Dropped my 28 HELP!!!!

Hello all, I am new here and hope this hasn't been covered. I read the FAQ and used search with no luck. I dropped my 28 yesterday and now have a blank screen . The Panny boots up and I haven't gotten the screwdrivers out yet, looking for ideas. (CF-28STJGADM)

Thank you all for your time and for an awesome site!!!!

 

Update....

Plugged monitor into rear port. All works fine including touchscreen, just no display. LCD????

 

Welcome to the forum! Sorry you are having issues or as we say... "Learing Opportunites"

Have you tried using the Fn+F3 keys to see if it comes back? This selects, LCD only, External monitor only or both....

Try that and let us know...

 

If the fn key doesn't work, it's probably the backlight inside the LCD. Cheap but time consuming repair.

 

Can you see XP on the LCD if you shine a light on it?

 

Thanks for the replies,

Yes, TB I have tried the fn-f3 trick. I makes the external display flicker.
Deere245, I was wondering about the back-light. I was going to try removing the lcd back cover and shining light in to see if anything would show up.

 

Crap........Removed cover and put light through.

Is the back light repair covered here?

Thanks for your time. Just an excuse to work on it right?

 

I believe that Onirikkiss started a CCFL to LCD thread that shows the disassembly... That should help.

You can also just Google "CCFL laptop swap" or similar... Most are similar.... But you can't order just any CCFL... It has to be made for the Toughbook.

 

Thanks I will look for that. Time to roll up the sleeves.

 

Sometimes, and depending on availability, you can always buy a used screen. Swapping them is much easier, though more expensive, than repairing them.

 

I outlined how to change a CCFL tube way back when in the dark ages of the group but now I can't find the post. I'll give you the short warning here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/491178-cf-28-screen-noise-boot-inverter.html#post6346730

And recommend that unless you've changed a CCFL and know where to get a replacement, you try onirakkiss' conversion here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/471036-changing-ccfl-led-display.html

Since it does NOT involve trying to reinstall uber-fragile CCFL tube and does not involve High-Voltage at the lamp assembly.

EDIT: Corrected. Sorry guys; I just seem to have some mental blockage with names that start in O...

mnem
ZZzzzzt.

 

Hey Dwagon old buddy. Check the spelling of the person responsible or correct me if I'm wrong. Just being helpful.

Jeff

 

I thought it was Onirakkiss....

 

Thanks MNEM, I have been considering the LED swap. I've gotten the bulb out and have found a few replacements on-line. I have also pulled a few of my spare LCD's (not Panny)out just to see if there was a cold chance in.... that I had one that would work. I've had no luck. So here I am thinking why put it back to stock when I can join the fun here!!!

 

Update:

I found and bought a bulb on-line (I know easy way out). Well soldered it in and powered up to test and .... !@#$$#! NUTTIN!!! Guess my inverter is shot. Might just buy a parts machine on the bay or something. Also considering upgrading to a 29. I know I read a post on here somewhere about swapping parts between models, anyone know where that is I can't find it.

Thank you all for the help/ideas. I'm glad to be in such great company here.

 

You are correct! it was onirakkis who changed the ccfl to led back..te


lordvader...You must first chect your inverter as I suspect the regulator bar( a black rectangular shape bar) may be crack due to impact or loose solder of one of its wire connected to it.



ohlip

 

One more update....... Purchased parts unit on the Bay. Installed the complete lcd and still nothing. Haven't pulled the base apart yet so I'm not sure about video cards or what have you inside these things. Is it a separate card in a slot or on-board?? Can something come loose? I know the replacement screen works. Parts machine runs fine with the drives, battery, RAM, etc.... out of my much nicer unit. May just swap MOBO's and all.

 

If you replaced the display you have checked the two cables which to the best of my knowledge are the only serviceable display parts in the base. You can look around the mother board but I doubt, given the price of a complete CF-28, its worth the time.
CAP

 

I thought these things are supposed to be dropped?

 

I thought so too. This has really irked me. I Had an idea...I was wondering about the switch that turns the display off when closing the LCD. Does the TB work the same way?? I found what looks like one in the right hinge cover. But even unplugged it has no effect. I have swapped everything into another chassis for now and will shelve the thing. I'm out of ideas and patience. The MOBO looks fine. I see no signs of damage/loose parts etc.. I'm guessing its a chipset problem. Thanks everyone for the amazing help and support. I love this forum and now have three of these things because of it. I think the bug has bitten!!!

 

Yeah Capt. the plugs were also replaced. I used a complete upper half to test.

 

Yes, the ruggedized TB's are designed to be handled roughly, but there are several things to take into effect. The 28's are now getting fairly old (in computer years) and there is no telling how much abuse yours may have endured from the previous owner(s). Even the best made products for their purpose will eventually fail given enough abuse or the right set of circumstances. The good news is that since they are so old, they are cheap to repair (or better yet replace). Since the prices have come down, you may want to consider a 29 instead (and yes some of us have been able to score a good one or two with the SBC units). Also, remember, time is money. While you may save a few dollars by replacing parts yourself, when you figure your labor in terms of dollars, you could probably have purchased a replacement for less.

 

They STILL have the lowest failure rate of ANY laptop at 1.7%... And this is even given the environments they serve.

I think the next closest one is at 6+% up to a high of 15%... I can't remember where I saw all the comparisons... And it was an independent place... Not just Panny tooting it's own horn.

 

TOUGHBOOK, are these the percentages for just cf-28 or all the toughbooks, I have wondered what the stats were on these trusty little laptops. I truly think it's one of the biggest bangs for your bucks out there and frequently tell others about the deal they can have with one of these "older units". kinda like us, "silver on the top, but fire deep inside and staying power!"............Driller

 

As I recall.. They were for Toughbooks across the board...

 

Well I dove in. I looked at the schematic and did some testing. I found fuse F4 open on the mobo. This is listed in the LCD schematic. I'm going to use a jumper to test with tomorrow. Can't imagine a drop blowing a fuse who knows?? I will post results. The next thing will be replacing it.

 

You are on the right track, that is the fuse that usually blows when you disconnect the LCD with a battery or AC plugged in. Just to be safe before using a jumper on it. Check to make sure there is not a short at one side of the fuse. If there is a short and you use a jumper you WILL let out the magic smoke.

 

Those fuses are easy enough to replace with a small Buss fuse. I just solder on legs and shrink-wrap the ends. There is plenty of room for it. But then I haven't had to replace one of those in years. Either that or you can harvest one from another mobo.... I think it is rated at 63V @ 1A... IIRC...

 

Sure enough!! Insulated a paper clip and crossed the fuse. Bingo display back again without any other issues. Don't know what opened it but whatever, was able to justify a "parts" machine this way right??? Thanks again everyone, can't wait for the next learning opportunity.