I have a question

I have a Toshiba F55-502 laptop and it has a built in GPS chip. I bought it used and I contacted Garmin and Toshiba about getting a Product Key, but I haven't had any luck. Are there any other good products that I can use with this GPS chip? Anything Freeware? If not, if I buy Garmin Mobile PC, will it work with my built in chip?

Hi onelegend,

Product key for what product? Garmin Mobile PC? Was Garmin Mobile PC installed on the laptop when you bough it (used), but not working?

It may, especially if Toshiba sold the laptop with Garmin Mobile PC pre-installed.

There was another post about the Qosmio GPS but he could not get it to work and returned the unit. If it is going to be a problem, Mobile PC is the one it will have troubles with. You might need GPS Gate Express but nobody can say for sure until we get feedback.

EDIT. I see it comes with Mobile PC. You might look here for a solution.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=28129

Terry

The system came with a blank HD. I installed all the software and drivers from the Toshiba website. I did some Google searches and found the software on Garmin's website, but after the installation, the first thing the program asks for is the product key. Toshiba and Garmin state that the product key for the software came in the box of the system, but I don't have it. I have contacted them multiple times about getting a new key, but they said they cant reissue one...

The website tcassidy listed is where I got my software from

Thanks for the welcome

My friend, I am sorry to say, you're probably screwed, just like me. I bought a F55-Q504 and the GPS doesn't work. The computer recognizes the chip, but the software won't talk to it. I can hook up an external just fine and it works with the Garmin Mobile PC software that came with it, and also works with Streets and Trips. I have had the computer into the local and regional depots, and they haven't been able to fix it, though they were able to screw up my FM radio so it has an echo in it now.

I'll never buy Toshiba again, if for no other reason than their customer service is non-existent.

I have some experience with Mobile PC not working with internal GPS devices. Are you saying S&T does not see it either? I wonder if it is 9600 bps like the Viliv S5.

Of course external GPS is always a better option, especially Bluetooth. But you did pay for it!! Too bad the manufacturers and software people can't seem to work together. Sounds like a job for GPS Gate.

Terry

Also a job for XPort... Similar to GPS Gate.. Easier IMHO...

But not nearly as versatile!

Terry

Tried GPS gate. It sees the built in GPS, but it gets no coordinates from it. It, and both Garmin and S&T work fine with my external, after I disable the internal one.

Not getting coordinates could be due to several possible problems;

1. You didn't have it outside long enough to go through an original cold start (sometimes more than 3 minutes with my R2h).
2. The actual location of the physical GPS internal antenna is not conducive to a good sky view.
3. The laptop is not well shielded and the electrical and rf interference is overpowering the satellite signals, not allowing the GPS to obtain lock.
4. the GPS is faulty.

I would hope it isn't 3 as that would be very poor design and 2 is questionable as well. GPS Gate works fine with my R2h as long as I am prepared to wait for lock each time I use it (so are S&T and iGuidance for that matter).

I am glad you can use your external GPS ok and it allows you a good placement as well.

Terry