Oddball Option String - CF-29

Greetings, noob here.

Anyhow, I scored a CF-29 on eBay not long ago.

Model # CF-29ETN26KM

Now via the Discontinued models, I can verify that it originally had the 1.3GHz Pent M, Touch Screen, and 512 MB/40GB. It should also have a COA for Win XP and a US spec Keyboard...

What I don't get is the WLAN/WWAN/GPS/Drive options part of the string, "26"... The fourth and fifth dropdowns don't have any of that.

I couldn't find any of that on the Panasonic support site.
Any help?



Also, some of the options under the second dropdown for the Screen/Keyboard option, some say "Dual Connector"

What's that mean?

 

Welcome Pele! The WWAN/WLAN means that it is capable of wirelessdevices etc. Which type, or cards I dont know. You should be able to go into System Info and find all the specifics.

The dual connectors are referring to the antennas for the GPS and maybe whatever air card was used. Or you simply have the ability to install these items. On my CF-30 I have a SINGLE RF because of my internal Verizon card.If I had GPS I would have the dual connectors.

I might be mistaken somewhere and I am sure somebody will chime in and educate both of us!

 

If you are talking about a dual passthrough that is the little brass connector on the back of your laptop that connects with the dock and antennas to provide additional reception... Do you have any other info?

 

Well, I just saw the option for "Dual Connector" under the drop down...

I'm on a Mac at the moment, so I can't go through and quote what I saw. If you go to the Panasonic Toughbook Configurator under Discontinued models, there's a dropdown for the Processor... 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.6 GHz. (Damn Win32/Internet Exploiter exclusive websites.)

Then under it there's another dropdown for screen and keyboard options. There were SVGA and XGA 13" and 12" options, Options for rubber and backlit keyboards, Touchscreen or not, and some have the words "Dual Connector" after them.

That's what I want to know...


Now that you've brought up external RF connectors though, can they easily be added? I imagine the magnesium is a decent shield to RF signals. (I'm a radio tech for my day job and a HAM radio operator. )

I'm going to be adding the aftermarket GPS per the thread in this section and I'd like decent WiFi performance.

 

uhh that model number is specific to verizion. if you got it off of ebay it wouldnt suprise me if its stolen,

 

You shouldn't need to add anything. The two little black rectangles on the top of your LCD screen are the antennas. They aren't under magnesium... They are under plastic covers! The 29 gets GREAT WiFi signal strength! The passthrough just allows you to connect to an external antenna via a dock that you might have in a vehicle (If the dock is so equipped!)...

Adding GPS is a "Must Do" in the 29 if you ask me... For any Toughbook really...

Please keep us posted.

Oh... By the way... The Panasonic Configurator doesn't accept all model numbers. That doesn't mean that your laptop is goofy... Just that their site is! Sometimes you can manually enter the numbers/letters to get what you need instead of just plugging in the model number.

 

TBTech.... Horizon Electronics sells a lot of off-lease Verizon laptops.

Still... You might want to call Panasonic/Heartlandsi.com to verify!

 

Verizon like many other large corporations frequently upgrade and they sell their old units to asset recovery companies who then turn around and sell them on Ebay. Saying it is probably stolen just because it is a verizon unit and purchased on Ebay is kind of irresponssible or ignorant at best. There are hundreds of such units that frequently and legitimately get sold on Ebay.

 

I'm at work now. I never thought I'd be thankful to have IE.

Anyhow, just to clarify here's what I was talking about earlier:



So those are the passthroughs?

 

Do you have access to what it was originally configured with?

Specifically Bluetooth, GPS, and WWAN/RF Modem options.

 

if i am thinking right all that one has is wlan as an option.

i do know some, aka not many, of them have verizion evdo installed.

 

Welp, I found that it doesn't have an EVDO card. It does have a 1x CDMA Sierra Wireless SB555 modem.

Can this be removed and a BlueTooth card installed? I'd prefer tethering to my phone. (I'm a Verizon Subscriber)


Also, does this mean I have a WWAN antenna in the top lid? There is no retractable antenna that I can see.

 

While I am sure that there are a lot of legitimate sales of used Verizon, off-lease laptops on ebay... What TBTech says is true to some degree. I think your response to him is harsh to say the least.

We've had several members that have posted here to complain that they have purchased stolen Toughbooks from reputable sellers on ebay. (nd had them confiscated) Personally I call either Heartland or Panasonic on all the Toughbooks that I acquire if I buy them from sellers outsde my "Trusted' sphere. I haven't had one turn up stolen yet... But I'll continue to call. The last thing I want is to have my reputation tarnished from an end user calling Panasonic for a tech issue only to find that the laptop I sold them was stolen.

But like I said Horizon sells mostly used Verizon Toughbooks. (With some other branded companies too.)

 

This laptop still has Verizon software on it. What should I do to verify it's ownership and what should I do if it's stolen?

S/N:4KKSA73717

 

Verification is up to you. Personally I would check. BUT... If you bought it from Horizon Electronics you have nothing to worry about.

The thing is... If it IS stolen... Then if you ever need to send it in it will be confiscated and if you ever sell it then the buyer checks... You will be out all the money. I'd say to check now to be sure. If it is then you can go back to the seller for a refund! Like I say... I check all mine just to be sure.

 

Generally if one would want to steal one, one should steal one from a Crown Vic Police cruiser... those things are all over most towns! :tongue: :rolleyes2:

 

In High School, some friends and I planned the robbery of an IHOP or Denny's...

Not really planning, but just formulating the idea. You know,a hypothetical robbery.

Why late night food stop?

What are the alternatives? Liquor store? Bank?

It's lower payout, but also lower risk and less conspicuous.



Likewise, if you wanted to rip off a fleet vehicle, Utilities would be the ticket. Verizon, Comcast/Cox/etc, Miss Utility/Utilliquest/Utility marking companies, Gas Companies, or the power company.

I have my doubts about this laptop.

Verizon doesn't list an internal IT support or Inventory Loss Control number on their website.

I posted my serial number above.

 

if you want to check the number for stolen records, i would call heartland services. they are able to pull up reported stolen units from customers.

and in your other thread about the 10gb missing, verizion has a restore partition accessible through the bios.

 

BTW, I received this laptop with an IBM Thinkpad AC adapter. Indicitave of a smash and grab outta a truck. Most likely was in a vehicle dock.

 

Damn my conscience.

I'm going through both Verizon and Verizon Wireless corporate security departments which means I get double the fun of call menus, operators, hold music, and the same set of questions.

I've already gotten callbacks from two investigators who seem to think it sounds legitimately stolen.

If it is, anyone know if PayPal, eBay, or Visa will reimburse me? (I pay through PayPal, but take the funds off of a credit card rather than directly out of my bank account.)

 

I have Chase, and they covered me in the past with a small issue once with paypal/item not arriving... SMART MOVE in paying with a credit card and not ur bank accnt. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD PAY WITH THEIR BANK ACCOUNT ANYWAYS!?!?!?!?!?!

 

I got scammed on a Cell Phone once back in the day. (I was young and stupid.)

I won a phone and payed via PayPal from my bank account. The guy didn't ship and cleared the cash out of his account.

PayPal ruled in my favor but since he cleared out his account they couldn't pay me anything.

If paypal won't dispute for me or refund me, then Visa will.