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    Help fitting new wifi mini pci card into CF-18

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by charlottemoo, Feb 1, 2010.

  1. charlottemoo

    charlottemoo Notebook Geek

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    Hi Guy's

    I'm sure this has been discussed many times on here before but my searches have not found the info . .

    I have the service manual PDF but if anyone has a step by step talk through of how to open up the CF-18 please point me in the right direction

    Many Thanks In Advance

    Regards

    Charlotte
    :)
     
    charlottemoo, Feb 1, 2010
    #1
  2. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    A step by step guide, (condensed from the manual):wink:


    Before disassembling, be sure to make the following preparations.
    • Shut down Windows and turn off the power.
    • Disconnect the AC adaptor.
    • Remove other devices if they are connected.
    Removing the Battery Pack and
    HDD Pack
    Open the Battery Cover.
    Remove the Battery Pack.
    Open the HDD Cover.
    Remove the HDD Pack.
    Removing the Speaker and
    DIMM Lid
    Remove the four Screws
    Remove the optional DIMM memory card
    Disconnect the Cable from Connector (CN37).
    Remove the DIMM Lid.
    Removing the Rear Cabinet
    Remove the thirteen Screws
    Open the LID Rubbers.
    Remove the Rear Cabinet.

    You now have access to the m-pci wi-fi slot

    Alex
     
    Alex, Feb 1, 2010
    #2
  3. charlottemoo

    charlottemoo Notebook Geek

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    Many Thanks Alex . . you're a star !

    OK . . here goes ! . . fingers crossed : )
     
    charlottemoo, Feb 1, 2010
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  4. charlottemoo

    charlottemoo Notebook Geek

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    Hehehehe . . . I like the way my boot screen now shows 'Pentium M' instead of Intel Centrino !?!?!

    OK . . almost there . .

    Was much easier to open and swap than I thought it would be - thanks again Alex
     
    charlottemoo, Feb 1, 2010
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  5. charlottemoo

    charlottemoo Notebook Geek

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    Well here we are - back on the toughbook . . all done and dusted . . available networks list now shows quite a few more networks ! :)

    Have to give it a range test later
     
    charlottemoo, Feb 1, 2010
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  6. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

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    Charlotte -

    The laptop will only show the Centrino splash if you're using a Centrino-validated Intel WiFi adapter.

    To my mind, I consider that change to be a symbol of my desire to NOT be tied to Intel's apronstrings if I can avoid it... :laugh:

    mnem<~~~ Not standing in line ~~~<<<
     
    mnementh, Feb 1, 2010
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  7. charlottemoo

    charlottemoo Notebook Geek

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    Hey Mnem,

    I'm with you . . The change in Icon / Symbol just reminds me of the massive change in performance of the WiFi now !

    :)
     
    charlottemoo, Feb 2, 2010
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  8. KLonsdale

    KLonsdale Notebook Evangelist

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    Amen, to that.
     
    KLonsdale, Feb 2, 2010
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  9. charlottemoo

    charlottemoo Notebook Geek

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    Well the card is performing very well but now windows XP does not shut down completely . .

    I'm using the version 1.4 drivers I found on the web . . anyone recommend anything I could try to get a clean shut down ?

    Any pointers welcomed please :)


    I have noticed that having installed the v1.4 driver set that windows update found a newer driver . .

    so i'm going to re install the v1.4 driver and see if that
    cures it . . . if i can !
     
    charlottemoo, Feb 3, 2010
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  10. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Don't install the new driver that windows update has found for you


    I will give you some links to the best drivers for this card later

    Alex
     
    Alex, Feb 3, 2010
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  11. charlottemoo

    charlottemoo Notebook Geek

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    Cool . . Many Thanks . . Again! :)

    I thought maybe there would be a well tested set of drives / apps somewhere

    I've re run Win XP SP3 and that seems to have cured the shutdown problem

    I'm considering having a go with Windows 7 . . but I'm gonna wait until I have a spare HDD to swap out and keep my Win XP separate until I'm happy Win 7 is working or worthwhile change over
     
    charlottemoo, Feb 4, 2010
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  12. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Alex, Feb 4, 2010
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  13. charlottemoo

    charlottemoo Notebook Geek

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    Wow . . very nice :)

    I've downloaded the heat mapper too!

    Thanks again TomCat . . .
     
    charlottemoo, Feb 4, 2010
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  14. charlottemoo

    charlottemoo Notebook Geek

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    One question . . i did notice that the available power goes upto a maxium of 100mw . . is this because the access point is only serving upto 100mw ?

    Is there any way to force 600mw from the card ?

    (I would post a screen shot but have no idea how to do that so have emailed it to you Alex)

    Regards

    CS
     
    charlottemoo, Feb 5, 2010
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  15. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

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    Charlotte-

    The card and the Atheros client work together; they monitor the throughput with the associated Access Point and manage output power dynamically. Too much power with a nearby AP can cause signal distortion, resulting in dropped packets just as surely as inadequate power connected to a distant AP.

    I know about MadWiFi's Atheros driver/client for LINUX users who like to tinker with such things manually; I would expect something similar exists by now for Windoze, but it's been a long time since I puttered with such things.

    Anybody out here in the Wardriving game have some insight for Charlotte here?

    mnem
    "Scotty... we... need... more... POWER!!!"

    "Ah'm givin' ye all she's got cap'n, but we're just goo-in aroond in cir-rcles; and at Warp 10, that's gittin' noo-where mighty fas-s-st..."
     
    mnementh, Feb 6, 2010
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  16. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Read nine's excellent post here
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=456592&page=2

    That explains the power output options


    Alex
     
    Alex, Feb 7, 2010
    #16