CF-73 MB removal

Anyone remove / change a mb on a 73? Just bought two CF-73's to make one good one. Are there any tricks, tips or tutorials? The mb I'm using is the most recent of the 73 model CF-73YCVTSBM but is a "Federal Only" and has no internal wireless. My 72 had an open mini PCI slot where I installed an atheros wireless. Can the same be done with the 73?

I found this spec sheet http://www.buy.com/prod/federal-onl...12mb-80gb-5400rpm-no/q/loc/101/202016500.html

 

No real tips or tricks. Download the service manual (Google for it, I usually post links but I'm in a hurry- sorry!)

Remember where all your screws go. There's screws on both sides of the motherboard...once they're all out it will come out easy. I cannot stress this enough, it should take ZERO force to remove the MB. If there's a hangup you missed a screw.

Wireless can be installed pretty easy. I did it to mine whe I got it. All you have to do is remove the keyboard and the protective plastic sheet underneath. You'll also need to add the WLAN antennas...I clipped a pair to fit behind the black plastic trim on the top front of the screen cover. I sourced them for free from a broken HP laptop I had.

If you have any questions let me know...

 

I also see the highest Ram is 1.5GB. This link shows a 2GB Ram single stick with the same specs (I think) - will this work?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180365964733

 

No... It will not work.

No offense... But you may want to start with reading the owner's manual which can be found all over the Internet. That wil tell you more about your laptop. Panasonic also has a lot of PDF files that explain all the functions, mins, maxs, accessories, etc.

If it says the max ram is 1.5GB... The max ram is 1.5GB... You have an MK5 model which should take DDR2 RAM. So you will need a 1GB stick of 200-pin DDR2 PC2-5300. The good news is that it is cheap. You should be able to pick it up for $15 or so while the DDR goes for $50...

 

Rick

I have seen inacurate info in the manuals before regarding max size
It might be worth buying a 2gb localy and try it before you buy



Alex

 

My cf 72 manual says max ram is 768. I added a 1 gig stick and now have 1.25. The manual for the 73 I have is mk1 which is why I wanted to know if anyone has tried a 2 gig stick in a mk5. For $20.00 I'll give it a shot.

 

I guess you won't be out the money for the ram if it's not compatable as you can use it later in the cf74,cf19,cf30 mk-1's


Alex

 

I stand by my post...

 

I'd agree with Toughbook on this one; the manual is NOT incorrect on these, it tells you how much RAM the MB and BIOS are designed to address properly. If you can get it to recognize more than it's designed for that's great, but I wouldn't USE it that way until AFTER I ran exhaustive testing - like MemTest86 overnight with all the most rigorous settings - and then a good benchmarking/ burn-in utility. The BIOS determines where memory and virtual memory are assigned; you can get all kinds of weird issues if it tries to write to the wrong address because it doesn't know where to put data because there's more actual RAM than it knows what to do with.

mnem
RAMming speed! All engines ahead full!

 

Okay... Why do you think it is an MK1? You stated in your original post that you were using a CF-73YCVTSBM motherboard. Is this the one you are asking information about?

 

The manual I have specifies the processor at 1.4 ghz which I believe is the a mk1. The mb I'm about to use has a 2.0 ghz processor which I believe is a mk5 and is the board I am asking all the questions.
You guys are much more experienced and have spent a lot more money than myself which is why I come here. I'm thankful for the advice and will continue to seek it as I build my 73.

BTW toughbook - I'll swap state taxes with you anytime.

 

You have a mk-5 with ddr2 memory
And a mk-1 with ddr memory that you are upgrading
Keep us posted after you add 2 gb to it
As it stands right now we have two saying no it will not work
And me saying that it might accept it, as I can't recall anyone posting on their mk-5's
I have a mk2 and mk3 cf-73 only,which take ddr ram up to 1gb modules


Alex

 

It will take me a week or so to complete my project and will post honest results good or bad.

Thanks for the manual, Tomcat.

 

My concern here is that 1.4mhz has different video chip than to 2.0ghz. I don't remember what type it is but its all ATI radeon. Anyway, maybe its compatible.


ohlip