CF-29 fn key issue (I apologize in advance)

Hi Everyone,

I have a cf-29 that I got in a craig's list trade for use in my shop for PDF files. It originally came from a cable company.

Here is some inf:
cf-29l3lgzbm / non touch screen (well it doesn't work if it has it)
rubber backlit key board
windows xp os

I have 2 problems, one is me.. and the other is the FN keys do not work.
I have searched to board, and found many post about this, but this comes back to the first problem.. me. I don't understand a lot of the instructions. Most are geared to someone with computer knowledge. This is where I need someone to walk me through the process. I can follow directions. I also tried a bunch of links for the hot key drivers.. but they seem to no longer work.
anyone willing to give me a hand with this?

Thank you,

Geo

 

Welcome to the Toughbook forum and yours is a non touch. It sounds like you don't have all the drivers installed. Just to be sure are you holding the "Fn" key down when trying the F keys. Sounds like you don't have the Hotkey drivers installed.
Did the 29 come with the restore disk...its a must have if you own a Toughbook. The restore disk is an image of the 29 hard drive when it left the factory. It only takes about 30 minutes to install XP and all the drivers.
Just to let you know but that is one of the better 29's because it can be upgraded to 2GB memory.

 

Here's a link to Panasonic's driver page.

CF29 mk4

 

Annnd it can be upgraded to touchscreen in 30 minutes. Just ask. PM when you can.

Welcome to the soiree.

Jeff

 

Thank you,

I'm going to look into this more when I get home from work. Who can I get the correct recovery disk from? I think someone re installed windows because it was completely clean when I got it.( no cable company info on it) It's a nice machine. Im going to look at the link posted also when I get home.

Thank you for the help.

George

 

I don't see your email address in your profile so send me a message from my ebay auctions "ask the seller a question"
PANASONIC TOUGHBOOK CF-29 USB PORT COVER FREE LAN COVER | eBay

 

Jeff is right!

I had a CF-29E3K model and I put a touch panel on it

That was AGES ago

 

Model Number: CF-29L3LGZBM Mk4
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSRP: $3,526
Description: Intel® Pentium M 778 1.6GHz LV (Centrino®), 13.3" XGA non-Touch Screen, 256MB Base RAM, 60GB HDD, Intel® Centrino® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG 802.11a+b+g WLAN, Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional w/Service Pack 2, No Optical Drive

As you can see, if it has a rubber backlit keyboard it was added after it left the Panasonic factory (not an unusual thing).

This one will:

Panasonic CF-29 Mk4 drivers

I always recommend that a Toughbook "newbie" seek out the genuine Panasonic CF-29 Series Product Recovery CD-ROM Set to return the unit to factory specs.

I do so again here.

 

Topcop1988,

in you last post with the specs it says "no optical drive" does that mean cd/dvd? Mine does have a DVD drive..Added after?

Toughasnails,
Thank you for the info and the link!!

Sadlmkr,
I would love a touch screen!! I will get with you when i get the keys working.

going to the download link to see if i can figure this out, do i download the file to a specific place?

thanks for the help.

Geo



Model Number: CF-29L3LGZBM Mk4
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSRP: $3,526
Description: Intel® Pentium M 778 1.6GHz LV (Centrino®), 13.3" XGA non-Touch Screen, 256MB Base RAM, 60GB HDD, Intel® Centrino® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG 802.11a+b+g WLAN, Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional w/Service Pack 2, No Optical Drive

 

Yes with many older Toughbooks the last owner most likely added the DVD drive

Here is a good search to use...just replace the word test with what you are looking for

Let me teach you to easily search this site! Replace the word "TEST" for your search!​

 

Another nice thing about units like yours with 256MB base memory, is that you can expand the memory to a full 2GB just by adding a 2GB memory stick. Not too expensive either, there are/were some on Ebay (yesterday) for around $22 shipped....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2GB-Memory-...ets-note-CF-W9-Series-DDR2-6400-/170825469561

 

I did add 1g stick when i got it. should I buy a 2g? I do get a low memory alarm from Nortons AV when on firefox. I thought I could only add 1g.

On another note, I down loaded the hotkey driver from the link in one one the last post, downloaded, then is said it was unpacking files (or some thing like that) so i gues it downloaded. Is there something else I need to do? the only key that works is F12 to adjust the key board. I mostly want to get the volume to work. what am i missing.

PS..Does anyone else think the rubber keyboard is hard to use?

 

The "low memory" error message is a function of the Advanced Settings in Windows:

[Start] → Settings → Control Panel → System → Advanced → Performance [Settings] → Advanced → Virtual memory [Change]

The thread about the 2GB memory module in the 256MB Base RAM Mk4 and Mk5 CF-29s is here:

Everyone told me not to do it!

"If all else fails, read the [Installation] Instructions."

It's for protection of the unit in harsh conditions; not for "speed typing."

 

ditto on the keyboard, check techtoughs ide to sata adapter and you can go with bigger hdd that is sata instead of ide. he has a combo caddy and sata adapter combo that is a deal. max ide hdd is 320 and sata is 500-750gb may be even greater with win7 so whatever tickles....Driller

 

topcop1988,

I looked for instructions, but did not see any. The link you posted really did not show anything for the hotkey driver. Unless im missing something.

I do know what I did, did not work. I have to admit... I did not know I had to press the fn key along with the desired fkey.

Thanks,
George

 

OK, George; here's the related installation instructions from the .pdf file from the link posted previously.

Translating the linear instructions to vertical:

Software name - Details
Hotkey Appendix

File name
hkeyapp_29_4_d050640.exe

Ahead developing folder
c:\util2\hkeyapp

Installation procedure
Executing "setup.exe"

Installation procedure - details
xxxx

Related driver etc.
yes

Related driver etc. - details
Hotkey Driver, Hotkey Settings

Notice
xxxx

<+>

Software name - Details
Hotkey Driver

File name
hotkey_29_4_d030475.exe

Ahead developing folder
c:\util2\drivers\hotkey

Installation procedure
Executing [Update driver..] in the device manager

Installation procedure - details
xxxx

Related driver etc.
yes

Related driver etc. - details
Hotkey Settings, Hotkey Appendix

Notice
xxxx

<+>

Software name - Details
Hotkey Settings

File name
hkeyset_29_4_d030477.exe

Ahead developing folder
c:\util2\hkeyset

Installation procedure
Executing "setup.exe"

Installation procedure - details
xxxx

Related driver etc.
yes

Related driver etc. - details
Hotkey Driver, Hotkey Appendix

Notice
xxxx

The "Ahead developing folder" means the folder created on the hard drive upon executing the downloaded file, and "xxxx" means there was no entry in the instruction box.

All of those files are downloaded from the other link previously provided.