After reading posts on this forum for several days, I went out and purchased MS Streets & Trips with GPS Locator 2010 today. I installed the software but cannot get the GPS locator to work.

When I put the GPS receiver in the USB port, it does light up

When I "Configure the GPS Receiver" it shows the GPS device is found

The Device Manager does show the GPS receiver (u-blox 5 GPS and GALILEO Receiver)

But GPS locator will not pick up any satellites. Even when computer is outside and skies are clear.

I just keep getting the same error message ... Have gone to the MS support site which has been useless . Anyone have any suggestions/ideas?

TIA, Lori

Editing to add: I am running Windows XP

Hi Lori,

Welcome to Laptop GPS World.

Relax, everything is just fine. Just use the short USB extension cable that was included in the box with your Streets and Trips 2010 w/GPS Locator. Many users have reported that these types of GPS receivers (USB GPS dongles) are unable to work when plugged directly to a laptop. Using an extension cable will let the GPS receiver be a bit further away from the RF interference generated by the laptop computer. It should work then.

Make sure you are using the extension cable and placing the GPS away from the laptop. Some laptops put out enough electical interference to interfere with the GPS. Make sure you have a clear line of sight to the sky. Test outside the first time. Expect it to take a few minutes to find the satellites the first time. Go to the GPS Configuration page and look to see what COM port is showing. Let us know how that works out and we will see if more needs to be done... Do well!

Hi, Marvin,

Great minds post at the same time!

t1dunn, I knew there would be at least one other member typing the answer at the same time as me.

Thanks everyone. Just to let you know, I had tried the extention before posting my help request. Guess I should have mentioned that. Still got the same error message.

However, I put the CD back in and selected "Reinstall" (This option fixes missing or corrupt files...) and then reinstalled the software and somehow, it is now working .

Must be a very weak GPS receiver though, because it does not work in the house (my Magellan has no problem). Haven't had a chance to try it in the motorhome yet.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to use ... lousy documentation.

Thanks again, Lori