New CF-19 MK4

Just picked up a CF-19RHRAG2M in excellent condition. Windows 7 with full office 365, 4 gb ram, 500gb.
Paid $700, not sure if that was a good deal or not? I think it was....

First question: when I rotate my screen and fold it down into tablet mode the screen goes black, also my brightness buttons don't work? Is this some sort of hot key driver issue?

Second question: What is the best aftermarket GPS that I can add to this thing?

Third question: is the Emissive Backlit Keyboard worth the money, is it easier to type on?

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

Not sure on the screen going black,never seen that with any of the 19's I have sold. Do any of the buttons on the front work? If not then they didn't use a recovery disc ,they just put Windows on it. UBlox for the GPS although if you have a Gobi 2000 WWAN in it you do have GPS,just not quite as good as the UBlox.

 

Black screen may be a driver or a cable issue. Cables go bad around the swivel
Buttons are a driver issue.
Emissive is easier to type on....
Ublox 7 series. Preferably with a Taoglas active patch antenna. Mine works great. It's fast and very accurate.

Make a full backup of the hard drive...Then get a recovery disk and see how much better it works with a factory recovery image on the hard drive.

 

Model Number : CF-19RHRAG2M
Status : DISCONTINUED
MSRP : $3,892

Description: WinXP (Win7 COA), Intel Core i5-540UM 1.20GHz, vPro, 10.4" XGA Touch, 160GB, 2GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, TPM, Bluetooth, Dual Pass (Upper:WWAN/Lower:WLAN), Gobi, No Drive, Toughbook Preferred

Best GPS, check this one out http://www.ebay.com/itm/UBlox-6-GPS...279?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item338a0eb717

Emissive Backlit Keyboard, is it easier to type on? ....I have one on my 19MK5 and love it. It's types the same as the regular one (to me) but lights up

Paid $700 ... That's not to bad of a price for a MK4

driver issue?... Yes, it sounds like it. Who ever loaded W7 did not use the restore disk.

 

If you are going to use your laptop under rain or just wash the keyboard - emissive one is a waste of money (and dishonor for Panasonic). They are not rugged at all, while both standard plastic and rubber keyboards are waterproof and extremely reliable.

 

The screen rotation seemed to be an isolated issue as it works fine now.

In regards to the hotkey drivers, do i just look for the drivers on the internet and download them? Is there one download for all the front hotkey buttons or do you have to download a file for each button?

In regards to keyboard I will look for one of these and install. This toughbook will not see water or extreme weather conditions that could damage the keyboard.

 

You can go here to get all the drivers you need http://www.panasonic.com/business/Toughbook/computer-support-search-downloads.asp . These are the ones you need

 

MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD THE DRIVER INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS.
Use only the drivers direct from Panasonic.
And follow them to the letter.
CF19's are very difficult to get the drivers right.

In a week or so after you have pulled out your hair and are ready to switch to MacOS X, Heartlands.com sells the recovery DVD for $35.00 including overnight shipping...

I strongly suggest you just buy the DVD now and be done. It will save your hair and 259 posts in the thread of " oh crap it is worse now"

 

Ok..thank you very much.

 

Are all backlit Chiclet emissive keyboards the same for CF-19 MK1 to MK6? Or are their different versions based on the mark version?
I require one for my MK4, is this the right part number?
CF-WKB193VM

Thanks

 

Not sure what my part # is but I have had mine on a MK1 , MK2 and now a MK5

 

Same one works on all CF18 and CF19's

 

Please buy the recovery disc,it is 47 times more work to do it the other way with a 60% chance of success, if you are really lucky for a mere $35. I know,my first 19 never did get done right,I sold it for parts.

Now I buy the disc for new models first thing.:'(

 

Ya for sure i will buy the disc it sounds like a no brainier....
Where do I purchase the disc from? Do I just rip the data to a usb stick and install from said usb stick?

 

call them

http://www.heartlandsi.com/

14206 Overbrook
Leawood KS, 66224
Phone: 913-685-8855

 

I can give a link to Norton Ghost image of installed system for this laptop. If you know how to use it. 18GB because of Win7 and additional software. Or maybe I'll rebuild it later ) Win7 x64.

 

When you call all you have to tell them is...You are looking for a Recovery Disk for a Panasonic Toughbook CF-19RHRAG2M and that your COA on the bottom of it is Windows 7...( it is Windows 7...yes?? ) You can pay by credit card and have it the next day or send a USPS money order. Cost $35.00 total

Before you call make sure you get the full model number from the BIOS.

Heartland Services
14206 Overbrook
Leawood KS, 66224
Phone: 913-685-8855
Fax: 913-685-8555

Mon - Fri: 7:30AM - 5:30PM CST

 

Any leads on a Toughbook CF-19 Emmisive Backlit Keyboard/chiclet That isn't $250 +

 

These things are hard to find at any price...

 

Ok! Here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221705178264?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

teo

 

That one is Rubber....not what I am looking for.

 

I would ask the seller to be sure because the picture is not a rubber one.

 

There's a used one sitting here on the kitchen table....nicely wrapped in pink foam. $150.00 + $15 shipping CONUS. USPS Medium Flat Rate...Means my MK2 keeps the standard KB.
PM if interested. You must PM because I don't check in here every day.

Thanks,

J'd

 

So I have determined in the BIOS that my CF-19 has 1500 hrs. I ran a battery report and got the following numbers.
Design Capacity 62160
Last Full Charge 57740
Which is 92.88% charge of the battery, however it only says I have about 3hr 50min on full charge. I thought you could get about 8 or 9 hours on a CF-19? What am I missing?

It drops from 3hr 50min very quickly to, do I need a new battery? Will a new battery give me 8 to 9 hours?

 

Pull the battery,is it grey or black? Also do a battery recalibration to get a better idea,you will need to be in power saver mode I would think to get anywhere near 8 hours. Best I have done is about 6 on a CF-30.

 

Grey with yellow tab, I am going to recalibrate the battery now and see what that does?

 

OK,that's a stock 19 battery. The black is a CF-18 one.

 

I have a CF-19MK5 and I get if I remember right about 6 hours on mine with the brightness set at 70%. Check out this program...it's free and works great.

http://download.cnet.com/BatteryBar/3000-2094_4-10866804.html
Are you tired of guessing when your laptop's battery will be done charging (and tired of second guessing its so-called battery meter)? Give BatteryBar a try. It's an unobtrusive but capable utility that accurately displays the status of your laptop's battery while in use or during charging. It's "smart," too, giving progressively more-accurate estimates of remaining battery or charge time: the more you use it, the better it does its job.

 

The only time I have had trouble with battery bar is with blue tab battery's, says fully charged and 6 hours,pull the plug and literally 15 seconds and dead.

But again,just with a batch of blue tabs.

 

OK I have spent some time with my CF-19 and slowly learning as I go. I have ordered the following items, Techtough GPS, Emmisive Backlit Keyboard/chiclet , Car Charger, Gamber Johnson vehicle dock.

Now another question, What is the details in regards to the wireless card? When I bought this unit the old owner left a AT&T wireless card in the unit. Will my CF-19 work with any carrier or just AT&T? Are there different wireless adapters for different carriers? I am in Canada and AT&T is not an option. I would like to use BELL.
I have never owned or played with a laptop that used a SIM card for wireless before, is there a special set up or do you just connect through the same place you connect your WI-fi (Network and sharing center)?

 

I looked and I have the following wireless card,
Qualcomm Gobi 2000 HS-USB Mobile Broadband Device 250F

What carriers will this work with in Canada, or will it work with all carriers? Like I said their was an AT&T card in this laptop when I bought it, but it is no longer active.