RIM 902m...Keep or toss?

I have been searching the forum and still not sure...Is there any reason to keep the Rim hardware located under the battery? It sounds like even the antenna is no good for wireless. Do I need any of that hardware for wireless or gps?

 

If you search the threads, you'll find that the current rage is to retro-fit a modern GPS engine into the CF-28. The easiest approach is to use that board which was used for the RIM and the factory GPS.

 

Thanks Glen. I will search harder.

 

The common upgrade for wifi is to remove the stock LAN and Modem mini-pci cards, and replace them with a 3com Combo card (will merge the modem and LAN together in 1 slot) and an Atheros WiFi mini-pci card.

 

This is the 3com combo I bought...works fine, and its a drop-in replacment.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200009973922&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=010

Looks like now there are some going for around $10 + shipping

 

Thank you for the beta!

 

For RAM, its my impression that you should get Kingston. Mine is on order

 

Ya I saw the threads about the Kingston ram. I dont know much about ram. I now have 248, what size of card do I get to get my machine (1000mhz) to 512 or better?

I notice that there is a thread about problems with Atheros A135-52386. What Atheros card did you get?

 

There's mixed comments about the RAM...but I'm getting a 512 stick and will see what happens.

I got this Atheros card:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260198251278&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=016

I havent used it much though, so I can't comment on the reception without an external antenna. I'm going to do some experimenting with that in the future too.

I've heard positive comments about this ram: KTM-TP133/512

 

Wireless -- I am using the Engenius Senao 600mW EMP-8602+S 802.11abg mini pci card (EMP-8602+S) = $47.99 from Keenan systems -- works great, pop it in, connect an antenna, load the drives, and on XP, thats all there is (for the CF-28).

Memory -- I got the Kingston ram 512, and it works no problem in my 1000Mhz CF-28. Inserted, rebooted, shows and uses the memory fine.

I agree, the daughterboard is only useful as a candidate for GPS at this point. I have done a lot of searching, and even tried to interest my wireless provider AT&T in providing me service via the RIM card, but no dice. I think the modem is so old, no one wants to even provide service for it. So I don't think there is much use for it as a modem.

 

If you decide to toss the RIM board, toss it my way !

 

If I can get Verizon to let me use my CDMA card (Non-RIM) on a monthly basis, rather than on contract, I might throw it in my book for my trip to Oregon so I have net access in the hearse.

The RIM technology is too out of date now though (At least the stuff they put in our 28's), so most providers won't touch it.

If you're like me though, you'll have a pile of disassembled hardware sitting in a pile just waiting to be hacked apart or scavenged for usable parts, and that's where my original GPS board went until we figured out how to get an aftermarket module onto it.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the beta. Ive got my 3com Combo card on the way, and Ive got my eye on the Kingston 512 ram (on ebay) but Im gonna check with my local guy first. Then its on to the Engenius Senao 600mW EMP-8602+S 802.11abg mini pci card (EMP-8602+S). As far as the Rim hardware goes I removed the rim modem thing from the daughter board and put the board back in my unit (unplugged) for future use.

All in all Ive got the toughbook bug worse now that Ive been wandering around the forum. My woman couldn't believe that there are others with the toughbook "sickness". The upgrades will be slow going since I just moved to NM from Oregon and wont have archaeology work until Feb. Money is tight. So if any of ya all got any of the hardware Im lookin for please let me know. Im a big fan of trade as well.

Thanks again for shar'in your knowledge.

Modly, Have a good trip to my old hood.

 

Can these cards be hooked to the existing antenna or do you have to Hack in a new one?

 

Depends on the card and antenna that you got.

The antenna that is in my new one is matched for CDMA wireless, and has a funny connector on it.

What kind of card do you want to hook up to it, and what parts do you have now?

 

Look what I found.

????????????????

http://cgi.ebay.com/56-Research-in-...eZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

 

Doesn't have the host card that we can use though.

If it did, I'd be pooling money together with some of the guys here.

 

What GPS cards are folks stuffing onto the old RIM carrier, please?

I need to do some research to figure out which ones have not been castrated to only work with the Microsoft OS.

 

kd4e,
You should have a read of the "Adding After market GPS to the CF-28" thread. It involves quite a bit more than just plugging a card into the carrier.

 

You mean this 51 page thread?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=189644

Ouch!

Perhaps I will begin at the end and work back only as far as necessary!

Thanks ... I think! ;-/

 

Start at the first post, then go wherever you want. It has some important info in it.

 

Looks like our "High on crack" friend is STILL trying to sell these, for the same ridiculous price... I wonder if I should let him in on the REASON he has 56 of these gorgeous little gold-plated turds...

mnem
*Puts on his gold-plated hip-boots*

 

Doc... If you buy the antenna, EM-408 & RIM Board and ship them to me I will be more than happy to solder everything you need to have soldered... Including the 30" MMCX lead you need to go to the antenna. Then I can ship it all back to you and you can install it all. As a matter of fact... If you send out the Magnesium top I'll mod that for you so all you need to do it route the wires and plug it in.

Just let me know.

Rick

EDIT - Or you can ship the whole thing out to me...