New guy with a CF-29. Question on touch screen sensitivity

Hi. My first post.

Recently purchased a CF-29 off ebay. A basic refurb I suppose. I'm not real familiar with the toughbook in general, it's my first. Model# CF-29NTQGZBM. My question is the sensitivity of the touch screen and if it can be adjusted. I have gone to my computer> mouse> touch screen tab. Ran the calibration utility, then to the advanced options with the sliders. I've adjusted the sliders both right and left and see no difference. I'll sometimes have to tap something 6-7 times to get it to open. The manual says don't touch too hard but I almost have to put my finger through the screen to get it to register.

Also, regarding calibration. I was under the impression that you touch and hold the red + and it would move on it's own. I have to hold it for a second or two and let off of it for it to move. Is that considered normal? Is there a way to find the build date and whatever company it was configured for? That isn't necessary to know, just curious.

Thanks for any info. I've been lurking a couple weeks since I purchased to learn as much as I could before I got the machine. Thank you.

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook forum
You should use a stylus on the touchscreen. It will work much better. As far as I know there is no setting for the touchscreen

 

Thank you for the welcome and suggestion. I will have to go buy one I suppose. Thought of that actually but they are kind of impractical in certain work situations that I am in. Having to dig one out of my pocket every time I use the computer could be a hassle. Probably just the way it is though. Thanks again.

 

I just checked three programs (Linux) through a new CF-29. (Including calibration)
As usual I used a pen (cartridge retracted ) or my fingernail to use the TS. Basically tip my hand over and tap or touch.
Just this moment on CF-53 the pad of finger registered nothing.
There is an old post on here regarding calibration......where the pointer moved as stylus was lifted (may have been fingertip)
Maybe toughasnails (azrials)super search engine would find it.

 

Hi SCFL, welcome to the group.
Send me your address and I'll send you a free stylus as a "Toughbook-warming" gift.
The carry handle for the CF-30 has a neat little slot in which you can store the stylus so it is always handy. eBay has them with free shipping for under $10 and you can easily swap it for the one on your CR-29:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grade-A-Pan...281?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item234d1f1a11

Enjoy your new toy.

 

Now that is how to welcome a new member....

 

Good post kardan. (see PM TBT)

op welcome. (original poster?)

 

welcome to the forums .
"all hope abandon ye who enter here".

the TS on my '30 is fairly sensitive ...
a little nudge with my finger (about 4 ounces of pressure) does the job .
if you have to press as hard as you said ... there may be something wrong ...
i sure don't see them leaving the factory like that .

hmmm ...
i wonder if the TS on the '29 suffers from the same maladies as those of the '30 ?
perhaps the "thumping" is vibrating the infernal connections to allow intermittent contact .

 

One thing to try is un-plugging re-plugging the connectors involved. A new style touch-panel may be a little more sensitive.
The unit I tested is basically 0 hour.
How does it react to a ink pen tip....cartridge removed? Actually the push button end works pretty good.

 

This screen is actually a replacement. I purchased the computer off ebay from a refurbisher. When I received it, the screen had a dim, yellow/green cast to it and I couldn't adjust it out. I use it outdoors most the time and the screen was so washed out, it was un-viewable. Not even in direct sunlight but just bright. However, the touch wasn't bad with minimal pressure. I emailed the person and he offered to have me ship it back and replace the screen. He actually sent back a totally different computer. The one I sent didn't have an SD card reader, the one I got back did. The screen is 100% better for viewing but the touch pressure as I said, takes a lot of effort.

I am in the automotive field, what we do mostly is high performance tuning, which is done through the computer. So far, I am very happy with it. I beats the HP that I had been using. I plan on buying the shop three more, probably CF-31's.

I thank everyone for the welcome. Kardan thank you very much for the offer but that won't be necessary. I bought a three pack yesterday. Again, I prefer using a finger but I will see how it goes. Thanks again for all the input and the warm welcomes received. Great group!

 

Let us know how it works with the stylus.

 

Read Ebay's definition of refurbished some time. See how many units meet the criteria.

 

link ....Nevermind, I'll do it myself....Harumpf...

Condition
New

A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details.

New other (see details)

A new, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item may be missing the original packaging, or in the original packaging but not sealed. The item may be a factory second or a new, unused item with defects. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections.


Manufacturer refurbished


An item that has been professionally restored to working order by a manufacturer or manufacturer-approved vendor. This means the product has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired to meet manufacturer specifications and is in excellent condition. This item may or may not be in the original packaging. See the seller's listing for full details.

Seller refurbished


An item that has been restored to working order by the eBay seller or a third party not approved by the manufacturer. This means the item has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired to full working order and is in excellent condition. This item may or may not be in original packaging. See the seller's listing for full details.

Used

An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections.

For parts or not working

An item that does not function as intended and is not fully operational. This includes items that are defective in ways that render them difficult to use, items that require service or repair, or items missing essential components. See the seller's listing for full details.

 

When I was lurking on this forum prior to taking delivery of this computer, I ran across the sellers name several times and everything sounded very positive. I have no complaints about him. I would say he treated me fairly and I am even considering doing further business with him. I was a little perplexed when he emailed me and told me that he had changed my screen, when in reality he just switched computers. The one I sent back didn't have an SD card reader, as I mentioned in my OP. The one I got back does have one. Plus according to the BIOS, the one I sent in had 8000 total hours, while this one has 24000. Quite a difference.

The Ebay descriptions listed things it didn't come with. WWAN antenna etc. When I asked him about that he just kind of sluffed it off as 'some have that option, some don't', among a couple other slight discrepancies. Overall I am pretty happy. I don't expect perfection for the price I paid, a little over $300 US after shipping. I am a bit disappointed though in the HD. It came with a 1TB HDD and he and I talked and I decided to go with a 128GB SSD. I paid him a bit more to change that when I sent it in for the screen issue because I was told it would be much faster with the SSD than the HDD. IT isn't. No difference that I can tell. Still pretty slow opening apps and I gave up a lot of space. I have 109GB left after the system was installed. Just little things like that.

 

Ebay descriptions are very generalized.. They don't take into account the different sub models....
That's why we ALWAYS ask for the full model number. Then we go direct to Panasonic and find out what it had originally. Ebay doesn't know a Toughbook from a Macbook.

SSD's are faster...It's difficult to tell the difference without actually timing it or side by side comparison.
Not that the SSD is not faster, it's that our brain fools us. We expect fast to be 5 seconds to boot (exaggeration) When we get 23 seconds, we think that it's still slow. If we actually time it before and after, we find that with the HDD it was 48 seconds.

I can't/won't speak for the other issues...Other than hours do not mean much with a Toughbook.
I recently got a CF52 with 19,000 hours on it. It is in better condition than one I have with 3200 hours on it.

What OS?
How much ram?
What model SSD?

PLEASE PM me with the seller's name /ID....Don't post it on the forum please..

 

Here is the official configuration for the model you posted.
Model Number:...CF-29NTQGZBM
Status:...DISCONTINUED
MSRP:...$4,295
Description: Intel Pentium M 778 1.6GHzLv (Centrino),13.3" Touch XGA,512MB,80GB,Intel 802.11a+b+g, WIN XP SP2, TPM1.2, no drive

 

I would PM you but can't seem to figure out how?

 

click on my name and in the box that pops up click start a conversation

 

Just being aware that (most) Toughbooks use resistive touch instead of capacitive touch can be helpful. Unlike your phone or tablet, the CF-29's screen responds to pressure, so you don't actually need a stylus; you can use anything handy. This applies for both the screen and the trackpad. I wrote a blog post about it a little while ago: http://www.bobjohnson.com/blog/why-is-the-toughbook-touch-pad-such-a-pain-to-use/

 

Thanks ED. I knew this but didn't know how to say it as clearly so kept my mouth shut for a change.

Jeff

 

That article makes sense. Maybe when I said I felt like I had to use too much pressure, that is by design, since I am used to the other style of touch on a phone/tab glass panel.