CF-29 Federal Models

I'm looking at an auction for a CF-29MTWGZBM as a replacement for my venerable old 28 which just got jacked at a construction site.

I remember there were issues with some of these not having WiFi antennas (no problem) and some of them not having working USB ports and if I'm not mistaken, stuff disabled in the BIOS?

I've searched for the better part of an hour and cannot find any conclusive reports; have we sorted these issues or did they just become moot as we moved on in favor of less antique models?

[EDIT] I also vaguely remember the Mk4 & 5 being fraught with failed Touchscreens; was just these or did the Mk1-3 suffer that as well? [/EDIT]

Thanks guys,

mnem
*Now feeling somewhat older*

 

I've had some Federal models with no wifi card installed, but they all had the antennas. Never got one with funky BIOS that disabled the USB but do recall some reports of that on the forum.

My experience is about 1/2 or more of Mk4-5 units have bad touchscreens. Mk1-3 usually work OK, in my experience only a low percentage bad. However member TBtech says all the CF-29 versions are prone to touchscreen failure. Fortunatly member Sadlmkr (Jeff) is an expert at repairing touchscreens

 

OUCH!

Having just suffered from a burglary of my storage unit and still trying to determine just what all was stolen, I feel for you.

As to the Mk4 Toughbook:

Model Number: CF-29MTWGZBM
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSRP: $4,714
Description: ***FEDERAL ONLY***
Intel Pentium M 778 1.6GHz LV (Centrino), 13.3" XGA Touch Screen, 512MB RAM, 80GB HDD, NON-WIRELESS, Windows XP Professional w/Service Pack 2, SmartCard Reader, No Optical Drive

Now. as to the Federal Model and wireless and USB issues, it was Toughbook that was dealing with these issues primarily.

Also, don't forget the best method of searching:

Notebook Review Forum Search

Just add what you are looking for to the "site:forum.notebookreview.com" already present in the "Search For..." box.

 

Dam, that sucks. I have messed with several other federal models with several CF-18's, one CF-19 and Four CF-50's. All but one (CF-50) had all the correct wires inside and it looked like someone had been inside it before.

 

Most of the federal models I've purchased had no wifi card but did have the antenna. TS seemed to work on half of them but most had really low hours on the clock. the cases were fairly scuffed up so I swapped screens to up grade the cosmetics or put in a working TS to fix it up a bit. Some were the hazmat variety with all the extra stickers warnings and in case of fire or sparks run for your life type stuff..Driller

 

Sorry about your loss.

PM your budget. You might as well get one that you know has a working TS.

Jeff.......venerable buyer discount available....

Edit: You may as well figure all Mark 5 have a bad ts. Repairable ...yep! Replacable....I've got one......Windows 7 and 2.25 ram oh yeah. Further info available PM.

 

The model number quoted is for a "Standard Configuration" machine, in theory the "Hacked Bios" versions will be the Customer "Special Configuration" versions which have two numbers replacing the letters "G" and "Z".

I've got a Federal MK5 of "Standard Configuration" which contains the antennas... no problems with installing a Wifi card.

There are known issues on later model Touchscreens. I've got a MK1 and three MK2's without any issues. There is a lot to be said for replacing the touch panel instead of a transplant from an earlier mark, the Nit rating of the MK4 and MK5 models is higher.

Dare I ask, how many people have unknowingly purchased Mk4 and 5's with lower Nit Mk2 screens and MK2's with 500 Nit non-working Touchscreens?

o.g.

 

Okay...

Looks like it's a moot point now; Ador pointed me to a GoBook that was looking to close uber-cheap. I stole it for $32; which was what I needed cuz I can't afford to pay a fair price for anything that'll do the job right now. It looks like it's got everything I should need for nukin' CISCOs & sniffin' ports until I can spend some real money & buy another Toughbook.

Thank you all for jumping in so quick; I'll be talking atchas when I'm not quite so skint.

*Looking at the auction pix again*

Jeebus, I sure hope it ain't that ugly in person. Liable to fracture the young'uns...


mnem<~~~ So broke I can't pay attention ~~~<<<

 

First: what Model GoBook: II or III?

Second: did it include a had drive and caddy?

If not, I have a hard drive caddy available.

 

It's a GoBook III-IX260+/1.8/1024/30, only missing optical drive & AC adapter. I have a universal one I know will work as well as a Dell I think will work, and a USB optical drive to load OS so I should be good to go for now.

Pray for me. I am stepping off the clearly-marked path of safety.


mnem
Then there's mnem.

 

You'll want an adapter compatible with a Gateway laptop. Apparently, HP also. The aftermarket one that I have has the model PPP014S and is 19V-4.74A.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-HP-...rs_Chargers&hash=item35b7951277#ht_8220wt_902

Noted and praying for your geeky Dwagon ar$e.

 

The power adapter is 19VDC x 5.0amp w/2.5 x 5.5mm connector.

 

Did you get one with the GPS

 

Yeah, Ador thinks so. I'm waiting on a reply from seller re: conflicting statements in listing about amount of RAM and how much for an optical caddy if he has one. Then we'll see once UPS drops it off.

Jeebus, it's STILL ugly as a bag of smashed arseholes from here, though. Even the shiny one in the sales literature. :laugh:

mnem
I'm H2O intolerant.

 

Optical drives are expensive for the General Dynamics/Itronix GoBook rugged laptops.

"Lips that touch water shall never touch mine."
--W.C. Fields

 

I bought a 2 pk of DVD's for $66.00 shipped last month.
Check your PM's

 

MY GOBOOK JUST ARRIVED...

SQUEEE!!!


mnem
I'll get back to you on the details...