I'm a bit confused. CF-29 Qwest-shun's......

Okay, I'm a newbie, but have been doing my homework, and hope to ask at least partially sophisticated questions.

I purchased a CF-29 used, running XP with service pack 3. It was in an ambulance (I'm a paramedic, and they off loaded all the old equipment to us for cheap). As per the FAQ thread, it is a mark 2. It has the chicklet style keyboard, and I have already ordered the new backlit rubberized keyboard, both because that's what I'm used to, and several chicklets are broken.

This is what I ordered: cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=330279394188

My first question is more of a confirmation that this keyboard will fit and work. You'll have to put the hypertext acronym onto the link, because I'm a new user.

Secondly, I can access the interwebs through my home wireless network, automatically, which I think goes through the little cell phone looking antenna on the top left corner of the screen.

Picture:


I can pull it up or down, and it seems to make no difference. I have no problems connecting to my home or work Wifi.

I am looking to get broadband access, similar to what we have in the ambulance. I'm sure they pay literally thousands of dollars a month for that connectivity, I just don't need that (we can literally watch the news online, of a scene we are working). On the other hand I also don't want a AT&T card sticking out the side of my computer (this is what led to the demise of my last laptop). But I'm still confused.

I have heard that there is an internal broadband card for Verizon, and I appear to have the buttons on the front, next to the handle to activate that option, but they don't work. No action or lights at all. I removed the slide thing above the battery, and found this:

Picture:

I don't know if this is a dummy card, is an actual card that is not connecting, or even if I'm in the right area of the computer to look. The PCM slot on the other side of the computer is empty, which I would rather continue (I store my thumb drive in there).

I have AT&T with my cell service, but have no problem setting up a solo account with Verizon for this data service. If I have to buy something, I'd rather stay with AT&T, unless that makes it external and thus one more thing to carry or get broken. Where do I get the Verizon thingy, should I actually not have one??

Opinions?????


Thanks,

Wilderness.

 

Well none of the pictures are working so i cant see what modem you have but give us the full model number of your cf-29 and we will tell you what modem it should have.

it should be on the bottom of the laptop and read cf-29Exxxxxx

The keyboard you bought will work on your cf-29 and the person you bought it from is a well known user here on the forums.

As far as the lights not working it could be that it is disabled in the bios. You would have to restart the toughbook and hit f2 i think to get into the bios then scroll around till you see wwan modem or CDMA etc and move it from disabled to auto. Then the lights in front should work.

You will have to setup service with verizon and get a data plan (usually $60 a month with a 5gb limit) Depending on which modem you have that will determine the speed at which you can connect to the mobile broadband.


-James

 

wilder....welcome to the forum. BTW, thank you for your purchased item. It will gonna work on cf-29 as a matter of fact I am using one of those keyboard on my cf-29. May I know what kind of keyboard installed on your CF-29 right now coz if that is the original rubberized keyboard it uses different keyboard bezel but if that is a plastic(standard) your set to go.

To answer your Q?; The antena you are refering to is for WWAN. The antena for wi-fi is at the top, the two rectangular black plastic one mounted horizontally. BTW, we can't see any photo.


ohlip

 

The full model number is CF-29ETKCSKM

The picture of the modem is 3 MB. I'll email it to you if you want. Email not_my_real_address at mailbolt dot com



Wilderness

 

You have the same model that I have. That model comes with a verizon sb555 modem and is super super slow. I am not sure if verizon will activate it anymore as it is CDMA and not even EVDO.

If you want to do internal mobile broadband I would suggest upgrading that card to a faster one I tried to use it and it was unbelievable slow.

Your model comes with GPS as well on the sled so you will have to switch it over to the new sled that you get.

There is a sled that takes AT&T with GPS on ebay right now but it is a little pricey. You can then resell your gps module but something like that is up to you. I am not sure what modem that card is using so you might want to ask the seller before you buy it to make sure it is not as slow as yours.

Check it out: HERE

I switched the SB555 modem out for a Sprint EVDO modem and could not be happier now with mobile broadband.

-James

 

You guys are spoiled now


My first mobile internet connection was at 4.8 Kbps
An old Motorola analog 3 watt cell phone interface

I even had to disable pictures in internet explorer

It was real slow, but cheap as I had evenings and weekends free on my cell phone contract.

The first upgrade was the sierra wireless 555

Real fast but expensive at over $100 / month for unlimited data


Alex

 

Real expensive!! I'm still on $100 unlimited data! But then in Canada, we're always hosed for stuff like this.

 

But in Candia, that's like only 3 bucks, eh?

 

The new packages have a 1 GB cap @ $65/month from telus
Extra charges apply after you exceed that
They canceled my unlimited plan this summer

Alex

 

That’s Funny

Yes I know we are in a bit of a financial mess right now

The only positive thing about the current situation in comparison to the us is

When I need money

I can go to my local bank

Hey

The banks in Canada are still open for business

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


Alex

 

Well, it's $65 for 1GB + $10/GB afterwards. Rounded up, of course. I have the Telus $100 Unlimited North America plan. How do they kick you off!? The plans are all grandfathered! But Telus says if I want to downgrade to 1GB/$65 I can do that anytime. heh.

Haha... well, the Canadian dollar is still in the 80cents to the American dollar! Buying stuff from the States sucks now!! Maybe if Iceland declares bankruptcy we can buy 'em out and they'll be our 11th province.

 

My usage was quite high
I think they thought I was abusing the unlimited part
I have had that package for quite a few years
I work away from home and now I just have to find hotspots
My home is a 38 foot chris-craft boat , that I live on
I am now sharing a high-speed connection with a local business
I have a wireless bridge and repeater setup and it’s at 802.11g speed


Alex