The OFFICIAL Panasonic CF-29 Toughbook Thread!

I just checked out your model number here @ http://www.config.toughbook.com/ and what I got is below .

***SBC ONLY***Pentium M 738-1.4G LV (Centrino),13.3Transmissive touch XGA,512MB,40GB, WLAN802.11a+b+g, Win XP SP2, Tester I/F, EDGE(GC83), logo, asset tag, replaceable RJ11 jack

This will give you a little back ground on it .
Blair

 

I just bought one of these off Ebay today. Got it for $160 plus $10 shipping. I already had a new battery in the box and a couple of optical drives, so I will be setting this one up to be the new in-car computer to run the GPS programs.

 

ST..Robert..That unit is capable of accepting a Tempo VIP sidekick which is very rare on CF-29. Don't trash the connector and cable that goes to modem when you are planning to upgrade the system. It is also WWAN capable but not on the regular above battery area but on PCMCIA. It has a pigtail from docking connector passthru port that goes to PCMCIA area with MMCX connector. It has also an special cover for one slot of PCMIA. I am assuming that the original configuration is still a virgin.


ohlip

 

Alex I downloaded the original drivers and created that directory.
I ran the driver setup util "TPSetUp" but nothing happened.
this is what I have.Calwin.exe 151,552 08-11-21 15:19 V2.0L03
2 ExeStart.exe 94,208 08-01-24 16:05 V2.0L01
3 FCLTPU.cat 9 07-08-22 12:10 -
4 FCLTPU.inf 5,613 08-11-21 15:06 -
5 FCLTPU.sys 17,408 08-01-21 14:21 V2.0L01
6 Fidmous.cpl 98,304 08-01-15 20:07 V2.0L01
7 FIDPCHK.exe 94,208 08-01-24 16:07 V2.0L01
8 FidTAPI.dll 98,304 08-01-22 14:28 V2.0L01
9 FidTPSet.exe 741,376 08-06-10 17:40 V2.0L02
10 fidtpu.cat 9 07-08-22 12:11 -
11 fidtpu.del 1,816 08-01-24 16:45 -
12 fidtpu.inf 12,195 08-11-21 15:06 -
13 fidtpu.sys 34,944 08-11-26 13:23 V2.0L03
14 FidUinst.exe 110,592 08-10-10 09:25 V2.0L03
15 FidUser.exe 118,784 08-06-13 11:21 V2.0L02
16 fphook.dll 106,496 08-01-22 14:24 V2.0L01
17 FTIMV.DLL 98,304 08-01-24 15:14 V2.0L01
18 Panel.bmp 124,978 01-03-21 08:26 -
19 Readme.txt 6,603 08-12-02 16:48 -
20 ReadmeE.txt 5,777 08-12-02 16:49 -
21 TPSetUp.exe 102,400 08-10-10 09:34 V2.0L03
22 Dvrlist.txt (this file) / same as set version

 

Here is a copy and paste from the drivers thread
This is the procedure for the most common driver problem that we come across on our Toughbooks
This explains “how to get your touch screen working”
joecox2 wrote this up:
Ok, for someone that knows how to do this...reading this will be painful, but for someone that has no idea what they need to do, this a a step by step set of instructions. It should be near impossible to screw this up.
1. Click on "Control Panel"
2. Click on "System"
3. Click on "Hardware"
4. Click on "Device Manager"
5. Click on "Mice and Other Pointing Devices"
6. Click on "generic mouse"
7. Click on "Driver"
8. Click on "Update Driver"
9. When it asks if you want to automatically check for updated drivers, select "no not at this time"
10. Click on "install from a list or a specific location"
11. Click "don't search I will chose the driver to install"
12. Click "have disk"
13. Click "browse"
14. Click "Local Disk C Drive"
15. Click "util"
16. Click "drivers"
17. Click "mouse"
18. Click "Fidmous"
19. Click "open"
20. Comes up with "C:\util\drivers\mouse"
21. Click on ok and select "touch pad"
22. Click "next" and you're good to go

Try this and report back

Alex

 

Blair does transmissive touch refer to touchscreen then?

Kevin

 

You have almost the same 29 as mine but you have the Transmissive "outdoors"Touch Screen .I understand that it is great outdoors and you can see it much better.Alex could tell you more .....he knows these things inside and out.
As for getting your touchscreen working follow Alex's post above and that should get you up and running . He helped me get mine up and running the same way
Blair

 

As far as I know there is only two types of touchsreen displays on cf-29's
You both will have the same display if its 13.3"

The normal 13.3" Transmissive touch XGA 1024 x 768

And the rare outdoor type 12.1" Transflective touch SVGA 800 x 600


Alex

 

Thats what I have on my new 29... the funny cover over one PCMCIA slot... what is that all about??

 

ohlip,

I will probably leave the configuration as is due to the fact that I will not need either function. I plan on using the 29 in my vehicle for GPS and wifi duties. The GPS is a BU-353 USB and the wifi is built in and I will probably swap the internal card for the Engenous.

 

Hi! That cover is permanently hold the PCMCIA card(Gprs/etc. card) so that not to slip out of the connector. If you have the same model you can ad a WWAN on PCMCIA but I guess you need to find a card with female mmcx connector. If your not planning to use it, you can unscrew it so that you can have two available PCMCIA slot. Also if you are not going to use the pull out antena and its bump out casing. Let me know, I am interested on that and I can send you a regular rubber cover on that corner.


ohlip

 

a card like this???



is there a cable floating about inside my laptop somewhere? or will i need something else to connect it to the antenna??

 

Yup! that is the one. Your toughbook unit supposed to have a jumper wire from the docking connector passthru that goes to PCMCIA area. Is that card has an mmcx female connector? if that so, your set to have a wwan.


ohlip

 

ill have to have a quick look for that wire, im hoping its just taped up inside the case... whats the least invasive way of getting to that area of the laptop?? is it removing the keyboard and the hatch under it??

 

Take out the two screws that hold the special cover of the first slot of the PCMCIA. From there you can see if the wire is present or not or probably they have taken it out. I hope not but the wi-fi cable with u.fl connector will do the job. You just need to connect a new connector that match whatever connector of your card.

ohlip

 

Thanks TC I did reload the driver to change for the TS Driver but it still doesn't work. The utilities all run and calibration runs but not the TS portion.
I have been busy with Christmas etc. so as soon as I have a sec I will crack the case and look for the physical hardware.

Thanks for all of your help you guys rule in the Toughbook world.
Best Tech Support on the web!


Kevin

 

does that connector on the flying lead in the PCMCIA bay connect to the retractable antenna on top of the Screen?

Kevin

 

Yup! It is connected from an antena that goes to the docking connector passthru and then to PCMCIA.


ohlip

 

the flylead to the pcmcia, is that soldered at the non pcmcia end? or is there a mechanical connection? only saying this as the connector i have looks like the pin has broken off in the connecetor

 

Its connected by a u.fl connector like the one you use on mini pci slot antena.


ohlip

 

excellent! thats good to know, so its fairly easy to replce... sorry to be a pain, but I am not familiar with these funny little connectors, what would i be looking for when trying to order a replacement??

 

Hi guys, I'm a new here and just have a few questions..

What do you guys think of this CF-29 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5393608&CatId=4947

I'm buying the laptop because I need a computer for tuning my cars and it will spend most of the time in the garage or in car doing some runs.

I just need to know some general info about this computer, such as does it have gps?

I was reading about bluetooth, are you guys installing bluetooth cards and then running a bluetooth gps in your car/boat etc..?

Where is everyone getting the lighted keyboard?

I plan on getting the media battery too, does take the place of any necessary items?

And what are some general upgrades for this laptop because I know it is old, I know I will most likely update the harddrive with a larger one. I should be able to do most upgrades as I repair iPhones so hopefully some tasks shouldn't be to hard.

Well sorry for the barrage of questions, but any input is welcome.

Thanks!

 

Im just a newbie here, getting my CF-29 a couple of weeks back so my knowleeg is basic, but heres my views...

No, that model doesnt have the GPS - the panasonic gps is $600 or so extra!!! but there is a company that does and aftermarket gps/bluetoth package for about $160.

The media bay battery only replaces the optical drive, so, no, you dont loose out having it and it gives me about 3 extra hours runtime.

The backlit keyboard - I got my from ebay, as I did my media bay battery and CF-29 - the one there originates from the same place as mine did - Planitroi but I paid $430 for mine on ebay...

It isnt the fastest machine in the world and upgrades are minimal, ram and faster hard drive are the best i think you can do to speed things up but saying that, for engine diags, the pc will be plenty fast enough!

Oh, and it claims that machine is converible to a tablet... id take that with a pinch of salt - yes its a touch screen, but Its shipped with XP Pro and the tablet has a 10"display and i think is actually a CF18... I may be wrong, so waiting for someone much cleverer than me to correct me!!!

 

The first thing we need to know is the full model # CF-29?????? so we can check @ http://www.config.toughbook.com/ Go here and put in your full model # and it will tell you what it had when new but for the price I would say no it does not have GPS. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=241106[/URL] and it should answer all your questions. The 29 you are looking at shows a 1 gb for memory so my guess you have 512 on board and they added a 512 stick for a total of 1 gb. You could take out the 512 and add a 1 gb stick which would give you 1.5gb max. Go with a 60 or 80 gb 7200 rps harddrive. That will give it a good boost. Spend some time reading the CF-29 F.A.Q and you will learn a lot about this great little toughbook.
Blair

 

Thanks for the quick response and links, I'll start reading up on the FAQ and I'm going to try getting the full model number.

The reason I want GPS is hopefully I can get a program that displays my speed and occasionally give me directions.

 

Another quickie, what software does everyone run once gps has been installed, or is there already software that has been installed on the laptop from factory?

 

Its consumer choice... some use Microsoft Streets and Trips, some Iguidance, others who knows. Choose your poison that you like. Also, the 29 WILL NOT convert to a tablet, the screen only opens/closes, it does not rotate. IF it is a touchscreen, then you can write on it with a screen pen or your finger. Hope that helps, but do spend some nights reading the stickies as all of your questions have been answered many times before, including the GPS question.

 

I have a few things you could use in my CF-29 B&S thread

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=431527


Alex

 

hello everyone.. i dunno what am i supposed to do.. i've tried download any drivers so that it will matched with the error.. but it still not going to work..

i really really need a solution for these errors..

perhaps, someone could help me.. thanks in advance..

my toughbook series is CF29HTM50BM

plus.. i can't find the touchscreen driver which match with my toughbook..
i've check at the BIOS.. the touchscreen is enable... but somehow dunno where to find the drivers.. my audio also didn't work at all.. the driver says OK, but still don't have any sound came out from the speaker...

pls pls help me~

 

The unknown is probably the hotkey drivers... the modem is obviously the modem ...

 

i can use the modem.. and the wi-fi.. it doesn't give me any problem related to it.. or perhaps.. it is a GPRS or GPS error? coz i also can't find the right driver for GPRS n GPS..

 

Check your PCMIA slots in the side for a plug in modem, perhaps there is another one there. Ditto on JB007Rules suggestion on the "unknown device", that is your hotkeys drivers. To get your Touchscreen and GPS working, you must update the drivers manually. Please spend some time on the FAQ Stickies as these are discussed in GREAT LENGTH there and have step-by-step directions to resolve. If you can't follow those, or run into problems after following those, then please return back and we will go on from there.

 

The modem is probably a wwan type ,and will need drivers from the service provider ,Cingular might be the provider in this case, so thats probably not needed, unless you want to pay for service

Alex

 

Thanks for the FRM! I will keep it with my CF-29.

I have a question that doesn't seem to be covered in the manual. My WiFi is onboard and I have read that if it is set up that way then I should have on board GPS as well. At this point I do not have GPS enabled and would like to make it active. Any suggestions?

Thank you

 

The bios screens (Fn+F2) when booting will inform you to what optional devices your Cf-29 is equipped with
If you have the GPS it should show up there
Was that your question or are you having an issue with wi-fi


Alex

 

Thanks Tomcat!

Nope that may just do it. I hope so anyway. I finally was able to get a toughbook on ebay and it is a little old and dirty, good break in for what I have planned, and nearly ready to rock! I just want the GPS for tracking my locations and I read that if I have WiFi built in I might also have GPS onboard.

Thanks!

 

now the fun bit, trying to get the bios on start up!

No GPS in the Bios :*(

I went to "http://www.config.toughbook.com/ Go here and put in your full model # and it will tell you what it had when new" and it didn't load anything. I was doing this over WiFi but the correct answer is that it doesn't work in Google Chrome.

Now the question: If GPS is not displayed in the Bios then it has to be added as an after market option?

 

That's a rare option and yes it has to show in the bios, or you do not have a GPS

Good thing we have a whole thread on adding it to the cf-29

Alex

 

Ack! Uninstall IE8 and use IE7 is you have to... I used to use Mozilla... But I stay with IE7 just so I can go pretty much anywhere.

Of course that will change when I go up to W7....

 

I'd say stay wih IE 7 if you can. I had IE8 give me fits and went back down a version. My CF-29 prefers Chrome due to it's speed and light foot print.

I will follow up on the GPS thread for mine. It is just one feature that I really need.

 

Yes, chances are you do NOT have GPS installed. The 29's had the option of GPS only; wwan/gps together; or wwan only on their sleds. You probably have the last option. That is, if I am reading your post correctly. If by wifi you are referring to the option of using your laptop to connect to the internet through a cell phone-like signal, then that is the sled I am referring to. If you mean a regular wifi connection to connect to the internet through your DSL at home or at 5bucks, then that is different and has nothing to do with the GPS install. I hope that''s not too confusing for you.

On a lighter note, I have had a GPS install not show up in the BIOS because the ribbon cable being used was installed upside down so the BIOS never recognized the device as being installed. First clarify what you mean by wifi/gps install (do you have a sled installed or not) and we can further troubleshoot for you. You might not be out of luck yet.

 

Quick question Gentlemen,
who is the MB builder for the mk3 model.
Thank You
Bill

 

Panasonic, they aren't assemblies of generic parts.
CAP

 

Go to www.custom-toughbooks.com and you'll see GPS/Bluetooth with an internal USB port for both the CF-29 and CF-18 systems along with excellent instructions on how to assemble and install them in your computer. I ordered one over the Christmas holidays and got it last week. It took me about 90 minutes to install and test on Saturday afternoon. Besides the screwdrivers needed to open the machine (He even tells you how many screws in each step which is helpful when you are rooting around the machine!), I used a pliers to bend the groundplane for the GPS patch antenna, some Crazy Glue and some double-sized tape to complete the project. It was fun and simple!


The GPS is more sensitive than the factory version and they add an internal Bluetooth module on a USB port on the edge of the internal card. What is cool about that is that if you want to install something else internally that uses USB, then you are all set up!
The kit is $150 and is mailed from Norway. Any questions that you may have are also answered promptly and with good information.

Thanks!
Gordon Beattie
[email protected]

 

Pliers and crazy glue?

You can build your own system for less and get even better results!

 

Yes, we use pliers to bend the copper to make a shielded groundplane for the patch antenna and crazy glue to hold the amplified feed to the groundplane. Makes sense to me!

The idea here is to add internal functionality to the CF-29 at modest cost.
Sorta like the JR. version of this guy's configuration:
Panasonic CF-30 Toughbook - 1.66GHz Duo Core - Emissive Keyboard - 200 GB Hard Drive - 4GB RAM - GPS - AT&T WWAN - Bluetooth - Fingerprint Reader, DVD Rom - Media Bay Battery - 16GB External/Internal ExpressCard - 20-in-one card reader.

 

Yeah... But for $48 for the EM408, $27 for the patch antenna and $10 for a ribbon cable... You hve a GPS system that can't be beat.

Less money, better system....

 

Thats how its done!!
I tried decipering the magic mixture neededfor homebrew gps on the gps thread, but it was a million pages long with a million combinations!!! we could do with a seperate link in the FAQ with the parts and procedure for a working diy setup

 

Thats one way , out of about a dozen
I like the Sarantel antenna option


Alex