CF-31 MK1: MSATA-SSD? / Gobi 2000 under Win10? / Optional Mic and Cam? / Upgrades, w. is possible?

Hello.

Is it possible to use a second fast harddisk as primary disk/partition?

It seems, 2.5" "SSHD" only exist with max. 1TB.
I would prefer 4TB, or at least 3TB. For upload perhaps dozens of hours of 100Mbit-Videos from memory card.

* A small SSD card in CF-31 MK1 is possible/impossible? M.2/MSATA?
* Or two hard disks (two-disk/one-SATA-Controller, like in these NAS-boxes?) in this big case with anti-shock foam padding?
Then, I would buy a small fast SSD, and a large HDD.
* Or a Cardbus or ExpressCard SSD (or big HDD?)?
But I need also USB3. And for USB3 I need to use the ExpressCard slot (or PCMCIA?)?
I need also a CF-Reader. PCMCIA would be handy, but I can also use an external card reader (via USB2) if the PCMCIA could be better utilized. For an SSD PCMICA is probably too slow (?). Only 132MB / s?


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Can I use "Gobi 2000" device under Windows 10?
3G, but especially the GPS.
If absolutely impossible, there is widespread favorable used available mobile card with GPS?

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Is there a built in microphone in the CF-31 MK1?
If not, upgrade?

Is there an optional webcam? DIY installation?
"Mods" for microphone and camera?

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Upgrades, what is generally possible?
Of course 8GB RAM (actually 4GB).



Thanks...

 

Get dedicated gps card. They are cheap and much better.
2nd drive..where? In media bay?
Ask Panasonic why no microphone--Most CF31 original buyers request NO microphone and no camera for SECURITY..
With correct gobi 2000 and correct win10 drivers--sure.
Forget expresscard//pcmcia usb adapters--Low power and they ALL overheat.
Webcam was an option. VERY rare.
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Keep it simple.SSD in hard drive caddy to boot and run OS.
DVD --SATA hard drive adapter setep in media bay with large spinning storage drive.
PCMCIA to CF reader.
32gb=32.gb usable
for 64bit OS get 6gb or more.

 

GPS-"Card"? ExpressCard? PCMCIA?

I own an old magnetic GPS mouse.
But I want an internal solution if possible.
GPS is not "essential for survival". Simply useful to have it.
But with external cables and antennas, I do not want to handle.


"Correct" Drivers? It seems, Win10 drivers does not exist.
I need "Tricks"... Or other 3g/4g-Card with GPS.

And how do I connect USB3-only devices?
For example, Kinect (only USB3). The Kinect comes with its own power supply.

Webcam option was built into one of the black covers on top of it?
Where the antennas are.
Under the right cover are two sealed holes.

 

original panasonic gps add on card.
mounts inside the cf31
Do a search on ebay for cf 31 gps....

buy a cf31 mk3 that has usb 3
expresscard//pcmcia usb 3 cards overheat even when nothing is plugged in.

 

GPS without 3G/UMTS/4G/LTE?

CF-31 MK1 has only 2 slots, or?
1 slot for Wifi/WiMax, 1 slot for 3G/GPS?
Thats all?

"MK3"? This is a "new" MK1 for ~$350.
What does an MK3 cost?
Much more?


PCMCIA USB3 "overheat"?
PCMCIA USB3 does not exist (PCMCIA is not fast enough)...

 

internal gps module...not wwan, not lte, not 3g.
real dedicated gps.
It listens to satellites and tells you where to go......

Yes mk3 cost more. But how much to replace motherboard when it shorts and melts from those junk and dangerous usb 3 expresscards?
PCMCIA//expresscard to usb adapters are all junk. The are a poor design and overheat. The expresscard//pcmcia slot DOES NOT provide enough AMPERAGE to operate a usb port. They overheat all the time. Even when not in use.


http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/ake-usb-pcmcia.549127/
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/expresscard-54-with-two-esata-ports.712387/
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf-52-usb-3-0-expresscard.794385/

 

OK, dedicated GPS.
But "where I go" says the smartphone. GPS in Notebook is usefull, but not very urgent.

Then I have to install the following:
* Dedicated GPS (is there space for this huge board in the photo?)
* 3G or 4G
* WIFI

3 slots?

And if possible, a webcam. Two holes are on the upper right.


USB3 Express Cards does not provide enough AMPERAGE to operate a UNUSED usb port?

 

Buy a newer WWAN card from a Toughbook for 3g or 4g
I suggest a Sierra 7700 series. Going price used is $80.00

WIFI comes factory

Factory OEM original webcam for a CF31 WILL cost several hundred dollars...

for the third time......
Expresscard USB3 cards OVERHEAT WHEN NOT IN USE....YES..I have tested several cards..Yes other people report the same thing..Read the linked threads.

expresscard slot 500ma at best---usb3 2000ma---SEE the problem? ADD poorly designed cards with no heat dissipation and they all overheat and burn up.

Try the search function on the board...I am done trying to help someone who will not listen.

 

by "unused" , it means that when the adapter is just sitting in the slot and not actually transferring data , the amount of current drawn (not to be confused with voltage) is quite substantial .
(most all of those adapters have active circuitry on them)
this amount will vary from one adapter design to another but always , it will a very substantial part of the nominal 500 mA (design standard of regular usb ports) .
remember , this is with the adapter "idling" ... just like your car idling while in neutral in your garage .
when you actually start using the device , the current draw and thus , the power dissipation goes up , more heat is generated and cannot escape easily .

the amount of cooling capability of those slots is actually pretty bad ... not hardly and convection or conduction to get rid of the heat generated on/by the adapter .
think of it as having your car idling in neutral , in a garage and then put cardboard over the radiator ...
yeppers , it will overheat .

one of the best fixes for having/putting a gps in a '31 is an aftermarket *ublox* based device .
it fits in the upper left corner of the lid and has four thin wires that go back down into the main body of the '31 and hooks into a "usb comm 3" port .
i am quite pleased with the results ... it is hard to beat this well engineered solution .
it will flat-out run circles around the gobi series and other gps devices .

 

------------------------
Well, the stock CF-31 gps is a u-blox NEO-M8N so it probably can't be too bad.

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yep ... pretty much as pictured .
the ublox devices are worth the money ... and they are not all that expensive .

yes , one can find cheap gps devices/cards but the performance and value are just not there .
i am speaking of the "older" boards and certain brands/makes that are available .
and it is a rapidly changing/improving market ...
my samsung S5 smart phone will "receive" more birds at lower signal strengths and get good data from them than the older gobi and *multi function* boards .
i also have a stack of dead or virtually useless cards/boards ... these are (relatively) older and have become noisy (signal wise) or the "calibration" has changed badly .
this leads to something else to be weary or aware of when purchasing used devices ; someone is getting rid of them for a reason .
it is either because a machine was parted out , it is "new-old-stock" or it is of dubious quality .

and some of the sellers of used devices seem to think that just because it is an "original" part that it commands a high price .
-- they are not selling the original chrome plated headlights for a '34 ford --

 

"WIFI comes factory"?
Is this a changeable card, or not?

Can I install a faster WLAN card?
A measurement yielded only about 2.5MB/s DL and 0.25MB/s UL.
I used Speed.io.
The internet connection has ~ 16MB/s DL and 0.75MB/s UL.

In the near future I want to connect fast to a Wifi NAS.
Single HDDs currently have up to 125MB/s, 1Gbit.

And with Overhead better something more.
Are there very fast Wifi cards I can install?
If necessary, I can install one or more additional antennas.



"AndysBlog" says a DeLock 34mm USB3 card will not get hot. No crashes ("CSL" get hot and crashes with bluescreen).
It seems that not overheating cards exist.

Yes and no. A Kinect does not need the USB-power.
And I will not use a external hard drive.

This is not a matter of "listening", but of the necessities.
And if I need USB3, then I need USB3 (for Kinect).
A more expensive Toughbook is out of the question.
Or what is the used price for a fully ruggedized Toughbook (or similar from other manufacturer) with USB3?
I've paid $ 350 including postage for a CF-31 MK1.




@ CWB32

"UBLOX"? A special devive?
Google images shows big devices.
Do not fit under the cover of the antenna top left or right above the screen.


"usb comm 3" port"?
I can not find results with google.
Is this a unused USB2-Port on the mainboard?



@Shellback

The stock gps is "Gobi 2000" on the 3g card... or not?!?

 

\

"UBLOX"? A special devive?
Google images shows big devices.
Do not fit under the cover of the antenna top left or right above the screen.


@Shellback

The stock gps is "Gobi 2000" on the 3g card... or not?!?[/QUOTE]

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I should have said "Factory GPS". That which is pictured in Post #6.

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later mks are ublox..earlier are leadtek

 

i have a '30 and a '31 ...
i originally installed a ublox device under the pregnant bump upper right corner of the lid ... the old antenna is removed .
the '31 and the device modification came from shawn ... he can explain what was done , but indeed , the antenna and device fit under the upper right corner .

ublox made some fairly small gps boards/modules .
they were impressive for their size and ran circles around the *factory* gobi and leadtek devices .