Help - What is this slot for ????

I'm new to toughbooks, and I tried to search the service manual and this forum for the answer, but I finally give up, so be gentle...

I have a CF-29 Mk 2, CF29FTTGZKM, 40G, 1.3Ghz, 1.2 mb, CD/DVD, and yellow tag battery. I could not find this model range in the configurator, but I understand that this unit is a government issue model.

Just above the battery compartment is a lift up cover that reveals a slot and eject button, similar to a PC-MICA slot (only smaller). I have seen GPS units that occupy this area, and WWAN units that go there too, but they all seem to be complete self-contained units, not slide in cards. I do not have a pull up antenna system on the LCD screen lid for the WWAN. I did add an internal wireless card, thanks to the info I've found here, and I appreciate all the knowledge that I've found on this forum. But, I haven't found any info about this configuration specifically, or about what type of card goes into the receptacle over the battery compartment....TIA for your help and patience with my question...

 

I have never heard of that model, but from your description I'm willing to bet it's an Expresscard (either 34 or 54) slot.

 

Sounds like a smart card reader option.

 

Just read up on the Expresscard 54, and it seems that might be what this is - it is the correct width for the 54mm size, and is deeper than CF or SD cards. Expresscard.com says they were used in fully ruggedized Toughbooks...

Now I have to see if it works, and what I can use it for (I saw Lexar makes a 16gb SSD, and maybe there's a expresscard CF/SD card reader...) Or I may just remove it to add OEM GPS to my CF-29...

I'm open to thoughts / suggestions from those with more experience...

 

tough-2-go was correct
Here is your model as per panasonic




DESCRIPTION:
***Federal Only*** PentiumM1.3G LV, 13.3Transmissive Touch XGA ,256MB,40GB, NON-WIRELESS, WinXP,SmartCard


Alex

 

The SD slot on my 29 is located under the PCMIA slots. I doubt his would be any different because of where the controller needs to plug into the motherboard. Are you sure it's not a WWAN modem that required a sim card and maybe a previous owner replaced the lid which is why you don't have a pull up antenna?

 

I am off today...No cutting of sole fish..... So time to review. It is goverment issue unit that has a card slot on it. If you can review the discusion on aftermarket gps thread, "lostwithoutsauce" explain the whole story.


ohlip

 

SD cards and SmartCards are different things. SmartCards are the size of a credit card and widely referred to as CAC cards in government agencies, which is what this machine was built for. All of the armed forces identification cards are now SmartCards that have a built in chip used for various authentication and identification applications.

SmartCard
CAC card

 

I've got one of those, its called a TWIC, twix for short. Anyone who works on critical port facilities or vessels which service them needs to have one. They can stick my card in a reader and compare my stored finger prints with my finger on a scanner. It works great at the Airport!
CAP

 

Just as an FYI, only the CF-30 (and 19 I think) has the express slots, not the cf-29's, as they were built on mini-pci technology, not express technology (too old)

 

Thanks. Now I've got to check if the smartcard reader was left functional, or if just the external parts were left on for "convenience". I'm more interested in replacing the unit with a GPS module, so I don't mind removing it, and I don't see where I'd have any use for it...

Now to check out the threads on OEM GPS installation...