CF-19 Mk6 Build Recommendations

Hey I wanted to start a separate build thread for my CF-19 as my last post was getting pretty long and had figured my main objective of which toughbook I wanted to go with.

My current specs:

CF-191HYAV1M
Toughbook CF-19 MK6 (Former Police Cruiser MDT)
8969 Hours
8gb Ram
180gb SSD
Verizon WWAN 4G LTE

I have a good image for windows 7 with all working drivers etc. Currently I am playing around with Windows 10 (a few issues have popped up though, like front button issues), so will probably stick with win 7 for the time being.

My goals for this build are the following and some questions:

1. Smartcard Reader - Install a smartcard reader in the CF-19. I currently have a 54mm Expresscard slot and a PCMCIA slot. I am thinking the PCMCIA slot would be the best route.
   • Any recommendation for one that fits flush inside the bay?
2. Additional USBs - Since I will probably use the PCMCIA slot, I would like to utilize the expresscard slot for some more USB ports.
   • I was considering this card https://www.amazon.com/Hanerdun-Exp...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FDRZS8X8E7422FE0CGYG
   • I would really only use this for USB stick drives if I am using the other slots for mouse/keyboard.
3. Linux - I want to have a separate hard drive setup for Linux, currently I have an extra SSD that is not being used.
   • What version of linux is best for use with the CF-19 and using all its buttons/features?
   • Since I am buying a recovery DVD anyways, is TechTough a good option for HD caddy and recovery DVD? https://www.techtough.com/product-p...19-hard-drive-sata-or-ssd-caddy-recovery-disc
4. Firewire 1394 Port - Would it even be possible to swap out this port for something more useful like another USB port?
5. Verizon WWAN 4g LTE - Are these still usable? Can it only be used with Verizon?
6. RAM Upgrade - The specs for the CF-19 MK6 show its max memory being 8GB, but I was on Techtoughs website and their model shows 16gb, is that possible? https://www.techtough.com/product-page/black-cobra-panasonic-toughbook-cf-19
7. Also no I am not painting this thing lol. If I ever get the urge, powder coating seems to be the best route.

 

Dont use the pcmcia or expresscard to usb adapters.
The card slots do not have enough amperage.
Try a portable usb hub.

Linux has like 600 distros. Hard to tell you which one is best for you.
I use a modified MX18 distro on my tablets.
Zorin is great for ease of use right out of the box.
I think cf 19s had a smartcard option. I would retrofit the stock parts.

Many of your question have been ask and answered many times over. Trying the search function will get you more information than what us old guys can remember at any given moment.

No linux distro will get the cf19 buttons to work, wirhout major effort in mild programming.

 

Yeah I see the voltage issue. Think I might look into the SD card/memory stick duo adapter instead.

On linux, I was looking for suggestions on what has worked for others. As I dont know what would work best for me yet either. Thanks for the suggestions!

I was having trouble finding an original smartcard reader for the CF-19. Probably look into purchasing a second one that has the reader already and maybe a few other options that would be nice to mess around with like keyboard, GPS, etc.

Yeah I did search, but was not finding any info on firewire port, or WWAN. Did find the ram info though.

 

I have factory smartcard reader for CF 19.
It will still be waterproof.
see private message

 

Mine does not have the custom door.

The factory smartcard reader fits entirely inside the standard door.
The door closes completely and seals the same as every other CF 19.

Now if you have the door open and a card inserted then that is different.
Just like plugging in a usb device or network RJ45 or a PCMCIA card causes the CF 19 to not be watertight anymore.

 

I would keep my existing door. I've been looking on eBay at CF-19 with the smartcard reader installed and they all seem to just have the same door as ones without the smart card reader. If I got PCMCIA I would hope the door would close with it installed.

 

I have bought from TechTough before and was pleased with what I got. The prices for those drives and recovery DVD are reasonable. You can do better assembling it yourself obviously, but it is done and ready to go.

I have a couple more I need to build and get ready to go FAST. That is an option I am considering myself.

I use Linux Mint 18 I believe. No buttons work, but I can pop it in any of my machines too. Don't waste a HDD on it, it will run fine off a USB stick. You can find a low profile 32gb one that fits under the back USB cover easily. I have mine setup on an adapter card stuffed into the WWAN slot.

Also, Linux is free and "non-invasive." You can try as many as you would like until you find one that you want to keep.

My SLLLOOOOWWWW MK1 runs Linux quickly off that USB drive stuck in the WWAN slot.

 

Ah okay, any suggestions on what low profile USB will work?

 

I have also used SanDisk low profiles. Mine was a 16gb kinda like above, but even flatter face. I will look around for it and post up a picture when I find it. If I did that again, I would want a 32gb one. I haven't seen them in 32gb size though (but haven't looked either).

 

Hmm what kind of drive goes into the WWAN slot, never heard of that before.

 

wwan to usb adapter.
micro usb stick.

 

How about this one? https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruz...Z33-032G-B35/dp/B00812F7O8?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

 

Thats the one that I have been using for years.

 

Cool thanks, did you need to trim the toughbooks cover any?

 

I don't remember having to trim the cover at all. We have a thread some where on here where we tried different brands and we even modified a few to get them to work without cutting up the cover. @Shawn you remember ?

I know one of them I had setup for Ready post.

 

On a CF 31 we needed to trim the inside of the cover slightly. A mm or so off the casting lip.
I don't recall about a CF 19 for sure.

Get one the the Toughbook fully rugged option tools.
Part number CF-MOD-O-MATIC.
Here is an instruction sheet..
Every fully rugged model owner should have at least one. I am an options whore so I have 2. Got to have a backup.

 

Haha I came ready mod! Have one of those from the rest of my tinkering!

 

Ah it doesn't seem like it will even be close to fitting. I might try dremeling some to see if I can't get the cover too close.

 

Since there doesnt seem to be a usb drive that will fit. I am thinking about swapping out my WWAN card for a mini pci-e to SD card adapter like the one below.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...jltOSJwdJp2vKSDEIj4aAiMUEALw_wcB#shopping-ads

Any idea if this would work as a bootable drive?

 

I don't "think" it will work... I forget what the issue was, but I couldn't get windows or linux to boot off an SD card. And that adapter is expensive too!

I used this. If you look, you might find it cheaper. There is a usb 2.0 and a usb 3.0 version, supposedly. I don't know what one I have, but I could see the 3.0 potentially causing some issues. Still at $2-3 each, buy both.

I used a SanDisk Cruzer glide I believe and uncased it. I took really careful measurements and then drilled a small hole in the cover aligned with the activity LED for the stick. Used a sharpie to re-black the edge then, glued a bit of clear plastic packaging material over the hole.

I have my MK1 back now and can get pictures if anyone would like.

 

Ah okay, I thought maybe it would work, because I think the WWAN slot goes through the USB bus.

But that usb adapter looks like a great idea! If you could grab a picture of your setup that would be great!

 

http://www.toughbooktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1385&hilit=sandisk

 

wwan usb drive

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/usb-pcmcia-booting.791922/

 

Thanks for the info. I just ordered one of these and going to try it out.

I do have the usb drive in your previous post, but the CF-19 doesnt have as much room as the CF-31 has to be able to fit a small usb drive .

 

One thing I am unable to find is if I can do anything with the Firewire/1394 port.

Is it possible to install a USB in-place of it? I know firewire and usb are totally different, but curious if there was a extra USB connection internally that could then be used for a 3rd USB?

 

The simplest thing is to just get a firewire to usb adapter.

Yes, there are USB ports inside. But the firewire port is part of the case. To change that out would be... Tricky. And probably require hacking up another case. Also once you do this your loosing the OEM durability and waterproofing.

I get the whole "elegant solution" part of it, but perhaps smarter to do would be look on eBay for some firewire devices that are useful and just live with the port.

If you NEED more than two USB ports at a time forget about modding the case, get a docking station instead. I think my Havis dock I only paid $24 for has 4 additional USB ports.

Yes, there are more internal ports, but you have to loose something to gain them. The WWAN/pci slot has USB in it. There are a couple other places too I am sure. But you need to really know what your doing inside and around a mainboard and have the right tools to do so. Not stuff that the average modder should tackle.

BTW, I consider myself a few steps above average. And an expert at soldering. Soldering the micro wires for my first WWAN adapter SUCCCKKKKEEEDDDD. If you really wanted a second actual HDD inside, there are mini PCI to SATA adapters. That was what I originally used, as it has the USB broken out too.

Get your computer sorted and happy first. Start off with OEM plus stuff. There are tons of plug in upgrades. There is an AWESOME USB (internal) webcam upgrade out there for the CF-31 from TechTough. I bet that could be retrofit inside one of our CF-19's... And there is plenty of CF-19 specific stuff too.

I am an OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE MODDER. I have to reign myself in on these. I used to add every trick in the book, and then realized I never utilized them. Or worse, these mods caused failures. Panasonic has seriously elegant and durable machines in these Toughbooks. Keep in mind durability with any mod you do. If you compromise the build you no longer have a Toughbook.

You would have a WimpBook. Nobody wants a WimpBook now do they???

 

Try eBay. There are dozens of them. It is easy to dumb down a Firewire into a USB port, it is the other way around that is near impossible.