CF-28 based SYSTEM + mods, need help!

Hello to all, I am new to this forum and to modding laptops. I just bought a used CF-28 and have been reading and reading everything I can find, but still have found very little in the way of HOW TO actually perform any of the common modifications. it seems most threads I find venture so far off topic that the fundamentals are never covered.

what I have is a CF-28PCJGZEM it is running Windows XP tablet edition, and I believe it has 256 RAM, 30gig HD, 800mkz PIII, and a CD drive.


I am hoping to increase my RAM as high as humanly possible. I notice a few of you have 768k or even 1Ghz of RAM, but I read on Panasonic's site that 312 is max???
Are there any threads here that actually explain WHAT to buy and HOW to install it to increase my memory?

Next, of course I need wireless. As I understand, I need a mini pci card. and I have read alot about others having good results with an "Engenius EMP-8602-S 600mw card, but am not seeing the meat and potatoes on how to actually install this???

As for GPS, I found a couple links off the CF-28 FAQ, and have this http://www.usglobalsat.com/p-47-em-408-sirf-iii.aspx
and this http://www.jdgastore.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=15
sitting in shopping carts, but have no idea what else I will need nor how this will be installed once I get it?

Now, as for the rest of my "System" I scored the following:
Panasonic CF-WEV273 Vehicle Dock
Panasonic CF-VKBL03 vehicle keyboard
Panasonic CF-VDL01 Vehicle touchscreen monitor

Most of the cables, I have on hand, and I also picked up two Lind PA1540-201 power adapters (one for the dock and one for the auxiliary monitor, as suggested by Panasonic tech support)
what I haven't been able to fing is the "Function Cable" which goes from the aux. monitor to the Aux keyboard.
It is Panasonic Part # DFJS598ZB
Is this a proprietary cable or is it a common cable?
can anyone suggest a source for one of these?

Finally, the drivers... the links I have tried off these forums are all dead links, except for one which is a huge non-descript list of all sorts of downloads.

I really don't know what all I need nor where to find them, but I of course want as much to work as possible! (the touchscreen on the laptop and on the auxiliary monitor would be nice to have as that is one of the reasons I bought this system in the first place!)

Any advice or direction will be most appreciated!

Oh! one more thing I was hoping to figure out is how to replace the generic grey plastic keyboard with an emissive backlit keyboard (my auxiliary keyboard is already backlit, but the laptop keyboard is not) this loks more complicated than I care to tackle... Is there anyone here close to me who can do this mod for me? I live in Southwest Florida...

thanks
Kyle

 

Yes, while it is true that ALOT of our threads do fly off topic quite frequently, you will find what you are looking for. Every question you have asked above is answered, and in detail. To make it a little easier for you, use google to search your questions individually and you will be much happier about the results. As an example "GPS in a CF-28" and then just look for hits on the Notebook Review forum. Being that you have a 28, your hits should be almost a year old. That is when most of our time/effort was on the 28. Stick to threads of that time frame or older for your 28 questions. I performed all of the same mods on my 28 using nothing more than the instructions on this forum, so they are there. Just got to dig for them! Happy hunting and Happy modding...

 

Just about any mod is covered in detail here

But you really have to dig for that info at times as we do tend to go off-topic
Some of the info that you are looking for has not been talked about for two years so a search of old posts will be necessary

And sometimes the step to step detail will be missing as it is not needed for some members as they are quite comfortable around disassembly and modifiying,and the discussion is of hardware used only

I would suggest a bit more searching,and then add to your thread with direct questions on each problem you are facing

I will start with a link
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=427461

There is two main links in that thread to help you

The first is the Driver link
Look for forum member Modly’s download site, it will have a manual for your cf-28 available for download

Second is the Cf-28 faq thread

Alex

 

Kyle

Since you are the first new member to sign up today on the Panasonic Toughbook forum you get a free gift

If you update you options to show a email contact # I will contact you to obtain your mailing address, and I will send you out a function cable for free

Alex

 

Kyle, A couple of things that might be hard to find on the forum.
The "function cable" for the remote keyboard-monitor is very hard to find. You don't really need it unless you must have the extra hot keys on the bottom of the monitor working, that's all it does.
The monitor will work fine with just the serial and video cables, including the touch screen. You need the touchscreen driver installed, but you will have that anyway if the computer is a touchscreen.
I'm not sure why it has Tablet installed, it shouldn't.
When you have 15 posts you can PM me for all the manuals for the monitor and keyboard, or put your e-mail in your profile and I'll get them out to you.
Welcome to the forum,
CAP

 

hey Cap,

I read the manuals I could find on the vehicle keyboard and monitor, but one question bothers me. The bottom of the monitor has 5 tiny buttons. Going from left to right, the first one is not labeled then the others are "1 < > 2". Manual says those last 4 are to adjust the On Screen Display, no problem. But it says the first one is Reserved and " Do not have anyone except an authorized repairperson push this button."

I accidentally pushed the first button when the screen was propped up on my workbench. Nothing seemed to happen, BUT ..... is the monitor going to self-destruct? Will it blow up in my car some day in the future?? Did it secretly signal Panasonic and they are coming to get me???

Any idea what the mysterious first button does?

 

email is updated, and I thank you SO much!
Also, a big thanks to all the other help posted up so quickly!
The google search helps a lot, and the two main links really paid off as well.

As for the function cable and associated function keys on the aux. monitor, that is one of the reasons it appealed to me so much. I am using this carputer system to control my AEM standalone engine management system, and it is running a 650+ AWHP (all wheel horsepower, as in $25k+ motor) in an Audi A4 Quattro. The AEM EMS is the first one ever installed in this platform, and has been setup and programmed from scratch. Until I got my hands on the Toughbook, I was relying on a desktop PC in my garage a serial cable and internal logging to startup and base tune a brand new $25k+ motor bolted to a $6500+ powertrain -effective enough, but not NEARLY as efficient and accurate as the Toughbook, as it is in the car monitoring, logging and displaying every possible parameter in real time at ALL times
The F-keys make up many of my hot keys and are a huge asset when controlling and tuning the standalone, so the function cable, while not really a necessity for most, is really needed for my system. Since the Emergency keys are basically F11 (right?) I can configure to shutdown or to ignition cut or perform any task based on that being used as a "panic button"

I have a question about the GPS engines discussed in most of the threads here. how accurate are they if setup correctly? are the fast enough and accurate enough to serve as my vehicle speed sensor? I have the capability to take just about any signal, feed it to my EMS (as long as I configure that correctly) and synchronize, then use that for gear / speed dependent boost control, speed based Nitrous mapping and the like. -Can also use it to feed a dead-on-balls accurate signal to my speedometer irrelevant to tire size changes / wheel spin. Question is, are GPS engines like the USGLOBALSAT GPS accurate enough and do they respond fast enough to obtain a usable response for something like this?

 

HEHE! I just saw that too! Now you have got me wondering what in the world that button does!

You know, putting something like that in the instruction manual is just a big open invitation! "don't press this button!"
puhleeze! that's the first thing I am going to push as soon as I get the thing hooked up and working!
If they really didn't want anyone to press that button, they should say "feel fre to press this" would've had a better shot at getting folks to leave it alone!

Seriously though, can anyone tell what that "authorized tech only" button actually does?

 

Capt. this is great! but perhaps TOO good as I am now confused as to which I need and which that I do not!

I started by looking for CF-28 drivers. particularly touchscreen drivers. I have several possible candidates sitting in my downloads window, but am just not sure which to try?

then the drivers for sound, video, modem, hot keys... there are quite a few and they are different sizes, some are .exe's while others are ZIP's.

I am painfully clueless as to what I need to install.
as for the touchscreen, I got 2 different ones.
they're both listed for CF-28's
this one is a ZIP
28m2xpt1.zip that I got from the "outdated" panasonic site, and it is only 123kb!
the other I found is:
D-2002-158_TOUCHPAD.exe and I got it off Panasonic.Ca it is only 174KB
(for some reason I expected these would be larger! ["that's what She said, Eh!"] )
which of these -if either, is right for me to try installing so I can see if my touchscreen actually works?

I am so inexperienced at this, that I am afraid of installing the wrong things because I am having a hard time understanding how to even INSTALL let alone having to figure out how to UN install the wrong thing!

Any help would be most appreciated!

Oh, by the way, do I need a driver for my CF-VDL01 auxiliary touchscreen? I am just not finding anything for that. I have tried searching with all sorts of different variations on the model # and "nothing found" is all that comes up.
I read in a thread that someone got their CF-VDL drivers off the panasonic.ca site, but evidently I am not using the right search terms for this, as I haven't been able to find any as of yet. can anyone tell me what I am supposed to use for this thing's drivers? I need the touchscreen, the sound and all the function keys to work on this

 

boostedB5,
Yes, the GPS engines are capable of reporting speeds of up to 1000kph I believe, but for your purposes I don't think they would be a wise choice. If I understand your question you are wondering if the RTK output from the GPS is accurate enough to use it to control your engine. The GPS's have a refresh rate where they report an average, dithered position at set intervals, say every second. Since I believe dragsters are now capable of traveling a !/4 mile in 4 seconds or less with terminal speeds in excess of 300mph, I don't think it would be helpful to use GPS to control the engine. Like wise, a second is really a long time in terms of a engine turning 7500rpm in a car traveling 150KPH. Pictures of your car available?
Your remote screen requires no extra drivers to work with a touch screen Toughbook.
CAP

 

To get the touchscreen working on my CF-VDL02 remote display I had to install an extra driver "cfvdl02_xp2k_d020849.exe". Think it came from the Japan support site. It recognizes one or more serial sources and you can set up pre-defined events for the F keys etc.

 

Well, this car is built to get into the high 9's in the 1320ft dash, but is in fact a triple purpose build... With standalone engine management, "quick change" turbocharger and injectors and numerous other "multipurpose" mods, it was designed to be able to switch from street to road course to drags in under 10 minutes per change-up. I can swap out the GT3076r (street turbo/short track) to a GT3582 (long track) to a GT42 in about 6 minutes, anywhere and with nothing more than a 7/16" x 1/2" wrench and my bare hands

The build took more than a year

Here is my photobucket page. you'll have to excuse some of the crap there as I use that page to host pics for stuff I am selling as well as my car pics
http://s207.photobucket.com/albums/bb224/kntstealth93/?start=all

I'm nowhere NEAR reaching top fuel speeds, BUT 9sec 1/4's is no slouch! And above all else, the statement you made about the accuracy needed for a motor turning 7500 (or 9500-10krpms in my case) really is the consideration here.
I would need something that responds at LEAST as fast as a conventional electronic VSS (speedometer sensor) or else I would be shooting myself in the foot!
I have a friend back home in Montana whose family owns a huge commercial farm (btw, folks from MT who own real ranches and farms talk about their land in sections and miles, not acres! and this family cultivates many many MILES of land) They use GPS guidance for their machinery, and it is ridiculously accurate. the reason for this is that if they were to overlap each row they sow (on a farm of this magnitude) ) the error would come to something like $600k everytime they sow a crop. now this was about 10 years ago that my friend had told me about this, so I am sure technology has improved vastly since then... So my thoughts were this: if the GPS's used to steer tractors were accurate enouch to keep them on course to 1/4" or 1/2" accuracy, (10 years ago) shouldn't there be something I could run in my laptop that would be accurate enough and fast responding enough to use as a vehicle speed sensor?

The GlobalSat EM-408 that everyone here seems to use has 20 channels + it's list of other specs. what does all this mean, and what would I need to look for to find something that IS accurate enough and quick enough (to respond)?
can anyone point me towards a link where I can find out this kind of info (what all the specs mean, what types of GPS's are used for what, etc...)

There is a wiring expert out in CA who makes mil=spec wiring harnesses for race cars and pre-runner / Baja type trucks. He also sells the components and is an authority on the subject. He had told me that GPS speed sensors were commonly used in Pro level offroad racing trucks, and I know they are used in many classes of race cars, but these are not the kind of sensors that go in a laptop... (and they are extremely expensive)
believe me, I am well familiar with the phrase "you get what you pay for"
but if I can do some research and find that a $300 GPS in my laptop/carputer system will get me accurate enough compared to a $2000 sensor which is overkill, then I'd drop the $300 and give it a whirl knowing that if it turns out to just not quite cut the mustard, I'll still have a really nice GPS without having wrecked my budget

As for the types of signals I can use for this, there are very few limitations. a PWM (pulse width) output is what is typically used, although a low voltage magnetic signal can be used (and are quite common too) hall sensors, VR sensors and high sensitivity magnetics are the simplist, while optical and various digital sensors can be utilized as well.
The Globalsat EM408 basically has 5 connections, right? what kind of signal is produced on the TX pin?
Has anyone here probed one of these with an Oscilloscope? and if so, would it be too much to ask for you to post your traces?

My hopes are to be able to use a GPS for speed based EMS functions, and also for logging precise positions at various tracks. for this, I would need something accurate to about an inch or less in position (although if I had +/-2" position accuracy, that would surely be better than nothing! )

 

OK, I stand corrected on the driver, call it "old timer's" disease. I also seem to have the only known copy of the CF-VDL01 driver except for Victor who I sent it too. Available to anyone who needs it, PM me.
Again with the accuracy of GPS.
Pretty good GPS like the em408s with external antenna and a good view of the sky; error less than 10 meters-greater than 1 or 2 meters.
Very good GPS; error consistently less than 1 meter (sub-meter).
The best GPS; accuracy as close as 0.304mm
Pretty good-$100 or so, < 1 minute to decent fix
Very good- $2500 or so, < 10 minutes to decent fix
The best- $90,000 or so > 3.5 hours to decent fix
I use all three on a regular basis, and the best will only acquire a fix when totally stationary on a tripod, any movement and it aborts and starts over.
The problem with using the GPS for real time kinetics (RTK) is that they all dither their input and report an average reading on a fixed time schedule. Try a GPS in an airplane at 4-500mph and you will notice that your position indicator moves across the map in short jerks. That's because you are moving a great distance between position reports, even at 1 second intervals. I have a very good GPS, a Hemisphere Crescent R110, made in Canada (Alex), but I would never bother with it on a boat or in a car, more accuracy than I need. It would give you the accuracy you need to determine your speed, but it still wouldn't update fast enough to control your engine. They do sell a lot of them for agricultural use, but they will not work to 1/4" accuracy. I do like the looks of your engine, will it fit in my Jeep Cherokee?
CAP

 

boostedB5,
Since you have/had (depending on what has been merged) a couple of threads going, I figured I would add a few thoughts onto those I already gave in one of those threads. One thing about being an old fart, I am not just old...but old enough to not only know better but to know WHEN and I will explain that remark more fully as I go along. A couple of personal thoughts to make your journey through both life (and this forum) a bit easier. First, patience is not only a virtue but it is mandatory in this arena. Seeing the type of meticulous work you do on your vehicle, I am sure you have had your share of frustration when building and dealt with it in your own way. Same goes here. Don't try to make every mod you want in the first 24 hrs of having your Toughbook. Prioritize and attack. Much of the info you will learn about the basics (your weak point as you stated) will overlap in many of the areas you have mentioned you wish to mod. Second, READ! You would have never attempted what you do on your vehicle without some type of reference materials (factory shop manuals?), same goes here. As several members have politely reminded you, much of what you want to know is already out there in this forum, just take the time to read the different threads to get that basic understanding of the ENTIRE process of assembly/disassembly (that goes for software issues as well). I will never attain the level of geekiness that many of the members have on this forum, but where I m now versus three or four years ago when I started this insanity is miles ahead. I still sit here with a gaping hole in my face when the discussion turns to the VERY technical stuff, but it is still fun to listen and I usually will still learn something. Last, narrow your questions in scope so that those of us out here that are trying to answer can do so simply and quickly. Remember, we all have a life outside this forum (well...we're still not sure about that kwazy dwagon!) and it may take a few hours, even days, to get back to you. Once in the thick of it here, you will find that this is not only a knowledgable group, but one of the greatest group of friends you will ever have. As my Dad (rest his soul) told me when I entered the military over 30 years ago, "Shut up and listen!" At 56 I still heed his advice.. Welcome and good luck on not only this but all your journeys!

 

That was what I was hoping to find out!
thanks a million!
this leads me to the decision that I can't feasibly use a GPS for what I wanted to, so... the $48 globalsat will be more than ample for basic GPS functions (maps, direction, speed) but not for an EMS sensor... I'm still going to look more into this, as I said, the proprietor of a race wiring shop in CA was telling me about the sensors they use in baja trucks, and it sounded like it was a purpose built VSS, although they were way out of my reach pricewise...

My motor is a VW/Audi AEB. it is a turbocharged 1.8l 4cyl which has been bored and stroked to 2008cc's and in it'scurrent configuration, puts out right at 570 awhp on the turbo you see in the pic. I have a GT3582r and 1000cc primary injectors which will produce about 620 awhp, and with a full spray of my direct port nitrous system (easier to see in the pics on my photobucket page if you scroll down a bit) it adds about another 200 wheel horsepower, close to 900 all wheel HP on race fuel, with alcohol injection and full shot of giggle gas. I haven't even begun to experiment with the GT42 yet, but theoretically that will take me into 4 digits worth of ponies.
this would easily fit into a Cherokee. 2 guys can pick this entire motor up and carry it across the shop. it is extremely compact and lightweight, although it is built like a brick sh--house. (forged crank, forged rods, forged JE pistons, inconel and black nitrided valves (also 1mm oversize, and this is the 20 valve head. 5 valves per cylinder) it has ridiculous cams with adjustable gears on both ends, high rev springs, titanium retainers, single groove keepers, the exhaust is 3" straight with open atmosphere wastegate dump, open atmosphere blowoff valve... inotherwords, it is just downright obnoxious!
The car itself is a mild mannered Audi A4, so it is about as "sleeper" as it gets.
It looks like the kind of car you'd drop your kids off at a soccer game in on your way to the grocery store, but in fact, I have yet to encounter anything on the street that is even close to THINKING about being competitive. It surprises quite a few everytime I go out and get stupid with it, and has shattered more than a few egos
It's surprising to hear how many people out there actually believe the advertising hype behind the crap they have bought for their mustangs, corvettes and even a viper about a month ago... most of these alleged "500hp" and "700hp" v8's (& a v10!) turn out to fall several car lengths behind my schnitzleburner which makes a no bs 570awhp + 200hp nos...

Now I have been wondering something for a few days, and I have searched around the net but found nothing applicable...
when you install a laptop/dock (and the aux. screen and such) in a vehicle, a power adapter must be used (2 of 'em in my case) cigarette lighter or hardwire, they take "12v+" and ground and provide power to the (transformer?) which supplies the correct voltage to the power input on the device.
If I am connected and running, and I go to start my vehicle, the voltage will obviously fall on it's face. starters draw HUGE current and will take the 13-14v present in the electrical system, and reduce it to about 8-9v or even less for a moment...
There can also be spikes when you shut the ignition key off.
Is there any potential for damage due to cranking/startup/shutdown voltage drops/spikes?
and is there anything I can do to protect my electronics?
All the wiring to my Engine management electronics, CDI ignition, fuel pumps, nitrous solenoids, alcohol injection system and such, are protected and use resistor or diode protected relays. however these things are designed to be used in an automotive environment. Do the Lind power adapters (as recommended by Panasonic) have any protection built in, or will I need protection circuitry?

How exactly does my laptop battery work anyway? if I unplug the power cble, the laptop keeps functioning as normal. it switches to battery absolutely seamlessly.
I presume it can be inserted into the dock while the laptop is running, right?
so then if it is on vehicle power and I crank the motor over and voltage drops, would the laptop battery supply power for that moment that voltage drops below an acceptable level?

sorry if I am rambling, but I'm having a difficult time explaining what I am trying to ask here

 

The Lind power supplies are protected every way from Sunday so you have no worries there. There seem to be two schools of thought on hot docking. I do know that Panasonic specifically recommends against hot docking a CF-18, I'm not sure about the other models. I personally wouldn't do it, that's just me. As for power surges to the laptop, leave a battery in it and you shouldn't have any problems.
CAP
By the way, there is a ton of misinformation about GPS out there. Take what you hear about accuracy, spies tracking you with your GPS, and like with a serious grain of salt. Unless you hear it from me of course.

 

Calculating speed with a GPS using doppler effect doesn't require a great deal of locational accuracy; my POS Garmin Nuvi is accurate to within 2 tenths of a MPH (and my own experience backs this up) but it is HORRIBLE for absolute locational accuracy. I would be surprised at times if it is accurate to within 30 meters; I know that half the time it doesn't even know the difference between the highway and the access road.

Like Cap'n sed... take what you hear about GPS with a grain of salt.

Nice VeeDub... When I was younger I weekended a '67 Nova 396 that ran in the high 12s on Cam2; boy did I love my 500 CFM Holleys... I played around a bit with an Edelbrock high-rise and 2 780 spreadbores, but went back to my medium-rise Offenhauser Tripower cuz I couldn't get the flat spot out between 4200-5400 with the spreadbores. Boring out my Holleys 2mm & extrusion polishing the Offie got me the top-end I was looking for...

I built a few huffed street cars after that; got to hang with Granatelli for a bit. My favorite though? Still my Caddy 500 powered '79 F-150. That thing was SICK.

Later I spent some time racing Dirt-Oval Sportsman class, then 4-cyl Modifieds. They were wicked quick little things; like riding a Ducati only sideways in the dirt.

mnem
Do what you want with your 4-bangers... If you modded a big-block the same way, you'd crap your pants the first time you step on the pedal. There's no replacement for displacement.