CF-29 stock GPS: No connector in the slot?

I've searched the forum for this issue, and have so far come up blank. Please help me shed some light on this matter!

I have a CF-29LAQNZBM (Mk4) with nothing in the integrated option slot. I've recently harvested what appears to be a complete stock GPS sled from a CF-29E (Mk2), and I would like to add this to my 29L. One problem - There is clearly no place for the sled's internal connector to connect to anything inside the laptop!

The sled-slot I refer to is situated just below the left palmrest surface, above the battery compartment.

When inserted, the sled just flops around because it's not anchored on the inside. Also, checking the inside of the slot itself with a flashlight clearly shows that there's really nothing in there to receive the connector-end of the sled.

The sled has very few visible markings, and has white tape covering most of the PCB, but on the PCB just above the connector I mentioned, it says: DFUP1301ZB(1).

I don't remember the rest of the 29E donor unit's model number, but I can say for certain that when I looked it up on the Toughbook Configurator, it was indicated that this donor unit has GPS, but no WWAN.

Also, the unit came from the original purchaser, a large organization that would not have tried to make any do-it-yourself modifications.

Any ideas what's wrong here? I can post a picture of the sled, if that would be helpful.

 

You need the additional docking and FPC cable that comes with wireless ready toughbooks. You should be able to get it from the donor CF-29E it is a flat ribbon cable some bracketry and a small PCB that mates with the sled.

 

Here is a thread that has some information on transfering the sled brackets

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/268431-cf-29-hspda-module.html






Alex

 

Thanks for your help, folks!

I've looked in the service manuals available, and it seems they are for non-"wireless ready" models, because they never mention the WWAN sled or the internal kit they attach to.

When I open the donor unit (I don't have it with me currently), will all of the parts be obvious?

Also, how do they connect to the mainboard? I'm looking at my 29L right now, with the bottom cover removed, and I don't see any unpopulated sockets for ribbon cables or similar internal connections.

 

There is a "L" shaped connector that goes over, under the middle and then under the hard drive protector that then plugs into the connector. If you harvested the GPS from the other model... Perhaps you already have the parts? You just need to swap over the sled rails and connector... About a 20 minute job!

And yes... It will be obvious.

 

Victory! I did as you've all suggested, and sure enough, "GPS" shows up in the BIOS on my 29L, just as it did on the 29E.

I harvested the wireless-ready kit from the 29E... much easier than I had feared!

I have yet to test the actual functionality of the GPS, but it's a good start. Once I replace my 29L's thermal pads, I'll be able to try the GPS in Windows.

At any rate - problem solved. Thank you all for your assistance!