Newbie with a SBC CF-29

I just got my Tiger Direct SBC CF-29 that I bought before finding this site. Did some research before and read all the FAQ's while waiting for its arrival.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the info here.

Even though I read all the bad stuff about the ex SBC units, so far mine is pretty decent even though it still smells from the repaint on the lid.

The track pad looks like it was either replaced or not used much as it is in really good shape as is the keyboard (it shows no wear at all). The only issue that it may have is the battery was totally discharged and is very slowing charging, it is at 58% after 4hrs. Its not really an issue as this will be my warehouse/shop computer and will most likely be always plugged in.

Haven't tried to get the touch screen working. The address label on it that cover s the original label says it has no touch but the bios says it does, probably due to the 3mo warranty and the fact that most of the touch screens either are bad or will be sooner or later. I'll see if it works after I finish testing the battery and then I am going to upgrade the hard drive.

It came with an XP pro SP3 disk. Tiger is now out of stock.

 

If totally discharged the batt can take awhile to charge. Longer if the laptop is in use. If you leave the battery in a laptop that is always plugged in, it will shorten the batt life.

 

about half of the SBC's I've purchased worked as far as the touchscreen is concerned. They may have replaced the touchpad surface and swapped in the keyboard. The major problem was that the left side over the battery bay was impacted and cracked like someone hit it with their fist. It will still work but looks bad and will allow leakage inside the computer. The prices have gone up on these computers a bit since a year ago which was a deal to buy one for parts and or upgrading. anyhow hope you got a good deal and welcome to the funny farm.........Driller

 

Thanks.

No cracks on the battery bay cover and now windows and the recalibration program are saying 100%.

For what it is and what it can do I would say it is a good deal as I was in the market for a cheap netbook, but for the price and ruggedness it is going to have a pretty easy life compared to what it had.

Now off to to continue to RTFM.....

 

The smart thing to do is find a restore disk set for it. it will make life easier if you ever have to load XP again....25 minutes and you are done (XP + drivers) I never use a XP Disk on a toughbook.

 

The one thing I do is to copy a "full load" XP CD disk into a directory on my hard drive. That way, if some program needs the original XP installation disk for some reason I just direct the program to the on-disk "CD" and don't have to dig out an XP disk and my DVD drive to make the installation program "happy." (I keep a Media Bay battery in my Mk5 and either a Media Bay battery or Tempo VIP Sidekick Tester in my retired SBC Mk3).

 

I saw on the panasonic site that I can get one for $35.00. There isn't going to be many programs on this machine so I figured I would stick with the XP 3hr install CD since it is dated 2008 and has SP3 on it already although it will erase all the current drivers but I can always burn another CD with them on it.

 

Good Idea. I used to do that but it has been years since I installed a program that wanted the disk. I will be upgrading the CD to a CD DVD RW drive I have laying around when I get the chance.

 

One thing I have notinced is that, if loaded from the Restore Disks, I have yet to have XP ask for the disk. If loaded from a regular XP Pro disk and manually installed drivers... Then XP will ask.

 

Interesting. Like I said earlier I have not had a system ask the xp disk in years. Is this toughbook specific?

Will the restore disks work if I upgrade to a larger hard drive? I haven't yet as I though I had an 80 or 120gb laying around but cant seem to find them.

 

Yes, you will have no problems with a larger disk. I used the samsung 160gb and it runs great

 

Thanks.

Just installed the touch screen drives and so far it works, although I will keep a tooth pick handy to check for gunk just in case. But I am guessing that since there is no overspray on the screen that maybe they took it apart to paint and any gunk fell out or "gasp" they cleaned it.

 

I was thinking of grabbing one as a spare but they are back ordered again until March 3rd. I live a mile away from tigerdirects warehouse, normally I pick up all my purchases their but this time they wouldnt let me. They said it was at a warehouse across the street and could not will-call it.

Anyways, did they repaint the entire unit? is the antenna connected to anything? keyboard new like touchpad? Thanks Bud.

Phil

 

Phil,

The return address on the box was from Chicago, others seem to have shipped from Georgia even though it was refurbed by Metropc in CT.

Only the lid, handle, hinge and palm rest were painted. The bottom shows alot of wear, even looks like a dog bit it a couple of times but other than that everything but the battery works, even the touchscreen that they say it doesn't have.

I have not checked to see if the antenna is connected to anything, could be WiFi but not sure, I am sure others will chime in that have more experience with them than me. The keyboard looks and feels new.

Right now the battery is bad, I sent an email to Metropc that is handling the 3mo warranty. I let you know what happens.

Mark

 

The lid-mounted antenna is for the WWAN. Some units still have the original Cingular/ at&t Sony-Ericsson GC83 EDGE broadband modem installed in the top PC Card slot on the right side of the unit. All of mine still had the antenna cable in place, even if the card was removed.

CF-29 Mk3 Model Number CF-29HTM50BM original specifications:
*** SBC ONLY ***
Intel Pentium M 738 1.4GHz LV (Centrino), 13.3" XGA Transmissive Touchscreen, 512MB RAM, 40GB HDD, Intel PRO/Wireless 2951ABG 802.11 a+b+g WLAN, Windows XP Pro SP2, Media Bay Interface For OEM Tempo VIP Sidekick Tester/ADSL Loop Validator, Sony-Ericsson GC83 EDGE WWAN, Single Hi-Gain Antenna Pass-Through Connector, SBC Logo, BIOS Asset Tag, Replaceable RJ11 Jack
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSP: $3,631.00

 

I see the antenna connector, no card though. It does have the metal accessory to keep the card from popping out, missing one screw. Thanks for the info.

 

I see a bunch of them for $10.00 on ebay, any point in picking one up to fool around with?

 

Thanks mark, looks like they sold out again last night. When I called they has 16 on back order. How many hours did you see registered in the bios? Thanks

 

Bios version on my machine is 3.00L11A M16 and does not report hours and no asset tag.

 

Depends if you are wanting a wireless broadband account or not.

The OEM Sony-Ericsson GC83 card is locked to Cingular/at&t, so use on another broadband service (such as T-Mobile) requires the card to be unlocked.

Some of us have switched out the S-E card for a 3G Sierra Wireless card (me, for one ).

This swap requires a special-made stub cable ( from the antenna lead-in to the card itself), not available at this time.

To connect to Verizon Wireless requires a completely different Sierra Wireless broadband modem card (I have several; "New-in-the-Box" ), just doen't expect 3G speed from a 2.5G Verizon card that fits totally internally.

 

The Asset Tag is not entered by SBC, but the BIOS accomodates Asset Tagging; and Hours Reporting started with the Mk4 CF-29 (the SBC is Mk3).

The latest CF-29 Mk3 BIOS is V3.00L13.

Read this: CF29 Mk3 BIOS Update Manual.

 

I don't have a wireless broadband account but do have ATT account(s) and a GO account I use for a security system. I'll do a search before I ask more questions. Thanks.

 

Thanks for the links.

 

Just got an email from Metropc, they are sending out a battery today.

 

Oh ok, didn't know thanks! Are most MK3 versions SBC used?

 

They are all off lease which means yes they are all used.

 

I interpreted your post a bit different. CF 29 Mk3's were made for many different companies. SBC a huge quantity of them so a majority of the used CF 29 Mk3's being sold now were SBC units.

 

See: AT&T Mobile Broadband - PC Cards, Netbooks, Data Plans - Wireless from AT&T

and: DataConnect Plans

We try to help out.

 

Since he was talking about Tiger Direct, and the warranty info for the items lists Metropc as the warranty provider for 90days, I assumed (you know what that means) they are all SBC units when I replied.

 

Nice! that alone is about $80+ for new. I called tiger they said by next monday they'll get more in.

 

The paint is probably still wet . Mine still smells of new paint!

 

Is it blue or red?

Mine will be graphite.



ohlip

 

@ohlip:

I'm thinking of something a little more sexy, something like a Blue with Pink Pokadots for normal everyday use and Yellow with Brown Pokadots for use on a Sunday and special occasions.

 

I love the smell of fresh paint in the morning......It smells like FOR SALE.

 

Plaid.....

 

Got the battery. Its new but the Chinese made one, charging now.