New to forum and Toughbook - Questions

Hello. I am new to this forum and to laptops. I just purchased an off-lease CF-29H3. I love it's rugged design. I am having in issue; the battery reads full charge, but only runs for about 5 minutes, then the computer shuts down. Restart only after using AC power. Battery reads 98 or 97 %, then shuts down again. I think the battery is toast. There is no sign of the battery recalibration option under Panasonic in startup, all programs. Any opinions?
Also, I have ordered more RAM, and am unsure how to install it. Any advice appreciated. Happy to be part of a group with more skills, and happy to learn.

Thanks

 

Hello hyperhad, welcome to the NBR ToughBook forum!

One of the best ways to express your happiness to learn would be to read the threads on your new CF-29. The site search function stinks, use Google and put site:notebookreview.com at the end of the search string.

You can activate the battery calibration function by pressing the CTRL F9 key when it boots up.

 

Yes.

Remove the 4 screws on the six-sided cover on the bottom of the laptop and you will find a slot to put the new RAM into.

Please note that you cannot fit more than 1GB into this slot.

 

Correction, Ctrl F9

 

If you need a battery one of our members has new high capacity for sale at a reasonable price

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=438508



The sticky at the top of the page
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=427461 has two threads for you to read
The cf-29 FAQ + The unofficial cf-29 thread



Alex

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I did look over some of the FAQ's, but will spend more time looking. Once I find out about my replacement computer, I may order a battery from your suggested member.
I am also considering a faster HD, but will wait for my current issues to be resolved.

Regards,
Chris

 

Sounds like the battery has some bum cells, you will find that this is common as we purchase off lease toughbooks. Run the battery recal as others have suggested above, but we all fall victim to the symptoms you described and 9/10 times its a bad battery. I have the yellow tab batteries for sale as Tomcat pointed out and I still have a few left, let me know if you would like one. Thanks!

 

Yes.... The ones offered for sale in the BST forum are the best to get... And at a great price. However... Run the Battery Recalibration a few times for the heck of it. See what you get.

 

The recalibrate did no change anything. I think I will go for one of the new batteries fro Connor922. I'll contact him. More reading to do now.

Tks,

 

Thanks let me know, they're selling quick

 

What is the procedure to buy one? Are you on ebay?

Tks,
Chris

 

I cannot send you a PM. It seems to be blocked for me. I'm logged in and fully registered. Any thoughts?

 

I sent him your contact info
He will contact you hyperhad
You need about 15 posts for PM privliges

Alex

 

email sent, Thanks Tomcat

 

Contacted by Connor922. Tks for the assist.

My "new" CF-29 should arrive this week. I'm just going to check out the battery and leave the replacement packed. My current unit is set up, working, and in very good cosmetic shape, so unless the replacement is pristine, I'll leave it alone.
I wish I have seen this site before buying this. I would have bought one from Connor922, or another member. Oh well, for my next one, I'll shop here.

Chris

 

I just got the replacement CF-29. I am performing a battery recalibration right now. It has been stuck on 50% for about 25 minutes. I understand that the recal. process could take several hours?

The replacement laptop is in slightly better shape (one small flake-off on handle of current unit) but it is not as clean. I'll try out both and see what happens.

I put the old battery into the replacement laptop and performed a recal. As will the original unit, the whole procedure took on 30 minutes, and the battery died after 5 minutes.

I'll keep you informed.

Chris

 

Yeah... Bad batteries. I haven't seen that many on the CF-29s... Though I think I have one in stock that only lasts one hour. I try to test them all while loading software and running updates, taking pics, etc...

 

The replacement battery seem to be holding. I am getting about 5 hours from a charge. It is a yellow tab. I'll keep an eye and let you know.

I'm doing more research and will be watching the site. Thanks for the assists so far. More questions to follow.

Chris

 

Thats excellent life Chris


Alex

 

So far I've only come across two bad batteries, like you said lasting 45min to an hour

 

As a new owner of a "previously owned" ToughBook (CF-29EWPNZBM - retired SAPD unit) I would like to know how to tell if this utility is running after bootup.

Thanks

 

HOLY CRAP! I didn't know this!!! SWEET! REP point given!!

 

If the battery recalibration utility is running you will have a splash screen warning you to not unplug the computer, shut it off, or close cover, and showing a progress bar. You cannot use your computer while the utility is running.
CAP

 

Thanks! I guess it didn't start with F9 then, as I don't have that screen displayed.

I have subsequently found the PANASONIC folder created when I installed the utilities and when I clicked the BatRecal icon it stated that the batteries (I have both normal and Media Bay) must be discharged to use the utility. System is running down now.

Thanks again.

--JJ

 

TBtech29 corrected my error -- it's CTRL + F9 to get the battery cal function when booting. Should work for all 29's I think ...

 

Yea I bought my as an off lease from Tiger and the battery was no good. I do field work and need lots of battery so I took the plunge and got a replacement main and a second media bay battery. Did the calibration twice and now I get over 8 Hours on the batteries.