CF-07 memory upgrade

Dear Folks,

I would need a little bit of help with my cf-07. I just received a 256 mb memory module what I have installed. The problem is the system doesnt show it is installed.

bios v1.10L17C
model number cf-07LZ5ZYKM
its a 5 gb 300mhz modell.

memory module 256MB PC133 MicroDimm Memory Panasonic Toughbook CF-07 on eBay (end time 08-Jul-11 15:42:49 BST) 256MB PC133 MicroDimm Memory Panasonic Toughbook CF-07 on eBay (end time 08-Jul-11 15:42:49 BST)

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

anyone please? there is not a lot of useful inforation on the net, but this forum!

 

It's quite possible that the ram is not compatible. That is pretty cheap based on the prices the compatible ones usually bring. Toughbooks, especially the earlier ones can be pretty picky about ram. Note, "Micron # shown for reference only". I've never bothered to upgrade a CF-07 ram as the price never seemed worth it for my use, primarily GPS. Mine run XP fine with stock ram.
CAP

 

Thanks for the reply. The unit is to be used to monitor a mobile compressor remotely (temperature), and I would need to upgrade the ram to get better response, because its drops the connection to the wireless display, and I think that the reason is the heavy load. I might be completely wrong, I just reveived the unit 3 weeks ago and Im new to the whole Thoughbook world (wich is addictive )

Do you have maybe any idea why is the connection drops in every 20 seconds or so? Right now im forced to use remote desktop which is not very convenient sometimes.

Thank you for your input!

 

When you say "remote" do you mean that the brick is connected to the compressor and the display(I'm assuming you mean a VDW07) is your remote? Simply monitoring a temperature reading would hardly tax a stock CF-07, processor or ram wise.
CAP

 

Sorry, I was a bit confusing. Right now 2 usb thermometers are connected to the unit via a hub and a PCMCIA 3g modem is installed. (later on Im planning to add pressure sensors etc, probaly connected to an usb data logger which would be directly connected to the only usb port)

Right now the brick connects to the internet via the 3g modem and I use an other laptop with MS remote desktop connection to check the incoming data. This method is great when Im away from the compressor, but it is not very convenient to check the temperatures on the worksite and also we need to use an other laptop with an other 3g modem to connect to it. Not a very neatr setup considering we work in harsh enviroment most of the times.

The original idea was to use the VDW07 close to the compressor to monitor the readings. This didnt work out very well, considering it drops the connection all the time.

 

The RAM you bought on ebay looks to be the right spec on face value, but it's impossible to tell the specific chip configuration on the module, which might be the problem. I hope the ebay vendor has a good return policy.

What you need is a 256MB module in an 8-chip 16M x16 configuration. This website is an example of one that sells these mods with a money-back guarantee as well.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-07 Memory and RAM upgrades

 

My point exactly. The price to upgrade the ram on a CF-07 is considerably more than the value of the computer. The stock CF-07 with a 20GB hard drive, MK3 I believe, will run XP and any reasonable application with no problem. Data loggers and the wireless connection to the monitor are not memory intensive applications. The ECM in your car is working a lot harder than that.
CAP

 

I have tried upgrading CF-07 memory with a 256 MB stick but it would only recognize the stick as 128 MB, for a total of 256 MB including the 128 MB soldered onto the motherboard. I have see a few CF-07 with extra 128 MB stick, 256 MB total, that seem to come that way from Panasonic. It's possible the chipset cannot see more than 256 MB total.

 

Thank you Cap!

In fact a custom built atmel based management system for the compressor would be a bit over 1000€, so using the brick is still a cheaper alternative. Also it has some other advantages, like the folks on the site could use it to send messages email as well. I think I will request a refund and order a 128 mb module from the place you recommended.

I checked the spec as far as I could but some places say CF-07 can see 256 maximum, some other places say 384. (which makes sense the intel 815em should be able to handle 384).

Do you guys have a list with the specs of the different cf-07 models? There are suprisingly very little information on the internet about these computers.

Any idea what makes the connection to the vdw07 so unreliable?
It is written in some panasonic info that a heavy load could affect the connection, and the miwds sometimes using 70-80% of the computing power, but getting disconnected in every 20 sec is really frustrating.

 

I have one absolute rule for mission specific computers, no applications not essential to the mission are installed. On the dredge I used to use basic CF-27s for the positioning system. They were only retired in favor of better displays, not because they lacked power. They happily handled Hypack Dredgepack software and input from 1-Trimble submeter GPS(for the bucket), 1-CSI VectorPro submeter GPS(for barge position), 3-Digi Xtend 900mhz radio modems(for remote tide gauge, operator remote hot keys, and remote video display in crane cab). The Dredgepack logged time, location, tide, bucket location, and operator inputs to an external drive. The point is, I hardly think you have overloaded the CF-07 yet. My only serious use of the VDW07 to date is as a dash display for GPS, never had a problem running multiple nav programs on a split screen using Franson. The only difference is that the display was never more than 4-5 feet from the computer. You shouldn't have the problems you are describing due to insufficient ram unless you have a bunch of crap also running on the CF-07. We all fall victim to the "I need more speed/ram/video memory/etc" trap, usually we really don't. One of my favorites lately is, "well the CF-30 will work in a CF-28 dock but you really need to spend $2-300 for the CF-30 model because the CF-28 unit doesn't have USB 2.0". For what do you really NEED USB 2.0 in a vehicle mounted computer?
CAP

 

I have successfully upgraded the RAM to 384 MB, but as mentioned, it does require a specific type of RAM module--not just any one will do. You can even install a solid state drive if you want to amp up boot times and disk access.

However, based on the description provided, I would concur with the earlier posts that data monitoring applications should not be that processor intensive. As you observed, though, the wireless display functionality can consume a good chunk of CPU.

If you haven't already, I would check the Ultimate Toughbook Resource thread pinned at the top of this forum and review the information in the "CF-VDW07 Wireless Display Software Installation" link, which includes information for updating the wireless display software as well as the wireless display's firmware to the latest version.

 

Thank you all again for your comments.
I agree that a mission specific computer should only store the neccessary applications only. I try to keep this rule even with my desktop, there are a lot of unwanted, bundled software which wants to get installed... I dont think either I have depleted the resources, however with the temperature monitor it does get sluggish sometimes. Im also pretty sure that the vdw07 itself is okay, I have downloaded the mewds application for non TBs and installed it on a Lenovo and a Toshiba and I experienced no outages at all. Toshiba is a portege m100 with 512ram and 1.2g centrino the lenovo is a s9e netbook.

Im just wondering about the cause of the disconnections, though I have bought the vdw07 and the cf-07 separately. So i will just double check the setup.

Is there a chanche that the disconnects are hardware related? Like the wireless cards get too hot or the connection to the wlan antenna is damaged etc? Where is the wlan antenna located in the unit? Is it on the same
panel as the leds on the top cover?

 

Could you please tell me more about the memory modules you used?

Im not really concerned about the speed right now, but a mechanical HDD is a risk of failure. Also seek times would improve, but swapping then would be an other issue, wouldnt it? How is the cf-07 would be like with an ssd inside I wonder. )

I have pretty much readed the threads before I decided to buy the gear. I have also installed the mwds on other laptops and the vdw07 works fine with them. Im bit suprised to realise its not flawless with the cf-07.