CF31 question . use of cellular in UK

Hi
firstly please excuse my ignorance in some things i'm in my latter years and only self taught computer basics
I have recently purchased a Mk4 CF31 running on windows 10 pro
16gig ram
480gig SSD hard drive
Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 2.70GHz vPro

I managed to get the Bluetooth working by re enabling in bios seems when refigured it wasn't found
On checking laptop I find there is a sim card slot which accepts a card no problem
but not sure what I need to do next to configure its use
I have checked bios but I see nothing unchecked that word not allow it to work
I am in UK not USA so not sure if it will work (I hope it does as I travel extensively and use a data sim with no throttle with large gig data )
I am hoping you experts out there are able to help I have trawled the net to find help but lots seems above my pay grade to understand (wasn't first in the queue when brains were dished out)

my model number shown is CF-31WFM15M3 I believe reading lots of these threads the experts can say age build etc from this.

I thank you all in anticipation you may help
from reading lots of your threads some very clever people on here

MikeC

 

just to add in network adaptors shows

Bluetooth device personal area network
intel(r)82579LM gig network connection
intel centrino advanced N6235
wan miniport IKEv2
IP
IPv6
L2TP
Network Monitor
PPPOE
PPTP
SSTP

 

Hi, Mike. In order to connect to your cellular data plan, you will need a mobile data card (this is not the same thing as a SIM card). I believe the correct card would be the multi-carrier Sierra Wireless MC7355 Gobi 5000 card. Make sure when you source the card that it is specifically for Toughbooks. There are other MC7355 cards that look the same but do not work in Toughbooks.

 

hi thanks quick response
it has a slot above hdmi port which accepts the sim celluar card I take it then that doesn't mean internal card is fitted
sorry to be slow in uptake no thw best at IT

 

Correct. The Sierra Wireless card installs internally. Here's a video showing its installation:

 

thank you both just checked my bios shows LAN enabled no sign of option for WAN My hopes of having a card already in are now realised
onward to search for wwan card
do I need to specify for use in uk and Europe or do they all work
anybody know of reputable uk supplier
thanks again

 

You may want to check out this thread....might help.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/3g-4g-in-a-cf-31-for-use-in-australia.813765/

 

@BaRRmaley may have one. He is a member here. He is in Europe.

I have several different cards but shipping overseas is not cheap.

 

I hope he sees this I cant pm
is anyone able to work out my books origin from my model number
I would appreciate the help

 

Flip the cf 31 over.
You will see a plate held on by 4 screws.
Remove those screws and lift off the plate.
Take a photo of what is inside.
Post the photo.

We can tell you more when we see what is inside.

 

This photo has a card labeled GOBI. It is a WWAN 3G/4G card. If your CF31 has a card, it will be in this location.

 

Hi I hope this worked I see 2 wires only a brown and grey below I see another white no other wires the brown and green are all ready connected to a card not loose
learnt something today how to save picture to forum ill be a notebook guru soon I don't think so though

 

Picture is perfect!
You do not have a WWAN card installed.

 

shawn thank you for your prompt reply you help is much appreciated
just tried tethering to my i phone which has large data (works great over Bluetooth) plus I have a data only card in my router which gives out a hotspot up to 10 devices in my motor home I travel Europe with each year
In your view would the cost of gobi card or similar give added benefits i.e better signal or other stuff
or do you think use of hotspot on phone and use of router in van be just as good
I don't mind shelling out for new card if it will be better

 

In my opinion, the mobile hotspot is a good solution. A Gobi card would be helpful if you need the added mobility, but it sounds like you're using the Toughbook mainly in your motor home. To my knowledge, the Gobi card would not give you a significantly better signal than the hotspot, but maybe someone here knows more than I do about that.

If you do decide you want the Gobi 5000 card, it should work in (at least most of) Europe. We (bobjohnson.com) can sell one to you, though if one of the European members here has one, they might be able to get it to you for cheaper. Send me a PM if you want a quote.

 

thanks ill keep that in mind I suppose as long as no benefits im better off hotspotting it or using free wifi and my phone if needed
I appreciate all advice on this site you have been very helpful

 

Can anyone help by telling me details of original laptop from model number CF-31WFM15M3 serial number 5DKCA22551 please
Ive tried searching to no avail or point me right direction to find out
Many thanks
Mike

 

I could not find much info on that model online.

I can try and look in a price sheet later on if I remember.

 

thank you Shawn your hhelp is much appreciated ive been on ages trying to look to no avail blisters on my fingers not used to all this work

 

Mike.
I'm in the UK and have fitted an MC7710 card to my CF31. The MC7710 gives 4G. Some of the other cards are 3G only.

There are usually a few on ebay UK for £20 - 30.

 

for that price I think I may well invest I was put off by price of Goby 5000 which was expensive
trying to type here with no light makes me think a backlit keyboard would be useful any one know what type of price they are seem useful tool this time of year Mind you will be setting on road for sun till next xmas soon but handy for late night surfing trying to save batteries in motorhome

 

In the USA they are around $25.00 .
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=cf-31+backlit+keyboard&_sop=15

 

About £50 in UK.
https://www.pan-toughbooks.com/pana...d-for-cf-18-cf-19-us-layout---used-3531-p.asp

 

The one you linked was for a CF-18 / 19. Below is a 31
https://www.pan-toughbooks.com/index.asp?function=search#

£50 in UK is like almost $65.00 USA funds. They are nice to have but at that price...wow

 

thanks for your help the one I found with bobjohnson the 5000 model was 200 dollars with shipping way too much im still searching UK if at right price ill buy one
I appreciate this site I've learnt a lot
a few of you are right computer ninjas wish I had your skills but I am learning bits from your threads only problem being my wife hasn't seen me for a few days I get so engrossed

 

HA HA.... I think we all know what you mean. I got a girlfriend around here somewhere

 

@mikethepig
I started a private conversation with you.