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    CF-18 mk1 3g/utms/hsdpa upgrade

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by cclean, Jun 25, 2011.

  1. cclean

    cclean Notebook Enthusiast

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    Heya,

    I have recently bought a cf-18bel01me, it has got the siemens mc45 gprs modem inside. Is it possible to replace with and other boards which would be able to connect to 3g networks. Im in the EU so we use the 1800mhz gsm networks.

    Im pretty sure this question has been answered somewhere here, but couldnt find the right answer, and the search function is a bit crap on the site. I could find replyes with cf-18 mk2-3-4 but not with the mk1. Could anybody pinpoint the answer in the forum or have any idea?

    Thanks
     
    cclean, Jun 25, 2011
    #1
  2. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    toughasnails, Jun 25, 2011
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  3. cclean

    cclean Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the tipp. I have found a couple of threads but none of them has a straight answer for my question: is it possible to put any mini pcie module faster than gprs into a cf-18 mk1 which would work on the 1800/2100 eu gsm frequencies replacing the siemens mc45.

    Also since a lot of people post their configs in the signiture it doesnt help a lot.

    Im still looking if anyone know a thread where this subject is covered I would be really happy to follow the link. Thanks
     
    cclean, Jun 25, 2011
    #3
  4. cclean

    cclean Notebook Enthusiast

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    has anyone tried this before?
     
    cclean, Jun 25, 2011
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  5. db04p71

    db04p71 Notebook Deity

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    AFAIK, the CF-18 does not have a mini PCI-E slot. Not until the CF-19. Also, I believe the CF-18 uses a proprietary slot and card, so you may be SOL. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
     
    db04p71, Jun 25, 2011
    #5
  6. cclean

    cclean Notebook Enthusiast

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    That would explain why is not a lot info on a successful swap of the siemens mc45.
     
    cclean, Jun 26, 2011
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  7. cclean

    cclean Notebook Enthusiast

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    mmm on some exposed photoes, the intel wlan card looks like a standard mini pci-e. Any chanche to replace that with a wwan module?
     
    cclean, Jun 26, 2011
    #7
  8. db04p71

    db04p71 Notebook Deity

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    It probably has a mini pci slot. The CF-18 is from the same period as the CF-29. The CF-29 has a mini pci slot.
     
    db04p71, Jun 26, 2011
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  9. cclean

    cclean Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, you are right its mini pci. I wonder if it can be replaced with something...
     
    cclean, Jul 3, 2011
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  10. Mr.Tough

    Mr.Tough Notebook Enthusiast

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    Have you considered using a PCMCIA-card instead?

    There seems to be hard to find one that fits to minipci, and it would also be difficult to access the SIM slot, since you have to open the computer.

    EDIT:
    You would need a small card which fits inside the docking bay, you could then use an antenna adapter to connect to the internal antenna system.
     
    Mr.Tough, Jul 5, 2011
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  11. Skytop

    Skytop Notebook Enthusiast

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    CClean. I don't know if this will help you or not. I would give it a try.
     
    Skytop, Jul 5, 2011
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  12. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    toughasnails, Jul 6, 2011
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  13. Skytop

    Skytop Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks toughasnails.
     
    Skytop, Jul 6, 2011
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  14. cclean

    cclean Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you very much for the update guys! I think I will try to get a pcmcia card which doesnt stick out and maybe drill a hole for the aerial. Im not very fancy with the idea to hacksolder the modem to the connector inside.

    Its still a better option than the vodafone which sticks out so I get the lid under the base every time, its frustrating.
     
    cclean, Jul 9, 2011
    #14
  15. BaRRmaley

    BaRRmaley Notebook Deity

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    I think it's much easier to use bluetooth connection to mobile phone with 3G :)
    Or upgrade to CF-19.
     
    BaRRmaley, Jul 10, 2011
    #15
  16. cclean

    cclean Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes it would be, but the BT is busy with the gps receiver and I doubt that I can get a Cf-19 for 150€ what I paid for the cf-18 :) Maybe you have a bargain for me? :).

    I would like to have decent solution so no dongles hanging out etc, so I think I will go with the mod of the sierra pcmcia card mounted to the internal antenna.
     
    cclean, Jul 19, 2011
    #16