The OFFICIAL Panasonic CF-29 Toughbook Thread!

My actual picture, I want to make short and derisive work of any conflict regarding who the computer belongs to, specially where language may be a barrier. Not that my actual picture is not that of a pig as well!

I also include all my info in the OEMinfo. I do not like to include my name in the actual OS, that gives spammers your name for directed advertisement. Take a look at your cookies sometime...

I delete all this on selling a computer. That is not a tough task, but above the average user's head.

 

I just experimented on my Dell desktop system. Deleting the OEMinfo.ini and OEMlogo.bmp files left blank their original locations (i.e.: a big blue face w/o the "Support Information" access box or the "DELL" logo).

 

Been thinking about going with one of the Sierra Aircards, have been eying the 860 on fleabay.
My machine is an ex SBC machine as well. It did not come with the GC8 card but it DOES have the cable at the PC Card port.

TopCop, you sure about the antenna connectors for these? I started researching external antennas and what I found suggested that both of these use an FME male connector so I hope I'll be good to go with the 860.


Does anyone know much about cell-based data plans? I have Sprint for my phones but I believe the 860 works best with AT&T's 3G HSDPA. I'm not looking for another contract and am near Wi-Fi most of the time but would like the option for when I'm not.
Anyone know of any good cellular data prepay/pay-as-you-go options?

 

How about getting a cell phone that support PDANet... I hook up via USB or Bluetooth and get 3G speed on my laptop..... Faster than DSL (seemingly) but way slower than my FIOS.... Which I expected. But My Moto Droid and CF-30 cruise great together when tooling down the road... Or any place there is no SSID... But I have a phone signal! I don't do streaming video on the road... Checking email, etc.... But is seems to work almost as fast as when I am on my home network!

 

I have thought of that, however my carrier, Sprint, isn't big on tethering. They disabled this feature on the Palm Pre (my phone) for their Network.

 

Compare the connectors for yourself:

Sony-Ericsson GC83:
http://www.wpsantennas.com/images/view.aspx?productId=198

Sierra AirCard 860:
http://www.wpsantennas.com/images/view.aspx?productId=166

ps: the 860 AirCard is originally locked to Cingular/AT&T

 

Read the cell phone forums.... As we mod here... They do as well. That's what got me into hacking Toughbooks.... I used to hack cell phones to release a lot of stuff the manufacturer didn't want you to see for some reason. I had one of the first Razr phones with video as I hex edited that function into the phone.

It only stops with your imagination. There are ALWAYS work-arounds!

 

Neither of those connectors are the one inside the card bay on my machine!
I had looked at many pics of different antenna connections and plug converters for the cards, I think many of them were generic "stock" photos because the pics varied for the same described connectors. When I started reading the text describing the connections "FME male" was mentioned for both. I will just have to wait and see if it fits. If not it should be no issue to get an adapter.

Yeah it's not too hard to unlock the Pre and run homebrew apps one of which is a tethering app. I just haven't taking the time to mess with it.

Honestly I just want to use the CF-29 integrated antenna to connect!
I'll end up playing with my phone here soon enough, just want to mess with the Toughbook more.

 

That's because you only have half of the required antenna cable.

The OEM cable from the LCD antenna is actually two piece, with a joint connector where it turns from inside the machine to the PC Card area.

This connector does not fit any WWAN PC Card directly: it requires the second piece to fit the card.

The photos I linked were to demonstrate the plug on the card end of the Wilson cables, as those were the only photos of the connectors readily available at me.

(Here's a better photo of the plug to fit the GC83 card: http://wirelessrepaircenter.net/ebay/355011.jpg)

As I wrote elsewhere, I do not know if there is an OEM second cable to fit the Sierra AirCard, as the OEM card in the SBC machines is the GC83 Sony-Ericsson.

If you find that there is one, please advise as I want one too!

 

The cable I have has to be all or at least 9/10 of the way to being able to plug into a card, I do not think I'm missing it. I find it odd that it does not have the right plug for SBC's "stock" GC83 card, maybe my machine had a different card.
A plug adapter, or if necessary, a short pigtail adapter should do the trick.
An alternative would be to order a second cable of the right length with the correct connectors and just install it.

 

That last "1/10" is what was, apparently, removed along with the original GC83 card.

As I wrote, if such a pigtail or cable exists I want one too, as I have all the AirCards: 750, 860, 875 and 881.

The 860 is 3G and will fit directly in place of the GC83, allowing me to close the PC Card door and have 3G performance!

Let me know what Heartland says about it.

 

The cable in the cardbus bay IS the second cable, it attaches inside right by the WWAN antenna pass-through docking connector at the back of the machine. I saw the little PC board with the two U.FL connectors (antenna cable and second cable) when I changed my keyboard. I lightly tugged on the card bay end and there is enough slack to connect to a card. An adapter SHOULD work.

To get a new cable I believe an easier and likely cheaper solution than Heartland would be to get one from one of the electronics businesses that sell antennas and parts. Heartland charges so much for shipping and also may not carry that specific part as it is not an OEM application as I understand it. All we need to know is the proper connector for the card end and we're in business.

 

That is the Intel WLAN card (AFAIK).

OK; I tried to upload photos of the cable in my system, but was unsuccessful (file size too big).

The brass connector that lies in the left side of the PC Card bay is what the "pigtail" plugs into.

Trust me, it does not fit any Sierra or Sony-Ericsson WWAN card directly.

The pigtial is what you need and if there is one to fit the Sierra 860 I want one, too!

 

Hey TopCop- I'm posting this using my CF-29!! Man this REALLY COOL! I'm using the touchscreen and everything work! The CD-rom drive and caddy just came today - took 12 days for the guy to get around to shipping it.
Installed the drive, popped in the 3 discs - 15 to 18 minutes and boom, I'm at factory settings!! This is great!
Thanks to you and the other guys on this forum for answering the newbie questions. I really appreciate the help.
My only hitch right now is wireless connecting (I'm using a cable from the computer modem right now) I can't figure how to turn wireless on. Call my internet provide (Qwest) and the guy said Panasonic must have an "on" window you have to click - at the bottom of the screen I have the little icon telling me "wireless not connected-right click for options" but I don't see any way to turn the connection on. If you or anyone else happen to see this and have a suggest, please let me! Thanks again.

 

If you are using the factory ProSet (Which I presume you are) if you open up the main ProSet window... There is a toggle for Wifi Radio ON/OFF... Try that...

 

The WLAN card is on the bottom, I just swapped it out last week.

The board I'm talking about is mounted vertically on the back of the case and is much smaller. To my knowledge the cell antenna cable comes down behind the screen and goes to this board. It is used to connect the cell card to the docking antenna passthrough and is sometimes used with an external cell antenna to get better WWAN coverage in a vehicle.

Then we shall FIND IT!

 

Found it!

TopCop I received the Sierra860 Aircard in the mail today and can finally see in person what you were talking about concerning the connector.
Did a Google search for "U.FL" and "aircard" and found this cable. It looks like the plug end we need for the card is called a CRC9 male. This cable is what would be needed to replace the second internal WWAN cable. I found one on fleabay as well.
If we can figure out the name of the connector already in the bay we should be able to find an adapter.
I prefer the idea of a single cable from the U.FL port on the back PC board, more toughbook tough and stock like. With your multiple cards you may prefer adapters, though according to the first link that cable will fit three of your cards and the pics of the 750 I've seen it appears it will fit that card too.

I'm now looking at plans so I can ge ta SIM card and test this thing out.



----[EDIT] ----

Update
Found a pic of the SBC configuration Toughbook "stock" pigtail.

I stand corrected, I had thought that the internal cable would have plugged directly into the aircard without any adapter. It looks like a pigtail IS part of the stock configuration.

-----[2nd EDIT]-----
I think I've found the stock connector name it's an MMCX male. So the ideal cable would be a straight MMCX female to a CRC9 male right angle about 5.5cm total length. Here's one that is too long but otherwise right on.
Finally!
I will try to find one ready made. If not the above fleabay seller does custom work.

 

Thanks Toughbook, but the factory ProSet advice just didn't cut it. I think what you came up with on 02-19-08 when you were hammering Jack would be more helpful.....you said.....

"On to the topic at hand... I'm now clubbing myself over the head with a 30lb dumbell. The good news is... I'm getting a work out... The bad news is... well... It hurts!

After reseating the connections... I decided to tour the BIOS again.. Guess what I found... The wireless connection was OFF! I turned it on and VOILA... Working wifi! So it is just like the internal card slot on the 28... It doesn't show in the BIOS unless it is working. Which is strange because the LAN showed before it was installed. I guess XP knew about that one though....

These are the dangers of drinking and working at the same time!"

So, answer me this....how'd you find it in Bios the second or third time?
All I'm getting is Wireless LAN: [Enable]

 

"One picture is worth a thousand words."

The pigtail actually uses the MMCX male connector (see photo below).

That cable, along with the right crimper and this connector, http://www.altex.com/MMCX-Male-crimp-Plug-for-RG-316U-MMC-2101-P146237.aspx and the availability problem of the "vanishing pigtail" is solved!

 

You sure the pigtail doesn't need to be female? The connector in the pic on that link sure looks like the one in the machine that terminates at the PC Card area (other than it being straight vs right angle). Perhaps I have a different cable.

I may get it from that fleabay seller. He quoted me a price of $7.70 with shipping. That's cheaper than the cost of parts from altex, though it would be fun to make my own and the shipping from China is slow. For now I'd prefer to get one made domestically just so I don't have to wait so long. I believe TB mentioned somewhere he used to go to get pigtails made before he started making them himself, Ill try to find it.

If anyone knows a place please post it.

 

You're right. I just pulled mine apart and the pigtail end is indeed MMCX female.

FYI the overall length of the pigtail, connectors included, is 52MM.

If you end up ordering from China, order me two.

 

Cool I guessed 55mm, I was WAY off!

You bet, I might get a few more if I can get a volume discount.

 

I have a bunch of right angle MMCX connectors that U fab up for GPS installations... IF anyone has CRC9 male right angle connectors... I can fab this up in no time... Just tell me the length.

 

That was the correct solution to the problem Toughbook, but I was too ignorant of all things CF-29 to realize it. Appreciate the help, think I'll just read and soak up knowledge from the pros on this forum for a while before daring to venture into any serious discussions. Thanks again.

 

Believe me.... I'm old enough to know that it is the most obvious things that are overlooked. We ALL have our moments...

That is one of the things I don't like about the ProSet Utility. If you go over to, say, NetStumbler to use it.... It shuts off ProSet and you have to manually go back in and turn the radio on.

 

The AT&T Laptop Connect's Communications Manager does the same thing.

When it starts up it gives you the option of connecting the laptop via the on-board WLAN or WWAN devices.

If you try to use either Windows network or Intel's ProSet you get a message that another manager is controlling the card.

 

Thank you!
TC and I are looking for a cable with a MMCX female straight to a CRC9 male right angle with an total length of 52mm (including connectors). A right angle MMCX might not work for our application. The pic in post #567 above will give you the idea of what we're looking for.
I can get you the connectors I just need a source. TC found the MMCX connectors at Altex Computers but after searching I found they do not have the CRC9 ones. Ill search for a source for both of them, if you know of a good source let me know.

 

Hmmmm... It looks to me that it is indeed a right angle MMCX connector. Do you have a picture to post of just the cable itself?

 

OK; I just took some measurements from both the Sony-Ericsson GC83 and Sierra AirCard 860 cards, as well as the factory antenna pigtail.

The antenna hole location on the 860 is 2MM further from the 90° MMCX male connector vs. the GC83 (i.e.: the 860 cable will have to be 2MM longer than the factory pigtail).

Tha factory pigtail is 53.5MM centerline of 90° CRC9 connector to the open end of the MMCX female connector.

 

Can you be a little MORE precise? Sheesh.... a 55mm wouldn't work? No bendy, no worky? Or are you just looking for a clean design?

 

ROTFL :laugh:

Go back to post #567 and look at the photo. You will see that the factory pigtail has a "double crook" in it where it fits under the retainer plate (not shown).

 

Did somebody say 55? That was my initial estimate.

TB, the WWAN cable that is inside the machine terminates with an MMCX male right-angle right by the PC Card eject buttons. So a straight female MMCX on the pigtail lines it directly up to connect to the WWAN card.

 

I still need a picture.... Yes... Sometimes us geezers have to see it to believe it.

Actually.... I just got off the phone with thowie as he was interested in moving over to a Verizon card. He's going to send pics to me tonight of his setup so I can see if the Sled Rails are installed or if the SBC models just did away with that. I know the SBC models do not have the WWAN switch... As it is PCMCIA....


But I really would like one of you to unhook that bad boy and post a pic. I have the cable... I have right angle MMCX male connectors.... I would just need to buy the correct ends and then microsolder them together. If you guys needed a bunch of them I could buy 10 or so connectors of each and then solder away.

Just lemme know...

 

I'm all wired up and ready to go on the inside of the Toughbook, I believe TC is too. We just need a pigtail from the WWAN antenna cable to the PC Card.
TC may have a cable to take a pic of. I have none which is why need one.

Here is a pic of the ends of a finished cable that is too long but otherwise good.


Next is a modified version of the pic I posted earlier of an installed pigtail.

The stock cable MMCX male Right-angle terminal is the one in the red box. It is facing to the right in this pic. So all that is needed is a short pigtail with the above connectors to connect the PC Card.

Hopes this helps to illustrate what we need.

 

I have ordered several of the pigtails that will fit the Sierra Aircard 860. The other end will fit the MMCX male on the SBC configuration MK3s. It may fit other cards and TB models as well. It'll take a while for them to get here I will post when I have them in.

 

Hey guys I just bought a CF-29 from tigerdirect and have been following all the good advice on here, except the fact that someone said be sure to buy sata for a hard drive, which I did and mine is ide. Besides that misdirect I went ahead and purchased a vip sidekick from ebay and it didn't come with software or a cable. Where do I source these from ? I already got the three OEM recoverycds will the software be on those cds, or not?

 

Welcome!

I got mine from TD as well.
I suggest reading the FAQ before purchasing anything else to be sure you understand your specific model.

As far as the sidekick you might try the search function. I seriously doubt the software is on the OEM install CDs. Your machine is likely a CF-29 MK3 AKA mark 3. Only some of these models work with the Tempo device. So far Ive only heard of the former SBC models working (though I'm sure there are others). Mine was a ex SBC model (CF-29HTM50BM), yours is likely one too.

Someone is likely to chime in on the VIP, we have an amazing brain trust here.

Again welcome, look around and stay a while you will learn a lot here.

 

Well its not really a misdirect , you might of missed a few posts . We have been doing a ide to sata mod on the CF-29's http://www.cooldrives.com/2sahadrtoide.html and check here to see how we done it http://www.toughbooktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=334&sid=cf262c84040ecca660f31374559b1775 . My CF-29 MK5 has a SATA 160GB 7200RPM HDD with 4GB readyboast and this thing flys. liamw652 posted this mod on here to but not sure where it is.

 

First off, in order to even use the Tempo VIP Sidekick for the Media Bay you must have the proper connector inside the bay. This was installed in specially configured Toughbooks contracted by SBC (fka: Southwestern Bell Company, now AT&T), such as the Model Number CF-29HTM50BM.

So, what is the Model Number of your system?

 

Yes. mine is that exact model (CF-29HTM50BM) which is evidently an ex-sbc TB which I confirmed has the correct connector in the media bay. Its funny though that was the first thing I checked when I received it, and off I went running on ebay looking for the vip.....

 

What I am waiting for to show up are the later model 1.6GhZ Toughbooks SBC is retiring.

So far I have found only one and the price was out of my range at the time.

 

EDIT
Moved subject to its own thread.

 

That laptop 1.6ghz would be the holy grail of the ex-sbc so far. Am I correct in saying this...ie:more modding fun?

 

AT&T/SBC already retired the Pentium M 1.6GHz models, CF-29LTP55BM and CF-29LTP57BM. There were far fewer of those units than the CF-29HTM50BM.

 

Thanks for the update and Model Numbers.

Is that ( $899) your best price???

So, what are they using now: AT&T-spec Model CF-30s?

 

CF-29LTQGZBM

Ok so I bought 1.6GHz model which I thought would be bit better than the 1.4GHz model I am currently on. Going to put my backlit chicklet on it and my DVD/RW and HD since it has no HD.

But I am having trouble figuring out if it has a wi-fi card in it. If I understand the configurator right it has no installed options but everything else I am reading says it has an a/b/g card in it already. So yes or no for wi-fi?

 

You need to "look down" when using Toughbook Configurator:

CF-29LTQGZBM DESCRIPTION:
Intel Pentium M 778 1.6GHzLV (Centrino), 13.3" Touch XGA, 512MB, 80GB, Intel 802.11 a+b+g, WIN XP SP2, No Drive

Notice the Intel 802.11 a+b+g configuration?

So the answer is "Yes" on WiFi.

Hope this helps.

 

You want to install an Engenous 600mW card in it anyway!

 

Well... DUH! Next time; read every line..

I was looking at the "Z" and concluded that if it was an "X" then it would be wi-fi ready.

 

Yeah but where can I get one? Any leads RicK?