Internal GNSS unintentionally disabled after Windows Update on Mesa 2

11 Jan 2018

Download and extract the following file, which contains a utility to more easily fix this issue. For further details if desired, see the extracted document and previous manual instructions below.

Mesa-2-3-GNSS-Driver-Options.zip

Dec 2017

The integrated GNSS (GPS) receiver in the Mesa 2 may disappear after a major Windows Update has installed. Mesa 2 units that shipped with our OS Build 17178 and 17255 have had a Windows Group Policy be pre-applied to the integrated u-Blox NEO M8 GNSS receiver drivers. This policy was intended to prevent known issues with GPS driver updates. It was later found that during any major Windows Update the drivers may get uninstalled for updating, but are then prevented from re-installing due to the existing policy.

In such cases, the Group Policy should be removed from the unit. A manual method to do this is as follows.

  1. Tap on the Start button, and then bring up the on-screen keyboard to type "run".
  2. After opening the "Run" dialog box, type "gpedit.msc" then tap OK.
  3. When the "Local Group Policy Editor" window opens, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Installation > Device Installation Restrictions
  4. Double-tap on "Prevent installation of devices that match any of these Device IDs".
  5. Tap on the "Not Configured" radio button, and then tap OK. Or if other policies exist, tap "Show" then specifically remove the policies for the following.
- UBLOXVCP\PNP0501
- USB\VID_1546&PID_01A8

You may need to perform a Restart after removing the policy. If this was successful, you will find the receiver under Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT) > u-Blox Virtual COM Port as well as under Device Manager > Sensors > u-Blox GNSS Location Sensor.

If needing further assistance with or alternative methods for removing this group policy, please contact support@junipersys.com.