New TB owner...uh...HI.

Been looking around these forums for a little. Got a CF-29HTM50BM from TigerDirect yesterday.
I'm really impressed, in general.
Mine came with XP sp3. It's in very good cosmetic condition. A very well done repaint on the top cover hides some of the very small scratches. No signs of big hits or major drops. The screen is blemish free and looks like brand new. No scratches or dead pixels. The keyboard and touchpad are in excellent condition.

I'm really pleased to see what you can get for less than the price of a good netbook.

BUT... There are a couple things. Probably the biggest is that the dial up modem doesn't want to work. Internal diagnostic says no problem. But when I try to use it it makes the shortest little modem type noise at first, but won't get the dial tone. Not sure of the model. I'd check but I'm doing the F9 battery calibration thing right now. It started with "A" and ended with "97" or maybe "96". I remember that much.
The other problem is the battery. But I'm running the calibration right now and I'll see what is really up with it. It's been over an hour charging on calibrate and it's never charged that long before. We'll see.
Another thing is the screen, while in perfect condition otherwise, has a slightly off-shade bar along the bottom. Along the very bottom edge, about 3/16" wide. Something to worry about? Sign of failure in progress?

I was debating trying to swap it out under warranty because of the modem (which I need--dial-up only here) But it's in really good condition and works well. WIFI works.
I might be able to live with a USB dial-up modem. Or if it's a not-to-difficult-swap I could put in another. Any advice?

I've read a LOT of stuff here. RETAINING it is a whole 'nuther story.

Anyway...kinda' wanted to stop in and say "HI".


ETA. 2 hours and still charging in recalibrate mode. Maybe there's hope!
Forgot to ask. Where is the total time used info? I didn't see it in the bios. But I didn't really fool around in there too much.

 

Battery calibration takes time.... How long depends on how good the battery is.

If you have a 3/16" band... Replace it. It may look nice but the "Nice paint job" hides all the wear. Something a lot of sellers do.

I'd replace it under warranty. Let them know you don't settle for broken laptops...

 

If you have looked closely, you will have found that this is a retired SBC/at&t Field Service Technician unit:

CF-29HTM50BM Description:
***SBC ONLY***
Pentium M 738-1.4GHz LV (Centrino), 13.3" Transmissive Touch XGA, 512MB RAM, 40GB HDD, Intel PRO/Wireless 2951ABG 802.11 a+b+g WLAN, Win XP Pro SP2, Tempo VIP Sidekick/ADSL Tester I/F, EDGE(GC83) WWAN, SBC logo, asset tag, replaceable RJ11 jack

I have two of these myself.

 

Thanks Toughbook.
I saw in another post you made about the modems often going bad in this particular model. Is this a fairly high percentage failure item? If I get another it might be bad already or could fail at any time....
I know nobody uses dial-up anymore but I'm stuck with it. Is there a good d/u modem I could replace this one with?

Update: Battery's shot.

Thanks TB



ETA: Yup TopCopp, saw all that. Been cruzing around here quite a bit lately.
I know this particular model has a strange nomenclature. Thank you.

The thing is I LIKE this machine...HAHA!!

Trying to decide whether to keep or swap it. Except for the modem and screen it's in really good shape. (uh...yeah... )
So if the modems have a very high failure rate, I might as well keep this and do what I can to improve the situation.

So that leaves the screen problem.
I can live with it as-is. It's barely noticeable.
But if it's a sign of deterioration and impending doom, then I'll have to consider that. Maybe it's something easily fixed... like the flattened-toothpick-as-cleaner trick I saw here somewhere.

 

My seller was willing to take it back. Then I found out it was just calibration.

 

First I would exchange it , as you just bought it, I know it was cheap but I would hope that an exchange will be in better condition

If you ignore this advice:

I am not sure on modem replacement, it might be not too hard, I don't remember,you can check in the service manual

A new battery will cost $70 + if you can wait and find the right deal

The screen is not too hard to replace when needed, starting cost $80 + for non working touchscreens

Your mark 3 does not have the time listed in the bios , it's on mk-4 and mk-5 models



Alex

 

Do you mean the whole unit or just the battery?

I emailed both TD and the actual "reconditioner" (huh?) last night about the battery and other problems. We'll see what they say.


ETA: Thanks Alex.

I really appreciate you guys helping me out.

 

The whole computer. I thought my touch stopped working but it just needed recalibration. I didn't wait 30 seconds for the 1st X to move. I lucked out on batteries. I got a cheap one that lasted longer than it should have and my 72 came with 2 working batteries even tho the listing said 1 untested.

 

I think that they should spend a little more time reconditioning them. It seems a lot of members are having problems with them. I mean how hard is it to test the battery and touchscreen.

 

The 3/16" area across the bottom of the screen is very likely due to a CCFL tube overheating and melting the plastic substrate; I've seen it many times.

One WOULD expect them to at least verify that the touchscreen functions properly; I agree. However... when you have a stack of them to the ceiling your boss says you have to get done before you can have lunch, I can see how such trivial things might get overlooked. :wink:

Most sellers of used laptops (refurbished, reconditioned, restored, serviced, WHATEVER) are not as diligent as Rick; therefore they consider the battery to be a "consumable part" and will post a disclaimer stating they do not guarantee battery life in any way. Of course if the battery shows in failure status in the computer, you SHOULD be able to press the matter and get it replaced... usually with ANOTHER used battery of indeterminate and unguaranteed life.

The LCD issue would be a deal-killer for me unless I had a free replacement lying around; they CAN be quite costly to get a good one with decent brightness.

Good hunting,

mnem
Geh-Burble.

 

"The 3/16" area across the bottom of the screen is very likely due to a CCFL tube overheating and melting the plastic substrate; I've seen it many times."

Is that the thing called the Inverter PCB in the service manual? Didn't see CCFL tube.
I noticed it gets a little warm there between the hinges.

Well crap. I guess that kinda' caps it then. I had pretty much decided to keep it and was just looking around for parts and stuff on the net. But that screen problem seems serious.

I guess it'll get worse, huh?

TD doesn't do exchanges. Just refunds. I'll call them again tomorrow.
Thanks bunches you guys. Really appreciate the help.

 

The inverter is what provides the high voltage for the CCFL tube(s); they are part of the LCD, and while they CAN be replaced, they are not DESIGNED to be replaced. If the tube did melt the plastic substrate as I suspect, the LCD is junk.

mnem
enlight.