CF-52H WiFi cards

I have 2x CF-52HCMDZAM Toughbooks with BIOS V2.50L16, embedded controller V2.00L11 running Windows 7 and am trying to source a replacement WiFi card for one.

The card that works correctly in the first Toughbook is the Intel WiFi Link 5100 512BG_MMW. I have not been able to find this card anywhere online, including ebay, Amazon and Craigslist. I ordered several similar cards (512AN_MMW, 3945ABG & various flavors of the Intel 5100 card) but all refuse to start in Device Manager. I tried the pin 20 trick, still no luck. I read the other threads on here about the CF-52 but don't have a solution.
One post mentioned the N5HZC0000038 card, which seems to be an umbrella part number for any amount of different cards from Intel.

Where can I find a functioning WiFi card for this unit?

 

from me

Odds are that the cards you bought came from a Lenovo or Hp.They will never work in anything but those 2 brands.

 

SKU Number: CF-52HCMDZAM
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSRP: $1,999

Description: No Wireless, WinXP (Vista COA), Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz, 15.4" WXGA, 160GB, 1GB, Multi-drive, No WLAN, No Bluetooth, Smartcard

 

Now that I have had some rest, I had a couple thoughts.

The CF 52H did not come with a wifi card. Someone put those in and they are not exactly correct. The cards I have are the proper card and they came from a Toughbook. The proper card has the "A" band also.
The card does need to be the Intel 5100 series to work in the CF52. Other series/brand cards will not work.


Now for the big question, Did you check the wireless switch located under the handle and make sure it is "ON". I have bumped them in the past and did not realize it.

This is a good thread to read.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/replacing-adding-wifi-for-cf-52.650600/

 

Thanks for the info, I read that forum already and found it useful. I am 100% sure that the Wifi switch is on. I have spent weeks playing with that switch, the software utility and trying to get various cards to work. I have at least 3 of the 512AN_MMW and several other cards and can't get any of them to work, with or without PIN 20 taped off. Most are detected in Device Manager, but none will start. One is branded Lenovo, another card is Dell (3945ABG), the rest are unbranded.



Only the 512BG_MMW currently works, and it works in both machines. If your Toughbook A card will work due to firmware differences, I would like to buy one please.

 

Thanks for the extra info.
Just making sure.
The Lenovo cards and the 3945 cards will never work.
We don't know what the other one really is.
Let me test one more thing tonight when I get home.

 

I changed the wlan card out in my 52-GUN to one Shawn suggested awhile back, believe it is an Ubiquity SR 71xxx, I can’t look till Monday but increased my range when using McDonalds WiFi in parking lot.


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I forgot about this card. It is discontinued. It was an expensive card.

Ubiquiti SR71-E 400mw Hi-Power
Extended Range and 300Mbps Wireless Speeds
The SR71-E is the perfect upgrade to super-charge any laptop or embedded system with long-range 11n MIMO wireless performance.
• Chipset: Atheros AR9280
• Radio Operation: IEEE 802.11a/n, 5GHz, 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz
• Interface: PCI Express
• Antenna Ports: Dual u.fl connectors
• Temperature Range:-20C to +70C
• Indoor Range (Antenna Dependent): Up to 300m
• Outdoor Range (Antenna Dependent): over 50km
• Operating System Support: Windows Vista, XP, 2000

 

Well I just did a search for one and only found one company selling them $75.00 shipped
https://www.ispsupplies.com/Ubiquiti-SR71E

 

14 in stock $58 plus shipping.
It's a great product.
Makes me wonder where the old card is...

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Yes but they also wanted $17.00 shipping too which is way to high

 

512AN_MMW is the proper card and is what I have. Its what came from the factory in the wifi equipped versions.

This card out of a Toughbook solved the OP's problem