CF-52 Toughbook, CF-52MLBBNPE 3G help

Hi,
I am new to the forum and I would appreciate yours or anybodies help with the following.

I use a Panasonic Toughbook CF-52mk3 high, ( purchased in 2010) Model #: CF-52MLBBNPE, now upgraded with Windows 10 Pro.
I specifically ordered a 3G Toughbook Unit so it came with a Qualcomm Gobi2000 WWAN Card inside, with windows XP and windows 7 (32bit). Later in 2012 I upgraded to Windows 7 (64bit).

The Problem
In 2013 it was sent back to Panasonic for servicing and I was told that the motherboard was replaced with a new one under warranty. I noticed then that the Gobi WWAN was not supported in the BIOS, and the Enabled/Disabled option did not appear there as it originally was. I thought it's maybe because a driver was not installed). I couldn’t find a driver, so it still remains on the Wireless WAN PCB with the antenna wires connected.
I tried endless times to activate the slot of the Gobi device but I believe this is a written programe that is “programmed” into the BIOS, so if it’s not there it won’t be seeing anywhere.

My Question
Could it be that the BIOS need upgrading? the BIOS Value is “Legacy” V3.00L14.
Could it be that the technician that serviced the Toughbook in 2013 did not install the correct BIOS for a 3G Toughbook?
As mentioned above I specifically ordered a 3G Toughbook CF-52 mk3 high, and I expected the system to work as it was intended. I read many posts and noticed that members are experiencing the same problem. Can someone help with me this problem and offer advice as to how I can Up-grade the BIOS to see the WWAN card. Also are there any known Mobile Embedded Data Cards that will be compatible and work with the CF-52mk3 and Windows 10 Pro.
Your help will be appreciated, Patric J.

 

All moved for you . Just below the Toughbook forum Buy and Sell you should see...POST NEW THREAD

 

Do power pull reset (see search) to de-confuse mobo. Suggested by the "experts" any time you change a card.

Look at second (Main) page of bios.....Optional Kit Configuration....password "toughkit"....change ff to 4. (SAVE)

See if any of this works.

Post again here to find somebody else to tell you how to set up the card. (not my expertise)


Jeff

 

"In 2013 it was sent back to Panasonic for servicing and I was told that the motherboard was replaced ..."
just out of curiosity ... did you attempt to contact the "authorized panasonic service center" that you shipped your unit to ?
perhaps you tried to contact panasonic "customer relations" ?
to my notion , if your machine was returned to you in a condition that was "less" or not configured the same (basically) , then the service tech(s) did not do their job .
i was warranty repair for a couple of big electronic outfits and covered a fair sized area ... what you describe is not an acceptable practice .
if i were to have done a similar or equivalent thing , i would have been summarily fired and the shop would have lost their authorization status .
there are some shoddy and/or disreputable servicers out there (pick a trade) the only way to weed them out is to report them .
(i seen my fair share of equipment that they had their fat fingers into)

 

spgobi2

 

Many thanks for replying, I will give it a try.
Patric

 

Hi,
Yes I did contact their center in Wales and filled the form so the courier came to collect it.
I somehow didn't bother much at that time about the WWAN mobile communication, and didn't pay much attention in the BIOS set up.
To be fair the toughbook works very well and after the new installation of Windows 10 Pro last May it's even better, I thought; what's the point of the Gobi card being there if it's not connecting, so I searched more, read more threads, and noticed that it's not visible in the BIOS.
I'm determined to make it work now.
I contacted Panasonic last week and sent email with images of the card and BIOS and wait for their reply...............hoping they will come with something concrete.

 

Hi Jeff, I only see "Main Configuration" in (Main) no options there. What do you mean by 'Power Pull Reset', (sorry I don't understand)

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf-52-wwan-retrofit.562689/

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...dip-switch-installation.798005/#post-10382686

 

Sorry, wrong decade. I was thinking CF-53.

Pull power and battery and cycle on switch a few times.

 

Thanks for your help Sheepman, I will do it this eve. I need to get it opened and find the CMOS to disconnect it.(I have a detailed manual on PDF). Ah, I am almost convinced that the BIOS on this Book needs flashing with the correct version to show the WWAN in it, but first I'll start with a battery and power Pull-out.

 

Read my linked posts
you need spgobi2

 

Hi Shawn,
Many thanks for your response and reply.
I managed to find and downloaded a folder of "spgobi2" with all relevant drivers inside. BUT, very disappointing.
I read the PDF file carefully before I start with the instructions ahead.

The file AUTO EXEC is incompatible with 64-bit Windows 10Pro and is asking for a 64-bit compatible version of "spgobi2". On each one of the files "spwwanid" and "WWANEXE" etc. I clicked on, the prompt is asking for "a compatible version for your PC, check with the software publisher". any chance for a 64-bit please?.........any links?

Finally I am thinking of updating the BIOS and ME Firmware from Panasonic "BIOS and EC Downloads" their current version Firmware for the CF-52mk3 is 6.2.61.3535 (mine is 6.0.30.1203 screen shots enclosed)

Please look at the Modem PCB, this looks to me like switches schematics, but there are no switches on this PCB (I mean physical sliding ones to be seeing) what does it mean?
Please let me know what you think of BIOS update, any help, info, links, will be much appreciated. Sincerely, Patric.

 

I have only ever seen the one spgobi file.
Find a live usb of win7.
Later models deleted switches..no worries..

 

Okay, I currently use a Vodafone dongle with the CF-52 for Mobile Broadband, but I like to see the Gobi working. Just for reference, Could you open all the S.Shots?

 

Could you open all the S.Shots?

No idea what you mean.

 

i think he was referencing the "screen shots" of your bios pages with a gobi installed (or something like that) .

 

I dont have a gobi installed. I dont use them. I just know how to get the hardware running.

 

yeah ... i know what you mean .
there is a world of difference between the aftermarket cards and the gobi stuff .
the gobi cards were *ok* for the time frame they were released in but they have been superseded by better cards (other than sony) .
i would be hard pressed to even consider using a gobi card when for 20 bucks or so , one can get a much better card on greasebay .
the rub is making sure what you buy will indeed be compatible .
isn't there a partial list somewhere in this forum ?