CF-28 600mhz, arrived today.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290195913566&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=019

The Toughbook arrived today. So far I like it. I don't know what exact model number it is as the sticker on the bottom only says CF-28. Couldn't find a model number in the BIOS either.

It wasn't the one that was pictured in the ad. This one has a black handle as someone else mentioned. The top is not scratched up and all the port covers are intact. Otherwise it was exactly as the seller described.

It powered up and started just fine.

The first 2 and maybe only 2 things I would like to upgrade are the WIFI and the HD. I did a search on the forum and think I have an understanding of what parts I am looking for.

1. It currently has a Cisco Systems 340 series wireless LAN. I saw the one Glenn mentioned and I'll pick up one of those.


2. The hard drive is a 20gb. So I know I need to upgrade that. Would this work or would something else be better?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822146046

Any comments or suggestions would be very much appreciated. I can already tell even without any mods this will hold up a lot better than my last HP laptop.

 

I dont have a 600mhz model, but I assume they are the same layout. I got one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ATHEROS-WIFI-MI...ryZ45000QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I've got an external antenna on order...I believe you'll want one of those unless you always sit in the same room as your router. I picked a couple leads of different lengths like:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-PCI-to-RP-...ryZ44996QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

A hole needs to be drilled in the plastic side piece to mount the bulkhead connector, to attach a little external rubber-duck antenna to.

Some of the other guys got a high power (600mw) card, but it costs twice as much.

That hard drive looks good (any 7200 looks good to me). Says out of stock though. There are some on e-bay (buyer beware) re-certified drives, a few new ones (just dont accidently buy an SATA)...

 

Thanks Glenn. I'm going to follow your recommendations. I think I follow what your saying about the external antenna. What are you going to use for the rubber duck antenna? Has this mod already been discussed on here? I'm trying to use the search feature but coming up with key words can be a challenge at times.

 

Try search for : CF-28 wifi

I ordered one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=360011930290&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=023

But I assume any RP-SMA connector antenna would do...

 

Since you already have some kind of wifi in it, maybe you can use the patch antenna built into it already? I think its part of the plastic side piece that the LAN plugs into (RJ45)?

 

So can I assume you cant use the antenna that is already in the CF-28. Couldn't u lengthen the leads? I use the integrated wifi and it works well but would consider upgrading if I could use the existing antenna for integrity. Don't want to hack it up.

 

Toughbook (Our moderator) tested that out, and using the stock hide-away antenna you get poor signal, even if using the one meant for 802.11 signals.

Looking at how they work, I would believe that you'd get better signal with the internal paddle type antennas.

 

I've got some paddle leads on order also, when I get my stuff together, I'll do some testing of them compared to the duck.