two two three year lag is still there.
* Pan/select options are present in Streets & Trips 2009, but the function now no longer requires users to click the old pan/select button. The feature is now simpler to use, provided you discover how to use it. Read more about it in Tips & Tricks for Streets & Trips - tip #25.
KiR, MH and tcassidy thank you so much for all your inputs, your quick replys are so very much appreciated.
I've tested all my USB ports with either a USB mouse or external USB backup and all work fine, leading me to think that the GPS is possibly due for a replacement. From my standpoint, an interface I'm used to and know how to work to my advantage is better than a new update with a couple more bells and whistles but not really what I'm looking for as far as map directions. Good things come to those who wait, my best bet is to wait till I get what I really want. Thanks for all your help.
I've tested all my USB ports with either a USB mouse or external USB backup and all work fine, leading me to think that the GPS is possibly due for a replacement. From my standpoint, an interface I'm used to and know how to work to my advantage is better than a new update with a couple more bells and whistles but not really what I'm looking for as far as map directions. Good things come to those who wait, my best bet is to wait till I get what I really want. Thanks for all your help.
If that is the Pharos 500 that came with S&T 2007, changing USB ports does not change COM ports. From my experimenting, the driver is smart enough to know to assign the same COM port no matter which USB port you plug it into. Did you try the GPS with S&T 2009? You can have 2007 and 2009 on your computer at the same time.
Also, others have complained about the connection between the USB cord and the GPS. Make sure it is firm.
Terry
Also, others have complained about the connection between the USB cord and the GPS. Make sure it is firm.
Terry
cgrose54, it's good to know the USB ports of your laptop PC are not faulty, but it is the USB GPS unit that needs to be replaced. As Terry says, other users have experienced this issue with GPS-500, the USB GPS receiver that has shipped with some Streets & Trips versions.
TC, Com port 4 has always been my working GPS port, but like I said, I would always use the same USB port on my laptop and then after a year I found myself having to switch the cable around to different ports on my laptop, till one time none of them worked.
No I did not try my GPS with 2009, I uninstalled 2009. I will make sure all the connections to the GPS are tight today, hopefully that is the problem. The blue light was always visible so I assumed the GPS was working properly and that the problem lied with my laptops USB ports.
No I did not try my GPS with 2009, I uninstalled 2009. I will make sure all the connections to the GPS are tight today, hopefully that is the problem. The blue light was always visible so I assumed the GPS was working properly and that the problem lied with my laptops USB ports.
If the blue light is on, that indicates that at least the power connectors in the cable are in contact. I have the cable problems that Terry refered to on my GPS-500 and when it's not making contact the blue light is not on. As I wiggle the cable, the blue light goes on and off and you can hear the system "ding" and "dong" sounds that Vista makes when it sees a USB connection appear and disappear.
The same thing happens when I plug the receiver directly into the USB port without the cable. But that doesn't sound like your problem is the blue light is staying on.
...ken...
The same thing happens when I plug the receiver directly into the USB port without the cable. But that doesn't sound like your problem is the blue light is staying on.
...ken...
I made sure all connections on the GPS were tight this evening and it worked fine till I got the white circle of death and it locked up the program. I turned off the GPS tracking and then turned it on again and everything worked fine afterwards. I really don't know what is going on.
Here are my 2 cents.
Seeing the GPS blue light is not an absolute proof that there are no problem with the gps cable/connectors to the pharos unit.
USB has 4 contacts: Bus power, GND, D+, D-
I guess that only Bus Power and GND are needed to make the blue GPS light ON. The other 2 D signals are the one use to send the data. If one of them are broken and have intermittent behavior, it can probably cause problems even if the blue GPS light seems to be ON all the time.
To diagnose this problem, i suggest to install the free tool GPSDIAG. It will dump gps nmea data on screen in real time. You may then play with the cable, the connectors a little and check if the data flows stop or not. Let it work like this for a long time and you will see how reliable it is (don't forget to shake the usb cable and connectors a little while testing). It will be way easier than to diagnose through S&T interface.
Seeing the GPS blue light is not an absolute proof that there are no problem with the gps cable/connectors to the pharos unit.
USB has 4 contacts: Bus power, GND, D+, D-
I guess that only Bus Power and GND are needed to make the blue GPS light ON. The other 2 D signals are the one use to send the data. If one of them are broken and have intermittent behavior, it can probably cause problems even if the blue GPS light seems to be ON all the time.
To diagnose this problem, i suggest to install the free tool GPSDIAG. It will dump gps nmea data on screen in real time. You may then play with the cable, the connectors a little and check if the data flows stop or not. Let it work like this for a long time and you will see how reliable it is (don't forget to shake the usb cable and connectors a little while testing). It will be way easier than to diagnose through S&T interface.
A good approach. And you have all those great links!
Terry
Terry
Cgrose54 said:
If you are talking about when you are driving full screen using the driving guidance, there is no known official way. But there is a trick that can do the job, but it is unsupported by microsoft
To achieve this, you need S&T 2009 and you also need S&T Keys 2009 latest version.
1- Copy S&T Keys 2009 in a directory somewhere. Start it, it will start S&T2009 by itself. Once you are navigating full screen, press the "O" (letter o) key and the guidance pane will get out of the screen . You will have a big full screen map. To easily remember, you can also press the F4 key to get the onscreen menu with big buttons (available for touch screen), or use the F1 key to display the help window. If you want the driving guidance pane to appear again once you make it disappear with the "O" key, just press "O" a second time. You will get the navigation warning and then it will come back as it was...
Good luck
Quote:
I was also wondering if there was any way to lower the Driving Guidance screen since it takes up so much of the map surface.
To achieve this, you need S&T 2009 and you also need S&T Keys 2009 latest version.
1- Copy S&T Keys 2009 in a directory somewhere. Start it, it will start S&T2009 by itself. Once you are navigating full screen, press the "O" (letter o) key and the guidance pane will get out of the screen . You will have a big full screen map. To easily remember, you can also press the F4 key to get the onscreen menu with big buttons (available for touch screen), or use the F1 key to display the help window. If you want the driving guidance pane to appear again once you make it disappear with the "O" key, just press "O" a second time. You will get the navigation warning and then it will come back as it was...
Good luck
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