Disassembling a CF-28

I am having some trouble with the early steps in disassembling my CF-28 and want to ask before I break something!

I have removed the 4 screws at the top edge and the two on the rear of the hinge covers.

When I try to remove that cover piece (which covers the hinges and the top mounting edge of the keyboard) it does not want to pry loose.

I have two knives slipped into either side and have tried to gently pry at the hinge covers and the front edge of the cover piece - between letters - using a small flat screwdriver and it is very resistant.

Do I really need to apply more pressure or are there additional screws somewhere on the CF-28 that still need to be removed, please?

Thanks!

 

If you have a Mk2/Mk3, there are two more screws in the hinge cover hidden under the rear port cover; a total of 8.

mnem
8 is enough.

 

That was it ... thanks!

And is there another MKII trick to the keyboard?

It is also resistant to removal ...

 

If you are taking the screen off,,,TAKE THE BATTERY OUT FIRST!!!

Bob

 

It was glued down with with a strip of double-faced tape on mine; it was in a line vertically right about the axis of the V and 5 keys.

Be patient, be careful; it is very easy to warp the tarhooties out of your keyboard fighting that tape. The ribbon connector exits at the bottom edge under the right Alt key; make sure you keep it in mind when you're working the KB loose.

Oh, yeah - WHAT BOB SED. Too.

mnem
Tarh00ters. Heh.

 

Battery, HDD, RAM all pulled before the first screw was removed ... but thanks for the reminder!

Got the keyboard up - should have remembered that - must be that it's lunch time ... and that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

 

OK, I have drilled-down to the USB connector ... now what?

It appears that our little guy forced the connector into the socket the opposite it was supposed to go -- so he pushed the contact wires out of the way.

It is hard to figure out what they are supposed to look like and even if pushed back into place if they will stay in place -- sure is not a very robust connector at all -- not to overall Toughbook standards!

Anyone fixed one of these?

Do you replace that whole connector assembly or swap-out the mobo or what?

 

I would just replace the connector. They are cheap, free if you snag one from some old device you have laying around. I figure it's worth a try anyway. If it doesn't go well, you are only out a couple of dollars for the connector. Then go for a motherboard swap as plan B.

 

Im confused here. Your OP spoke of just disassembling the 28, but you are now referring to some connector. What exactly are you trying to do, and can you post some pics before you go any further.

 

kd4e -

The connector pins are supposed to be shrouded by a bit of plastic; if they are bent out of the way, it means that plastic is broken. It needs to be replaced.

The USB Connector on a CF-28 is an odd beast; it's not going to be easily glommed from some old USB hub as it's designed in a vertical orientation, not horizontal. About the only place you could likely get a replacement is from a CF-28 or CF-29 MB (They both use the same part) and if you're going that route, you may as well save the arse-ache and just get a good MB. It is VERY hard to get the port out without damaging the port or the MB; usually, you damage the MB you want to save AND the Port you want to use.

I'm not saying it can't be done; it can; but not a job for the faint-hearted. I'd DEFINITELY call it a Dilbert-level (as in, you'd better BE Dilbert) repair.

mnem
Evolving.

 

I just found these. I had forgot that the usb on these are upright. It may be useful for the board members to know of a source.

USB A Type Connector Up-Right DIP

 

Mmmmmhmmm... It's VERY CLOSE, but not the exact part. 2 possible issues:

1) Offset from PCB may be different in height and/or depth.

2) It MAY NOT be wired the same; the USB port Panny uses has 2 of the leads reversed from the normal USB pinout. You can't tell from the pic how this one is wired. See here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/329572-i-added-webcam-into-my-cf-29-a-6.html#post6646368

And here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/329572-i-added-webcam-into-my-cf-29-a-6.html#post6646927

At least it's a possible part that someone with enough ambition could hack-solder into place; as you say, worst case scenario you nuke the MB and have to replace it anyways.

I would take measurements with a caliper to ensure precise location of the port, then break the old port apart carefully with pliers & tin snips to get down to the bare leads. from there you can decide whether it's better to try and remove the old port, or trim the old leads to stubs and hack-solder to the stubs.

Just be extra careful you get the pinout correct:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/329572-i-added-webcam-into-my-cf-29-a-6.html#post6645865

or you could toast the USB controller and have to replace the MB anyways.

Good find!

Good luck!

mnem
Pringles do not fit well up a 3-year-old's nose. Ask how I know.

 

What's a replacement mobo for the CF-28 cost?

Model: CF-28S3QGBDM

 

How about this one?

Panasonic CF-28 P3 1GHz motherboard Tested working

CF-28S3QGBDM DESCRIPTION:
Pentium III 1GHz, 13.3" NON touch screen, 30GB HDD, 256 MB RAM, 56K/LAN, FDD, Mobitex with Multiband antenna, Win 2K

 

For some reason I didn't receive an E-mail notice of this post.

Anyhow, $48. is more than I planned to invest in this laptop.

I was hoping for something about half of that.

Sure appreciate the link ... if that is the typical price then I will have to give this some more thought.

 

I've sent an e-mail to the seller of that mbo. before and I asked if the ribbon connectors are all intact but there is no answer so far. Be very careful on just buying those type of mbo. without the full detail. You may end up getting more parts.

ohlip

 

I'd rather get one from someone here on this Forum - as folks here seem to be reliable.