Cf-29htm50bm issues?

Well I picked up an MK3 off ebay the other day and I guess its kind of a unique model. Its a CF-29HTM50BM built for SBC. I like the machine so far but I dont know whats wrong with the wireless. It has an intel 2915 ABG card and I installed the right drivers but everytime you try to configure it says the hardware switch is turned off for wifi. Well this model has an antenna on the top but as far as I can tell it doesnt have WWAN and there isnt any switches to turn wifi on and off does anyone have any more info on this model or this issue? Thanks!

 

Ok nevermind I found out that you need the WLAN switch application installed, but I am curious about the specs on the Panasonic configuator. It says it has a tester interface and EDGE GC whats that? Still looking for more information about the unique features of this model

 

Can you try going into
Device manager ,and find the card under network adapters and see if you can find a tab to "turn on radio"
If not there try network devices

Alex

 

I solved that issue it was actually that I needed the Panasonic WLAN switch application, I downloaded from the .jp site and it works perfect now, I just want to find out more about the other built in options on this machine now, any thoughts? Thanks!

 

Edge sounds like a wwan option
Tester interface, Teo responded to someone about that just the other day
This is one option



Alex

 

It is configure for a testing module like a tempo sidekick that was used on troubleshooting a networks lines. Other is: it has wireless ready but not on the sled as modem instead on a PCMCIA. I'm building up right now for ebay with same setup but I have taken out the WWAN antena and installed an active patch antena for gps. Almost done maybe tommorow and waiting for the module to show up on mail.


ohlip

 

Connor: Can you post a link to this driver. I need the same driver and the JP. site is surprisingly completely in Japanese. Seriously though there must be a link to some English page with the driver, thanks gecks

 

GC 83 is the Sony Ericsson Edge GPRS Card (WWAN), i think is build-in in all SBC models.

 

EDGE is a Broadband format that works with GSM. It predates and is slower then 3/4G, but is still in use.

 

http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/cgi-bin/itn/toughbook/dl02.cgi?main=3382

 

If you're looking for any other drivers use this page to search http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/cgi-bin/itn/toughbook/dl01.cgi

 

connor

how do you like the sbc laptop so far? I just picked up one from the same seller. Any issues with windows install or driver problems other than what you already posted?

 

Ahh, I had the same issue re: wireless off in the infamous cracked case machine. My fix was to use the lower case from another unit (HWQGZBM) hence the Amalgabook.

As far as features go....here is a shot of the antenna wiring common to the HB50's that I have gutted. Image 1 looking down from the top with keyboard cables removed. Image 2 looking at the bottom of the machine.

The black pair of wires go from the modem to the test interface jack. The black and white antenna pair wrapped in duct tape???? run to the wireless card.
Second image shows the antenna cable end from the PCMCIA area. This is attached to the exterior antenna connection PCB. Correct my terminology if you care to, I'm new at this. I may be mixed up here as I can't tell from the image but I know one end goes to PCMCIA and the other end to WWAN antenna. So they used the exterior antenna jack for WWAN.

Humbly submitted and FWIW.

Jeff

 

Most of the ones I have heard of that have been purchased off of eBay are WAY worn... But they do work.... Well... Most of the touchscreens don't work but occasionally they do. TigerDirect, CompUSA, etc are buying them, spraying Krylon over them and selling them. Occasionally they have a working touchscreen... Though they are being billed as Non-Touch.... NOT, "We have a touchscreen that doesn't work"... They leave it up to the end user.

If you can get it cheap and you don't care about touchscreens or what it looks like... Or that it may be missing a few parts... Then go for it.

They are a specialized unit and I don't think, so far, that anyone has gotten the modems to work.

All I have to say is... Cross your fingers and good luck if you buy one... Be prepared to do some work on it and maybe order a few parts...

 

In the category of even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then....I have purchased two SBC units off Ebay so far and here are the results...

--Both were in very good to great cosmetic condition with minimal scratches
--Both came with 512 ram to which I added a 1GB stick for 1.4 usable
--Both came with caddy and hard drive, all I added were the OS and drivers
--Both needed battery only, came with power supply
--Both had working touch screens, all that was needed were the right drivers installed correctly
--I paid less than $150 for either and only $126 shipped for the second.

For once I can say I got a great deal on not just one but two, and could not be happier!

 

You rolled the dice and got a few good ones... Unlike others.... I still wouldn't buy one on a bet! But then I resell... And I don;t like the 50/50 shot (at best) that you get with the SBC..... We've heard all kinds of stories on these. They are all supposed to have working touchscreens.... But are being advertised on some places as Non-touch units. I would think THESE are the ones to stay away from.

Still.... A 50/50 shot.... I like better odds than that!

 

One thing about the SBC ones I have bought, the sellers put pics of the actual one that was for sale. If you pay close attention to the pictures and the auction itself (what they list as good/bad), you would be surprised how well you can do. I know it is a 50/50 proposition, but you can improve the odds at times by just paying attention to all aspects of the auction. Plus, when you can buy a 1.4 CF-29 complete with a hard drive and caddy (and power supply) for less than $125 (even shipped), how bad of a deal can it really be?

 

It worked just like any other MK3 with the usual mk3 restore disks, no issues with drivers, I think I had to load the panasonic WLAN switch utility to get the wifi to work though. The three SBC models I have purchased were in great shape with all components working, I was pleased

 

Hey TB, the negative comments you have concerning the SBC units wouldn't be based just a teeny-weeny bit on the fact that them flooding the market have cut into your business? Hey, look at it this way, if enough people buy them and have problems, they could be a whole new source of customers for you!

 

Yeah... It ticks me off that they flooded the market. (And believe me when I say that A LOT of others are ticked off too!)

I am glad for the forum members here who have had luck.... But we/I have also heard stories of WAY worn units, cheap spraypainting to make look new and them being advertised as Touchscreen units and they don't work... Or them being advertised as Non-touch when they are actually broken touchscreen units.

Like I said... A roll of the dice.

 

That is why I gave the advice of looking as closely as possible at the pictures. If the unit is really beaten/painted/"refurbished", do not stop, move on to another unit. The seller "dealtrain" is where I got mine and the ones they sell seem to be some of the better ones on the market. They usually sell for very good prices also. Generally speaking, if the cosmetics are very good, the functionality seems to follow suit, but as always, this is just a rule of thumb, not set in stone.