Hand me down CF-29 mk3 HTM50BM Touchscreen Issue

Hello,

I'm have a new to me Toughbook CF-29 mk3 HTM50BM. This particular TB was a refurb unit sold by Tiger Direct. I did a clean install from disks purchased from a guy in the land of high taxes. (LOL..Thanks!) I also have a new battery and GPS kit on the way. Anyway, after the fresh install the touchscreen stopped working. I then proceeded to get the operating system updates up to XP pro 2002 SP 2. AMAZING! I did the restart and the touchscreen was working. I'm now in the process of installing the other updates, custom, one by one, (after ensuring a restore point was created). I'll post back here to see at which point if any the touchscreen stops working.

I see why you guys like these. I dropped this thing in the airport the other day and it didn't faze it!

More later, Thanks for this forum!

 

In case you haven't found this out yet (and incase the special label was removed from the screen lid), this unit is a retired Southwestern Bell Co. (SBC) field service unit:

CF-29 Mk3 - SBC
Model Number: CF-29HTM50BM
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSP: $3,631.00
***SBC ONLY***
Intel® Pentium M 738 1.4GHz LV (Centrino), 13.3" XGA Transmissive Touchscreen, 512MB RAM, 40GB HDD, Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG 802.11a+b+g WLAN, Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional w/Service Pack 2, Tempo VIP Sidekick Tester/ADSL Loop Validator I/F in Media Bay pocket, Sony-Ericsson GC83 EDGE WWAN, Single Hi-Gain Antenna Pass Through, SBC Logo, Asset Tag-capable, Replaceable RJ11 Phone Jack

Does this mean you used the genuine Panasonic CF-29 Series Product Recovery CD-ROM Set ?

On thse particular units, the issue of touch screen functionality is; no pun intented; "touchy," at best.

That's why it's called a TOUGHbook.

Welcome to the Wild Wild World of Panasonic Toughbooks.

 

I think he is ok on the disks. I think he means he got the disks from Toughbook.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/member.php?u=66048

Only one I know living in the land of high taxes.

 

Hey! Yeah I think they are the right ones. Here's a picture. I just installed media player 11 and am now doing the security updates one by one. This is going to take awhile. This unit has 1.5 gig of ram and the standard HD. Looking fwd to getting the GPS (ebay..guy from norway if I remember correctly) and the battery. I'm wondering about mounting solutions on the sloped center console of my boat. Of course I have to reinstall my NAV software and the GPS. ALso, is there a screen available to upgrade this laptop? Something daylight readable and touch?

 

Yes they are the right one's...if they were the wrong one's it would of told you when you tried to install them.

 

Welcome to the forum! and congrats on your new addiction.
Remember: the first symptom of an addiction is denial.

Unless, of course, they were modified how to use the wrong oem cd

IMHO, if the unit isn't guaranteed or warranted against TS failure, just plan on the $100 to fix it yourself. Out of the 3 (shut up I know 3 ain't much .) I have purchased/played with, all 3 had dead/dying/wheezing TS screens.

 

Have you tried this yet. I never did get around to trying this myself.

 

Yep, I tried it and it worked for me.

 

two suggestions regarding touchscreen- try installing Linux Ubuntu 10.04 LTS and/ or contact Sadlmkr on this forum

 

+1.

My mk1 doesn't like booting linux live cd's (they just don't work), but it is the best way to test your TS.

If it turns out your TS is bad, Sadlmkr can fix* it ferya.


*some conditions and restrictions may apply

 

I.F. What linux version were you using? I may have a solution. Thanks for the kind words you guys.

Jeff

 

ANy version I've tried. Live cd's just don't work.
Ubuntu or Kubuntu 9x, 10x, 11x, lubuntu 11x(12x?)

I've had the need to copy files or similar, and a linux live cd is how i normally do it.
I should note that I've upgraded the cd-rom to a litescribe optiarc ad-7563a (jumped the caddy board to set master)

 

Just an update, I've installed ALL windows updates to XP except for SP 3 which is downloading now. This touchscreen is so far working great. Does anyone have any ideas on finding a truly daylight readable screen to retrofit to this laptop?

Anyone?

 

nope.
you can upgrade to 1000nit (I haven't figured that out exactly yet) or do an LED backlight conversion, but YMMV.

If you are talking about a transreflective screen, they already make it, but it's only 12".

 

You CAN help it a lot by replacing the touchscreen panel with a new one some day. You can help it more by replacing the touchpanel with a piece of .040 plexiglass. You lose touch of course.lol
And there are some scary smart people that have done a mod with led's.
If it won't work for you trade it in on a CF-30 mk1. 1,000 nit. I have and can do all of the above except the led bit. Like trade-ins.
You need the daylight view-ability right? For a boat? See what Rob has to say about separate panel systems.
HEY ROB!

 

I'll share a link with you. This was written in 2006. Circular Polarization is available in CF-19 MK5.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...2bzKAw&usg=AFQjCNHv96rHKufRWliH8G_wzRlaNaI0uw
Keyword Gunze if you care to pursue this.

Jeff

 

Hey All,

Been busy, another update. So this particular TB is now completely updated for Win XP to SP3. The touchscreen is working fine. I love this thing, I just wish it was better in bright sunlight. Separate panel system? That's interesting, put the TB in a caddy under the console, then have a remote 1600 nit viewable touchscreen. It could run my nav software as well as sonar system. Huh..very interesting...have a link for something like that screen?

 

I poked around for a while today. Did a search or two. Saw some interesting products....mostly a grand or more for weatherproof touch high nit etc.
See what Gunze has done since 2006 would be my recco.
Then I thought you could do the same with a CF-19Mark 5. Up to you. I like the separate panel built in.

Edit: Google "waterproof touchscreen panel 1000 nit" as a start.