FYI - Serial number decifering!

So I called Pany today to see if some units were under warranty.

Here is what the guy told me:
First number shows the year (for example "6" = 2006, "0" = 2010, etc...)
The 2nd LETTER shows the month (for example "H" = 8 = August)

Just an FYI that I thought was useful!

 

You should of asked me, I knew that lol









Alex

 

That's cool.....never knew that, thanks

 

Thanks Rob! Rep given for sharing that.

 

I knew what the second letter meant, but not the first. Thanks for the info. Rep to you.

 

Added to the CF-29 FAQ, and added Rep to you!

Wahey!

Thanks Rob!

mnem
WhaWeTalkin'About?

 

WOW! Thanks guys! I appreciate all the rep points! Alex - SCREW YOU! haha

Thanks again guys!

 

I also found out that the 4th character (3rd letter) means something. If it is an 'S', it means it was shipped from the factory as a base. If it is a 'Y', it means that the unit has been integrated.

 

You need to break that one down a little more for me this morning. Integrated with what?

 

Anything, such as Gobi (on a unit that didn't originally have it installed), GPS, Fingerprint, or SmartCard.

Those are just some examples. If we have a unit come to us with nothing in it, we put those components in them. When we do so, we change that part of the serial number.

 

This may have confused some of you because it seems like almost everyone in this forum own refurbished units. We change the 4th character on current units. When we refurbish an EOL (End Of Life) unit, we change it to have a 'PR' in the serial number. That is how we decipher if a unit has been refurbished.

Does anyone have serial numbers with 'PR' in it? Just curious.

 

Perhaps you are just speaking therotically, but I was unaware that the CF-29 was ever available with Gobi, Fingerprint, or SmartCard.

 

for what its worth, I have a cf-29L3VGZBM that has the smart card over the battery bay unless I don't know what a battery bay is or a smart card slot. it pops open when you pry it up and shining a light in it sure looks like the business part of something like a credit card would slide into,.....Driller

 

Driller's CF-29 Mk4:

CF-29L3VGZBM DESCRIPTION:
Intel Pentium M 778 1.6GHzLV (Centrino), 13.3" NON Touch XGA, 256MB RAM, 60GB HDD, Floppy Disk Drive, Intel 802.11a+b+g, Win XP Pro SP2, SmartCard reader, No Optical Drive

 

That is right! I saw one on eBay come to think of it, and they are not proprietary. I found what seemed to be the same device available from 3rd party vendors.

But, I assume that the GOBI and Fingerprint Reader are for other models only?

 

Long story short, I have a CF-31 refurb that wasn't refurbished correctly, in that they forgot the main rubber seal for the 5 port covers on the right hand side of the unit.

Anyways, I called Panasonic and gave them the serial number from this unit and the guy at Panasonic (Jeff was his name) said that having "PR" in the serial number right there shows that it's a "Panasonic Refurb"

Thought I'd share! w00t! Never again will we worry on buying a "NEW" CF-31 when we get the SN and see the "PR" in it, we know that the seller is lying!

Thanks

EDIT: You can delete the other thread I just created... I initially couldn't find it because I mis-spelt "deciphering" - DOPE!

Thanks

 

Is this a puzzle that you can win a prize for??

My model Number: CF-29CTKG BKM

The model number indicates the unit has integrated GPS!

Serial number; 4CK S - the serial number indicates no integrated options??

Is this one of those, get the answer right & you qualify for the Krypton Factor.

 

Please see this post.

 

My apologies. That "S" means that it was shipped directly from the Factory and not sent to Pany's OEM facility first.

 

I'm still viewing this as a puzzle.

Are you now suggesting that "S" in the serial number designates integrated options that were installed at the Factory ??

o.g.

 

"Integrated Options" is the ninth character in the CF-29 Model Number; ergo:

CF-29xxxxSxx would mean the unit has a CDMA Verizon (w/no voice capabilities) Wireless Broadband Module and factory-installed GPS.

In the sixth character location, "S" means the unit has a 12.1" SVGA Touch Screen and a Rubber Backlit Keyboard.

 

With regard to "Model Number Deciphering", correct-o-mundo.

This Thread is about "Serial Number Deciphering" & the original information posted by Comptronic was;

Which was later amended to;

I'm assuming from the information supplied that any "Integrated Options" (as expressed in the model number) that was installed at "Panys OEM facility" ?? results in a change of the units serial number to include the letter "Y".

That information allows both Panasonic & the Authorised Dealer Network to establish Where the Integrated Options were installed.

This is my sticking point; does "S" in the Serial Number indicate the Integrated Options were installed on the production line, if so, I'm about to throw a spanner in the works.

Edit: What is "Panys OEM Facility" & where is it.
o.g.

 

When the Panasonic Factory ships us units, the serial number contains the letter S. The Factory can ship us a "base" model or a model that has any additional options in it ( GPS, Bluetooth, Gobi...as some examples). As soon as we open it up and remove any components or add any components, we change the S in the serial number to a Y, signifying it has been changed from what the Factory originally sent to us. Does that explain it better?

As for where their OEM facility is, I would prefer not to say...sorry.

 

My question is answered, thanks.

I used the "Sherlock Holmes Logical Reasoning" (after my last post)to deduce their is no correlation between "S" & Integrated Options. I've also used the same Logical Reasoning to deduce that if a thousand or so people do not tune in for an update, they'll be conveying the wrong information.

Whilst on the subject of Logical Reasoning, there will be nobody reading this for several hours because Live International Boxing is on Channel 5 in ten minutes.


o.g.

 

How can the date of the serial # tell you; us if it's still under warranty? That is just the production date, not the selling date unless I am not reading this correctly.

Gotta remember also that he said the 2nd letter only, not any letters or numbers further down.

My CF30F3SAXAM has a S as a SECOND letter. However, Buytough added Verizon, 2 GB Ram, EKB.

Question here for you Comptronic. After you change the serial # do you send Panasonic notification of such change? Also, my 3 serial #s on the back are all on one sheet, how is the process done like this?

Good job guys, Reps to all!

 

I work in the Mining & Construction equipment industry. I'm assuming that it works in the same or a similar fashion in that the authorised dealer network share a manufacturers data base. Typically the information included by the suppling dealer would include; date of sale(day the warranty starts) any additional warranty over & above the standard factory warranty, both oem & non-oem integrated options, finance packages, if you've ordered "Stealth Black" paint work it will show the Paint Code just in case you need a touch-up when you have a service.

They probably have a separate data base to keep track of how often you get touched-up & serviced.

o.g.

 

Here is e better example of what I am trying to say. Let's say the serial number is 9BKYA10279.

9 = 2009 (production year)
B = February (production month)
K = I'm not to sure
Y = Shipped from the Factory (if it is an S, the OEM has de-integrated/integrated it)
A = I'm not to sure
1 = generic numbering
0 = generic numbering
2 = generic numbering
7 = generic numbering
9 = generic numbering

This is going to be the best way I can answer your question. Sorry it may be a little long. I deal with Panasonic sales reps who want a "demo" unit to show a potential customer. That customer can be a construction company that may only order (10) Toughbooks, to the LAPD who can order thousands. They will then contact me and ask for specific models with specific specs. If they require a model we currently do not have on our shelves, we integrate/de-integrate the unit to meet their needs. After we perform whatever it is had to do to the Toughbook, besides changing the model number to reflect the "inner" specs, we change the Y in the serial number to an S. We then send it out for them to demo the unit. If they like it, they either send the unit back and order more of them, or they buy the original unit we sent them plus order more. With that being said, Panasonic would know the "change" as you mentioned above.

I'm not sure what you mean by (3) serial numbers. Do you mean your Toughbook has (3) serial numbers?

Thanks!

 

I'm not sure what you mean by (3) serial numbers. Do you mean your Toughbook has (3) serial numbers?

The serial number is together with the ESN# and model#. It is covered by a complete clear sheet.



Thanks![/QUOTE]