CF 52 Mods and Tweaks

Here is a couple more CF 52 tweaks.
Use an Intel 6300 instead. Add the third antenna. Much better reception and speed.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/wi-fi-cards-with-bluetooth.758742/page-6#post-9775102

Split the case and solder two wires so you can use a backlit keyboard.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf52-backlit-keyboard-project.747678/

 

This thread is for any mods and tweaks for the CF-52 . All other posts will be deleted so please start another thread for anything else.
Thank you
Blair

 

I am working on my new to me CF52 mk4.. CF-52SLGDD1M.

I have a lid that I repainted ready to be installed.

 

I have a Samsung SV843 960gb ready to be loaded.
It is a 840 series drive with data center firmware. The data center firmware is more read focused. Since Toughbooks have sata speeds hobbled, it should not make a difference. It is a refurbished drive that I got for a really good price.

http://www.samsung.com/us/business/oem-solutions/pdfs/SM843TSV843-ProdOverview-2014.pdf

 

ya know ... back in the day we resold lids ... never thought about re-paintin' 'em .


"I have a Samsung SV843 960gb ready to be loaded."
urge to comment is powerful ...
however , i shall digress .

 

Here is a link to my backlit keyboard addition to a CF52.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf52-backlit-keyboard-project.747678/

 

I swapped the DVD drive for a BluRay burner.

Current drive is a BT30N

 

I replaced the handle with one from a CF 27. They have the loops to attach a shoulder strap.

 

I have also added a second hard drive in the dvd bay.
For mks 1 and 2 this must be an IDE (PATA) drive.
For mks 3 and later a SATA will work.
Yes they will boot from the second drive.
The incorrect drive will hang forever on the blue Panasonic screen.
You need the proper caddy and they look almost identical. The SATA have an extra black pin in the back.
It seems like the mk3-5 high end models( with WUXGA and ATI graphics) will work with SATA or PATA DVD (HDD conversion as well) drives. That still seems very odd to me.

 

The touchpad out of some other brand laptops will work in a CF52.
If I recall, I used one from a Toshiba.
I chose it because it is black and not gray like the CF 52 touchpad.

You can also paint a touchpad.

 

Here is a link to a 15.4" touchscreen mod that CWB32 did.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf-52-mk2-touch-screen-build.778107/

 

part deux :
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf52-mk2-touchscreen-build-part-2.778110/

 

Added an Intel 7260 to the CF52 mk4. It replaced the 6205. It does not show in the BIOS, but Windows finds it and works fine with the proper driver.