CF-28 Internal PCM CIA Slot???

Bigfoot... Did you check the BIOS to see if there was an activation for the internal PCMCIA unit?

 

I checked the BIOS and the only thing I could activate was a second serial port. I did this and still no go.

 

is it called cardbus controller A

 

That is enabled on mine, and the slot doesn't work.

 

Its working now thanks to Modly;
"Edit; since I already had the PCMCIA card in my 800MHz toughbook, I decided to test out the BIOS with it in. It gave me two new options.

Cardbus B, at the bottom, was disabled, so I enabled it. Wireless access was the other, but it was greyed out."

I did the same thing, enabled cardbus b, installed my wifi card and it works perfectly. Thanks again Modly!!!

 

i thought you had already check both cardbus controller as there stand for pcmcia slots,
anyway it is great news you have ur wifi working, have you got ur antenna sorted as well.........

 

If you go into bios with a card in the internal slot, then cardbus controller B shows up so you can enable it.
To install the antenna, I had to remove the rj-11 jack and fill the hole. But this seems to work great. I can also put an magnet mount antenna on it.

 

I keep looking at bluetooth cards, and they are all expensive for ones that will fit.

It's not too important to have bluetooth right now, so I'm not really worried about it yet. I need the GPS working well first, and my wireless working even better second.

 

hey bigfoot what antenna did you order was it from the same place and did you order any other adapters?

have you tested approximate range away from your home router?

 

Actually the antenna on it right now came from my D-link router. I picked up a new antenna for my router from Radio Shack, http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2416836&cp=2032061 But I also bought this antenna for the truck, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5849466031
This is the card I ordered, http://cgi.ebay.com/Zcomax-300mW-Wi...ryZ45000QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Very quick shipping and good communications.

I seem to have about twice to three times the range with this than I had with a standard wifi card. I will be testing the range more probably this coming weekend.

 

Excellent job Bigfoot! It deserves a spot in here! Your card looks like PCMCIA yet your antenna looks like it's going to a mini pci... What exactly did you do? There wasn't enough space inside for the pcmcia I know...

 

Grats mate
Very nice set and great to hear that you got her all going good

 

that is a great job.......

 

The factory antenna pops off, then it fits into the laptop completly. I used the short pigtail that came with my external antenna, and JB welded it to the cover piece that has the modem and lan jacks. The inside of looks bad, (I reinforced the cover real good twith JB weld epoxy), but the outside looks OK. I also had to relieve a small area of a cross piece in the laptop for the coax not to bind up.

 

Good job, looks nice!

 

Okay... Let me ask you... Does the antenna get in your way? Mine, surprisingly, stays out of the way when I type!

 

is it possible to have the antenna attach to the lcd panel????
is is there not enough space???????

 

I was thinking about try to attach my next antenna there. With the type that I use... If I could mount it on the top somehow I could fold it down flat against the case. The problem is (without having a picture to show) is that to make it so that it fold flat... You would have to recess the connector down into the top of the lid. The RIM antenna has a mount where it screws into the lid... But it slides back into a tube that goes down onto the lid. My antenna would have to screw in probably 1/2" or more to make it fit the way I'd want it to. Something I'll play with when it get here. It's supposed to be here in 2 more days... the 16th!

 

that the same on my next to-do list, just have to open up the old girl and see how long the antenna cable will have to be for the mod then order it in, have started on the plate mod for the top of the LCD, going to try and make it so i can just fold down the antenna lenght ways so it folds down next to the handle when the lid is closed. the hard part is going to make it recied in there so i can remove the antenna and put the rubber plug back fo long transporting......


and then find a antenna like Toughbooks.

 

what about the link pic of the cf-m34 that was here on the froum somewhere think in the gps section it had 2 antenna's one for the gps and one for the wireless and one attena was attached to the top as the toughbook has and the other was on the side which folded down level with the lcd........

 

No it doesn't get in the way.

 

what antenna you using there? As I'm still looking for one for my mod.

 

I am using the one that came with my D-Link router.

 

Hey Guys - Waiting on my mini pci card to get here. Looking at antenna options also. Like the d-link on the side like TB's and BF's but would really like to put it on the top on the monitor - does anyone know if a old school cell phone antenna will work? would only stick out about an inch and then pulls out (kinda like the factory toughbook cdma antenna I believe) Just a thought. I have no antenna at all just a rubber plug so plenty of room for routing wires into the monitor. Was surprised how easy it was to disassemble the monitor. I had a CFM-34 that had a slim like rubber duck antenna on that mounted on the upper left corner of the monitor - was flush with no bump out like the D-link. Is this a factory only kinda part? thanks and appreciate any thoughts.

 

Mega... I'd scratch the cell phone idea and go with a stubby wifi. That is what I am doing now. You need to find a 24" U.fl to SMA pigtail and then run it from the stock location. You need to take the laptop all apart to do this... Which creates the opportunity to create a 9 pound brick. If you are fairly adept at doing this it is a fairly easy, but time consuming job.

Right now I am building mine with a 5 inch pigtail going out the side and another 24 inch pigtail going on top... Here's a shot...

 

Not afraid to tear apart - just pieces. Thanks for the info, thought the cell phone ant would be to easy - going to go with a stubby. How much actual reception or range loss is their when you compare the stubby to the longer ant's. Also do I even need to bother with an internal ant?

Hey I have a another of topic question - on the CF-28 just above the keyboard between the first and second screw to the left is a small hole with a sensor underneath. What is it?

 

Mega... The stubby wifi will bring in 10X the signal of the RIM antenna since it is made for wifi. I've wired a RIM antenna and even put a cell antenna in its place and there was no difference... It does work... Just not that well.

I think the sensor is an elec. eye for the keyboard... But I'm not sure. I've had CF-28s that have it and some don't. Does anyone else know for sure?

 

i be starting my one very soon..........
waiting for the stubby antenna to arrive........

 

where did u find the 24" U.fl to SMA pigtail? the longest i can find is the 19". mini pci wifi is on the way though...still have not received touchscreen, getting a little choked.

 

the small hole is for the built in microphone sensor

 

never mind found the 24", But what pcmcia card do you guys have f that will fit in the "hidden slot? I'm curious? I have gps on my treo 650, which is also bluetooth, wonder if microsoft streets and trips will work through that lil gps unit?

 

Cisco makes the wifi card... They sell for about $20 US when they come up on ebay. But your best bet is just to buy a regular mini-pci wifi card on ebay and get rid of the modem.

 

sorry, i already have the mini-pci coming i was talking about the the bluetooth pcmcia cards, which ones fit into the hidden slot?

 

the cisco cards vary in prices, the air 340 go for the 20usd mark as toughbook says but if you get the air 352 then ur talking 100usd,
also bluetooth cards are very hard to come buy that exactly fit........
read up on previous post about it for more idea on what to use.......

 

Where is the best place to get the 24" U.fl to SMA pigtail?
Thanks

 

Netgate

Keep in mind... It's not a bulkhead fitting, so you may need to source your own nut.

 

Cool Thanks Modly. Do you have any suggestions for the internal antenna or is this a waste of time with the magnesium case? The card I’m looking at is designed for two antennas.

 

Well, I've been able to receive semi decent signal with a paddle type (Enough to get signal within 40 feet of the router, so works for my computer room), but to go outside of the house, I need an external.

However... I do have a pretty hardcore and hacked router, so perhaps I'm getting the amount of signal with my internal antenna just because of that. With my 5.5db antenna, I can get signal across the street, and my router is in the basement in the far rear corner of the house, which is surrounded by air ducts.

Depends on how you want to do it honestly, if you want something you can use on your desk near a wireless router without setting up the antenna then go ahead and use a paddle type internal and an external hookup. If you plan on all distance computing, I'd just hook up two external antenna connectors.

If you plan on having the computer mounted in your car, use one for a 5.5-9dB antenna, then one connector for a roof or window mount antenna.

 

Hi,I just got finished installing internal wireless to my cf-28.I used a atheros mini pci card and antenna out of a trashed toshiba laptop.This works awesome!!! I removed the dial up modem and used that slot for my card.I then drilled a small hole between the hard drive and battery to run my antenna wire .I placed one antenna at the end of the battery at the plastic corner and taped it in place and coiled up the excess wire and taped it together and stored it under the battery flap.I taped up the end of the other antenna ( to prevent shorting out) and took off the ethernet-phone side of the laptop exposing the "hidden"pcmcia slot and placed the antenna end and the taped coil of excess wire right into the unused slot.This works great and was a very simple wireless conversion!

 

Why did you drill a hole? You can slide the U.fl connector right under the back cover and it comes out right beside the mini pci slots.

Glad it works for you though...

 

i have a CF-28PTJA1QM and am wondering how to install a ethernet port next to the 56k modem? is it possible? i pulled 56k modem/ethernet from a CF-28PTJGZQM. also, i ordered a hard drive caddy with 80 gig hd installed, they said it is for CF-28, is that right? i hope i didnt just waste money...

 

Yes and Yes. Search this forum and you will see instructions addressing your very questions. But, in short, both your questions are a yes.