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    Problem with CF-18 GPS kit from Custom Toughbooks

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by xedos888, Apr 27, 2012.

  1. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello, i have Panasonic CF-18BHA14KG and i realy love it. I want to put the internal gps in it, and i have brought Custom Toughbooks GPS kit for CF-18. I have mounted it inside my toughbook. The problem is that mine toughbooks bios did not show it, and i cannot activate it. The connection between gps card and motherboard seems ok because the usb port on the gps card works fine. I have wrote to the seller of the gps card and he says that mine cf-18 might be one of the special version CF-18 BIOS where they have removed the GPS support
    Is there possibillity to make the gps working on this cf-18? I dont want to change my toughbook to the other model because this one has full touchscreen and com port.
    http://www.custom-toughbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=183

    Other question, is there possibility to make this HSDPA card to work with my CF-18?

    Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 Power Board HSDPA Modem,Sim,BT,DL3U11520ABB(1) (149) | eBay
     
    xedos888, Apr 27, 2012
    #1
  2. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Welcome to the Toughbook forum. To help you a little better could you post your full model number CF-18???????. I don't have one in my 18 but many other members do so someone will jump in and give you a hand
    Also check out this Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 Thread/FAQ
     
    toughasnails, Apr 27, 2012
    #2
  3. Wyrm73

    Wyrm73 Notebook Consultant

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    B - Pentium 900MHz ULV (Centrino) 802.11b+g
    H - 10.4 XGA High Bright Touchscreen
    A - 40GB HDD - 256MB RAM - dual ant. connectors
    1 - No info
    4 - No info (custom order code 14 :confused: )
    K - Windows XP Pro
    G - non North America

    So yes, if the best information we have available is correct this is a special order unit. It is very posible, depending on what the custom order specs this unit was built to, that your unit may not have GPS capability. Only Panasonic can truly say and they don't like to release details about customer's special order specs.
     
    Wyrm73, Apr 27, 2012
    #3
  4. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    On my CF-18BHAZXKM (mk1) the BIOS is V1.00L13A and Controller is V1.00L21 . Is yours different than this?
     
    toughasnails, Apr 27, 2012
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  5. orange_george

    orange_george Notebook Evangelist

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    +1 on the above comments.

    A Customer Special Configuration can often include a restricted Bios,so checking what you currently have is the first step.

    You would need an up-graded Bios that supports HSDPA if you intend buying the above modem!

    Try using the above link to the CF-18 FAQ.... some detective work should allow you to decide what hardware is installed with regard to WWAN antennas & PCB's.

    o.g.

    EDIT: Just had a quick look on the Panasonic driver site, NO mk1 Bios that supports HSDPA....so you will have the same problem as your gps!
     
    orange_george, Apr 27, 2012
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  6. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    My Bios version is V1.00L13A
    Controller is V1.00L19
     
    xedos888, Apr 28, 2012
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  7. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Well its not the same as mine but its the same as the one at work which has a custom BIOS too. You just might be out of luck.
    by the way I noticed you posted in another toughbook forum...that forum is so dead the moderator has not been on there for almost 2 years :)
     
    toughasnails, Apr 28, 2012
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  8. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So i need solution with internal gps, i can use the antenna from this kit, now i need a device.
     
    xedos888, Apr 28, 2012
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  9. unclemack

    unclemack Notebook Evangelist

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    I have no idea if this will work but someone here will know... if you are keeping the kit maybe you could plug a GPS dongle into its internal usb socket and use the kit antenna.
    Could you plug a usb hub into the new internal socket and connect both GPS and HSDPA (with external antennas) or would the power required for both devices be too much?
     
    unclemack, Apr 28, 2012
    #9
  10. orange_george

    orange_george Notebook Evangelist

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    Your current Bios version looks to be more in-keeping with "Old Hat" than "Special".

    It should be a simple excersise....up-date the Bios & EC to give the required support...instead, you get a headache looking for alternative solutions. :(

    I've NO IDEA why there is an ISSUE with Panasonic supporting their user base. :confused:

    o.g.
     
    orange_george, Apr 28, 2012
    #10
  11. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    "G" = Germany

    CF-18BHA14KG Mk1
    Status: Discontinued Special Order Configuration
    *** Deutsche Telekom *** [a/k/a T-Mobile here in the U.S.]
    Description: Intel® Pentium M (Banias) 900MHz ULV (Centrino), 10.4" Hi-bright XGA Transmissive Touch Screen, 40GB HDD, 256 MB RAM (1.25GB Max.), 56K Modem, 10/100 Ethernet LAN, Intel® Centrino® PRO/Wireless WLAN, Bluetooth, Dual Hi-gain Antenna Pass-through Connectors, Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Tablet PC Edition, Panasonic Germany distribution

     
    TopCop1988, Apr 29, 2012
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  12. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So how i can update its bios?
     
    xedos888, Apr 30, 2012
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  13. orange_george

    orange_george Notebook Evangelist

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    I assume you have downloaded WinFast Navigator(or similar) & tried streaming data. :)

    So your options are, contact the authorised service centre in your country & ask for technical support. :)

    Contact the seller & ask for an alternative installation for the same hardware without Bios support. :)

    o.g.
     
    orange_george, Apr 30, 2012
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  14. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    Panasonic Toughbook Software, Drivers and Firmware

    Firmware

    Model Number(s): CF18BDKZXMM, CF18BDAZXMM, CF18BHKZXDM, CF18BHKZXKM, CF18BHAZXZM CF18_BIOS_v100L12M10-r-2003-0088.zip (413.04 KB - English)
    Operating System(s): BIOS
    Release Date: 2003/5/1 Version: v100L12M10
    Use at your own risk.
    First release.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Model Number(s): CF18BDKZXMM, CF18BDAZXMM, CF18BHKZXDM, CF18BHKZXKM, CF18BHAZXZM CF18_BIOS_v100L13A-r-2003-0118.zip (413.83 KB - English)
    Operating System(s): BIOS
    Release Date: 2003/6/1 Version: v100L13A
    Use at own risk.
    Corrects an issue that the hard disk lock is not set if the hard disk is not present at the time. Also, fixes the problem that after resuming from suspend, PS/2 mouse may not work on Windows XP (both Prefessional and Tablet PC edition) when touch pad is disabled and touch screen (if exists) is disabled.
    [Caution] This BIOS CANNOT be used for main board unit DL3UP1277CBA.
     
    TopCop1988, Apr 30, 2012
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  15. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So i see i have the latest bios ver, can i downgrade it?
     
    xedos888, May 1, 2012
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  16. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Today i have tried other CF-18 with this GPS kit, and its does not work too.
    This one also can be special release, it's model nr. is CF18BEL01ME.
     
    xedos888, May 2, 2012
    #16
  17. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    B - Pentium 900MHz ULV (Centrino) 802.11b+g
    E - 10.4 XGA Digitizer+Black Cabinet
    L - 40GB HDD - 512MB RAM
    0 - ??? no info
    1 - Secured HDD Door
    M - Windows XP Pro Tablet PC
    E - non North America

    You can check it out here CF-18 Tablet - ToughWiki
     
    toughasnails, May 2, 2012
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  18. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    now i want to try downgrade bios, but the bios utility from panasonic did not let to do this, because the curent bios version is newer. How can y do this?
     
    xedos888, May 2, 2012
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  19. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    xedos888, May 2, 2012
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  20. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    I can not see it working , the problem you are having is not the GPS but the restricted Bios.
     
    toughasnails, May 2, 2012
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  21. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    so is it possible to downgrade the bios?
     
    xedos888, May 3, 2012
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  22. xedos888

    xedos888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have got this GPS wwan unit from ebay,
    eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace
    And it WORKS with mine limited cf-18 even with out the BIOS support, i am surprised how it can be?
    Other question is, what purpose of the other connector on the WWan card, where i can use it? (lower off the wwan slot with the 6 pins)
     
    xedos888, May 20, 2012
    #22