CF-VKBL02 + 03 backlit keyboards that fit into CF 29 - looks good on paper

I bought one of these and disassembled it. It had the backlit chicklit keyboard in it. Same part number as the one for the cf 29. Some of these came with the standard style keyboard, but it is backlit. Sort of a gamble as to which you would get, but they are all backlit as far as I know.
They also made a CF-VKBL02 and I think there is a CF-VKBL03( brain is foggy, haven't slept well lately). One of those numbers is the rubber keyboard.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

nice find, but sadly he will not ship to foreign countries :-(

 

The CF-VKBL02 and CF-VKBL03 are backlit chiclet.

Also, none of these have the icons on the F keys or the red F11 key.

Glen

 

deere245: so all I would have to do is tear this down and the keyboard will swap directly into my CF-29? No mods needed?
Thanks

 

Great post deere245

It has been thought that the keyboard might be interchangeable , but none have tried, mostly as the prices for the keyboard were quite high

The link to this thread is now added to the first page of the CF-29 FAQ thread

Appropriately named

CHEAP BACKLITE KEYBOARD MOD



Alex

 

a little info on it
http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/pdf/PDRC-3-10 final.pdf

Permanent Display Removable Computer.​

In your world, high visibility is critical to your success. A Permanent Display Removable Computer for mobile workers, the PDRC combines the reliability of a vehicle-mounted display and full-size keyboard system with the flexibility of a notebook PC that you can carry anywhere. The backlit​

keyboard and ToughScreen™ display ensure optimum readability, day or night

 

Not sure how cheap you can get it but he took my best offer of $16.00 automatically so how cheap do you go He still has 44 left but the last time I said that I lost out.....guy selling CF-30 batteries for under $40.00, had 50 of them and 10 minutes later he sold out , one guy bought them all so you never know.

 

Yeah I basicly don't go on ebay unless I have money to bid/buy now.

 

That's what I did. It even had the same part number as the cf 29 keyboard.
Like I said though, These are not all the chicklit style. Some look like a standard keyboard, but are backlit. That type was only officially used in the remote keyboard. Notice his photo.

 

I just bought two @ $15.00/ea.; "automatically".

So, like the Limbo: "How low can you go?"

 

I just bought two @ $15.00/ea.; "automatically".

So, like the Limbo: "How low can you go?"

He just accepted $14 each with two plus shipping $41

 

Panasonic Toughbook CF-VKBL03 Backlit Keyboard - eBay (item 230531461708 end time Oct-27-10 12:52:45 PDT)

Chicklet style

 

2 for $10 ea. $33 w/S&H.

Glen

 

deer245

Great post I just picked one up as well! Now all i need is a cheap way to fix the broken touchscrene on this cf29

 

I just bought one at my offer of 10.00

 

I like this seller
Usually as demand increases , the seller increases his price
That has been the general rule in the past
Btw a google search for CF-VKBL01 shows this thread as #1








Alex

 

Alex, Actually, some have tried, just kept the info quiet. Now that the cat is out of the bag, as it were, all should be careful! I have seen these listed with actual pictures of the units for sale and the keyboards were NOT backlit leading me to suspect that they had been changed out by a less than honest seller. The swap works both ways.
CAP

 

If you want one you better not wait, he only has 13 left. He sold 31 since last night.

 

I bought several of these, and surprised to see one (1) did have the icons on the Fn keys.

ETA: However ALL of the 4 I got were CF-28 style chicklet with green backlight, not the CF-29 style chicklet with white backlight. Believe the latter are properly designated CF-VKBL-03, the CF-28 types are -01, and the rubber non-chicklet are -02. But have seen these kinds mixed more than once ...

 

I am not sure on the model number for my PDRC keyboard ,it's most likely an 02 but it has the backlite rubber keyboard

Note There are several ebay sellers for the keyboards


Picture uploaded is the most desirable keyboard
It looks identical to the over $250 upgrade keyboard on my new cf-30

The -03 comes with the N2ABZJ000071 keyboard and may-not have the icons

 

Would it be safe to say that this Forum and its members has boosted his sales?

 

I am shocked to hear that. He had another batch when I got my keyboard. I was waiting to make sure it would fit before I was going to post about them. A day or so after I paid for mine, someone bought 40 at once from him.

I must say it's kinda fun to watch the feeding frenzy. Reminds me of the carp at the Linesville spillway


Not my vid
YouTube - The Linesville (Pa.) Spillway, feeding the carp

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2204

 

We had an Ebay deals thread here which was discontinued a couple of years ago

The ebay sellers found the thread through google searches and started bumping up their prices

Forum lurkers took advantage of the deals as well,and before our contributers here could buy an item at the great price the item was already snatched up

We closed it and moved the thread to a private area on Robs forum

Anyone is welcome to join the Toughbook talk forum
~Toughbook Talk~ Toughbook Discussion • Index page

It is safer posting deals there as its not as busy as NBR and members that have a obtained a high level of contributions are generally moved to the private area where the really good deals are posted





Alex

 

Yes, the whole Ebay deal thing does concern me. I do realize the troll problem, but I thought it important to share. This was such a great deal. I had forgot about posting in Rob's forum. I will post there next time if I remember.( I think I am senile, but I can't remember if I am)
I also realized Rob was trying to sell keyboards and didn't want to step on his toes so to speak.

 

Both myself and Rob sell new keyboards

There are members that will want a brand new keyboard , with that new car smell , so I am not worried on sales lol

The mod , makes it easy for many people to do an upgrade cheaply
And there are lots here that like cheap



Alex

 

So will the VKLB01 have the inverter inside, or is this the LED backlit one that doesn't need it ?

And more importantly, it will fit my CF-28, right?

mnem
*Keybled*

 

there is a listing for the VKBL03 as well, guy had 40 or more but wants 50 bucks OBO. So Dwagon, you the guy that bought 40 at one time of the VKBL01's? Must be all those claws you have, tough on the book, keys if you please..................Driller

 

i posted the link to it. he took my offer of $30

 

*Puts on best Bart Simpson face*

I didn't dooit, ma-a-an!

I'm thinking of getting one for my 28; I've been looking for the inverter board for mine for ages and just haven't been able to find it in my price range. If this has it, Yey! If not, it should be the LED one so I don't NEED the inverter. I THINK.

mnem
*Calling his lifeline*

 

I think this answers your question. There was not a Texas shaped board inside.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/231235-will-cf-29-keyboard-fit-into-cf-28-a.html

If that doesn't give you an answer, then try the old method..

Beat it to fit..
Weld it to stay.
and
Paint it to match.

Glow in the Dark

 

Here we go again, as Azrail said, deju'vu all over again! just made offer on 4 VKBL03's for 25 each plus S&H and he took'em. Once again, HOW LOW IS IT GO this time? .....................Driller

 

I have a CF-VKBL02 with the backlit chiclet keyboard. Maybe the rubber keyboards were optional. Or maybe the mix is due to replacing defective keyboards.

Glen

 

I bought a set from the crazychit guy that came with keyboard monitor cables power supply(vehicle I believe 12V) and a routing box that looks like it was like a port replicator. the KB was model CF-VKBL03M 200mA 5V and is what looks like the led lights , even has the boxed in F11 key, the F12 looks like key brightness level icon on it. keys are white but haven hooked up a power supply to it yet. was going to get around to it to try and set up for a work station setup but haven't undertaken the task yet.........Driller

 

I disassembled the VKBL03 ,it is stuck with double sided tape,numbers on the bottom of keyboard are N2ABZJ000071 133603-001 B BLA2-US4246 the main board on other side is DL3UPB365AAB, not including the mouse pad parts, anybody got any ideas what this means? I'll attempt to get pictures,later, but don't hold your breath............Driller

 

That is what I reported as the part number for the -03
It's close to what the cf-29 and cf-30 use

Does your keyboard have icons on the F keys?




Alex

 

sorry TomCat57, I just went back and re-read further up the post on your mentioning that KB number, same as the one I had. It has icon only on f 12 brightness and f 11 boxed in key, not red. there aren't any other icons on the function keys, now we know the same part number can have all the icons like yours and just a couple like mine. when I get the other 4 of the 03 vintage and the 6 of the 01 vintage in I can see if there are any differences in these. mine eyes have not seen the coming of as many keyboards as yours have, thanks for being gentle...........Driller

 

I don't have an -03

The part number I posted for the keyboard was from my service manual for the keyboard

Thats why I asked , the only keyboard I have that has the icons is on the cf-30 mk-2 from the factory

All my other upgraded backlite keyboards omit the icons




Alex

 

the only id in my service manual showed N2ABZJ000033 for KB, there are no other listings for different keyboards. I must have a more generic manual for the cf-29. I guess YOURS IS BIGGER than mine here. send me a copy, we may both learn here.............Driller

 

@ Driller


Email sent with all 3 keyboard manuals

Now you are as smart as I am

Let me know guys if you want this info




Alex

 

I don't think so, but I will pick one of the great brains on this forum if you will allow me too as there are many on this amazing website. let's keep foreign relations with our northern neighbors at an optimum as they are new owners of RBC where I know many canucks and deal with them on a business level as well as some campbell soup folks up your way and fire equipment certification and testing folks up your way, the world is smaller than you may think, thanks............The Driller Knows

 

does anybody happen to have any pics on how the ribbon cables for the 29's keyboard are supposed to be folded/orientated. I just got the keyboard for my 29 and the way the ribbon cable sits just cant be correct. I think I have the keyboard ribbons plugged in correctly but NO backlight Is there a way to turn on/off and the backlight as well?

 

See CF-29 Emissive Keyboard install

 

Fold the keyboard power cable under
It will not work in the normal orientation



Alex

 

topcop
yeah ive seen that thread I tryied the fn &12 key and it still does not light up I dont know if it is me or the KB. all the other keys work properly justb no backlite.. I was hoping for a pic or two close p of how the cables are supposed to fold. My ribbon cables just dont sit well. In addition the third ribbon cable for the light has black contacts not gold.
As far as the backlite connector goes i understand that the contacts should face up as I insert the ribbon cable into the connector? I assume that there are no drivers needed and no other hardware needed?

 

fwiw the part number on the bottom of the keyboard that I have is esu64tb304bb. Still no luck I have tryied the third ribbon cable both ways and it dosent work Not sure if there is a way of testing this KB outside of the cf29.

 

If you have a source of 5vdc give it a try
If you have 3 connecters its a backlite, care to take a pic?
The worst case is its the cf-28 type that requires the higher ac voltage


By the way your keyboard is original the part # I list for the CF-VKBL01 is esu64tb304bb , so it has not been changed





Alex

 

a illustrated guide would be cool

 

tomcat
Where you list the part#'s and my keyboard is origional, wouldnt we be able to tell by the part # alone weather or not it is the type that fit the cf28's needing the higher voltage? Is there any way of examining the keyboard to determine this?

 

@ radiogeek97

I don't have that style of keyboard handy to check
There are a few members here that a familiar with the cf-28 backlite keyboard
I don't know the part # for the cf-28 keyboard ,sorry

I use an old ac adapter that outputs 5vdc to check, some routers have that voltage
You can do no harm to the keyboard by inputing 5vdc and you might have to reverse the polarity to test


Update- Read this thread , the part # on the high voltage keyboard is
esu64tb304aa ,so I think you have the wrong model
http://forum.notebookreview.com/tou...58661-cf-28-emissive-keyboard-pcb-sensor.html

Alex

 

The original poster posted a link to the Ebay auction and in the picture it is showing the keyboard that only works on the CF-28. So if your keyboard looks like the one in the picture it will not work on the CF-29. You can tell by looking at the third ribbon cable. If there are three conductors then you have the keyboard that is for the CF-28. If you have only two gold conductors then it is for the CF-29. You can also tell on the CF-29 keyboard there is a plastic frame that surrounds all the keys. And the F11 key has a ridge around it.