CF-29c question

So I acquired a few (30+) cf29c (mk1) and some cf 29e (mk2) and cf 39l (mk4) toughbooks, all with backlit keyboard and touchscreen LCD. Its the MK1 I am having a few issues with, U got all the drivers installed. There are nor explanation marks in the system profile. The wireless signal has excellent strength but the laptop won't connect, even if I put in the IP and Submask and pass word in manually.I have looked if I have any issues with the wireless card, but it's there , the wires are nicely plugged in. I think it's a software issue that is causing this, but not sure. Again the mk2 and mk4 have no problem connecting at all. Any advice?

 

More information please.
Full model numbers?
OS being used?
Model of wireless card?

Have you swapped the HDD caddy to a different unit (same model and mk)? Same problem with other laptop or not?

 

full model number is CF-29CTKGZKMBKB
windows XP sp3 i tried sp2 first with the same result.
Intel(r) pro/wireless lan 2100 3b mini pic adaptor (as per device manager)

Yes I've swapped the HDD (new windows installation and drivers installed) between several of the CF29 same result.
it shows the network and signals strength , but won't connect

 

Try downloading Intel driver package from Intel website.

 

I'll try that. Like I said Im almost certain it's a software issue. If the network card would not work it wouldn't show a wifi signal and it would be only one or maybe two of the laptops, not all of them

 

Same result

 

Did you install the wireless switch utility?

 

Model Number: CF-29CTKGZKM
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSRP:$4,488
Description: Pentium M 1.2GHz (Centrino), 13.3" Transmissive touch screen, 40GB HDD, 256 MB RAM, 56K/LAN, FDD, Intel PRO Wireless LAN, WIN XP

Is wireless enabled in BIOS?

2100 series cards are buggy at best. You could have multiple failed cards.

 

yes

 

I'm guessing it is the cards in the Mk1's, I'm over my head here but I think it involves the type of wifi encryption used today vs when they were made. SP3 usually solves it but I'm guessing those cards are 801b at best. Larry, calling Larry!

 

zzzzzzzz ... huh ? ... what ...?
methinks you are eliminating one possibility ...
have you tried no encryption ?
that said , i have gotten some pretty old wireless cards (different comps) to work on newer systems .
process of elimination .

i am wondering about swapping cards around ...
shawn ?

 

I have win xp sp3, I'm starting to think it's the card. And that it can sense the wifi, but can't connect. As something must be different . The mk2 and 4 don't have this issue. I bought the same card as in a mk2 lets see if that fixes it

 

The 2100's are really awful cards.

Let's jump to plan B
Pull the bottoms off the mk1 and one of the working mk2's. Swap the wifi card from the working mk2 to the mk1.

CF29 mk1 used a 2100..Mk2,mk3 used a 2200 mk4 and mk5 used a 2915

 

I'm starting to wonder about that , too. I've bought a mk2 card and try that one

 

This card has worked in older Toughbooks (34, 28, 29):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300900680403?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
It's not quite an internal card, but gets the job done.

 

I still have several of those cards rolling around, they actually work very well.