"Federal Model" CF-29 Question

Okay... I have always stayed away from "Federal Model" cf-29s for a number of reasons. But I just got one in.. A CF-29F, 1.3GHz with no wifi. (Which is fine as I was planning on junking the AB card and installing an Engenous wlan card anyway... which I did)

However... The side USB port doesn't work at all. Device Manager shows all is well however... But nothing works in it. I have cleaned it, blown it all out and still nothing. I know that they disabled some features on some Federal Models.... Has anyone run into something like this? No voltage... No nothing. I really hate to tear out the mobo to check this out as I just had it all apart yesterday installing GPS and the Engenous card. I went to load the Engenous software off my USB key and noticed it was dead. I have several dual PCMCIA flush fit cards so I popped one of those in and loaded the software.

Any ideas?

 

You did a wipe/reload right?

 

First off, since it is a Mk2 it has a PS/2 port on the rear. You might want to try a USB-to-PS/2 Adapter in the interim.

Second, have you considered a "non-Federal Model" Mk2 BIOS upgrade to see if it restores onboard USB capability?

 

Dude... I do this for a living! I have drives preloaded with all my stuff already completely setup and ready to go... I just clone and go... It always works... Or I should say... It hasn't failed me yet.

The BIOS redo is something I haven't tried yet... I think I'll hop back over to that thread and read up...

 

Rick - doing it for a living! ... Hey, just checking... making sure the Jack isn't getting in the way...

 

Also, I have TONS of those green PS/2 - USB thingys laying around. Give me you address and I'll send you some for free!

 

What is the specific Model Number?

 

Those adapters are for keyboards and mice that are designed to work with either connector. They won't turn a PS2 port into a fully functioning USB port.

Bet ya $10 I'm right .....

 

I'll take your word for it!

 

Sheesh... I don't start that until after 5-6pm.... I like my Jack... But later in the evening... I won't drink during the day.... Well... Unless it is a party or a.....


The model number is CF-29FTKGZKM... I probably should have mentioned that. I did the BIOS update to 17 from 12..... But no diff. I don't see how to change the model number in the other thread.... All the BIOS revisions for the MK3 are for BIOSUP only.... Unless I am missing something here.... Take out the BIOSUP and add the model number?

 

I understand that they are for keyboard and mouse only... I know that! I do this for a living! Remember??

 

It says everything is fine, but nothing works. Rick, that's why it's called the FEDERAL model!!!!

 

My thoughts are to reload the hard drive from that computer with just a windows XP disk Not a panasonic restore disk.

Then check the usb port.

You also may try and plug a usb drive into the port and boot the computer.

TB2010

 

Now THAT was a good one.

Rob.. Are you saying that the USB has been deliberately disabled? Do you know this as fact?

I know.... we BOTH do this for a living....

 

Needless to say, we all look forward to you finding "the cure" and "edjumacatin'" the rest of us.

 

I have a 1.2 non federal that the internal usb is dead unless something is hooked to it at boot. Not sure why. No other computer that i have does this.

Not sure if it's just the mk1

I also had a 1.6 with dead usb ports both side and rear. All looked fine in device manger. Reloaded windows and it fixed it.

 

I doubt a fresh load would change things. Everything is recognized in Device Manager and shows all is working... But come to think of it... I am only showing 3 USB devices and I know of more connections than that available on the 1.2 & 1.3 models even thought they only have one USB port. (The internal USB connections)

I've tried the uninstalling and rebooting as well as the rebooting with the USB key installed. I am not reading any voltage from it. It looks like it has had some stuff plugged in... But I am not sure if the wear is from people like me jamming the USB key in and out trying to get it to work.

What I was looking for was a definitive answer from someone that says... "I know for a fact hat the Federal Models DO NOT have working USB slots on the 1.3GHz models!" I have had USB port fail before but they show in Device Manager as having issues... Or you can just tell they do not work.

Just wondering if anyone knows for SURE about these Federal Models. Like I said... Normally I avoid these like the plague.

 

And you took time out from this to answer my questions? What a guy! And I sincerely mean that.

The very best of good luck to you.

Jeff

 

I think the problem is in the model number, you seem to be "FTK" lol Sorry I had to

In all seriousness though I've never had a fed model but I have had several other various MKs with this problem and it usually turned out to be excessive wear on the USB slot or a MOBO defect, all were fixed under warranty by heartland.

 

Heartland only offers warranty repair for the original owner and only when it falls under the warranty period. I lost my "Federal Badge" in the last move.

Like I said... I have come across bad USB ports before. Most would say they are bad in Device Manager or elsewhere. I was looking for a, "USB ports DO NOT work on Federal Models!" statement. Otherwise I need to pull it all apart again to check it out... Which is probably what I will do. I have a bunch of CF-29 mobos where I can harvest a good USB if needed. But if the USB is being blocked and listed as OFF LIMITS on Federal Models... I don't want to waste my time.... Capiche?

 

I've always wondered about those FED models. I know that they have a different BIOS. As in they do not include the Absolute lojack software embedded in. No wifi for sure anything that might leave it open to attack?

 

What is the absolute Lojack software??

 

Check here: Computrace® LoJack® for Laptops

 

yeah if you read up on it. computrace can (if the software is enabled) remotely control your pc. it can even run in preboot and be enabled by them if you read their papers. this is supposed to only be used if it is stolen and you have coughed up for a subscription fee. but still the fact they can do that is an opening. not to be too tinfoil here, but i wish it was on option not default on new pc's. How computrace managed to convince major manufacturers to include their software on almost every new pc sold and at the bios level where you can not even remove it is troubling at least for me. Kinda says something when the feds don't want it on their pc's. oh crap here come the black helicopters!

 

When you factor in that Windows 7 was designed with the input of the NSA for built-in security backdoors, your computer is far from secure. There is a FOUO document on the Internet that discribes this for those that think that I must wear a tin foil hat.

I fully support law enforcement's ability to monitor any form of communication with a ligitimate court order, but this is pushing it. Just because I have lived most of my life as a cop does not mean that I want to live in a Police State!

 

yeah it's the old "well if you got nothing to hide. what are you afraid of" line. I got nothing to hide I just value my damn privacy. I always liked the old
Ben Franklin quote

Those who would give up Essential Liberty
to purchase a little Temporary Safety,
deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

 

Normally it is you who helps us, but let's see if I can return the favor When 2 out of the 3 USB ports on my Averatec 3270 went bad in 2006, there was no indication at the Device Manager or BIOS level of anything wrong, it'd just be a case of nothing put into those ports would work. The only solution was a replacement of the USB ports. Since you'd probably have plenty of spare parts in your workshop, this would probably be the best option to try to see if the USB ports start working again

 

The government can do ANYTHING they like....




That is why.....





I'd like to announce.....





My candidacy for the President of the United States!




I am running under the "SWEEP THEM ALL OUT" platform.... I am trying to gain the petitions now..... (I have, of course, subbed that out to China!)

It's that... Or I need to find a new planet... And the means to get there. This planet is too far gone unless we can gather a group of common-sense people who can agree to disagree on SOME stuff.... BUT STILL GET STUFF DONE! And not be puppets or owe favors to get to where we need to be.

What we REALLY need is an asteroid hit, alien invasion or close-by GRB (Gamma Ray Burst) to draw us all together to show that INTELLIGENCE, SURVIVAL CAPABILITY and EQUAL FOOTING means more than who drives what and Wall Street bonuses! Plus... This would help to rid us all of the shallow end of the gene pool!

Sorry... Worked ALL day in the yard, hurt my knee, my back and have had 2 J&Cs.... But I PROMISE.... I'll be ready come election time!

<Steps down from soapbox>

 

Vote Rick For President 2012!

 

There we go! My first signature... And I didn't even need to go to China!

Thank you!

 

You have my vote!

 

Allright... I cannot ask for contributions.... But if someone were to buy the RickKirbyForPresident.com site and want to host it... We might be able to make some real progress here!

 

Rick, you have my vote if you provide American citizens with Toughbook's..
n!!


Wait, I cant vote, my bad..



You have my parent's vote then!!

 

I don't know if you have resolved this issue yet or not but I want you to try this. It is very possible that the BIOS is written to disable certain features based on the model number. It is very doubtful that there are different BIOSs within the same MK series to do this.

Check out http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/475233-writing-bios-id-2.html and check out the instructions on changing the model number in BIOS. Particularily check starting at post #14. What I am thinking is that when you change the model number in BIOS, you may open up some features not there before. You are not actually changing the main BIOS file, just the model number as it shows when you enter BIOS. PM me if you need more help doing this.

 

I was also thinking of this possibility. I can confirm that the instructions rusty503 gave will allow you to change the model number, as I changed the model and serial numbers on a CF-29 Mk2 that I had to change the motherboard.

This may also be the solution to enabling the WLAN on federal CF-19's.

Glen

 

The WLAN works great on it... I slid an Engenous card in and loaded it up and BAM.... Works great....

I'll fiddle with the BIOS tomorrow. I am worn out traveling to see both Mom's this weekend and playing with the Neices... Good god they were balls of energy... I have pushed, pulled, spun, twirled and worn myself out...

 

Rusty... Please see my post on your linked Writing to BIOS thread.... I can't get it to work and change model numbers.

 

Hey rick, it's common practice for feds to disable removable media capabilities for security reasons, although I've never heard of doing it in bios. Usually it is disabled through permissions in the OS. I'm guessing the usb port is worn out.

 

Rick, this is a cliffhanger, did the good guys win with the usb and replace a defective port or did they do a bios id change, kinda like rewriting the constitution since this is a federal model, inquiring young(my case real grey matter inside and out) minds want to know......Driller

 

You can get Toughbook BIOSes with disabled functionality (ie. disabled USB support), but if the unit had the BIOS flashed from v12 to v17 then this would of removed the restrictions. Like you, sounds like a worn out port...