How do I change/find the hard drive . panasonic toughbook CF W2

How do I change/find the hard drive . panasonic toughbook CF W2

here are some pictures
which should explain my predicament

you can skip to last pic

front (untouched)
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7545/imag0072pp0.jpg

back (with all covers on)
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3125/imag0073xy3.jpg

back (found ram )
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/152/imag0075lt4.jpg

back (found thing next to ram) Getting strange
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2344/imag0084zu3.jpg

You see a circuit board thing in one area. And RAM in another.
back (things taken off). (Foam is from circuit board area, not RAM area).
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7374/imag0086ho5.jpg

Still, I see no hard disk.

I'll be getting some more screwdrivers to try to remove more screws.. e.g. the rectangular panel that says panasonic probably hides the battery. But at the moment, I see no hard drive. And i'd like to know what that circuit board thing is under the foam.


i'm also curious as to what makes the slight noise. might be the hard drive.

I hope there's no fan. does anyboy have a service manua;l for this thing? or know where i can get one.. (e.g. which person on ebay!)
Searching for panasonic laptop service manual didn't get anything. The panasonic keyword narrows the results to zero!

 

Is it under the keyboard? Read this thread at leog.net. There may be more about the W2 elsewhere in that forum.

John

 

thanks.. I just realised, i've damaged the head of one of the screws.. so now the screw is stuck.. Maybe i'll drill through the head of the screw. I hope i don't break anything!! I think the battery might be under there, not sure.

the other option is not to open it!

the laptop is extremely similar (same number of screws, similar positions). But not identical, to this picture.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i110/wizwith/CF-W2/5.jpg
that's from the forum

the screw on the far left of that picture is damaged.

I guess the battery is under there.. But I think that screw might be a prerequisite to opening the top, lifting the keyboard, and hence, physically accessing the hard disk.

 

A set of good quality screwdrivers with small tips is a worthwhile investment.

You have little choice but get the screws out and prise the machine apart. A Toughbook isn't likely to have the HDD sitting under a flimsy cover.

John

 

they had to be small and with a good grip. The ones I had didn't have a good grip.. Anyhow, damage done.

 

Screwdriver sets like this one are a good investment. You get good control and good torque.

John

 

If you get the stuck screw issue resolved go to the LeogNet site as mentioned. There is a link for a blow by blow take down to get to the HD. It is not for the faint of heart. You have to remove everything and pull the frame apart to get to the bugger. Been there, did that...took a couple of hours but it is possible.

 

You're more than likely to make matters worse. I've found that a tiny "Easy-out" screw extractor will often work in a damaged Phillips recess. Second, you might try bonding a good, properly-sized Phillips driver to the damaged screw head with metal-filled epoxy, then give it a try.

In future, I've found that on tough screws, before they are damaged, a little heat will soften the Loc-tite. Just heat the blade with a lighter, press it into the screw and let it soak for 1/2 minute or so, then press and turn.

Another trick is to bond a metal dowel the same diameter as the screw head using crazy glue. Don't let the glue seep into the threads!!!

Good luck.

 

I've used jewelers screwdrivers with success. I'll put the screwdriver in the slot and then give it a sharp rap on the top with the handle of a large screwdriver to shock the screw. Then they twist out.