CF28 - 3COM Combo Card - Bad JuJu

Well, my initial attempt at installing a 3COM Combo card into my "Project Book" (CF-28PCJGZPM) failed miserably.



I know others here are using this very same card... according to more knowledgable folks than I here who have reported success... Yet, I know the card also works fine in another machine!

When the card is installed the machine won't initialize, the screen remains dark, and nothing much happens other than the dvd drive seems to seek but that's about it... (also checked with an external monitor in case there was something stupid happening with video)

I tried with the cables to the 3com combo card disconnected as well.

If I remove the card, the system is fine again.

If I re-install the original mini-pci card set (modem and ethernet) everything is also fine.

I am not so concerned at this point because everything is functional with the original cards, but it's mystifying.

I know this mini-pci card works in an IBM T20 (the donor machine, which has
a motherboard problem but works for random periods with intermittent hangs)
I tested this card last Saturday (ethernet) when I was making a final backup before I rendered it into pieces.

I also noted that the 3COM card is annoyingly tall, the cushion on the machine's chassis gets in the way, and in my opinion the card does not seat correctly (at a slight angle).

Using a pair of hemostats, I gently pulled the cushion up so that the 3COM card would seat better but that didn't solve my issue.



I haven't done any research yet, so I don't know if other vendor's combo cards are shorter, I suspect some of you ran into this issue and removed the cushion entirely.

I'd prefer to leave the engineer's design intact and use a shorter card if possible.

Can anyone suggest a suitable combo card that isn't as tall?

I would like to keep the modem and the ethernet, yet free up one slot for higher power wifi card with an external connector as well as an internal antenna.

My other annoyance is with the length of the ethernet cable, it's way too short, while the modem cable is ridiculously long.

 

From what I've googled, I believe there was also a Xircom combo card at one time. Haven't ever seen one though, so I'm not sure if it's any smaller than the 3Com.

If you're at your wits end with your 3Com card, I can send you one just like it that I've tested in my CF28.. That'll eliminate any question as to whether or not the card is compatible with a toughbook!

 

It sounds like RickH had a similar problem with a combo card in the 'Installing 408 GPS...' thread, but I'm not sure.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=225178

Possibly a combination of BIOS settings, PCI slot used, and position of the planets?

 

I did have same problem.
I had to perform surgery on the CAT 5 connector (micro soldering) and extend it and placed the combo card on the inboard mini slot. Just would not work in the outboard slot.
Maybe a setting in bios is causing this but my work around was to extend the cat 5's 4 wires. Very dainty operation that requires either 100/100 vision or magnifier and a super tiny soldering iron tip and a steady hand.
Try placing the combo card in the inboard MINI PCI slot and see if the computer boots.
Rick H...

 

T -

Did you remove the "cushion pillow" completely? This is not a cushioning device, but rather EM shielding; it is conductive to chassis ground. This means that if any live portion of your board is contacting it, it will short that circuit to ground. That was the first thing I did when I installed the 3Com card in my machine; no troubles whatever with it.

EDIT - I misremembered the function of that conductive pad; it's purpose is to provide additional grounding to the Hard Drive cage; it is NOT essential, as once installed the HD has ground plane provided by contact with the chassis, bottom cover & locking tabs. (Ive verified this with a good meter) Remove the pad. Try again.

mnem
*A short circuit does NOT involve pants*

 

The combo card will also not fit completely in the inboard slot. It is a little tall but it works. You might have to hold the HD down while engaging the locks. No big deal and works fine. But then as I mentioned, the OEM NIC connector cable wont reach the inboard slot with out extending it.
Make sure you have some non conductive cover over the cards before installing the HD. Use what was there.
Rick H...

 

Does anyone have info on the card side connectors for the LAN and modem cables for these cards? I hopefully will be getting of the cards in a day or two, and wonder if it would be feasible to try to make my own card toRJ45 cable.
I haven't seen any of the cables for sale, though I guess HeartlandSI may have the parts for sale.

I guess I'll be getting in touch with them soon.

 

The combo card must be installed near the RJ11/Rj45 not on the otherside or inboard side.


Mnemen.... is correct you have to take out the cushion pillow It is a conductive materials. By taking it out you have enough space to insert the NIC and modem plug to the card.

 

Yup... Outboard... Not inboard.... Lose the pad... I used to save them... But then I remembered... I don't need them... And I threw them all in the trash! that's where they go now... No pitstops.... They do not pass GO nor collect $200... Just straight to the trash.

<Notice the trend?>

 

3Com doesn't like conductive spam? It doesn't like them, Sam I am?

mnem
Gone, blooey, deeble...

 

Being conductive is not an issue if the combo card itself is wrapped in plastic as the 3COMs are... however the pad has nothing to do with the issue as far as I can tell.

Oh well, I have had a horrible day at work and I'm going to go stick my head into an ice bucket now.

 

Answer to my own question:
Searched on eBay for RJ45 RJ11 connector asssembly, RJ45 RJ11 NIC assembly, etc. and came up with some hits.

 

Is this what you are lookin for?

 

What I mainly am trying to track down is the RJ45 jack/cable assembly. I've ordered several combo cards, and have a few cf28' with only modem/RJ11 jacks. I'd like to switch in the combo cards to those and see about adding the jack to the existing side piece as you pictured.

 

Term... Do you want me to send you another combo card? It may be that you just have a flaky card. I have run into 2 of them out of the 50 or so that I have used.

Rick

 

T, I have an order of these I hope is coming soon. I've had issues with trying to get other cards to be recognized after switching in and out. I'll let you know how that goes.