CF-31, Gobi and the vastness of the universe

Approximately a year ago I was offered a second hand CF-30 and CF-29 for $300 USD combined. I wiped off a layer of dust and grease on the CF-30, bought a replacement stylus for $5, replaced the spinner with a 500Gb SSD, upgraded the memory to 4Gb, installed Windows 8, closed my eyes and prayed.

Surprisingly windows 8 turned out to be running like a champ on the relic, and unexpectedly my oldish Toughbook ended up as my main work machine. I travel a lot, and this was the first machine that would not shed any pieces if mistreated in security. It also attracts fearful looks from Ipad users in any meeting I go to.

After a year I decided to put some more money into an upgrade, I picked up a CF-31 mark 2 off Ebay with the Gobi 2000 and GPS. I upgraded it to 8Gb RAM (Which I believe is the maximum for a CF31-JBGxxx). It came without the OS installed, so I fitted a 1TB SSD, and performed a clean Windows 8.1 install. Yesterday I was able to almost whip it into shape.

1. The native windows 8 install was successful, and everything with the below exceptions worked out of the box.
2. The chipset INF driver from Panasonic appeared not to work, so I pulled the correct driver off from Intel. This seemed to work fine, and the AHCI controller and USB controllers are now presented as Intel C200 controllers. (But admittedly the default Windows drivers worked fine.)
3. The Panasonic wireless wan driver gave me no joy. I tried the Lenovo win7 driver as well as a sierra fujitsu driver for the Gobi 2000, but no dice, the system is not picking up the Gobi. The good news is that it is at least recognized as a device by the system, I am just enable to get the proper driver.
4. The same issue applies to the GPS, which is now seemingly presented as an unknown serial port. (I have applied the Panasonic GPS registry update).
5. Has anyone here been able to successfully run a Gobi 2000 under Windows 8?

-T

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook forum
We have a few members that have the CF-31 but not sure about windows 8. I know they are running W7. Someone should be able to help you out later on.

 

What is the full model number? CF-31xxxxxx?

Links to peruse.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/569787-gobi-device-not-found-my-cf-31-a.html

Panasonic Mobile Computer Wireless Carrier Software

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/562689-cf-52-wwan-retrofit.html#post7289044

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/655935-cf-19-gobi-operation.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/706207-cf-30-wwan-gobi-2000-a.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/705998-gps-gobi-2000-wwan-card-cf-w8.html

 

"It also attracts fearful looks from Ipad users in any meeting I go to."

i like this !
:laugh:

 

Thank you for the links!
The full model number is CF-31JBGEA1M.

Kind regards,
-T

 

Here is what your CF-31 had when it left the factory...very nice and loaded with almost every thing.

Model Number : CF-31JBGEA1M
Status : DISCONTINUED
MSRP : $5,389


Description: Win7, Intel Core i5-2520M 2.50GHz, vPro, 13.1" XGA Touch, 320GB(7200rpm), 4GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, TPM, Bluetooth, Dual Pass (Upper:WWAN/Lower:Selectable), Gobi, GPS, Emissive Backlit Keyboard, No Drive, Toughbook Preferred

 

Thanks. That sounds exactly right. So I have full confidence that the Gobi card is original. The onus now on me to take advantage of it!

Hopefully I will be able to load a driver that makes the WAN manager able to communicate with the card.

-T

 

You could go here Panasonic Toughbook Computer Support Downloads . Click on individual drivers but in Model Version select CF-31[S/U](mk3 Std./Perf.) . In Operating System select Windows 8 Upgrade and click search. This will give you 2 choices

Windows 8 Upgrade Support Module for CF-31[S/U](mk3 Std./Perf.) Series
(For clean installing Windows 8)

Windows 8 Upgrade Support Module for CF-31[S/U](mk3 Std./Perf.) Series

Your CF-31 MK2 does not have any W8 drivers BUT the next model up does (CF-31 MK3) and you might find some that works. This is how many of us got W7 working on our CF-30's...trying other models drivers.

 

Thanks, good call.
Unfortunately I think they only have the Ericsson WWAN drivers, but I will see what happens.

-T

 

Here maybe?? http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/computer-support-wireless.asp


Multi-Carrier Software
CSA for Gobi-1000 and Gobi-2000 for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless Support
The new CSA 2.0 includes the most recent versions of carrier connection managers for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless*. This version supports Gobi-1000 and Gobi-2000 for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon on Windows XP and Windows Vista. Please note, that Sprint and Verizon connection managers also support Win 7. ACM (AT&T Communications Manager) supports Win7 on Gobi-2000 only. Upon availability, AT&T will provide an updated ACM with Gobi 1000 support on Win 7 in the near future.

*Carrier Selection Application v2.00.1100.01.0193 includes AT&T Connection Manager v7.02.0110.0, Sprint SmartView v2.28.0088.0 and Verizon VZAccess Manager v7.2.9.1(2470a).
Register and download the CSA Install Pack for Gobi™ and Gobi2000™

Gobi-3000 Software for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless Support
The Sierra Wireless Watcher connection manager and Driver for the Sierra Wireless MC8355 module supports AT&T, Sprint and Verizon 3G network connectivity. This software is for all 3G ready Toughbook computers including Toughbook models CF-19, CF-31, CF-53, CF-H2, CF-C1 and CF-C2.
Sierra_Aircard_Watcher_v3728_Win_XP_7.zip [zip, 24mb, for Windows XP/7] ATT_MC8355_Driver_v3717_Win_XP_7_8.zip [zip, 66mb, for Windows XP/7/8]
Gobi-5000 Software for AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Support
The Sierra Wireless Watcher connection manager and Driver for the Sierra Wireless MC7355 and EM7355 modules supports AT&T, Sprint and Verizon 3G, 4G network connectivity for Toughbook computers with Windows 7 and Windows 8 including Toughbook models CF-19, CF-31, CF-53 and CF-C2.
Sierra_Aircard_Watcher_b3974_Win_7_8.zip [22mb, for Windows 7, 8].
Note: For Sprint with Windows 8 OS, please download Sprint Connect application from Microsoft Store.
MC7355_SWIDriverSetup_Build4093_Win7_MR_VZW-ATT-GEN3G_pinstall.zip [377mb, for Win 7]
MC7355_SWIDriverSetup_Build4093_Win8_MR_VZW-ATT-GEN3G_pinstall.zip [375mb, for Win 8, 8.1]
WirelessHelperServiceApp.zip [1.8mb]
EM_MC7355 custom APN support document for Verizon Wireless
This document describes steps for Verizon Wireless customers (only) to follow, who are assigned non-standard APN (Access Point Name) to connect to Verizon Wireless network. The steps described must be followed in order for connectivity to occur on both Verizon Wireless LTE and EvDo networks.
EM_MC7355-Verizon-Wireless-Custom-APN-Support-Configuration-for-Windows-7-and-8.pdf [123k, for Windows 7, 8]
EM_MC7355 support document for Sprint
This document describes steps for Sprint customers (only) to follow in order to connect to Sprint’s network. The steps described must be followed in order for connectivity to occur on both Sprint’s LTE and EvDo networks.
EM_MC7355(Gobi5000)SetupInstructionsForSprint.pdf [zip, 160k]

 

I think their FTP site is broken. I've been trying to download this humongous 260MB package for the last two days, but I then lost faith that it does actually contain the drivers. Just tried again using wget in linux, and the reported download speed is zero. Not sure what gives.

 

It looks like Panasonic was blocking me from the FTP server because I am outside the US. I was able to download through a VPN tunnel.

And I was wrong... Somewhere in this package was a driver that appears to recognize the Gobi. I'm a reboot away from finding out if it works....

Exciting.

 

Nope. Was eventually able to install the AT&T connection manager, but it is stuck "in initializing", which might not be so strange considering that I am not on a AT&T network.

The important part is that I can query the Gobi modem, so one could imagine that the hurdle between operating system and the Gobi is overcome.

Now I need the correct WAN manager to talk to the card. Perhaps I need to update the firmware or change parameters, since I am not on a US network.

Amazing how simple this is on a mobile phone, and how complicated this is on a PC. The phone you can use all over the world, just plug in a SIM and update the AP. On the PC it requires drivers, software, firmware updates, etc,
etc.


ATI
Manufacturer: Qualcomm Incorporated
Model: Qualcomm Gobi 2000
Revision: D1055-STUTDSVD-3574 1 [Apr 12 2009 21:00:00]
SVN: 02
ESN: 0x80A33434
+GCAP: +CIS707-A, CIS-856, CIS-856-A, CIS707,+MS, +ES, +DS, +FCL

OK

 

Finally got the AT&T image loaded. We shall see....
----
Manufacturer: Qualcomm Incorporated
Model: Qualcomm Gobi 2000
Revision: D1025-STUTABFD-3604 1 [Jan 14 2011 15:00:00]
SVN: 02
IMEI: 012048001651921
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS

 

Nope. I suspect I need to load another image, the ATT image does not play nice with anything but ATT. I have found a generic UMTS image, but so far I have been unable to get this image to take.

 

Sending this message from my Gobi. Finally operational.

- The modem driver needs to be installed from the CSA software.
- The the modem must be flashed to UMTS. I tried Vodafone and ended up switching back to AT&T. (This applies to those of you outside of CDMA-land)
- I found out that the AT&T WWAN management software was not working, in addition to being dated and uggly.
- The Sony Vaio "One Click Internet" driver is able to work with the Gobi in the Panasonic. It has more functionality than the AT&T manager, and can also upgrade firmware to about 6-7 different carriers. ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/Or...ric_ENU_1.x_32bit_64bit_E_1.0_1.0.0.1_ENU.zip

I will now investigate how much of the 250MB Panasonic driver orgy I can remove while staying connected. I suspect I only need the 38MB Gobi2k package.

-T

 

Still on my todo list:

1. Get all hotkeys working properly.

The unknown device "takes" the hotkey driver, and successfully associates with the Windows 8 driver recommended for the mk3. However, the sleep and hibernate buttons do not work. (Can stil perform this from the shutdown menu)

Interestingly, windows 8 ran flawless on my old CF-30 mk1 (including hotkeys). I thought that the Win8 install on the (much) newer hardware was going to be piece of cake, but apparently not so.

2. Get the GPS driver loaded. Still have an unknown PCI serial port, need to install the proper driver to read the serial port.

3. Get finer backlight/brightness control of the screen.
Brightness is one of the hotkeys that does work (native windows capability), but the steps are very large. At the minimum level the screen goes completely black, and at the next keypress level up it is too bright. The only way to get reasonable indoor brightness is to use the mouse to pull the button a half step. Alternativly one can type FN+F8 to activate concealed mode, the screen is then perfect for night reading. I have the Microsoft provided Intel driver for the gfx adapter. In the past I have had best stability using native drivers. The Panasonic provided driver is significantly older, so I don't want to downgrade unless I am positive that it does solve the problem,

Other ambitions include upgrading to a Gobi 4000 for LTE. I am also considering changing the RF port from a double to a single so that I can mate it with my existing docking stations. (don't really need the double port).

 

a quick look at the official toughbook site.. cf31 mk3 has win8 upgrade drivers.....that's where i would start now..use 7zip to uncompress the drivers manually..then install...

sorry for lower case...other hand is full of lunch..

 

Yes, thank you. This is actually what I have been doing, picking up W8 drivers for the Mk3 when the native windows drivers are insufficient. I will make another attempt to reinstall the hotkey drivers. I think I need to get the GPS driver from somewhere else.

 

More learning:
I have had incidents of losing the sound. It basically means that the mute setting in Windows gets out of sync with the internal setting. Very strange.
The hotkey appendix (hkeyapp.exe) is required in order to prevent this from happening.

In the process of chasing down the problem I also installed the (rather old) Panasonic Realtek soundcard driver, which I regret in hindsight as the native Win8 drivers appeared to work fine. I did however disable the realtek RAVCpl64.exe on startup, as it appears to be meaningless fluff.

 

Further learning: The hkeyapp.exe can prevent the sound from being permanently muted. However, it tends to "fight" the brightness adjustment, resetting the adjustment if Fn+F1/F2 is used to perform the adjustment. (Using the mouse still works).

By terminating (or not starting) the hkeyapp.exe process the brightness adjustment returns to normal, however Fn+F7 (suspend), F9 (battery status) and F10 (hibernate) lose their functionality. Note that all of these functions can be performed elsewhere.

Fn+F1/F2 (backlight brightness), F3 (video output), F4/F5/F6 (mute&volume), F8 (concealed mode) and F12 (LED keyboard backlight) are still fully functional.