Newbie CF-28 Addict

OMIGOD! I’ve been lurking on this forum for about 3 weeks now. I decided to purchase a used computer to capture ballistic data at the rifle range and ended up with a CF-28. Picked it mainly because I’ve used them at work and have been impressed with them.
However, after picking up the first 600Mhz unit, I found an 800Mhz unit for less money and I bought that too!! You guys are an evil influence!! But the knowledge here is incredible. I’ve been reading and reading and reading – well you get the idea. Based on your excellent work, even though I don’t have much computer knowledge, I’ve worked up the courage to start digging in and making some improvements.
So far, I’ve;
Replaced the 30 gb hardrive with a 60 gb Hitachi 7200 AND IT LIVES MASTER!! – piece of cake because of Toughbooks outstanding tutorial! Really did speed things up. Great mod.
Moved the 30gb to the 600mhz unit AND IT LIVES TOO, MASTER!!
Installed a 512 Kingston into the 800Mhz unit. AND IT LIVES!!! Plan to put the 256 into the 600 mhz unit.
Installed a 3COM combo card. AND IT LIVES!!!
Purchased a rubber backlit keyboard cause I’m kind of a slob and also because I snagged the ‘M’ key with a cleaning rag. I’ll probably swap out keyboards tomorrow, being sure to be careful with the brown connector!!
I’m pretty excited because the computer actually continues to function after I work on it!! Frankly, that wouldn’t be happening without the members of this board. You are all amazing!!

Some Questions:
1. I tried to attach a photo of a card underneath the battery but haven't figured that out yet. However, it looks like a circuit board that has a slim silver, playing card size, unit mounted on it. Is that the RIM? What did it do?

2. I plan to add a wireless card (probably an Aetheros) but I’m also going to need Bluetooth and USB 2.0 for the original purpose (ballistic software). What recommendations do you have for doing all of that? Is there any way to make the current USB port 2.0?
3. If I add those things, can I still stuff a GPS unit in there?


Well, I suppose that’s enough for a first post!!! Thanks again for such an tremendous forum!!

 

First off, welcome to the forum. The BIG guys can add details to my post, but the skinny is:

1. Click on the paperclip icon when posting and 'browse' to the location of the picture you want to upload..

2. Most are installing wireless to the mini-pci slot under the hard drive and removing the dial-up modem card. You can purchase a modem/lan combo card to replace the lan card as well if you want to keep all 3 (wireless, lan, modem). Under those, accessed by removing the lan/modem port cover, is a hidden pcmia card slot where most of us are putting the billionton bluetooth wireless card (use the one with the lift-up antenna to ensure a good fit). As for USB 2.0, I remember talk of it, but don't recall a solution yet. I suppose if you are'nt using the pcmia card slot on the right side of the 28, then you could get a usb 2.0 for that? (TB, or et all correct me if I am wrong).

3. Yes! Even after ALL that, you would still be able to install the after-market GPS mod (using the "circuit board that has a slim silver, playing card size, unit mounted on it"; that would be the stock RIM modem card for your toughbook). It does require some soldering that others on here have offered to assist with (they solder the new GPS modem ribbon cable to the old RIM board, and VOILA -- IT LIVES!! to quote you )

Have fun modding!!

 

Welcome to the forum! What ballistics software are you using?

 

Haven't bought it yet, but RSI makes a package that includes a chronograph, pressure trace and software. Costs about $800. See http://tinyurl.com/2yl5tl

I've been reloading for pistols for nearly 20 years and started reloading for rifle last year. Rifles going BOOM from a bad reload are something I REALLY want to avoid and this equipment will help me avoid that.

Hope I can keep my CF-28 addiction under enough control to have the money for the RSI package!!

 

Welcome to the site! I've been reloading for rifles since 1960. It's a great past time. Just use good judgement and attention to detail when approaching maximum loads. Most of the KABOOMS that I have heard of with rifles involve barrel obstructions. Although I have heard that it has happened when reloaders have confused fast burning powders such as Bullseye with a slow burning rifle powder.

 

Welcome to the forum! Yes... It can be addictive can't it? Wait until you have 4-5 of them... Then you know you have a problem!

Good work on your modding efforts so far! Glad to see you so eager to dig in. I must say that the CF-28 is rather forgiving and an excellent modding platform. About the only thing you MUST beware of is that brown connector lever on the keyboard connector. This WILL waste a motherboard if broken. Some have temporarily fixed it by propping up the ribbon cable with a toothpick but we like to do things right here... Not redneck engineering. (No offense to us rednecks out there!)

The wireless mod is very easy to do and you have your pick of what type of antenna to use. Don't be afraid to experiment! Mnementh did a great tutorial on how to make the whip antenna you have into a passable wifi antenna. You can also go with an internal mount or SMA jack out the side as a 2nd source for an antenna. (My choice) I like the internal antenna/SMA combination personally but am eager to try mnem's whip arrangement to see how it goes. The only thing is that you then give up a great site for the GPS antenna. That location is the easiest to mount the GPS. Moving on to the GPS... It also is fairly easy to put in if you are fairly handy with average tools and a soldering iron. It takes no special skills or superhuman strength.... Just a little patience and A LOT of reading about how to do it. I think Cadillac started a basic thread about how to do it. I've been meaning to but haven't had the time.

As for the USB 2.0... Your easiest route by far is to just push in a USB PCMCIA card into the side card slot and move on. If this is something you need to haul around and you use the USB 2.0 ALL the time... Then there are other ways I suppose... But nobody around here has taken the time (to my knowledge) to mod that into the CF-28. I think it has been a low-priority issue for us. Just watch out for picking the laptop up when the card is in the side and the door is open. A LOT of people have broken of doors because they lay the laptop down on that door and it breaks the hinge. Some (for sale on ebay) have even taken off the door because it is an annoyance for them as they use so many cards in the side. But then that takes away from the water resistance feature.

So... It is up to you. This forum has grown by leaps and bounds from people like you who share their experiences as they mod their Toughbooks. If you learn from us... Post back what you learn and the forum grows by that much more!

Again... Welcome to the forum!