Q about upgrading 'within' the same model

Ok never looked at doing this with a Wintendo system nor with a rugged PC before, so....

Since my CF28 is, going on the configurator, a base model with no touchscreen, 800 MHz processor, etc. could I obtain a higher-spec CF28 and simply swap the hard disk drive module, etc. from this one to another one and have it work straight away without needing to fsck around with registrys, etc.?

I didn't really think a touchscreen would be useful to have but it seems that it could be very useful as I start getting more devices and software packages going. A zippier processor and ability to have more than 512 MB of RAM would also be helpful.

Craig.

 

The 1000 mk-3 is not that much faster than your 800 mk-2
A hard drive uprade is the best bang for the buck mod

Whats you model #


Alex

 

Maybe, but a 25 percent faster processor is going to increase performance noticably.

When I used my first Sun system (a 3/60!) it had a 20 Mhz 68020 and took over 2 days to compile the then-current release of X11R6 from source. I upgraded it to use a 25 Mhz 68020 and replaced the math co-pro (originally a 68881) with a 68882 and significantly improved the performance.

Probably true. The machine has an 80 GB drive and not the original one. Don't know when it was changed as the 80 GB drive (in a proper gel-mounting) was in the system when I got it a couple of months ago.

P3JAZQM

On a related Q, the Xp installation is just basic Xp. My PC at home (back in Sydney) has Xp pro on it. I'm assuming that if I wanted to upgrade I'd need to pay M$ stacks, or get hold of an Xp pro media kit... Might be better to stick with standard Xp atm.

Craig.

 

Craig,
Processors are not replaceable in any of the rugged Toughbooks. Max out the ram, put in the fastest hard drive you can get (alas, the 7200rpm ATA drives are basically gone) and that is as good as its going to get. Samsung 5400rpm 160gb single platter ATA drives are around and are quite cheap. Props to Tomcat for these! Your MKII will support 768mb of ram, get a kingston 512mb stick.
CAP

 

To answer your question... MAYBE... Sometimes you can swap 800 HDs into a 1Ghz Toughbook. sometimes they need different drivers... Sometimes they install themselves. The Touchscreen is an easy swap. But they are getting cheap enough now to just go ahead and buy a whole new unit.

Personally... Unless it was the EXACT same type... I would reinstall the OS... UNLESS you boot it up and there are no issues... And even then I might do a reinstall... Your BEST bang for the buck would be to max out the RAM and try to find a 7200 rpm, 100GB Hitachi hard drive. But they are very pricey these days as they are no longer made. But THAT would speed you up!

 

Yeah I have seen one here in Oz which is 1 ghz CF28 with touchscreen for about $450 AUD. Pretty good price.

Yeah, I was able to find a brand new Hitachi Endurastar 30 GB drive (the more rugged 'j' type) which I have in my Opentec Openfire RPC-III system, but if I can locate a higher-capacity 'n' version (which isn't rated to withstand as much shock/vibration or temp variation) I'll grab one.

I don't have any WIn xp media at present so trying to avoid needing a fresh installation. I'd go Linux except I have some apps that don't work well or have any support at all in Linux. I'm putting Gentoo Linux on my Opentec RPC-III system...

Given that the CF28, like my Opentec system, is meant to be a rugged system, going with a domestic quality drive would be a bit silly.

Craig.

 

Craig

When you have 15 posts you can pm me and I will find you some restore disks

Alex

 

Craig,
All the rugged Toughbooks get their milspec ratings with standard hard drives AFAIK, so I don't think you need to worry about using any special hardened drive and limiting your capacity.
CAP