Adding Verizon 3g EVDO Rev A to a CF-29 Mk2

Not new to toughbook by any means as I've ben running a loaded CF-28 and PDRC system for several years now (gone through several CF-28 versions)

I've recently picked up this beast

CF-29ENKNXKM

Its a Mrk2 29 and absolutely MINT with OEM GPS, WIFI, WWAN Wireless ready, 13.3 xga touchscreen, backlit KB, upgraded to 250gb HD, 1.2 GB ram, dual pass through connectors, recovery cd's and DVD-ROM CDRW. I wanted to get a Mark IV or V but finding one in minty shape optioned this way has been hard to come by.

Is this what I need? I'm assuming this is a GSM card since its marked "global"

http://cgi.ebay.com/CF-29-CF30-WWAN...9VG3-Toughbook-/260645462097?pt=Laptops_Nov05

What is the easiest way to add verizon 3g EVDO rev A card internally to this toughbook?

Currently I use a Sierra 595 3g EVDO Rev A PCMCIA card in the CF-28 I use with the PDRC setup since this laptop stays mainly in the kodiak dock under my rear seat.

Will I loose the OEM GPS if I install an INTERNAL 3g Rev A card / sled or can I have both? There's several sleds on ebay with older 555 cards - I assume these are too told to be 3G Rev A cards (most likely 1xRTT)

Some clear answers would be helpful. I've read the various threads and while there is a lot of good info, I'm looking for the one "do it this way" answer.

 

You CAN incorporate the GPS with the modem sled if you are careful. If you have a sled that is GPS only... It is a little larger than ht eone that is built for the WWAN sled. As a matter of fact... I think that the GPS used )OEM) with the WWAN setup is the same one found in the CF-28 and is really not that good. To mod in your existing GPS it will need to be totally isolated from the modem (IE they cannot touch) and you'll need to break out part of the inside of the sled to get it to fit. (You'll see)

But before you start modifying you'll need to make sure that the connector is on the WWAN PCB to hook up the GPS. When you remove your existing GPS engine... You'll see what I mean.

 

Panasonic wireless cellular modem (CF-VEW29VG3) - eBay (item 380146670486 end time Aug-31-10 10:14:40 PDT)

What about this?

If I understand you correctly I would need to re-mount the GPS on to the WWAN sled?

I'm wondering if it would be easier to pull my last CF-28 out of service, substitute this CF-29, use my rev-a pcmcia card and see if I can pick up the a Mark 5 with built in verizon for my other planned uses.

 

CF-29ENKNXKM DESCRIPTION:
Pentium M 1.3GHz LV (Centrino), 13.3" Transmissive Touch XGA, 256MB, 40GB, WLAN 802.11b+g, WinXP, Backlit KBD, Dual Connector, WIRELESS READY, Floppy Disk Drive, Secured HDD/Battery doors

Why do you think it's "OEM GPS"?

If it was OEM'ed with GPS it should be already WWAN-equipped (Sprint) and the Model Number would be:

CF-29ENKNKKM DESCRIPTION:
Pentium M 1.3GHz LV (Centrino), 13.3" Transmissive Touch XGA, 256MB, 40GB, WLAN 802.11b+g, WinXP, Backlit KBD, Dual Connector, GPS, CDMA(Sprint), Floppy Disk Drive, HDD/Battery door with security screws

 

Before buying ANY modem sled... I would call for the ESN number and check with the carrier that it is good to go. Apparently there have been some corporate modems that still have not been "released" (So I have been told) and cannot be activated as they still have a hold on them.

Just FYI,,,, All the ones I have had have been clear... But I had several people who asked me the last time I sold one to check with the carrier before they would buy it to make sure they could activate it.

 

I haven't received this unit yet. The seller indicated it was OEM GPS enabled. Going through the model number decoding I see it would need to be a "N" variant with Verizon EVDO and GPS.

So WWAN is an inclusive of the GPS option?

I'm now thoroughly confused

 

Actually, the "K" replacing the "X" is what establishes the OEM-installed GPS, along with the Sprint WWAN.

Of course, there is the possibility that, along with the other upgrades you listed the unit as having, an OEM Panasonic GPS could have been installed by the Seller or previous owner.

If you have not yet discovered it, I suggest you "Bookmark" The Toughbook Configurator into your Favorites.

See above.

Don't be "confused : be Educated.

 

I have the configurator and the model charts from the cf-29 wiki.

So, if the seller is claiming the GPS is active, they've either provided the wrong model number or its been added to the unit since it was built?

 

With the Seller's claim, I would speculate the latter over the former.

 

Its hear and it clearly has GPS as indicated by the BIOS and winfast navigator and other software see's there is a GPS there. I have dual pass through antenna connectors on the rear and oem Wifi. I don't see a WWAN entry in the BIOS.