CF-30 MK3, Sierra MC7700, and Win10 x64?

So after doing quite a bit of research, (although I still really have no idea what I'm doing here!), I'm looking at possibly popping a Sierra MC7700 card into a WWAN sled and giving it a try with my CF-30 MK3. (For testing purposes, I'll probably start out using one of T-Mobile's cheesy prepaid data passes until I can confirm the setup works). For reference, my system is running Windows 10 Pro x64, and as per another topic I read, this should theoretically work just fine if I can find the correct drivers.

I'm wondering what people's thoughts are on this, and if they have any recommendations or pertinent information they can provide. My reasoning behind doing so is both for my personal use, and because I would like to potentially integrate such a system into a fleet of vehicles with the same model Toughbook so they have constant high-speed internet access. (Right now the fleet uses cheap laptops we intend to replace, with a "MiFi" hotspot providing 4G LTE data access).

As I've also read, this is not directly supported by Panasonic or this particular Toughbook model, but I'm willing to put in the time and money if it is successful. That also being said, I'm not looking to upgrade to newer systems to get around this.

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I've also read that the MC7700 can connect to multiple carriers, but may not support most of the common 4G LTE bands used now. As far as I can tell, this card is also "end of life". Would I be better off using the Sierra MC7354 instead? I have no problem with paying more for a better card, but I haven't seen anyone else actually try this yet with that card.

 

I have used the MC7700 in a CF-31 with the T-Mo "Any Tablet" Plan, and it works fine. Look for my posts on the subject. It will also work with AT&T of course, or any of their resellers, unless you adapted some kind of Mult-SIM card adapter. It will not work with a non-GSM provider like Sprint or Verizon.

 

Awesome! Thank you! I think I saw some of your old posts about that recently. Looking at prices online, I may end up going with the MC7354 instead after all, since that model is still "supported". I'll definitely be looking at the T-Mobile plan you mentioned too if all goes as planned!

 

Sorry, Due to a typo my post should have said:

I have used the MC7700 in a CF-31 with the T-Mo "Any Tablet" Plan, and it works fine. Look for my posts on the subject. It will also work with AT&T of course, or any of their resellers, but only if you adapted some kind of Mult-SIM card adapter. It will not work with a non-GSM provider like Sprint or Verizon

EDIT: Or if there was some kind of roaming agreement in place.

 

Good to know! Thanks!

 

Don't mean to bump this, but as an update I went ahead and snagged the MC7354 instead. (The increased support and number of bands was worth an extra $25 on eBay to me). Just waiting for that, a T-Mobile SIM card pack, and a WWAN sled to arrive so I can start playing with it! According to eBay and T-Mobile, (assuming they don't take their precious little time shipping them out), the mad scientist experiment should begin some time next week.

Azrial, I really appreciate the information. I think you have me sold on that plan. If all works out on a one-week pass and the hardware doesn't give me any problems, I think I'll be going with that one.

 

Another bump for an update! Still waiting on T-Mobile to take their precious little time sending me the SIM card, however good news already! I popped the MC7354 into my system and Windows recognized and installed it before I was even finished booting the system up! I didn't even see a driver installation window or notification come up, and it is recognized properly in Device Manager as a "MC7354" under the network adapters. Almost there!!!

Edit: Just out of curiosity, does anyone know where I could pick up a set of screws for the WWAN sled where it secures to the outside of the CF-30's case, or what size they might be defined under? The ones that were included with the old WWAN slot cover surprisingly don't fit!

 

I got my T-Mobile SIM kit in just a few days. There may be a problem with your order.

 

I finally got it today. USPS managed to lose it TWICE in shipment. Now I'm just struggling to get it activated.

 

The screw size is M2.5. I ended up asking a computer store for spares after I dropped one on the floor. And Murphy's Law says the screw must journey into the abyss of a crack or crevice or under non-movable furniture.

 

You, sir, are a god. Thank you so much!!! I was searching forever trying to find the answer to this!

 

My setup with the MC7700 works great with T-Mobile and Windows 10. Its pretty nice. T-Mobile's coverage leaves a lot to be desired in rural northern USA, but it works great in the big cities like Washington DC and Minneapolis.

 

yeppers ...
about the best overall coverage is "verizon" ... especially in rural minnesnowta .
i took a trip from detroit lakes mn. to kalispell mt. on the train ...
i had coverage (verizon) on my '30 almost the whole of the distance , while my fellow passengers were having plenty of trouble with those "tether devices" .

 

Hate to bump this again, but for the life of me I am losing it here. I've gotten everything so far working to the point where Windows 10 recognizes the MC7354, all drivers are working, I've flashed it with the latest Generic firmware, (which applies to T-Mobile), and I have a T-Mobile data sim card installed. Windows 10 recognizes the SIM card, and upon enabling the cellular connection, I get a web browser window coming up, asking me to go through the whole activation process with T-Mobile. I get all of the way through it until the very end, and then it errors saying "We apologize for the inconvenience, but for some reason we are unable to activate or update your account at this time. Please call T-Mobile Customer Care for assistance". (I've been trying to activate this for almost a year now).

From what I'm reading elsewhere online, others have had success with the MC7354 in other devices, and T-Mobile directly supports it. In fact, Sierra Wireless, (the manufacturer of the MC7354), actually recommends the MC7354 on its T-Mobile partner page. I'm completely at a loss here on what to do. I really don't want to call in to deal with some bumbling customer care person for several hours, arguing about how my Toughbook is a "tablet" so they'll let me activate it. The only thing I can think of is that something with my setup is flagging it and preventing it from being activated online. Anyone have any ideas?

Edit: It is probably also worth noting that the LTE connection is at max level, and Windows 10 sees all of the SIM card's information. The only thing that doesn't appear in the information list is an internal phone number, (which has obviously yet to have been assigned to the device by T-Mobile since it isn't activated yet).

 

hmmmm ...
can you do as i did ...
walk into a t-mobile store , shove the device in the guru's face and say "fix it ... i have been trying for a year ..." .

 

From my personal experiences with mobile phone and computer store "gurus", I've learned that they are usually a bunch of script-following idiots that have no clue what they are doing a majority of the time.

Taking the device in is also not possible at the present moment due to another ongoing issue I'm in the midst of resolving with my CF-30.

 

Where'd you get this MC7354?

 

Have you made sure there aren't multiple programs trying to control the card? I have a Verizon card that was trying to be controlled by both the VZAccess Manager software AND Win10... I had to uncheck the box that said to allow Win10 to control the card.

Just a thought.

 

It was an eBay purchase. (I was very careful to make sure it was legitimate before buying).

I've only been allowing Windows 10 to control it. As far as I'm aware, there is nothing else on my system that is trying to take over the card. It connects just fine to T-Mobile's network to do the activation process, and anything on the t-mobile.com domain loads perfectly, (as they intended). Windows 10 *should* be the only one trying to use it. I don't have any third-party software running.

 

Maybe Azrial from Hotlanta will chime in a share how he got his activated...