CF30 Internal USB

Group,

My apologies if this has already been discussed, but I'm looking for an internal USB connection inside the CF30. I have searched but only saw mentions that there is an USB connection internal, but no information other then the presence of the internal USB connection.

I want to put an SDR dongle inside the CF30, routing the antenna up to the top of the monitor and terminating it with a standard SMA connector on the top of the monitor, opposite of the GPS receiver.

I have no intentions of using the WWAN cellular connection, and my CF30 did not come with the sled, or the receptacle for the sled. I know there is an USB in there somewhere, just don't know where, or how feasible it would be to intercept that USB connection.

I'm fairly sure I have a decent location for mounting the SDR Dongle inside the chassis, just need a USB connection/5v+.

The SDR Dongle I am using does not turn on, unless software turns it on, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I DO have/want:
GPS
Bluetooth
Wifi

I do not have, nor do I want:
Fingerprint reader
Smartcard Reader
WWAN cellular

My CF30 is a CF30-GTJZZAM, though prior to me getting it, someone previously added Wifi. I have purchased parts from BobJohnson to add in Bluetooth and GPS.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Knight.

 

Here is the easy solution

http://www.custom-toughbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68&products_id=201

 

Perfect!

That looks like exactly what I was hoping for, just didn't think anyone had made!

Thank you!

 

No problem.
Happy to help

 

you could try one of the ublox gps solutions ... all "built in" .
slicker than fresh rendered lard on a doorknob .

@Shawn : do you have the link to that fellow that makes those kits ?

 

This guy from Norway makes them. I linked it above.
http://www.custom-toughbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68&products_id=201

Do you mean TechTuff with the GPS kit?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GPS-Kit...rks-UBlox-6-/381661469689?hash=item58dccbdbf9

Larry,
I am guessing by SDR he means Software Defined Radio Receiver USB Stick.
If that is the case, Techtuff won't help because it does not have the usb port.

 

ok ...
missed the sdr dongle .
yep ... it will not work in that case .

 

That is correct, I'm looking to install a Software Defined Radio USB Stick inside the CF30.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

I'm pretty sure the link from custom-toughbooks is exactly what I'm looking for.

Knight.

 

Ordered, and Arrived. I installed it, in a fairly temporary fashion, (wrapped it in kapton tape and left it hanging loose), however, no matter what I do, I can't seem to get it to be registered by Windows 7 x64 Pro. The SDR works fine when plugged into any other USB Port on the TB.

I have already attempted to use a different, lower powered dongle on the WWAN USB, no difference.
Attempted to install a WWAN Sled, configed it in the BIOS to be enabled, and then the wireless switch utility set it to on. Power down, installed breakout board, and powered up. BIOS options are gone, and wireless switch setting inside Windows is now lacking WWAN control settings, and breakoutboard doesn't work.

The breakout board is getting +5VDC at the proper USB pins on the breakout board.

Is there something simple I'm missing here?



Thanks!
Knight.

 

Contact the seller. Super nice guy. I am sure he can help you out.

Do other devices work in the new port? Simple memory stick?

 

The one I had inside of my CF-30 worked fine, I only used the usb port for Bluetooth though. It showed up as it was suppose to.

 

I have tried a wireless mouse dongle, thumb drive, and memory card reader. Nothing works.

I'll attempt to contact maker.

Thanks!
Knight.

 

Try to ground the gps in line to activate the usb port or look on bios under serial if gps is active/enable eventhough without the presence of gps module.

ohlip

 

@ohlip

This CF30 has OEM GPS, and OEM Bluetooth, both enabled, and working properly.

Knight.

 

The people at Custom-Toughbooks suggested a BIOS reset. I have done that, and no change.

Also, just for a check, I booted into a live version of Linux, and used a wireless mouse dongle to test. The wireless mouse worked fine on both the native USB ports, as well as a PCMCIA <-> USB adapter.

At this point I'm thinking somehow the USB connection on the WWAN sled is disabled somehow by the ToughBook itself, not by Windows or Linux.


Knight.

 

I'm curious to see two things.

In Linux terminal do

Code:

lsusb

....and please post it. Should be less than ten lines. Cut and paste from terminal if possible. Like this...if folks are paying attention they will see this is at least a CF-31MK2. (the USB 3.0)
sev@se1-CF-30 ~ $ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 004: ID 8087:07da Intel Corp.
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 0430:0532 Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 1199:9041 Sierra Wireless, Inc.
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 003: ID abcd:1234 Unknown (This is a unmarked 4G thumb drive)
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

The other one is

Code:

dmesg | grep input

That will be a bit longer.

Thanks

 

Sure.

Here is the lsusb when the wireless mouse dongle is plugged into the USB port next to the power port.

Code:

root@kali:~# lsusb
Bus 006 Device 004: ID 0424:2503 Standard Microsystems Corp. USB 2.0 Hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 044e:3001 Alps Electric Co., Ltd UGTZ4 Bluetooth
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 0430:0530 Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 0951:1665 Kingston Technology Digital DataTraveler SE9 64GB
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 045e:00e1 Microsoft Corp. Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 Reciever
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

Here it is with the same wireless mouse dongle removed, and plugged into the internal WWAN USB Breakoutboard.

Code:

root@kali:~# lsusb
Bus 006 Device 004: ID 0424:2503 Standard Microsystems Corp. USB 2.0 Hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 044e:3001 Alps Electric Co., Ltd UGTZ4 Bluetooth
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 0430:0530 Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 0951:1665 Kingston Technology Digital DataTraveler SE9 64GB
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

And here is the results from display message: *Note, Wireless mouse was plugged in during boot into the USB port next to the power port. When booting while plugged into USB Breakoutboard, no status messages regarding wireless mouse are present.

Code:

root@kali:~# dmesg | grep input
[    1.781924] input: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard as /devices/platform/i8042/serio0/input/input0
[    2.726740] input: Fujitsu Component USB Touch Panel as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb3/3-2/3-2:1.0/0003:0430:0530.0001/input/input9
[    2.727096] hid-generic 0003:0430:0530.0001: input,hidraw0: USB HID v1.00 Device [Fujitsu Component USB Touch Panel] on usb-0000:00:1d.0-2/input0
[    3.466797] input: PS/2 BYD TouchPad as /devices/platform/i8042/serio4/input/input8
[   11.720721] input: Lid Switch as /devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXSYBUS:00/PNP0C0D:00/input/input10
[   11.751448] input: Power Button as /devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXSYBUS:00/PNP0C0C:00/input/input11
[   11.751729] input: Power Button as /devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXPWRBN:00/input/input12
[   12.006762] input: Panasonic Laptop Support as /devices/virtual/input/input13
[   12.884375] input: Video Bus as /devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXSYBUS:00/PNP0A08:00/LNXVIDEO:00/input/input14
[   12.885055] snd_hda_codec_analog hdaudioC0D0:    inputs:
[   12.955282] input: HDA Digital PCBeep as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/sound/card0/input15
[   12.956141] input: HDA Intel Mic as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/sound/card0/input16
[   12.956207] input: HDA Intel Headphone as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/sound/card0/input17
[   13.639771] input: PC Speaker as /devices/platform/pcspkr/input/input18
[   15.662630] input: Microsoft Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse\xffffffc2\xffffffae 1.00 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1e.0/0000:0e:00.0/0000:0f:00.0/usb8/8-2/8-2:1.0/0003:045E:00E1.0002/input/input19
[   15.665757] hid-generic 0003:045E:00E1.0002: input,hidraw1: USB HID v1.11 Mouse [Microsoft Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse\xffffffc2\xffffffae 1.00] on usb-0000:0f:00.0-2/input0

 

Here is a simple idea.
Is the flat cable going to the new board inserted fully and the proper direction?

 

hmmm ...
let me get this straight (in order to avoid error - ha !) ... and something to try in the process of elimination .
you say that nothing works on the usb port you want to use ?
have you tried using a dmm to check for the presence of +5VDC and/to ground ?
... the correct "pins" will be defined in the schematic ... these are not to be confused with the data +/- lines .

i was working on the innards of a '52 dabbling with an infernal usb connector ... everything was working ok and then suddenly , things were not working ...
yeppers ... popped a fuse that is about half as big as a small grain of rice .

 

Breakout board, cabling, or fuse.

Like Teo said the ground on the GPS IN would light up the GPS in bios.....but since you already have that.....hmmmm? It probably grounds through the break out board....where are you getting your 5v again? It wouldn't be on the same "circuit" as the GPS? Sorry, thinking out loud. Disregard.

One interesting thing about the sled....I used a connection on the pcb in the sled one time to power a GPS (OEM type). It surprised me and worked in a CF-29 also...but whined that power was low....then worked anyway. Plug and play with the right cable. (The little one in the sled)

You need one of my MK1 (CF-30) to play with. They're OEM GPS/Verizon WWAN (sled). Do you want to borrow one to experiment on?

I hesitated to say but I'm older than I was yesterday so I don't get embarrassed...I set a cable in place one time in a hard drive one hole to the left. Lucky it didn't let the smoke out.

Good luck.

Jeff

 

Older than yesterday. How does that compare with older than dirt?

One thing to remember.
CF 29 had GPS on the sled
CF30 had GPS under keyboard.
On a CF30 the GPS should not come in to play with this breakout board. The sled connection was WWAN only.

If the CF30 was not WWAN ready, does he need to do a BIOS flash or one of those update files?

 

The one I had mine on was my first CF-30.(dead touch, non-gps/wwan model) The gps was the only mod I did to it.

I sold that one but kept the gps, I can try it into a Mk2 that has factory gps/wwan to see if it works if needed. That way I can see if it works with/with out the aftermarket gps hooked up to the board.

 

It was my birthday,........I also said thinking out loud and disregard. ........

Said sled was on a non-OEM GPS , it's around here somewhere.

Do we have another white cable (FFC) to try?

 

"Older than yesterday. How does that compare with older than dirt?"

so , how's that crs coming along ?

 

First, I apologize for my delay in responding, I was in the hospital for a few days with a bleeding ulcer (btw kids, don't get old, it sucks), and appreciate all the help I've had so far.

Before I get into the replies of this post, I'd like to add that during the talks with the manufacturer of the breakout board, here is his most recent reply:

I tried this suggestion, and removed the GPS board from under the keyboard, even removed the blue tooth board just for simplicity.

I then reset the bios to defaults, and booted into Windows 7 Pro.

Still no go, USB on the breakout board still isn't functional, but IS providing power (5VDC) at the proper pins.

I went back into BIOS, and the GPS does have options (IE, Enabled, Disable or Auto). I booted into Windows 7 with all three options, none of which allowed the USB breakout board to work.

I would suspect, if I am getting power at the USB breakout board, on the USB port on the proper pins, that yes, the flat cable is installed correctly.

Correct, nothing works. IE, the USB port does not work. It does however provide 5VDC on the proper pins, as stated in post number 9. Not trying to flame though, I find the simplest things are what turns out to be the issue, so going over simple things is perfectly fine with me.

To further confirm that the flat cable is installed correctly, and to confirm all traces on the breakout board were working, I placed a DMM probe onto the data pin of the USB port, then I dragged my other probe across the motherboard connector for the flat cable, around the middle (didn't count) it beeped. I moved to the next data pin on the USB connector and repeated, again, around the middle it beeped, with little to no resistance.

 

Where is this BIOS update file? The only update file I saw was the one needed to go from Win Vista to Win 7, and vice-versa.

Knight.

 

Where is the file indeed....Getting old has other challenges too.

It has been quite a while since I worked on a 30. Maybe I can search the board to jog my memory.

 

Been searching..I can not find the specific thread I want.
But,
Look for a WWAN option in your BIOS. Make sure it is enabled.

I know spgobi2 was one of the BIOS updates for WWAN, but I don't think that is the one for the CF 30.

 

"(btw kids, don't get old, it sucks)"
too (**^%#$&*%*$#%%'in late !


i am beginning to think that the port is hammered or it is *locked out* in the bios .
that , and $2.50 will get you a cup of coffee in a choke-n-puke .
(yes , i remember when it was 10 cents)

when it says "government" , i raise the skeptical eyebrow .
the others here have more experience than myself ...
man , this might just turn into a small can o' worms .

 

Yeah... I have a Mk3 motherboard (this one is a mk2) that I can swap out, but geez, that's a ton of work.

I can add that, when I did install a WWAN card, it seemed to recognize it.. I couldn't get the software to ever bloody install, but at least Windows recognized that there was a card there, and tried to get software for it. Played lots of games with trying to get WWAN then gave up.

This issue, I'm 95% sure is software based, and not hardware. BIOS or something as best I can tell. I don't think it's hardware, and I don't think it's Windows, since Linux doesn't see it either.

Guess I need to try to power up that Mk3 motherboard in some temporary fashion just to see if the break out board works in it, that'll take a bit of time though so any other suggestions, let me know.


Knight.

 

Try to reverse the data pin on USB port.

ohlip

 

k, so I pulled out a really badly beaten up CF30 mk3, and tried the breakout board. It functions on the mk3 with the same SSD harddrive from the mk2. So, Windows software is correct, USB Breakout board is correct.

Shawn was kind enough to send me the newest BIOS for the CF30-mk2 and, even though it was the same version I reflashed the bios anyway, just to make sure, no change.

Why it won't work on the Mk2 is beyond me. Probably something related to the fact that it wasn't a WWAN ready model. I don't know. At this point I have gave up.

I'll probably just look for a new mk3 at some point and use that for my dedicated amateur radio stuff.

Now... if you really want to hear something odd... I figured just for giggles I'd throw in the WWAN card/sled/cable that came with the beaten to hell mk3 I have, into the mk2. Works fine.

Thank you everyone for your help!

Knight.

 

shawn ,
my first thread in these forums was trying to get the gps , wwan , and some other stuff working on my first CF (a '30) ...
that was quite a process but i bet it contains some pertinent information .

yeah , it is a fair amount of work (swapping a MB) but it might be faster than what might wind up being kicking a dead horse .

and strange things have happened ...
in reference to data pins ... dig out the 'scope and see if the square waves really are .

 

Larry, Here is that first thread of yours.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf-30-woes.761089/

I was sure the problem was the fact the OP's is a non wwan ready model. We have seen that before. I was sure there is some flash to mod the BIOS. Maybe I am thinking of a early 31.

I find it really odd that his mk2 sees the wwan card but not the breakout board. That's a BIOS issue of some kind. Panasonic BIOS's are "challenging"

 

yep ... and as i recall , mine was originally an XP machine that had been upgraded to vistaless , that someone tried to load W7 onto .
sooo ... the first thing needed was a bios flash .
but i am pretty certain that i left it as a vistaless machine .
(maybe that is the answer ... load vistaless ?)
and evidently , it is a MK1 ... or did the bios flash "convert" it to a MK2 ?
and ... the machine wound up being fully loaded , with all working correctly (see my signature) .

there are a couple of other threads about that '30 and what it took to get it working .

 

The OP's machine is , was and will always be a mk2. BIOS flash will not change that.
His machine is a CF30G...The G is significant as that is originally a NO wifi unit. that usually means a custom BIOS.

Model Number: CF-30GTJZZAM
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSRP: $4,399
Description: No Wireless, WinXP (Vista COA), Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 1.60GHz, No WLAN, 13.3" XGA Touch, 250GB, 1GB, TPM1.2, No Optical, No Bluetooth

The flash I was thinking of ONLY unlocks the WWAN and changes nothing else. That may be for different models and not the CF30. I never did much with WWAN and I have not owned a CF30 in probably 2 years. (CRS)
I did find spgobi2, but it works on a CF31 not a CF30.

At this point mucking around with the mk2 for any longer is a bit of a waste of time in my opinion.
OP has a mk3 motherboard that works with the usb board. Moving to a mk3 via that mb or a complete unit is a better choice. CF30's are not that expensive anymore and a mk3 is a much better machine.

 

There's no point. The breakout board works on the mk3 MB.

You and me both, lol.

That's exactly my sentiments.

Again, thank you everyone!
Knight.

 

Did somebody say they needed a MK3? I may have posted in the wrong place before.

PM if I sent to the right place this time.

"Normal" wireless down, tethered for 4G.

Thanks

Jeff ...not a salesman...

 

PM Sent.


Knight.

 

yep ...
break out the screwdrivers , a bottle of aspirin and a pot of coffee .

it would be interesting to see exactly what-all was/is involved in making a "G" model non-wwan .
i can say that the stock wwan card in conjunction with the stock antenna works rather well ...
when i made the train/rail trip from northern minnesnowta to northwest montana during the christmas season i had no real problems with a connection along the way (and there is a lot of *nowhere* in between) .
my fellow travelers , with their cutesy cell/smartphones and little black boxes for *tethering* suffered through plenty of grief .
finding a competent cell-service tech might be another story for some folks ... it took perseverance and *finally* getting someone that really knew what they were doing to get my machine connected to their system (verizon) .
/i believe the saga is referenced in a thread

 

Hey Larry (CWB32) was that a Gobi 1000?

 

i believe that was a 1000 ...
as i recall , there was a bit of confusion over whether it was a 1K or 2K .
i wound up putting one of those ublox kits in it .