CF-72 assistance please

I just bought a CF-72 from an eBay auction. It turns out that the machine has a couple more problems than the seller cared to mention. First...just because it is supposed to be tough doesn't mean it needs to have the holy hell beat out of it! There are a lot of loose things on it. The USB ports and power connector are loose. The monitor hinges and carry handle are loose. Also, the HDD shock mount is missing! The machine works good though. I think I can turn it around.

Can anyone help me find where I can get some of the parts I need? I need to get monitor hinges and possibly a HDD mount. I also need to get some general information so I can add internal WiFi and GPS if possible.

I will appreciate any good help.

Matt

 

Most of us on here bought the CF-28s, so we probably aren't as knowledgeable on those as you'd like.

However, I can get you pointed in one direction... Wifi cards. Crack open the '72, and see if it has a Mini-PCI slot. If so, you can get a wireless card for fairly cheap on eBay. Then you get the option of running internal antennas (Not sure if your case is made of magnesium or not), or an external antenna like many of us have done.

As for GPS... I can't really suggest going through the effort of using an internal Panasonic setup if they offer one for your book. I suppose your best effort will be to do what we're doing, and finding a spot on the motherboard for serial and voltage, and adding a third party GPS module.

 

Fellow CF-72 user here. Mine was also an E-Bay "find" but mine had just been through a factory re-furb (including new battery and 80 gig HD) so I'm not much help with your issues. Mine also has an internal Cisco wireless setup with an external antenna (to the right of the screen) so I would imagine wireless can be added.
I'll do some digging through some of the discs that came with it for more info.

 

Thanks for the input. Since my post I have learned what wireless card I need and the GPS will have to be a project for later. I am really in need of spare parts and documentation for my machine.

I use a CF-29 in my work and have grown fond of the capabilities that the toughbooks have. So....when I needed to get myself a new machine I bought this 72 from a guy on eBay. I knew it was not fully ruggedized like the 29 I am used to but I did not know it is as different as it is. Knowing what I know now I would have held out for a 28 or 29. I may still end up getting rid of it and buying a 28 if I am not able to work things out the way I would like. Having said that, this 72 is good enough for what I need if I can fix some of these problems. We'll see.

Thanks again

Matt

 

What GPS module is common? What is the form factor?

 

http://www.usglobalsat.com/item.asp?itemid=125

That is the module I'm aiming to use. Keep in mind though, that you'll have to figure a way to wire it into your motherboard (ie; find connectors for serial use). Mounting will probably be done via velcro.

 

Thanks... I should have no problem working out an install. Any good hints on finding usable inputs besides the one on the back of the case?

Matt

 

Well, try removing the battery and seeing if any connectors are located under there, and unused. That's where the ones on the 28s are.

If you are willing to use external connectors though, you could probably use a serial antenna, velcro the antenna on the back of the lid, and trim the wire. Would look a little tacky though.

If I had a 72 here, or a tear apart manual, I could probably help you locate something easier. If you find a manual, I'll give it a skim through.

 

Thank you.

 

Manuals and drivers can be found at the Toughbook site, here. As far as mini-pci slots, there are 2, one on each side of the motherboard. The one on the bottom of the motherboard is much harder to get at and is occupied by either your modem or combo (modem/nic) card. To access the top of the motherboard, from the bottom of the unit, remove the memory and battery covers. Remove the 6 screws in the back half of the case (section where the memory cover is) and 2 screws from the edge that ajoins the battery compartment. Just lift the back section off. There is a connector that ties the back section to the front section near the battery compartment, but very little effort should be required to disconnect the two pieces. I'll post some pictures later.

 

quickcat,

You might have already found the manual you need. If not I have the CF 72 manual for model # CF-72Q3GQZPM.

My 72 is 800 with 256 ram and I think 30GB HD

I would be happy to copy it for you and send snail mail. It is a lot of pages. Removing the non english and warrenty pages would make a smaller package.

Chris

 

Thats a standard problem with the 72s, the hinges loosen up very easily, and the dc jack is a pos. as far as adiing gps and wifi, its possible, but not easy. however to fix your hinge problem, the part numbers are dfbh1157ya and dfbh1158ya for touchscreen models, or dfbh1159ya and dfbh1160ya for not touchscreen models.

 

I got a CF-72 too & I fix the hinges after the replacement did not hold.
I pulled them apart, clean the shaft & the hole very carefully with a steel brush to remove any stuck metal, & then used aluminium cleaner/de-oxyder(used to clean aluminium before welding on aluminium), 2 drop of craysy glue in the hole & push the pin in & index to the flat in the hole. then loose the adjustement 1 flat of the nut. So far it's in the thirth month & holding.
About the power jack, I replace 2( CF28 & CF72 very easy) I got them at laptopjacks.com, around 8.00.
hope it help wrench

 

The Toughbook A/C jack is better built than most. I tore apart an old Gateway Solo last night for a neighbor. The Jack was about to fall out of it. Repeated plugging in, pulling out and tugging the Power cord over the years loosened the three prongs that go into the motherboard to be soldered. One of them broke loose making for sporadic contact/charging. After resoldering... I also put a dab of crazy glue on the corner of the jack to make sure it gets extra support.

 

I have a couple of CF-72's PIII and have done some mod's but does anyone know what 256mb SODIMM chip works the best as I've tried several and will only recognize as a 128mb chip I've installed a 512mb module and it will recognize as a 256mb chip that is the only way I can get it to add the 256.