CF-28 with that USB 2.0 thang going on

Ditto.

mnem
'nuff sed.

 

Great!!!
Waiting on the PM and pricing/payment method

<Quote>...will try to "groc" (anyone remember that one?). </quote>
I think I read that book 6 or 8 times. Loved all of Heinlein's stuff (books that is - his life was not exactly mainstream)

 

klboo,
Apparently I misspelled it, should be grok. From google I learn that the word never went out of use as it was picked up by programmers and hackers to mean they understood a software concept. I'm glad someone here is almost as old as I. Everyone else, I left my list of PM's on the dredge, operator attitude had my hair hurting, but I promise to get them out tonight. Thanks for your patience. Any one been bugging the maker? They emailed me today to see if they could direct their US customers to me!

 

How many did you pick up??

The word of the day, kids, is hawtsecks.

 

PM's sent out, I'm sold out. I'll order more as soon as some dough comes in. Thanks all for making this work. They make some other fun widgets too!

 

Did you do any real world testing on these to see if they work. A good test is to plug in an external hard drive and transfer a few gig of large files and test for speed and reliability. Most of the Chinese products like this have real flaky drivers.

 

tough-2-go, I haven,t had time to do much with it yet, but it's a nec chipset and installs as 2 nec hubs in device manager.

 

All, please restrict any further discussion of the availability or transfer of these to PM's. I don't want to get our erstwhile moderator in trouble with the forum gendarmes. Or myself for that matter. Thanks.

 

I've been doing some shipping for those interested and courtesy of klboo,
ebay # 110245713560.

 

Don't sweat it... PMs are a whole diferent matter. You can talk about it all you want.... Just post a picture......



<logs off and goes upstairs to go to bed just laaaaaaaaughing away.>

 

:laugh: I wasn't going to say anything about the spelling - us oldsters have to support each other. Used to try to understand my grandparent's - born before the airplane. My grandkids, if any, will pity poor granddad, too - born before spaceflight, color TV, FM radio, pocket calculators, etc. - I'm not older than dirt, but I feel like I was there when most of it was still rock.:wink:

 

Anybody with feedback comments on this item yet?

Got my few from cap yesterday. This looks so much like a professional version of the USB card mod from Hackaday, plus the 5v tap the modder mentioned as a future project.

Slid one into an external PCMCIA and it was immediately set up by XP. The USB slots area tight fit for a Datatraveler flash drive, but worked well. The top and bottom casing contact the drive plug, so a little force is needed to insert it. Comes with a small CD with drivers and installation manual, and a USB cord to connect the existing USB1.1 port (I assume) to the power attachment to increase the power available for 500ma USB needs, from the existing 100ma provided. I may check on reinstalling with the real drivers - some issues are mentioned in the Readme.txt file that may benefit from updated drivers (don't know if they important issues though)

The card would allow anyone who has one of the elusive PCMCIA port covers to close it over the USB card itself without removing it.

It fits as is with some clearance in the internal slot - the card is the same length as my Dazzle PCMCIA cf-card reader. There appears to be space above the network jack sufficient to cut an opening to allow access to at least one USB jack and the power jack, if you are so inclined. Or maybe run a short USB cable from one jack to the space where the wifi antenna would normally go.

Trying to work out how to open the case and see what is inside. True heaven would be to find two more unused USB pads inside to play with. At least be able to remove one jack and run some wire to the left hand side of the case.

Very satisfied so far - thanks again, capt. dogfish, and kudos to mrs capt. dogfish for supporting cap in this endeavor!!

 

As far as feedback goes,

Not much to say about the product, haven't really tested it out yet with a USB 2.0 device attached. It was recognized instantly by windows XP, let my Bluetooth adapter work and hitch to my phone, and that's as far as I got with the testing.

As far as the Mastermind behind this venture, Capt. Dogfish, nothing but praise. Quickly jumped to the front, executed good judgment by conferring with Toughbook, as far as a reasonable price for those taking part, and shipped the product quickly and with care.

I sometimes feel as though Toughbooks "SoapBox Serenade" is aimed at folks like me who don't really have much technical skill to offer the community, but if I can give a good reference to one of its members than I feel as though I have contributed.

Thanks Jerry.

To all others who took part in this venture.

BUMP the Captains REP!!!​

 

I got mine yesterday, but I was too busy to test it. I went straight to voiding the warranty on one of em'.

I ripped the metal case off so I can see what is inside.

They use an NEC chipset, so it is probably plug n' play completely. It looks like somebody was drunk while operating the soldering machine though, some of the resistors are obviously soldered at an angle (Shouldn't affect performance, but it looks like something I made after a 6-pack).

There is some funny melted plastic crap over the actual USB connectors to the board, so splicing into the power will have to be done on the connector.

Though I do have to say, the black PCB looks cool.

 

Got my goodies from the Catain today. Works like a champ. Thanks Jerry!

I'll bump your rep once the stupid rep nazi stops telling me I've got to spread it around. The Marine Corps spends considerable time beating err ahh kindly explaining to the troops not to spread it around; get it fixed by the Doc.

 

Hi, first time caller long time listener. I'm trying to add USB 2.0 to my CF-27 (the onboard usb is shorted out or something) and I'm looking into these slim cards on eBay. Any updates on how well they work? I'd especially like to hear from anybody using one with Linux, since that's what I'm running. What chipset are they using so I can check on drivers? Thanks!

 

Someone else can chime in but I think they ship with Linux drivers on the CD....

I ordered several of them they all worked but one.... Only one of the USB 2.0 slots worked on that one. The other just showed anything plugged in as unrecognizable.

You can also buy the type that has USB 2.0 AND bluetooth. I was thinking about picking up a few of those to try out.

 

USB 2.0 and BT sounds cool. I could carry one less card.

 

Mmmmhmmmm... here's a link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PCMCIA-TO-USB-2...ryZ42323QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Looks nifty, if a bit on the expensive side for a generic part. I'm not sure I'd be willing to give up that 2nd USB2.0 port though... fer sure not on my Vaio PictureBook... but maybe on my TB, since I'm using it in the hidden PCMCIA slot to feed an internal 4-port micro-hub. My next hack will be to break out the rear USB port & make IT USB2.0 - I had in mind to use the second port on the AKE card from Cap'n for that...

mnem
L'electrical fabricant au magnifique!

 

Wonder if the door will still close with that antenna attached. Anyone got one?

 

I don't know about the 28; but my 29 door closes on the Billionton BT card with the antenna stowed.

 

Yeah... I thought about that. I think I'd probably remove the telescopic bit of the antenna & solder a length of insulated wire in its place so it could be routed easily...

mnem
Radio waves... displaced radio waves for sale...

 

I would think it would fit. Especially with the antenna retracted. I'm sure there are specs somewhere...

 

Oh, I'm sure it would fit with the antenna retracted... the 2.0 card fits nicely, even with bunches of wires coming out of the ports. I just have my doubts about its range with the antenna down inside that metal shell. I think a short bit of insulated wire would provide a good antenna which can be routed around inside the cover for best effect and not have to worry about shorting to the laptop chassis. Of course, you COULD try a bit of shrink wrap tubing on the extended antenna to keep it from shorting against the chassis...

mnem<~~~ STILL has Superman underwear*

 

this combo card is making me wonder.. i wonder if it would be possible to rig up the USB port to the unused spot on the LAN/modem corner piece? i think the major hurdle would be to find a low-profile enough USB cable to plug into the card, and a low-profile enough USB socket to mount in the plastic.

 

Actually, I have been toying with that myself... got a dual-gang that looks really promising from an old ASUS mobo...

mnem<~~~ Cain't find his own ASUS with both hands*

 

Was reading with interest on the bulk purchase of this item that was kindly organised by Capt. Dogfish.

I also realize the first order was SOLD OUT quickly. I would eventually like to have additional USB 2.0 slots via a PCMCIA card on my CF-28 and I like the idea of this one in particular being concealed within the PCMCIA compartment. The single 1.1 USB is so not out there, especially by today's standards.

I read that some Toughbook Forum members purchased a few of these, if not more and I was hoping that somebody out there may like to part with one. Of course, I am happy to pay. If so, please PM me and we can discuss further details.

Capt.Dogfish do you have a photo of the item.

cheers
zest4life

 

zest4life,
Look here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Inside-hide-Short-PCMCIA-USB-2-0-Card-adapter-2-port_W0QQitemZ250277962695QQihZ015QQcategoryZ42323QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I couldn't beat that price, so we didn't place another order. I don't think you'll do any better than this.
Cap

 

CAPT.Dogfish, thanks for that, I'm onto it now.

I checked eBay and also googled the Aussie sites for the same brand and type and got quite a few hits (All out of Hong Kong of course). Seems worthwhile to purchase a couple at that price.

Although I am yet to get one of these, I have posted a couple of photos for any other newbies that are unsure what this looks like.

This is it: AKE Ultra short PCMCIA to USB 2.0 Card 2-port, NEC Chipset, Inside hide type standard USB Port.



cheers
zest4life

 

I bought (I think) 14 of these. 2-3 of them were bad out of the box and didn't work at all. One of the three had only one working USB port out of the two on the card. So.... Chinese... Make good food.... Make bad USB PCMCIA cards.

They are selling them on ebay for a little more than what we paid in bulk. As I recall they only took Western Union... Which is kind of scary if you ask me. I emailed them about a possible distributorship in the USA but they wouldn't give me exclusivity. Two weeks after that email I saw them popping up all over the place. They aren't bad for what they are... I just wish they were a little better quality.

 

Rick,
They came with a one year warranty. It might be worth the postage to send them back to our pal Shelly and see if she'll honor it. I still get a cheerful "what's up" from Shelly every couple of weeks.
Cap

 

Funny story... so I wanted to add USB 2 to my 28 and ALSO wanted it to still close up so searched for a PCMCIA card on evilbay and found this exact item. This was a week ago. Got it today, loaded the drivers, installed it, and no worky-worky. So I get on here and see this thread. Should've looked here first. Anyway, mines defective, messed with it for two hours and the generic something or other still has issues in the device manager and drivers ain't the problem. This however is too cool so I'm ordering another one and gonna salvage the USB ports off this one and find places to stick them since they're nice and small. Maybe route one to the IR port and embed a USB Bluetooth? Perhaps fab an opening where the on/off switch for the wireless should be?

 

Stephenwilly,
If you are running XP, remove anything you installed from the CD and just plug it in. The disk is not good! XP should recognize it immediately. I had never tried the disk until recently and that's when I had my first problem. As a last resort, look for the NEC USB patch on M$ support, I found one there somewhere.
Cap

 

Even with those extended PCMCIA cards, Win2kPro will detect and install automatically. I've one that does 2x USB2, 1x Firewire & 1x MiniUSB, but must say that the shorten ones looks cook.

 

CD's bad huh? That's just not right... here install this and completely mess up your whole deal. I did the drivers because when I first booted it up (with card installed) I got the blue screen and it restarted. However looking back, I have another USB 2 PCMCIA card that's bigger and it would cause the thing to hang also. How do I get rid of the drivers now, just roll them back?

 

I've ordered 3 of the hide short PCMCIA USB 2.0 cards from Hong Kong. They should arrive early next week. Paid only $8.00 each Australian plus postage of about $12.00.

I'll take Capt.Dogfish's advice on letting XP install the drivers.

cheers

zest4life

 

SW,
I'm no expert at this. I would go into Device Manager, look for USB devices. There should be 2 NEC USB controllers installed. Open them up and remove the drivers and uninstall the devices. Then re-boot and put the card in and, every time I've put one in, just let Windows find the card and install it. The one time I tried the disk, I got exactly that result, BSOD then recovery. You might wait until a wiser soul chimes in. My skills at this sort of thing are somewhat hit or miss.
Cap

 

I have three of the cards from the original group buy up on ebay ending today if anyone is interested.
Here.