My poor Toughie (CF19)

I've been registered here for a while although I never posted anything, however I'm having some trouble/ideas for some laptops I got (buyed/got for free) and I want to get a bit more knowledge/skills on laptops so I'll be active now.

Now about my Toughie, I got her in 2013 from a company that was selling CF19, Mk1,2 and 3 toughbooks, I bought a MK1 for 200€ but I belive it's a MK2 (CF-19HH203NW) I received, because I had a lot less knowledge than now, it took me a while to set everything up, I also ordered a cellular card on ebay but first I couldn't manage to get wwan working.

I put ubuntu linux, then debian linux, then sabayon linux, after I needed the hdd as an external hard drive and later I put a 500GB drive and installed windows 7, the drive was almost dead and 3 days after, the system crashed, however I managed to get the wwan card (an ericsson f5521gw) working whithin this interval of time.

Then I discovered that I got a SSD drive (a corsair GT) in a tablet I got for free so I took it apart and put it in my Toughie, installed windows 7 and it's still working since june 2014.

Now the issues I'm having:

-the mousepad that was damaged but working when I received her is now dead, what can I do ? Repair it, change it,
I also thought about a nintendo DS touchscreen which is resistive too...

-Any ideas how I can find a backlit azerty keyboard ? What about the prices ?

-I feel that the unit is heating more that it did before, are there some things I can do to keep it cold ?

-the touchscreen is great for navigating but I'm planning to start drawing and I will need a digitizer, do anyone have ideas how I can add one ? (I got some penabled wacom digitizers from fujitsu stylistic tablets, are they adaptable ?)

-Bubbles are showing up on the lcd screen protector, I'll post pictures tomorow but it's strange as I did everything possible to keep it clean and scratch-free

also, if I keep using it, I'm planing to get:

-an external gpu (already have a riser, I still have to make a Expresscard/pcie cable), would I also need an external LCD to get better performances ?

-a camera, how does it work ? internal "usb" ?

I belive that's this one I got: http://www.ruggednotebooks.com/Panasonic-Toughbook-CF-19-Core-2-Duo

Intel U7500, 3GB ram, wifi 3945 intel, bluetooth, wwan + gps ericsson f5521gw.

Thanks in advance

Also, if you have some upgrades ideas ?

Edit: I forgot: what about the docking port ? What does it add ?

 

In my opinion, the best thing to do is get a CF19 mk3 dual touch.
The dual touch models have a touchscreen and digitizer from the factory.
Backlit keyboards are available but can cost anywhere from $100 and up.

I suggest Ebay and buy a mk3 without a drive or battery. You can just swap your parts.
It may seem like a lot to spend at first, but buying it all at once is much easier and cheaper by the time you are done.

Here is a dual touch without a hard drive for $174. I have seen them cheaper if you want wait and look.
I have seen them go for $100.If you look for models starting with CF-19KD the K is a mk3 and the D is dual touch.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fair-Condit...867011?hash=item1ea700cf43:g:-KYAAOSwEgVWRMA0

 

+100500

 

The way to do it is like Shawn said. Pickup a 19MK3 dual touch on ebay. It will be a lot cheaper . Forget the camera too, it uses up one of your memory slots.

 

Lots of questions, hope here is a lot of answers for you.

CF-19HH203NW

CF-19
H – CORE 2 DUO U7500, 1.06 GHZ, NO TPM
H – 10.4” TOUCHSCREEN
2 - ?
0 - ?
3 – SPRINT EVDO REV A (UPPER: WWAN, LOWER:GPS
N - ?
W = Mixed Specification....e.g. a Spanish Keyboard with a US AC cord

On the mouse pad you could relace the pad, but it's glued in (if I remember right). It would be easier to just get a replacement base and swap your stuff inside. Other options could be a bluetooth other wireless mouse. On the DS screen I haven't seen the wiring pen out so it would take some doing to look it over to see if it could even be done.

The backlit keyboards come in two versions. One is chicklet style, not water proof. the other is the fully rubber one. The rubber one is harder to type on.

On the heating up problem put a program on there that can monitor the actual temps to see what they are up too. If they are getting a lot warmer the thermal pads may be getting bad and need to be replaced.

I would have to wait till I get home and look at a digitizer motherboard. I think to add digitizer you would need a whole new motherboard because of the connector on the motherboard. Also you would need a new harness from the screen to the motherboard, new front screen bezel, correct digitizer pen to fit in the bezel and the digitizer board that goes behind the screen. It would be way cheaper to just get a complete unit. I have one I have swapped before, it was a pain.

The bubbles in the screen protector just happen sometimes. Forum Member toughbook had a good write up about how he did his a while back.

External GPU, I think I am the only forum member here to do this on a toughbook. I found a used Asus XG station a while back and used it. 8800GT in it. I got everything working under vista, Was going to go back and do it under 7 but haven't had the chance yet. And yes, it hooks to a external screen. Now that the shed is up and going I will be playing with that project soon. The XG station is the express card type external GPU. It was suppose to be done world wide but they only released it in Australia. I got mine on ebay still in the box.

The camera on the CF-19 is on the bottom and is where the ram slots are at and takes up one ram slot leaving you with only one. Requires a motherboard swap and then buying just one larger capacity stick of ram. Some type of internal usb camera mod would be better.

The docking port just adds place for external monitor, usb slots, etc so you don't have to keep hooking them up to the laptop directly. Nice if you use the laptop as your desktop as well.

If you are wanting to add a lot of stuff like this I would say go look for a Mk5 toughbook CF-19. That would give you the i5 processor clocked at around the 2.5 ghz mark, DDR3 ram, get dual touch, LED screen, newer wifi card, upgraded intergrated graphics (newer intergrated graphics are a lot better. On the Mk 3 I had intel 4500 I could barely play skyrim with the mods I had done on it to cut back resources, but it was only a 1.2 ghz dual core also. ) Other members that have this toughbook (Mk5) say it's a lot faster than any Mk1-4 they have had even with SSD and other mods) I have been looking for a stripper model myself to play with, but with house upgrades coming I just haven't had the time or money for and and just keep rocking the M11
X for now.

 

Lot of answers, thanks !

So, ok about the camera, i'll forget it

for buying a mk3, I don't like to buy a lot of hardware although I've been buying some these last years (an inspiron 5100, a CF29 and a CF19) however I'll watch for the good deals that I could find (for 100 bucks it could be a good deal) but I'm in France so shipping could be an issue...

What is TPM for (I know it means Trust Platform Module but that's all) ?

About the pad, I already removed it to see if i could do something, apparently I can't, here a pic of it and of the palmrest:
https://lut.im/duMbwXYftV/hGUMUULfw2caKLuh.JPG
https://lut.im/FixC9Zkugt/NfPxnFvOzSGkwyPQ.JPG

about the DS digitizer, It seems to be a 4 pin resistive touch screen, I think i'll try because it could be cool ! (and I don't want to spend 50$+ in a replacement that will wear out as did the first one...

The temps are not horrible but the back heats up to 45-50°C so it's uncomfortable to put it on my "legs" (I don't know a proper word for the top part of the legs when you sit in english) when I'm using it. I'll log the temps the next time I use it.

Ok for the idea of a new dual touch unit being cheaper and simpler to get working than adapting, however do you know if there are the pads for the digitizer slot on a non digitizer motherboard ?

About the bubbles, here is a pic:
https://lut.im/KuI7IZiLyw/htchiNDiX6GLDP9e.JPG
do you know any fix ?

About the docking port, I could use the USB pins that are in it to put internal usb devices ? Like a camera or some stuff like that ?

For the MK5, yes it would be cool but as I said before on this message I don't like buying new stuff that could become obsolete in a few years... but I'll check on ebay to see if there is a good deal !

also, what's new with the MK6 that just popped out ?

Also, I got a
edit: I misclicked on post message, anyway I was almost done, thanks for your messages and thanks in advance !

 

mk1 and mk2 do NOT have the connectors to add a digitizer on the motherboard.
The mk3 and above does. That is why I said get a mk3.
Even if you buy a touch only mk3, you can add a digitizer at a later time. I did it to my mk4. I just bought an entire mk3 and swapped the entire lcd assembly on to the mk4. Mk3 touch only units can be bought for under $100 on Ebay. There may be a member who has a bare mk3 to sell you.

 

Does the wife approve of this?
I have been looking for years, but I am single.

 

hey , he doesn't need approval ... if he don't get caught .


those bubbles look like small bits of crud under the plastic overlay sheet .
the only real fix for this is replacement of the overlay ... a task that requires a bit of heat , patience and finesse ... and that is just the removal .
you will have to do something that was not done when that overlay was replaced the last time around ...
clean-clean-clean the surfaces before putting the new overlay in place ...
yep , it can look "clean enough" but after the new sheet is in place any minor imperfections will stick out like a sore --- thumb .
(shawn , get yet mind out of the gutter)


nice ring illumination on your camera lens .

 

I didn't get the stripper joke, :'(

so, ok about the connector being not present, so there wasn't any MK1/MK2 coming with digitizer, that would be a shame (Panasonic being as Japanese as Wacom is) ?

About the little bits under the overlay, they seem to be little bits of plastic/glue, what's being odd is that they were not there before

Also, I just checked, My toughie has just passed the 10'000 hours !!!
https://lut.im/qdtVAxwe5K/YLco2mY8NM2zvS56.JPG

 

They made mk1 and mk2 with touch only or digitizer only. The motherboards were different.
Short story is that you CAN NOT add a digitizer to yours. You will need a different motherboard and the entire top assembly. Which takes us back to buy a mk3 dual touch.

Let me ask my contact what model CF19's he has. I know he will ship overseas.

Here is a brand new touchpad for your CF19. $30 USD
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Pan...981308?hash=item33ad8c3dbc:g:CWgAAOSwI-BWJkXv

I use either 3M-300LSE or 3M-VHB tape to reattach the palmrest after changing a touchpad.

 

"(I don't know a proper word for the top part of the legs when you sit in english)"
that is normally referenced to as "lap" , "lap top" or "top of lap" .
as in : " i sat my laptop on the top of my lap" or "i sat my laptop on my lap" .
in many cases saying: "i sat *something* on my lap" the top of the lap is understood ... hard to sit something on the bottom of your lap .

"... I have been looking for a stripper model myself to play with ..."
a "stripper" is a woman that takes her clothes off ... usually to music and for money .
there are male strippers as well , however , in this instance the female type is inferred .
a model (in this case) is a woman that wears clothes to exhibit them for others and usually for payment .

some english words have several different meanings ... the correct meaning depends on the context the word is used in .

 

If you decide to buy the CF-19 dual touch, try to find one with the digitizer stylus included. It's not only an added expense, but a stylus from a MK1 or MK2 (or the more economical Toshiba PA3317U-2ETC stylus) doesn't fit the dual touch stylus holder very well. It won't insert completely unless some material is removed.

 

ok, about a new toughbook, I must think before because I like mine which is as fast as light and also has a lot of other qualities and if I bought a new one that would make another laptop to care and another to store... However if you can see with your contact, I would eventually be interested...

For the touchpad, didn't see this listing, cheaper than the other items I saw, do you think there are cheaper options (already saw one for 60$ without shipping so I haven't much hope) because it's a bit of money for a touchpad and if soon I get myself a mk3 or mk5 (why not ???) that would be 30$ invested in something I won't use for long, also I got a CF29 which I don't use much these days so maybe I could take the one it it and put it in my 19, however I was planning to sell it (any ideas how to get back most of the 169€ I put in (it's an old machine) I belive it's possible because toughbook are expensive in france (the mk2 I got is often sold between 200-500€) I could also sell almost all my laptops to buy a CF19 MK5, could be an idea (I got a dozen of laps I could repair/sell as they are)

For the double-face tape, I believe I got a 3M one (I also got some others) so it wouldn't be a big problem

Thanks for the explanations, and it does make sense, lap-top, never asked myself about this weird word
also I think a toughbook won't mind someone putting the bottom of his lap (is it correct ???) on it: already sat on my toughbook to prevent people (especially childrens) to play with and empty the battery a few miles away any AC plug...
Also, is my english understandable (I understand "well" english texts) but I'm doubtful about my capacity to write in english.

Ok for the stylus, however I already have fujitsu stylistic styluses and I don't care putting it in the holder, but if I search for a dual touch one, I'll check for that...

Also: I read before in this thread that the backlit "mechanical" keyboard is not waterproof, why ? Is it as waterproof as the non backlit I got ?

 

Currently he has at least one mk3 that is currently touch only, but a digitizer can easily be added later.
I gave him the info and a link to this thread. I am sure he will be in touch soon.

I think the $30 would be better spent on a newer model. A used touchpad would work.

What was wrong with your touchpad? It looks ok.

 

I have two Mark 3 but not for $100ea. 19PHRAXAM has 1010 hours and is a complete unit w/ rkb (regular keyboard) gps 4gb ram running linux now.

My KHRAXAM is 9400 hours and set up for my volunteer fire department. (mapping)

Contact me PM (conversation?) if you need details.

Thank you. You english is fine.

Jeff...no hurry...

 

Thanks, however I'll look for a dual touch one.
Or a MK5-6 if I sell all of my machines I belive I could get around 800-1000$ which could be enough for a new laptop...

However, for now I wan't to enhance mine, so about the noises that are coming from it, what could I do (it seems to be when the CPU is working, a buzzing noise), I should have not any because it's fanless and I use a SSD, could it be the striction of some chokes ?
What could I do to make it stop ?

Thanks in advance

 

Good choice for you and me. Thanks for reply re: my post.

Can the noise be from the lid (upper case)? Inverter?

Borrow a Doctors stethoscope. or like redneck use piece of wooden broom handle with one end to ear and one end held on Toughbook. Isolate noise area with that.

Sorry striction of chokes does not translate. Constriction?maybe.

 

Now everyone knows our trick to listening to the mud pumps fluid end, lmao.

 

You haven't checked for a bad ring in 6 cylinder / 8 cylinder while running......maybe a bad spark plug? lmao too.

 

thanks for the responses
about striction, I meant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetostriction Magnetostriction, when current passes a coil, it sometime makes a noise like that (power supplies for example) but I'll check for where the noise come form, for a previous inspection (with my ear only) it seems that it came from under the keyboard... however i'm not sure at all

Cordially

 

bad bearings in an alternator ?
water pump too .


if the OP would/could be more specific in the description of the sound , it would help .
frequency , pattern , change with brightness , etc , all help in narrowing down the problem .
there are cases of ceramic caps in a switching supply starting to *sing* after years of service .

 

Process of elimination works well.

Try these one at a time.
Run on battery only> does noise still exist?.....charge circuit problem
Run on AC only--remove battery> does noise still exist?..........battery / charging issue
Unplug speaker> does noise still exist?......audio problem
Plug in external monitor and disable laptop internal screen> does noise still exist?......inverter problem

 

you're right, no problem with LCD, the noise is louder when the machine is working on processing data or stuff. Also, it's louder, quite louder when it's on AC.
For the frequency, I'll need my recorder but I estimate to 15'000Hz the sound, not sure however.
About the noise in speaker, there is a "pssss" I didn't notice, very quiet however...
I'll test when in charge (when I get home) but I belive it was louder when charging

 

Pull base off and remove ffc and assembly going to battery and the one going to AC port / board. Clean all connections and try again.
Wiggle test while plugged in? Possibly failing AC adapter port. Common issue.

 

OK, I'll check once back home
didn't have time and won't have in the two days coming, i'll come back when I have some

 

So I used the CF19 for a moment and noted everything that might be of interrest:

-there is a noise in the speaker: a "pffffffffffft" that is present from the very moment the PC starts to the moment it gets off.
-When performing some computing (video playing, launching heavy software, closing a software and saving stuff, ...) it makes some noise
-As the time goes by, the laptop heats up and the noises get louder
-when the charger is plugged in, the laptop heats a bit more and makes more noises

Also, I have this CF29 which have a working touchpad, how can I get it and put it in my CF19 ? I tried to remove but I couldn't find a way, if someone knows, I would be very interested

Lastly: does anyone what can I do with the RJ14 56k modem that is present on my toughbook ?

and does the MK3-5-6 have still the serial RS232 port as I use it very often and it would be important data if I buy one someday

Thanks in advance

PS: about dismounting it, I'm not too up for this as I'm afraid I could damage it, and also because my workbench is in a mess right now

 

Touchpad removal will take an hour or more to do.
In order to remove a touchpad, you first need to remove the motherboard and related parts from the case.
Then gently heat the underside of the palmrest with a hair dryer. Then you can carefully pry the palmrest off.
Once the silver palmrest is off, you will see the 4 screws holding the plastic touchpad holder on.
After removing the screws and lifting the black holder off, you can carefully pry the touchpad off.
Makes the $18 to buy one seem cheap.

Sounds like the CF19 motherboard needs to be removed and the thermal pads replaced.
You still have some dirty connections somewhere.

I have about 10 of those 56k modems in a drawer.

CF 19 mk1 through mk8 all have serial ports

 

ok, thanks I think I'll finally buy a new touchpad as you said, I thought it would be as easy as on the CF-19, I'll leave the CF-29 in peace, waiting to be sold.

OK for the CF-19, I'll remove the back plate and check everything once I finish the organization/cleaning of my lab and workbench

About the 56k modems, do you know anything useful that can be made out of them because I have some of them too and especially one in my CF-19 which is not useful for me, maybe I'll rewire it to get some other connection out of it (a 4 wire port can be useful in a customization).

Thanks for the serial RS232 port info, I was worried as they tend to get rare these days and are essential for me

PS: do you think a second hand touchpad could be good ?

 

Second hand will be fine. Let me look. I think I have a good touchpad here.

 

Good evening,
I might be interested if the price is good and if you can send to France.

Thanks in advance

 

Started a private conversation

 

The black plastic piece under the palm rest is probably fastened with double stick adhesive in addition to the screws. Warm it up from the top and give the adhesive time to un-stick as you lift (pry) it up. Plastic cell phone tools work for this. :rofl: I use a plastic orange (fruit) peeler when my wife isn't looking. One end is like a flat blade screwdriver/wedge. Slower is better.

 

I just bought a lot of 10 of these. I will send you a few in the next box headed left.

 

Yes it does but only when charging. When the charge light goes out you should notice that it will get cooler. That's because the battery heats up when charging . You should notice that it gets hotter where the battery is. This is something I have noticed on all the CF-19's I have owned.

 

Amway thinks these are orange peelers. Toughbookers know better .....or think multi-task.

 

Amway...harrumpf...These are official Tupperware.

 

"when my wife isn't looking. One end is like a flat blade screwdriver/wedge."

reminds me of the chewing out and whuppins i got when i was a tyke for using my mom's knives for screwdrivers and pry bars .
the paring knives were used as a "drill/ream" on plastic boxes for making holes for switches , lamps and potentiometers .

 

Paring knives and hammer to split material for " bownarrows" from redwood barn shingles. Arrows tended to leave splinters on launch. The chickens and cat hid out so we fired at each other.

Of course Tupperware.....what was I thinking.

Seriously, OEM Toughbook screen protectors come with a nice blue spatula for smoothing out bubbles. Think plastic putty knife. Very useful and a "keeper".

 

Good evening,
sorry to not be there these days but, I'm in the middle of building a 3D printer (reprap I3 Itopie), I just finished ordering and receiving all the parts, once I'm done, I'll go back to the Toughie project.

Cordially

 

Can you 3D print a Toughbook?

 

that would be awesome but because of the limitations of the FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling, the technolgy that my printer will use) we are actually limited to some plastics (some people have had success printing clay, chocolate, metal and "pancakes" with different techniques). However, I'll add a GPS antenna to my CF-19 by printing this enclosure:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-REPL...PANASONIC-TOUGHBOOK-CF-18-CF-19-/391201626745

See you once I'm done, actually here is the actual frame:
https://lut.im/MQ56I9oy0F/XPIL32aW5dNLeTDR.JPG

 

Would it not be cheaper to just buy it ? From what I have heard 3D printing is not cheap.

 

Good evening,
If I remove the cost of the machine (400€ in parts), the prices are really low: electricity (almost free) + plastic (15-30€/kg) so it will be far under the 12$ that the one listed costs, and also I can customize it to fit my needs perfectly (I'm probably going to add external SMA connectors for GPS+HSDPA+WIFI so the part will have holes in it to fit them).

 

"If I remove the cost of the machine (400€ in parts)"
unless you already own the printer (or have a friend that has one) then the only way to defray/recoup the 400 pounds is to build a bunch of items and charge for them .
it is like having a spare tire for a car and purchasing a car in order to use the spare tire ...
it is still money out of pocket .
... unless you're looking for an excuse to buy/make a printer ...

 

I would say he was already building the printer

 

Can you 3D print a 3D printer?

 

*something* about fried ice cream ...

anyway ... while it would be nice to build a 3d printer , i cannot justify the cost involved .
man , i sure have enough boxes around here to run one .

 

Yes, I am building it, the excuse is that when I was something like 10. I saw the reprap project and the first designs, and even though at that time I didn't understand everything (like the electronics driving the machine), I did want to build a machine like that, no need to say that I didn't even started to gather parts at this time, but now (since 2013) I'm getting serious about that and it a matter of a few days I hope to finish the machine (school is a parasite at the moment because I can't focus on both so I'll have to wait tomorrow or saturday to continue).
Ah, and also I'm starting to build some nice circuits so it will be cool to make custom enclosures and stuff like that so it will be very useful for me

@Shawn: that's the point of the reprap project: 3d printing a lot of parts of the printer so that people can give/sell the parts to other people so the project spreads

http://www.reprap.org/

 

Thanks for the link. I really like this idea and how they do it.