Faulty CF-19 - Crashes when LCD screen is folded into table mode

I wanted to create a separated thread for this issue which you can see in my Sata driver problem thread as well.

Every time when I am folding the screen into tablet mode, the computer just tilts and usually a pink squared spot appears into the middle of the screen! Does this mean the screen connectors are broken or something like that? Interestingly enough, if it does not crash during the folding or after that, it's about 80% probability that the crash occurs when I clasp the metal clip!

Also, at worst, it can crash only by turning the screen without even folding it.

A couple times I even got blue screen when it crashes but mostly it's just complete tilt: Nothing will work when it crashes.

Playing music or sounds tells me perfectly when it crashes. This is what happens: http://www.uusikaupunki.fi/~patalus/cf19.avi

 

had u checked, what ohlip suggested?

 

I couldn't understand what he exactly means. What should I open and from where?

 

If you have a bad LCD lines I can not see how that could cause a crash...I can see this happening with a driver/software problem.

 

some pics of my former CF-19, where I added 2 signal wires for WIMAX and GPS, like u can c.
u have to look for the shielded cable (in the first pic the left one), this ur LVDS signal cable. u should check that the cable is not too tight, otherwise it will be broken or get an short circuit.

 

It can't be software problem... how could it be? The software does not know in which position the laptop is unless you close it completely (I don't even have the rotating software which rotates the display when you close the lcd into tablet mode). I can keep the screen up and there's no problems at all... I already had problems with sata and used it for more than 12 hours and it didn't ever crash because I didn't turn the lcd. It crashes only if I am turning the lcd and moving it down.

In the video, I didn't fold the screen even to the point where it would recognize the tablet mode in same way as it shuts the screen if it's closed.

 

Sadly I can't view ur video, cause I'm on a limited bandwith plan.
But if the failure only occurs if u came close to the final position of ur screen (tablet/closed), there could be an problem with ur lid switch. This is IMHO an reed-switch ( I think on the 3. pic on the bottom left, the end of the red and black cable). Maybe there is an short circuit in this lines.

 

It's not necessary to even fold the screen. A few times it crashes only by turning the screen. Thanks for the pics. I'll take a look at wires as soon as I can find that damn small screwdriver to open the lid beneath the keyboard.

 

There is no doubt that there is a problem with your LCD harness. As I have seen in your video and when its rotated to tablet mode. Time to replace the cable but if you are handy enough you can do it easily. Make sure to tag each in every parts when dismantling specially on the hinges base. Aslo remember how the cable rotate onto the base.

The best thing to do if it is returnable to the seller is just simply inform him the problem and maybe he can send you a replacement one. Troubleshooting that type of a problem is a pain on as.. to a people who has not enough skill electonically and mechanically. You need to dismantle the whole LCD panel to access completely on the harness. Lucky If it is only on the area where the hinges cover the portion of the cable but I have a doubt on it coz it was wrapped by a conductive cloth.

A PC with a full shorted circuit that will not supposed to be will not boot at all and maybe burn up the mbo. The PC that has a running open circuit or cable that short cicuiting the other lines or ground system of the unit causes crashes or BSOD.

ohlip

 

Here a couple pictures from the inside. Sorry for the inaccurate pictures, my mobile's camera sucks at quality.

 

I'm thinking a short in the harness too... I had that issue on a CF-18 and it is pretty much the same. If you have it open and can turn the PC on... Try to manipulate the harness to cause the problem to locate the source.

 

Do you mean harness by that shielded cable containing all the screen cables? I tried to wiggle it and pull it a bit but it didn't make any effect

 

Remove and re-seat plugs/connectors.
As you will have noticed the harness (looks like duct tape) wraps around the post.
My CF-18 problem was a broken red wire to the touchscreen. I cut it near the connector and on the other end near the TSPCB then soldered in a splice. My intention was to NOT have the solder joint wrapped around the post. It's like soldering hair but it worked and continues to work (I hope) in one of Sam's (orphanlr)locations.

In your case can you split the screen and make sure the cable is firmly seated in the lcd. One of these days I'll look in the CF-51 I am typing on now. When I move the screen it blanks out once in a while. I'm thinking your problem is between the post and the lcd.

FWIW good luck,

Jeff

 

Finally the seller contacted me.

Btw, since I saw inside the hatch under the keyboard, it makes me wondering, what really prevents water going there and short circuiting the electronic inside? The lid was not tight so any water should easily go thru since the keyboard is not wrapped up with rubber or something like that. I know CF-19 is not water proof, but there was a real "hole".

 

Now something weird happened. I just updated the hotkey drivers and now it seems like I can't get the crash again. How is it possible?

I even recall that it crashed even at booting when it was in table mode, so doesn't it indicate it should be hardware problem? However I am now still keeping the laptop at tablet mode and sometimes folding the screen in and out, for 2 hours so far and no crash yet occured.

P.S, another question about the "hole" beneath the keyboard, see above.

 

wow, so it was only a software/driver problem, cause if u switched from tablet to laptop or vice versa the software want to switch the screen orientation?

Do u have a picture of ur 'hole'?

 

But why it could be only software problem because previously in tablet mode it did crash twice, in booting screen and during windows installation?

It was not about the screen switch orientation because the crash occured always even before the screen was folded to the point where it recognizes the screen being folded (see the video). Also I didn't even have the drivers for screen rotation because it shows me that “Unsupported Touchpad Driver" message and I although I did believe that it created the crash but even after I removed the screen rotating program, it still did crashes all the time.

But now since it is working (for now...) I installed screen rotating program again and it still shows me the same error “Unsupported Touchpad Driver" but yet it works without problems. I wonder how could I remove that message. Even if I install the touchpad drivers, it still shows me the error but again works flawless.

The automated screen rotation during folding screen also works without any problems so far

See the hatch where it's seal ends and the wires are exposed. Isn't it vulnerable to water?

Here:

 

Don't know... Had u looked in ur event log?

Normally not, because there is a seal where the wires go trough and a seal on the cover plate. U will see it, if u open it or in my picture above: http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...cd-screen-folded-into-table-mode-p3070015.jpg

 

What did I say... a curse? THE CURSE!

If this won't get any better, I will throw this into river unless it will let me in peace!


Right when it finally stopped doing the crash, now the Wireless LAN just stopped working! At the time I was using WiFi to look for Wireless connections but then suddenly for no proper reason, the WiFi program says that the Wireless is off and I can't find a way to put it on. No matter how many times I am trying to use the switch, which previously connected WLAN on/off just fine!

Also can't uninstall the Wireless switch utility because it wants WLAN TO BE ON before letting me to continue uninstalling!!! HOW...! I am losing words now!

EDIT: To be more precise, the WLAN led does not blink at all.

EDIT: I must confirm that it can't be about the hotkey drivers because I did now re-format the hard drive and yet now it works fine ev even without hotkey drivers installed!

 

I couldn't find what version of CF-19 you have or what version of Windows you are running, but have you looked here: Official Support Download Center of the Drivers, Manuals and FAQs | TOUGHBOOK | TOUGHPAD | Panasonic Global Notebook PC

When you install newer version of the WLAN software you also have to install newer versions of a lot of other driver software. I went thru this on a CF-18, and I looked at the CF-19 updates, and sure enough, there are a whole bunch of other driver deletions/updates you have to do at the same time and in a precise order. Based on the version of wlan card you have, and what version of wlan drivers you are using, download the appropriate instructions from the link I provided. Most of what you describe, especially lately sounds like a driver conflict issue.

In my case, all of the other driver updates were included in the wlan driver package, and were a pain in the butt to install. But it worked.

Good luck.

Jon

 

My model is CF-19EH203TW and I am totally aware of the installation instructions and all other things. No matter what drivers and what installing order, the WLAN led refuses to even blink as if it's permanently turned off.

 

Now this is getting really interesting. I did again format the hard drive and tried installing drivers. This time I managed to get Wifi working but I had to install misc drivers before installing WLAN. But now it comes to this interesting point.

You see, the WLAN led is still not blinking even thought WiFi does find networks near me. But then I install Wireless switch utility, restart computer and guess what? When windows comes back, the Wifi program says that the radio button is off! WLAN on/off switches are disabled from the wireless switch utility and again can't uninstall the Wireless switch utility because it says I must have the radio button on (enabled) before proceeding.

Anyone have any ideas what is going on? Apparently there must be something wrong but at least the WLAN actually works althought the led does not blink at all.


EDIT:

OKAY! So no-one told me that reinstalling screen rotating program (disprot) will enable the radio button function again? Seriously, this is so damn confusing!

So what is the results? After all, everything seems to work now, but I am still wondering 2 things:

- The original topic, crash by folding the screen. This mysterious problem seems to be disappeared, but I am afraid it could come back any time. I am going to do full format and see if that make any difference (up to now I have used only quick NTFS format).

- The WLAN led. It is still not blinking and I do recall that it was blinking before. I noticed that when I put CF-19 on, all the leds should blink once when it boots... and they do, except the WLAN led. I really hope it's only the led light itself that is not working.


Anyway, I can confirm this issue and must say it out loud:

WLAN is disabled until screen rotating program is installed!!!

 

Try to change the led diode, it can be broken (very strange) or bad soldered.