CF-29 MK3 model UPGRADE links to purchase

I just bought a refurbished CF-29 and want to upgrade the RAM, and if possible, the VIDEO so it gets better than a 60hz screen refresh. A bigger hard drive might be nice too, but I mostly just want performance upgrades that will make websurfing faster, the image quality better, and allow me to run multiple applications at once. PLEASE, post LINKS to the products I could use in this model, and tutorials on how to install, if available. I know it's probably in this forum somewhere already, a link to the applicable threads would be greatly appreciated. I usually shop Tiger Direct, but I'm open to making purcahses from any online retailer. Thank you!

Let me know if you need any other current specs to assist me.

Phae

 

Good luck with the ToughBook; it is a "sickness"
Virtually all of the answers to your qestions can be found in the "The CF-29 F.A.Q. - Read me before posting". (it is also great general reading)
Personally, I found with my 29 that upgrading the hard drive to a Samsung 160GB HM160HC seemed to greatly improve they performance. Bumping the RAM to the max seemed to have negligible effect. YMMV

 

i am not willing to scan 57 pages of info to find 3 links, lol. I got through 10 before I decided to just start a new thread, since that topic is closed and I couldn't ask further details in the thread if I needed to. Closed threads are rather useless unless they contain every possible question and variable. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Another question:
I'm buying a wireless router for my cable modem. Will the wireless type built into this laptop connect to a Netgear WNR2000 Wireless N Router? I saw in the specs that this is a type G wireless built in. Can I connect to a type N router?

 

Good luck, then.
I have only been following this forum a short while but have found it to be a place where most will share but there is an expectation that someone will also help themselves. I for one have completed all of the upgrades you asked about by reading that thread; guess my time is not as valuable as yours.
Again, good luck.

 

You may run into some trouble upgrading your machine. Fully rugged Toughbooks are not simple machines to upgrade, because of their rugged design. If you are not willing to put a little effort into reading a few pages, I think you will find the upgrade path difficult. There is a search function on this forum also.
The Toughbook FAQ which was suggested that you take the time to read is only 3 pages and it can be found here.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/241106-cf-29-f-q-read-me-before-posting.html


No one here can help you without you posting your full model number, which is on the bottom of your laptop.
Video cards are not upgradable on these machines.
Everyone here uses the Samsung 160 gig pata hard drive as the drop in replacement. Model HM160HC.
Memory upgrades vary depending on the specific model. CF 29's had 5 different sub models. All of which have different upgrade paths.
Fully rugged Toughbooks are meant to be indestructible but they are not shall I say, on the cutting edge of performance. If you expect a gaming machine, I think you will be disappointed.

Most routers are backwards compatible so a G laptop will connect to a N router. Once again without the full model number, we can not tell you if your machine has wireless installed or not.

The search function found this on memory.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/232685-cf-29-ram.html

And here is how to swap the hard drive
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/221725-cf-29-toughbook-hard-drive-swap-tutorial.html

 

I'm sorry, you're not going to find links in this forum to vendors for the parts for your laptop; we're not associated with any vendors, so we're not in the business of directing customers where to buy.

You may occasionally see us post a heads-up for a good deal as a courtesy to other members; we're just trying to help the "family" save a buck on our common obsession.

The Mk3 Will accept up to 1GB of PC2700 DDR RAM (NOT DDR2) for a total of 1.25 or 1.5 GB RAM depending on whether your unit has 256MB or 512MB base RAM soldered to the mainboard. You can buy the above mentioned RAM from any reputable vendor.

Apple-user directions for the RAM upgrade can be found here:

Replacing Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 RAM - iFixit

You cannot upgrade the video or processor in your ToughBook; the full-rugged models are designed for maximum reliability not performance, so EVERYTHING that CAN be soldered in place IS. This includes base RAM, Processor, and Video Chipset. The Intel 855 Video is not going to be your friend for any kind of gaming or video intensive work; it is intended for workhorse machines, not FPS.

You need to either seek out a newer PATA (IDE or ATA-6) interface 2.5" HDD or go here to read up on a hack which allows the use of a SATA drive in older models like yours:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/pan...ic-cf-29-toughbook-thread-44.html#post5868558

The required adapter has been found recently for less than $8.00 in this thread, as long as you're willing to wait for it to arrive from China:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/511778-sata-44-pin-ide-adapter-less-than-8-00-a.html

ALL of the above information was readily found in less than 5 minutes using links in the first page of the CF-29 FAQ or the Forum Search engine. It took me much longer to cut/paste/type this response than it did to find it.

mnementh
The rubber-coated spoons are in that drawer; the Gerber 1st Foods are in the cupboard right above it. Personally, I like the pureed banana spread on toast...

 

"Apple-user directions"?????????????

 

As Apple computers are those computers designed for people who don't want to learn how to use a computer... :wink: I think you can guess what the corresponding instruction set might be like...

mnem
*iPwned since 2007*

 

[Throws on dragon-proof flame suit]

I would suggest that's a very narrow-minded view of the "differences" between Mac's and PC's and their respective users........ it could be argued that owning both is to learn MORE about computers and their use in an attempt to argue/debate more intelligently about the differences and advantages of each rather than to arbitrarily state that one was "superior" to the other.

'nuf said, this ain't the place:SLEEP:

 

Apple-user directions for the RAM upgrade can be found here::laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Too funny

 

Thank you for the HELPFUL parts of your post. I very much appreciate the time and efforts involved in your assistance in this process, which, admittedly, is slightly beyond my skill set technically (thus my desire for direct links to the products required; and direct, straight-forward instructional materials). No thanks for the anxiety I'm now feeling as the result of your desire to hurt me emotionally due to your reprehensible compulsion to demean those who are not as socially skilled as you yourself are. All in all, I'll call it even.

PHAE

 

The SATA conversion isn't as bad as it sounds. If you take apart the caddy and didn't break the IDE pins or wires to the heating elements you qualify as able to perform this mod. Ram didn't make the computer "night and day" but every little bit helps. As for games some of them are decent like Crossfire from Z8 Games and S.W.A.T. 3 for example. No issues but haven't tried the higher end newer games like COD for obvious reasons. If you are going for cutting edge CF-31 is your option if you can afford it.

 

I did NOT say that ALL Apple users were users who didn't want to learn how to use a computer; I NEVER WOULD, any more than I would DARE to say that ALL PC users were competent to use a computer.

I DO, however, know quite a bit about how Consumer Electronics are DESIGNED... my AAS in Electronics Tech & Engineering and my oodles of Computer Certifications and 20+ years of experience in both industries say so.

As such, I feel I have a pretty good bead on the design involved; and based on that experience, I will state categorically that the Apple computer is indeed designed specifically for those who DON'T want to learn how to use a computer, but rather want to learn how to do things that happen to involve using a computer. As long as your interests in a computer fall within the "Closed Ecosystem" (Steve Jobs own term) of the Apple development platform, you will find that nearly anything you wish to do is nearly effortless. And usually expensive.

If, however, you wish to use something that exists in the Apple Microcosm in a different fashion than they've anticipated, or you wish to do something on your Apple that they haven't thought of yet or don't wish to develop, you are pretty much boned unless you can port it yourself from the LINUX community. And then, if you do, and others follow your example, you could very well find yourself being sued by your beloved Apple.

PCs are the opposite; they have built a Monopoly in the marketplace by trying to be everything to everyone. OF COURSE, this is impossible... but they do succeed well enough that they have SOMETHING for nearly EVERYONE; and that success by it's nature means that WHATEVER you want to do with your PC, SOMEONE has probably already thought of it, and tried it, and there's probably a cheap or free version that'll do available for download at your fingertips.

And remember too; they've done all this while running on hardware designed & manufactured by other people, modified by the people who bought it, and installed G0dKnowsWhatAll software on their machine to boot. Or to NOT BOOT, as the case may be.

I wouldn't take that job on for all the money you've got.

I own BOTH; I really don't like EITHER platform very much. As I've said elsewhere - EVERY OS SUCKS. Unfortunately they are an unavoidable evil... at least for now.

mnem
My VCR didn't crash when I turned it on... why does my DVD player?

 

You said it yourself - you aren't willing to do the legwork; you want the information spoon-fed to you. My point was not to demean; in fact, I was working very hard to NOT flame you. I've been here long enough to get quite tired of people who can't be bothered to read even the primary post in those FAQ threads or use the search engine that are there, at the top of the forum, screaming for your attention, intended specifically to answer these basic questions.

As I stated - it took less than 5 minutes to find the answers you seek. Yes I poked a bit of fun at you because of it; no, I'm not going to apologize for it. My jibe was quite tame, and if you can't handle even that much criticism you're in for a lifetime of misery until you develop a bit of a thicker skin.

ffergie is RIGHT ON THE MONEY HERE; we are MORE than happy to help those who are willing to help themselves. We get more than a bit frustrated when people aren't willing to at least read the basics first.

REALLY? I mean... REALLY? Wouldn't you expect to find the answer to this question in the Manual for your Router?
Wireless N, like wireless G before it, is backwards compatible so YES it will work... it will even work with a Wireless B card if that's all you have.

Now if you had asked whether I LIKE the WNR2000, I'd tell you to get the WNR3500 instead; they're pretty cheap at NewEgg, and the Gigabit EtherNet ports on the WNR3500 even make a difference in my page load speeds on the Internet over my old MIMO Netgear with 10/100 EtherNet ports. Of course if you're only connecting via wireless this won't likely matter to you; but even when I was doing so I still found myself needing that hardline connection from time to time.

OK... I'm going to go somewhere and roast some pumpkins to vent all the flaming I'm NOT doing here... :wink:

mnem
Rule#1) Don't be offensive.
Rule#2) Don't be too easily offended.

 

And evidently NOT PC...

mnem <~~~ Politically InCorrectDwagon ~~~<<<
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."

 

For whatever it's worth, these forums are a wealth of information. We have all been flamed at one time or another. I have learned to not take it personally. It's just the direct response that tends to occur when people are not face to face. I communicate all day on a 2 way radio at work. People tend to be much more to the point and unforgiving on that radio than they ever are to me face to face. The anonymity of the internet and radio seems to bring that out in people.
I realized your skill set by your first post (no insult intended). In the direct internet fashion, we are saying that you will NEED to take the time to educate yourself some in the toughbook upgrades and mods.
We can't replace the parts for you. No one here wants to see someone turn their CF 29 into a pile of useless parts because they got in over their head trying to upgrade the thing. I won't tell you where to spend your money. You need to make those decisions yourself.
As far as multi tasking a XP machine, It is the same as any other PC. Find a web site that tells you what services you can disable to improve performance.
I suggest one step at a time. Start with the 1 gig ram upgrade. It is simple and will yield great results for the money invested.

Crucial memory has a configurator that will tell you the exact ram to buy.

Computer memory upgrades for Panasonic Toughbook 29 Series Laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com

Pricegrabber search for HM160HC

HM160HC Hard Drives - Reviews and Prices: PriceGrabber.com


Here again is the link to the simple step by step upgrade procedures.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 Repair Manual - iFixit

 

You don't update ram in a Mac, You craigslist it for $9 below what you paid for it new and buy the next expensive model

 

Interestingly enough I was speaking with my daughter a couple of months ago, she's a Mac by the way, and she had been to the Apple Store in San Francisco looking at the iPad. She sort of liked it but wondered why it seemed so limited in function compared to the CF-18 I had mounted on the dash of last year's stunning rental, a Hummer H3, when we visited on our annual safari. It also occurred to her that dropping an iPad would not be a good idea. So I have been putting a CF-18 together for her, eBook reader and all. Recently she called wondering how I managed to plan out the itinerary for our extensive Fall tours. I went looking for something akin to Streets and Trips for the Mac. Nothing, nada, crap! There is something called "Route Buddy", labeled dreck by every user I could find. This led to an interesting half hour or so cruising through forums discussing how to run S&T on a Mac. Something called "Parallels"($80), virtual machines, hard drive partitions, etc. The interesting sub-thread to all of this(get to the point CAP) is that it seems Apple is intentionally blocking the aftermarket software guys from developing applications for the Mac if they don't comply with Steve Jobs' vision of how things should work. I got the same impression when researching my new phone reading discussions of the Droid Marketplace compared to the Apple Apps Store. It seems Jobs thinks Adobe should do flash his way rather than their way and iPhone apps won't use flash until they comply. Anyway, the daughter will have her "iPad/Kindle/Tablet/GPS/Laptop" by Wednesday and will be able to plan her camping vacation with Streets and Trips, read her eBooks, do her social networking, and find herself should she become lost, and her new toy has not none, but two USB ports should she want to use them.
CAP

 

We said, Mnementh. Guess I took the Mac comment too seriously (tired I guess). I now have had my bottle and teddy and a good night's sleep so I'm ready for a new day of forum surfing.
Take care
BTW, got to go south a few months ago and got to spend a few days in your city...... VERY beautiful!!!!!

 

Funny you say that! Lately I been lugging my toughbook around using the supplied d rings and laptop case strap just to verify my routes cause my iPhone since the 4.0 update has been leading me down alleys and wrong way turns down one ways. I almost wanna just go back to a free contract phone and get a sim activated for the ericcson. Most of my internet usage on my phone is wifi anyways.


Original poster,

I hope your absence is because you are reading the threads mentioned and not that you felt that you've been "ran off".

 

My Droid Incredible has a stunning GPS, non-Verizon (costs money), free from Google, Google Maps Navigation,which I have yet to stump. A wag at work asked if it could find hookers. Spoke "escort services" into the phone and up popped a list, geographically sorted, closest first! If you are in Boston say, and you think you heard about a Van Gogh exhibit in the area, just say Van Gogh into the phone and the name of the museum pops up with driving directions, hours, etc. I'm told the iPhone app costs money and is a paid service.
CAP

 

iPhone has free gps since data was mandatory but the decent turn by turn one was $9.99 a month for the life of the contract and..........you have to have a good AT&T signal for it to work. Take into account every major update makes all (paid and free apps) crash for a month or how ever long it takes to tweak and apple approves. 4.0 was basically 4 flashy features you could have gotten last year if you jail broke your 3g.

 

When I got done laughing at the description, I followed the link. My first question is why they say to pull the battery first- and then proceed to show you how to pull the hard drive! :laugh: Somebody needs to give them Apple directions on how to proof-read their site.

And the pictures are correct for the hard drive.....

 

Well, removing all power sources is kindof a no-brainer. I did wonder at the hard drive removal step; but since I don't own a CF-29, I can't for sure say there isn't some part of the HDD that obfuscates the memory slot in some way. I doubt it, but it is POSSIBLE.

If you think that's bad, look at their instructions for removal of the "sound card"... hint: their "sound card" has 2 ufl connectors on it... :wink:

mnem
Sound OFF...

 

Newegg just put them on sale for $49.95 today.
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint M5 HM160HC 160GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" ATA Internal Notebook Hard Drive -Bare Drive
On checkout enter code EMCZNYN35 and you get the sale price.