A toughbook forum thanks

Hello,

New to the forum, I must say thanks, as it’s been a big help in the work that our little group does.

By way of introduction, and not meant as an advertisement, our group, Orphan Logistics & Relief, Inc. is a 501c3 charity, all volunteers, who work around the world to fix orphanages and address orphan and poverty issues.

We started as hammer swingers, fixing roofs and such on our vacations, but have added a program to bridge the digital divide by supplying at no cost, recycled computers and technology to the kids.

With access to some government surplus CF-28s, I’ve been reading the forum for a few months now, trying to learn what I could, and you have taught me a lot. I’m still trying to absorb or digest all the opinions on GPS hacks.

After working at a pediatric hospital in Haiti right after the earthquake, we delivered some toughbooks that are being used to coordinate activities at a program that picks up kids from the tents cities in Port-au-Prince, feeds them, and keeps them safe during the day.

Two weeks ago, we set up some CF-28s at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic, and by mid-June, six more will be delivered to a pair of Canadian Nuns in a neighboring batey, running an after school program in a poor area with no computers for the kids.

By the end of June, we will have two more at an orphanage in Guatemala, and our last three at an orphanage in El Salvador, all of which our guys go down, set-up, and train the kids or staff to use.

We hope to receive more from our friends in government , and occasionally parts, so you should see from time to time posts from me looking to buy, sell or trade what we can’t use, so be forewarned.

Finally, if any of you Toughbook experts want to volunteer your time and knowledge, either through repairs or retrofits on the home soil, or have passport will travel and want to come on a field trip and help save the world, send me an email or post a reply. We are a tax exempt organization, so donations of your specialized skills in furtherance of our mission probably qualify as a tax deduction on your part, should you itemize. Just a thought.

I warn you though, once you experience the utter joy shared by hundreds of kids, many who nothing but the hope and opportunity brought through some old computers, you’ll become addicted to the feeling, and be compelled to do more.

Thanks again,

Sam

 

Sam,

Welcome to the forum! I commend your effort and those of your group. Normally asking for donations is a big no-no on the forum but I'll leave it up as it was made more as an afterthought than a general post asking for donations. At least unless a SuperMod comes in and slaps me around...

I know that I have several CF-28 parts left and I know others around here do. Perhaps even older units they no longer run and may want to pass your way.

If you have any questions, need help or anything else... Just shout out and I'm sure the calvary will come charging in.

 

Toughbook,

Thanks, I fully understand.

I do have a question for you, and from reading the posts, I'm sure you know the answer. We are planning on using some cf-28s with DVD player drives and powerpoint projectors, to build classrooms and movie theaters out of two side by side conex/shipping containers. Were going to cut the sides and wire onsite, doors on one end and a screen the other, and was wondering if you think the toughbooks as a platform for showing the movies will work, or will the PIII 800mhz, 256ram, be too slow for the movies, lagg, and not work for what we want. The place is dirty, the rainy season upon them, and the runbber sealed and keyboard toughbooks we have seem perfect.

During the day they will use it for school classes with lessons projected, in the afternoon use as a movie theater for the kids, and in the evening when the kids are back in the tent cities, they will roll the kids from the hospital out for movie nights. The main center is on the grounds of a childrens hospital. If the first one works, were going to build these at the other satellite day camps.

We figured this method as we have the toughbooks, can get the conex containers on site, as many are available. The containers will be weather resistent, more so than the tents the classes and activities are in now, and a set of speakers and powerpoint projector arent that expensive.

Do you think the cf-28s will work for this?

 

As I recall... I was able to use mine for powerpoint and some movie stuff with a projector... Though I think I was running 512MB of RAM and a 7200RPM hard drive. But I would think you would be able to pull it off. It may drag a bit at times or skip... But I think you would be okay.

Generally, as far as parts, what goes where, how to take it apart and customize it, and make it work.... I know the CF-28 like the back of my hand. I would be happy, time permitting and with enough notice, to rebuild some of these for you and try to provide some of the missing parts. I am sure that some of the others here would also pitch in too.

I have several Toughbooks serving in the Carribean and in South America... The rubber keyboard DOES come in handy there... Even though it slows you down if you need to type out reports.... But it beats not having a working PC!

You can email me if you like or we can have an open discussion here for all to see... Or both.

 

I happen to have few old CF-28 carcasses. PM me when you need some spare parts, I'll see what I have ....

 

Toughbook, Springfield,

Thank you. I'm trying to get up to speed and this helps allot. I'll look for some of the 512 models, and if you can tell me what type of hard drives would be best and work, I'll pick up two of those to test with.

I bought a cf-29 on ebay yesterday, and will try that as well. My next surplus batch may be cf-29's, though there is yet another stack of toughbooks there, but they look a little more rounded in the front and not sure what model they are.

I did get some more HD caddies, side plates and some old pcmcia cards they used for ghosting on my last visit, haven’t hit the mother load yet, but there’s still time. All the cf-28s I've received so far have been black plastic or black rubber keyboards, and the part that seems to missing on better than half have been the pcmcia covers.

Not sure the kids would care either way, but want to get the most life out of the units I can.

TOUGHBOOK, I sent you a reply, thanks, I may take you up on your offer of repair if I get pinched with a problem I cant figure out. I can see your tasked out, so will try and limit my requests to picking your brain for intel.

I downloaded as much as I've been able to find, built a binder with tech manuals and cdroms of drivers, and bought a cheap cf-28 off ebay ($15.00) to take apart and experiment with. I'm not looking to be able to disassemble one in 60 seconds blindfolded, or assemble one from a jumbled bag of parts, at least not yet, but I do want to be at least field tech proficient if I can.

Case in point, I brought one back I'd taken to the Dominican Republic and Haiti after the earthquake, as I thought it had gone bad on me when it shocked me every time I touched it. Didn’t realize till I got home and couldn’t duplicate the problem that I realized it was because their electric outlets weren’t grounded, not a broken toughbook. So yes, I have a lot to learn.

Sam

 

If you get into the 29 line, I can offer whatever help is needed in setting up/repairing/upgrading. I have had a lot of experience with them; and they would definitely run your powerpoint/movies... that is what i use mine for now.