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    <<< The "Official" CF-30 Thread >>>

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by Toughbook, Jun 24, 2008.

  1. Z28barnett

    Z28barnett Newbie

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    Hi,

    I have a CF-30D3PZZBM
    It has L2400 1.6 MHZ core duo
    It is a 32bit system and is running PAE DEP
    I have added 4gb ram and a 512GB SSD.
    I am still running XP pro SP3.

    I have read up on patching W7 & XP 32 bit to use more than 4gb memory.

    I have searched and found the article on running 8gb of ram in a CF-30 mk3.

    My question is will the bios support dual 4gb SODIMMs like the Mk3?

    Has anyone done this?

    I expect to need more memory to run Win7 32 and keep performance up to snuff.

    This is a hard question and an expensive mod otherwise I would just swap in the ram and give it a try.

    Thoughts???
     
  2. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    4gb will run win7. 32 bit fine.forget 64 bit...
    Cf30 mk1 will need a bios flash..you will need the vista bios.
    Better investment may be to get a cf30 mk3 and put all your stuff in it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2015
  3. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    No....I am sure this was looked into some time ago. You only have a 30MK1 which is only a core dual and you need the 30MK3 core 2 duo to get what you want.

    edit...what Shawn said :D
     
  4. Z28barnett

    Z28barnett Newbie

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    Hi,

    Thanks for both of the replies.
    I have searched everywhere and can find no mention of trying 8gb in a MK1. The MK3 can and has been run with 8GB. But that was not my question.

    I do not want 64 bit XP or 7. It is a 32 bit system.

    I run a Java intensive application and it is a pig. I am having performance problems with XP and 4gb & ssd. I expect more problems with Win 7.

    All of the CF30 are said by Panasonic to be only 4GB machines but the MK3 is capable of more.

    So can the MK1 also use more ram than spec says.

    Thoughts???
     
  5. Z28barnett

    Z28barnett Newbie

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    I found this note in a white paper on the 945G chipset which should be the same as the 945GM fitted to CF-30 MK1.
    If I understand it correctly the memory controller will allow 8GB but only has 32 bit address space for 4gb. I don't have a full grasp of what I am reading. But I am guessing that software PAE would not override a hardware limit.

    "By using 1Gb technology, the largest memory capacity is 8 GB (16K rows * 1K columns * 1 cell/(row * column) * 8 b/cell * 8 banks/device * 8 devices/rank * 4 ranks/channel * 2 channel *1M/(K*K) * 1G/1024M * 1B/8b = 8 GB). Using 8 GB of memory is only possible in Interleaved mode with all ranks populated at maximum capacity. The Intel 82945G GMCH and 82894P MCH are limited to 4 GB of address space. Any memory in the system beyond 4 GB cannot be addressed and should not be populated due to the additional loading it places on the memory subsystem."

    Does anyone know how this compares to the chip set in the later MK3?

    Thanks

    Z28
     
  6. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    CF30 mk3 uses GS45 chipset.
    The mk3 hardware WILL support 8gb..
    The mk1 hardware WILL NOT support 8gb
    PAE hacks for windows seems to be smoke and mirrors. Even if it SHOWS the 8gb in 32bit windows, The 32bit programs can't use the extra memory..It's a waste of time.
    Which brings us back to the original problem...Your existing hardware is too slow for what you are doing.
    More memory will NOT help on a mk1. Nor will a magic PAE hack.

    I again suggest getting a mk3 and transferring your drives and such...
    Then get Win7 64bit with 8gb ram...I normally do not recommend 64bit Windows, but in your case it is needed and the right solution.
    It will PROPERLY access 8gb and WILL speed up your system as long as you have over 6gb of ram

    Or get a mk3 and use Linux 64bit to see a real performance increase.

    Specs on a GS45 Northbridge chipset..

    System Memory
    • Supports DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM
    • Support for DDR2 at 667 MHz and 800 MHz
    • Support for DDR3 at 667, 800 and 1066 MHz
    • One SO-DIMM connector (or memory module) per channel
    • Two Memory Channel Configurations supported
    — Dual-channel Symmetric (with Interleaved access)
    — Dual-channel Asymmetric (with or without Intel® Flex Memory Technology)

    • 8-GB maximum memory support
    • 64-bit wide per channel

    • 256-Mb, 512-Mb, 1-Gb, and 2-Gb memory technologies supported
    • Support for x8 and x16 DDR2 and DDR3 devices
    • Support for DDR2/DDR3 On-Die Termination (ODT)
    • Supports partial writes to memory using data mask signals (DM)
    • No support for Fast Chip Select mode
    • No support for ECC
    • No support for 1N operation
     
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  7. Z28barnett

    Z28barnett Newbie

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    The drive caddies from the CF-30 will fit CF-31.

    Will the DVD drive, main battery, and Media bay battery from the CF-30 fit the CF-31?

    Thanks

    Z28
     
  8. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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    no...yes...don't know
     
  9. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Sorry but only the caddy will fit
     
  10. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Another big thing is heat. Even if you could upgrade it's going to run a lot hotter and a MK1 can't take that much heat. The CF-30 Mk1 Toughbook are not made to do what you need no mater what you do to it.
     
  11. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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    Well I was close... :D
     
  12. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    The media battery from a CF30 will NOT work in a CF31...
     
  13. TechTom66

    TechTom66 Newbie

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    I just picked up six CF-30CTQ29BM Toughbooks. I can't get any of the Touchscreens to work.
    I've loaded Windows 7, Vista, and XP. Changed the BIOS from XP to Vista and back.
    I've had CF-29's in the past and it was never a problem to get the Touchscreens to work. So I know how to manually load the drivers into the Device Manager.
    But nothing I have tried will work with these units.
    Anyone out there have the same model and have a working Touchscreen??
     
  14. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    CPU: Core Duo L2400 - 1.66GHz (Centrino Duo)-802.11a/b/g

    Display and Keyboard: 13.3" Touch-1,000 nit

    Hard Disk Drive, Base memory, Optical Drive and UL1604 (Haz Loc): 80GB HDD + 512MB

    Integrated Options: No Absolute in BIOS

    Integrated Wireless Option: Sprint EV-DO (or Single Pass Through)

    Operating System: Win XP

    Destination: North America
     
  15. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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  16. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook forum

    The model you have (MK1) is known to have bad touchscreens. Maybe pick up the restore disk for your model.
     
  17. TechTom66

    TechTom66 Newbie

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    Thanks for the tips. I'm downloading the Ubuntu .iso now (taking forever to download). Will update after I've tested them all with the CD.
    I paid $30 each for them. They all power on and have upgraded 250GB hard drives and optical drives. Was that a decent deal??
     
  18. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    I would say it was. If you find it does have a working touchscreen look into getting the restore disk for. It will save you a lot of trouble.
     
  19. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    "Integrated Options: No Absolute in BIOS"
    something lost in the translation ?
     
  20. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    No that is correct..
    https://www.absolute.com/en

    Tracking "Lojack" is available as an option.
     
  21. Aerik

    Aerik Notebook Enthusiast

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    So after years of faithful service, I am finally upgrading from my trusty cf-29 to a cf-30 (the backlight on my cf-29 is starting to go out intermittently, and rather than fix that, I decided I'm ready to upgrade).

    So I bought a CF-30K3PAX2M (so it should be a non-touch mk3 with the best available core 2 duo cpu). I ordered a SSD to upgrade the hard drive, and I also want to upgrade the ram. I've been reading about cf-30 in the forums and I saw that the chipset of the mk3 should support 8gb, but haven't found a lot of detailed guidance (yet, anyway). Is there a faq somewhere with more specifics (ram that people have used that works, doesnt work, etc)?

    Thanks!
    Aerik
     
  22. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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  23. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Yes it will but have you checked the price of two 4GB sticks of memory....about $175.00 and up . It's just not worth it.
     
  24. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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    I got a pair on Amazon for $149 for a friend,I agree it just isn't worth it.
     
  25. Bill_TN

    Bill_TN Notebook Geek

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    Heck, that's why my 30 is dual boot. With Linux as the main OS. Slip a usb or sd card in formatted as swap and make sure it's active. Runs like a champ. My 29 does too.
     
  26. 2FastJeep

    2FastJeep Newbie

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    Hi All ,

    Im new to this forum and new the the Toughbook, just bought one off the bay for only a $150 buck and was very pleased with it. CF-30KTPAX2M with 9400 hrs. screen seems decent, has touch screen, 2g ram, 250g hdd, dvd drive and a wwan set up, although I’m not sure witch card it has.

    So my main purpose for this unit was to load up Linux mint and use it for mapping during my groups off-road adventures here in Arizona. My unit did not have onboard gps so I just ordered one form a different eBay seller and it was supposed to come with the Sony chip with ribbon, antenna with mount housing and screws. Well to my dismay yesterday when I opened the box the chip was not a Sony, it was a LR9548s and the seller did not include the 3 black screws or the antenna housing corner piece. So my three questions are (1) is this chip the same as the Sony in regards to performance? (2) if the seller skips on sending me the missing housing where might I buy just that piece? I haven’t seen them on ebay by themselves much. (3) and what size are the 3 black screws?

    Thanks for any help provided and ive been having much fun reading through this forum for the last few weeks awaiting my new project to show up.

    Eric.
     
  27. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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    Post a link to the ebay sale of the gps so I can look at it,I buy and sell there all the time and I want to make sure you are not getting jacked.
     
  28. 2FastJeep

    2FastJeep Newbie

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  29. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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    Return right now,demand a return label. His feedback sucks. If they give you any grief file a not as described case. DO NOT pay to send it back,they will try it.
     
  30. 2FastJeep

    2FastJeep Newbie

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    who would you recommended to get a gps from?
     
  31. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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  32. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    The one they sent you is a Leadtek LR9548S GPS module. The TechTough GPS is the best and it even comes with the software.

    Below is the info on your 30

    Model Number : CF-30KTPAX2M
    Status : DISCONTINUED
    MSRP : $2,200
    Description: WinXP (Vista COA), Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 1.60GHz (Centrino2), vPro, 13.3" XGA Touch, 160GB, 2GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, TPM1.2, Bluetooth, Single Pass (WWAN), No Drive, Toughbook Preferred
     
  33. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    yeah man ... the seller hosed you .
    as was mentioned , get the tech tough unit ... i put one in my '30 , it runs circles around the old factory units .
    the '30s are old enough now that the factory gps modules are not only out of date but may also have *other* problems .
    (i recently had one that was way out on accuracy)

    it is not hard to install the tech tough kit .
    i would recommend twisting the leads , this makes the routing much easier .

    where abouts in arizona are you ?
    i spent 15 years in sw arizona (think parker area)

    oh yeah ...
    planes do not fly by magic .
    it takes money and wrench pulling to get them off the ground .
    :p :D
     
  34. 2FastJeep

    2FastJeep Newbie

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    I'm in Goodyear, although I go out ever year to cover the Parker 425 races.

    The seller is calming to send out the missing parts on Monday. hopefully this gps unit will work adequately, I hate to go through the BS of sending stuff back and waiting for a refund to then wait longer for the better one you guys mentioned from Canada. I guess if it craps out then ill fight that fight or just take my learning curve losses.

    My whole philosophy of use for this old unit was to be a full size screen gps and to use as an on-board OBD2 scanner for my off-roading grope that can take the off road punishment that the Arizona desert throws at us and the vehicles. I could bring myself to take out my Samsung tablet and risk beating the **** out of it. plus some of the new tech ive seen doesn't like to talk to older OBD systems. Plus i've always thought toughbooks just look bad a$$

    I've got Linux mint 17.3 up and running as a dual boot now. with some very cool free gps mapping software Viking. It amazes me how much better older hardware runs on Linux, just one more reason to hate Windows. Once I get the GPS solved I will probably up grade the RAM to at least 4GB. I did read on hear that someone had stuffed 8GB in one and it seemed to work.

    Thanks for all the suggestions.
    Eric.
     
  35. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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    It will work fine if you get the rest of it. The aftermarket version is very nice and I have ordered quite a few of them from that seller,he ships fast and it's not that long of a wait.The 8gb of ram will cost $150+ for very little benefit,an SSD will score you a lot more performance.
     
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  36. 2FastJeep

    2FastJeep Newbie

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    Ya from my reading on here seems any more than 4GB is a bit of a wast for the money. The guy i bought the TB from had upgraded the HDD to 250GB so once I fill it or brake it then ill upgrade to a SSD. Maybe by then the price will come down on the SSD drives in the +250GB size. I recently replaced my home laptop ASUS with a 128GB SSD after the HDD finally crashed. Put only linux on it and was amazed at the power on to log in times. around 7 sec.

    Eric.
     
  37. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    "scanner for my off-roading grope that can take the off road punishment that the Arizona desert throws at us ..."
    weeelll ... looks like a new event has been added .
    i bet there is a helluva sign-up line .
    how are the classes broke down ?
    and then there's the inspections ...
    of course , one can always go to the "roadrunner" (if it is still there) .
    however , i shall digress .
    :eek: :p :rolleyes:

    yeah ... the '30 is ok for what you are going to be doing there .
    heat should not be an issue at all this time of year ... august might be a little different .
    something to look at down the road is getting a '31 ... the display backlight is LED and is brighter than the '30 ... painfully bright at times .
    a sdd is a good investment .

    do you have one of the 110/12 volt ---> 15 volt power supplies for the '30/'31 ?
    a "regular* supply has a higher output voltage (including the straight 110 type) ... this will damage the machines .
    one of those home/mobile supplies is the greatest thing since sliced bread for field use .
     
  38. 2FastJeep

    2FastJeep Newbie

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    Ya my spelling gets a little sideways at the end of a 12hr work shift...

    The ac adapter that was sent was not stock. if i remember it was a 15v 4a output. Are there any decent inverters for vehicle use that wont brake the bank?
     
  39. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    In my younger days, I participated in a few off road gropes.

    Get a combo adapter ac/dc input. 15.6 or 16vdc output.
     
  40. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    I will send a message /Conversation tomorrow to your inbox here about one I have .
     
  41. Foosking

    Foosking Notebook Guru

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    New CF-30CCSJXBM owner here. I have a question. Everywhere I read about specs says it has 3x USB ports. Where the hell are the other 2?

    Never mind found them.
     
  42. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    look under the back cover .
     
  43. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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    Model Number:
    CF-30CCSJXBM
    Status:
    DISCONTINUED
    MSRP:
    $5,249
    Description: WinXP, Intel Core Duo L2400 1.66GHz (Centrino), 13.3" XGA Touch, 80GB, 1GB, Intel 802.11a/b/g, TPM1.2, Bluetooth,Wireless Ready, Dual Pass (Upper:WWAN/Lower:WLAN), Emissive Backlit Keyborad, Fingerprint, No Drive
     
  44. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    CF-30 USB.JPG
    For any one else out there wondering......
     
  45. Nick424

    Nick424 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a Panasonic CF-30 Toughbook CF-30FTSAZAE Bios V200L14M22 it is not showing any wifi components in the bios,however they are all physically there including Bluetooth and tested working,do I need to update the bios in some way ??
     
  46. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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  47. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    Look under WLAN in the BIOS

    The M22 at the end indicates a custom BIOS. Wifi "may" be permanently disabled.
     
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  48. Nick424

    Nick424 Notebook Enthusiast

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  49. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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    Yep,it's the bios.I have 2 with the same problem here.
     
  50. Nick424

    Nick424 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there anything we can do to sort this ??
     
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