CF-18 Failure modes

If anyone is contemplating bidding on a CF-18 on Ebay you might want to be aware of the following issues based on my experiences. Just because the unit boots up to the bios screen does not mean that all is well. I have encountered the following problems on the N and K models both touchscreen and digitizer:
1. Following a system failure the unit fails to recognize the presence of an operating system. You can access bios setup and the HDD is recognized but will not complete an operating system installation. It does not matter if you are trying to reinstall XP, Vista or Win 7. The installation process quits in mid-stream and always at the same point. Replacing and reformating the HDD makes no difference.
2. In the second case, following a system failure, the unit not only fails to recognize the presence of an operating system, it does not even recognize the HDD when you access bios setup. Another curious aspect of this failure mode is a 'hissing' sound from the speaker which is present even when the unit is powered off. The sound only goes away when you disconnect the AC adapter AND battery.
In all cases the usual 'fixes' ie replacing the HDD, removing GPS, RAM, bios battery etc. and resetting to bios defaults, proved unsuccessful. The only recourse being a motherboard replacement.
Be especially cautious of Ebay listings where the unit is offered without the HDD or with the HDD but without any operating system installed even if the listing shows the unit booting to the bios setup screen and the seller does not accept returns.

 

I had the same problem a while back with my MK4, the Windows XP cd was no good, never had a problem with the restore/recovery cd's
Are you using the restore disks ?

 

Yes for XP Tablet on mk5 (mk5-XT2M-W four disk product recovery CD-ROM 1 -4 DFQX4031MA1) no help at all on problem unit but works fine on others.
Definitely hardware failure as Vista and Win 7 also fails to complete install.

 

This is quite interesting

I have never seen this , but a issue on the cf-18's, is usb cd rom drive incompatability
As well if you delay too long in-between changing restore disks you must start over again

I would of thought this is related to the hard drive (errors etc)

I just purchased a cf-73 mk-1 (it's in transit )where the seller stated he was selling as parts only
The reason was perhaps similar as you describe
Issues with booting , and when he tried to restore using the restore disks it failed at 20% or so


I was counting on this only being a faulty hard drive (40gb 4200rpm hitachi) are quite old an very prone to errors , hope its not as you describe

 

I have a feeling here as waht TC said. There are some trouble with your harddrive set. Either one or two of the line cable are off/crack/open/without continuity. In some cases the harddrive still appear on the bios but techincaly it will not function properly. I have one ribbon cable from CF-18 that when I installed the harddrive to the caddy with ribbon of course. I can't load windows but it apper on the bios. As you said I set the bios to the defaulst setting which is my standard when installing the OS coz I don't know where the unit come from. Upon my carefull inspection on the cable ribbon I found out that there are multiple lines are open near the solder point. Some dude seller on ebay or maybe the user itself don't properly installed the cable ribbon to its caddy and it touchhes and rubbing the ribbom from in inout of the unit until its open(the line).

 

Unfortunately the problem is not with the HDD/caddy/cable. I have tried SEVERAL different HDD/caddies without success and moreover the original HDD/caddy works fine on another CF-18

 

Well! then, inspect the hdd connector on the mbo. area. Trace it with VOM if there is a continuity from leg to lines. Its bit hard to trace one by one. Use a magnifying glass if necessary.


ohlip

 

Because I had 'donor' motherboards on hand I swapped out the problem motherboards and got the units up and running. Following your advice I will inspect the the area around the HDD connector but I cannot see how this has anything to do with the unit that had the 'hissing' noise when power is applied even without the HDD in place.

 

Let me see what I can do. I will check the schematic for you.


Ok! can you look on IC51 if start to burn. Also check F1 but I think this is for heater.


ohlip

 

If it quits in mid stream , in this case the connections should be fine ,or it would not start loading and would not be recognized in the bios

I will report back when I get the 73 , as it quits in mid stream

The second issue Teo has good idea's ,but for most of us that do not have the same skill's ,we would exchange the m/b as you did