Upgrading the CF-30 Harddrive

What software are you using
Remember about the baud rate, If its set wrong you will see data ,but the data won't be readable
Device manager and applications might favour 4800baud rate
Make sure you are setting to that rate and the correct comport in your applications

Alex

 

The CF-30 defaults to 9600 baud for com3 w/ GPS... I've tried it at both 4800 (which seems to be what most GPS programs suggest) and 9600, on all installed programs, and nothing different. Virtual GPS shows 7-9 satellites with 3D position, etc., no problem. But all other programs (MS Streets and Trips 2009, Natl Geographic Topo 4.5, Franson GPS Gate 2.6, Overland Navigator, Precision Maps 8.1, UI-View 32, etc., all act as if they have a GPS connected, but don't show position markers; as if they are waiting for the data stream. Even WinFast, a popular GPS monitor program like Virtual GPS, shows the data stream, but no satellite positions...I know I could have done somethin on the new drive, but the original drive didn't change - and they are both acting the same. Could loading XP on the new drive have altered something on the bios / motherboard that would affect both drives ?

 

Well,I spend the day driving around, and had Virtual GPS running on the CF-30...had 9 satellites, 3D rendering, data streams, sat locations, good signals, lat/lon/alt readings, etc., everywhere...

but I still cannot get the GPS to register on any other program, on either hard drive...I even tried both drives at both baud rates (4800 & 9600), and Virtual GPS got perfect reading everywhere, and no other programs recognized the data (although all work with the ports, indicating they are recognizing the GPS's existence....

Any new ideas for what's going on ??

 

Baud rate is correct in the GPS output?

I'm having this problem right now - where iGuidance sees my Bluetooth GPS just fine, but MS Streets & Trips 2009 says it sees the GPS but it's not set at 4800bps/NMEA despite me resetting the GPS and forcing it to 4800 with SiRFdemo.

 

You must use a GPS gate like franson. If you are using a multiple task it is a must. If you don't have a gate you can only run GPS program one at a time but with gate atleast three application can do it simultaneously using only one gps.

ohlip

 

As I stated in my original post, I am using Franson GPSGate 2.6 - and have been for several years. It had been working perfectly (I have up to 5 programs using the GPS simultaneously) on this machine until I decided to install a larger HD. This problem only occurred after removed my original 80G HD, installed a 320G HD (separate caddy) and loaded XP with the original restore disk that came with my CF-30. I reloaded all my stuff onto the new HD, and that's when I noticed the Franson GPSGate Icon was showing RED, indicating no reception / data incoming from the GPS. So, I put the original 80G HD and caddy back in the CF-30 so I could check all the settings, rebooted, and - SAME THING - no GPS data !!!

So it is only since then that both HDs have the same issue - Franson GPSGate sees the GPS running, has the correct input com port (3), but says unrecognizable data...yet Virtual GPS (on any of the GPSGate ports) sees the GPS perfectly, including all data, and is working fine, give great readings for lat/lon/alt. No other program sees usable data, even though they all see a GPS (no "invalid port" messages as you would get when the GPS is not visible), just the incoming data is not recognized for some reason, regardless of how I set up the Com3 baud rate (4800, or default 9600) in the Device Mgr, or on any or all of the programs, on either drive. This leads me to believe it's not Franson GPSGate (which has created working ports, sees the GPS and is outputting the "bad" data), the GPS (which is working with Virtual GPS), or even the other programs that are an issue, but that somehow, I tripped up some bios setting or something similar. Problem is there is no built in diagnostics for the internal GPS to check (not even the factory user's manual mentions the internal GPS option
).

Any time I've ever had a problem with GPS data previously, it's always been an accidental change in the baud rate by me or some other, non-GPS program, and I go back into the Device Manager, restore Com3 settings, and - viola! - back in business. But not this time, and even the original drive, which was not in the machine during the XP load on the new drive, has the same issue when I install it....

So any other ideas ????

 

Try to change the resouces from com port properties. It might be the culprit.


ohlip

 

If your GPS works in Virtual GPS then I would say it is not a resource problem unless you are running Virtual GPS in Demo mode whereas your GPS is not really feeding it any data. I would disable Franson Gate and try each APP on the actual com port but remember to close out any apps that are using the serial port as only one can use it at any time. The port settings in device manager are not relevant as each app will override it with it's settings. Once you get each app to work on the actual serial port independently then re-enable Franson and verify the settings of your virtual ports and make sure they match your application settings. All apps should be set to 4800, 8, N, 1

 

Virtual GPS is running in it's normal mode - in fact, I was checking the data it shows with GPS units independent of my CF-30 just to verify accuracy of it's data (Believe it or not, I have 2 other GPS units running in my truck for redundancy and other functions ).

I will try removing Franson GPSGate and run each program off of com3 directly, and see what happens... although I've reloaded GPSGate several times, maybe it has a "glitch" this time...

Thank you all for your help - I'll report back later with the results...

 

Well, I removed Franson GPSGate, rebooted, reset all the programs, and no change; Virtual GPS works 100% while no other program "sees" GPS data although they act as if they are connected to a GPS (no error messages like when you turn the GPS off). I tried changing the com 3 resources just in case, but also no change - same situation. I know I must have done something, but I can't figure out why it affects both drives the same unless it's a resource / bios issue. I checked the bios - GPS on, no changes to anything from default. All programs are working fine except for the use of the GPS. No error messages on any program. I didn't add or delete programs from the original setup, which until now worked 100% too. And no changes at all were made to the original drive - it was just pulled with machine off, and the new drive installed.

I know its got to be something very dumb and simple, but....

 

The logic says leave your GPS/BIOS/resources alone since it is working in one program it eliminates the GPS. Check the communications settings in Virtual GPS and set your other program com settings the exact same way. Another thing you can do is open a hyperterminal session and see if you get GPS data there. Just make sure you exit out of all programs that are using the GPS or com3 This does not make sense as you are describing it. If it works in one program and all the settings are the same it should work in the others.

 

I just opened up Hyperterminal, and the GPS data is streaming in on com3 as it should - so the GPS is definitely working OK.

Talked to Panasonic Toughbook help desk (very nice folks), and they suggested that something affected the bios, and that might be why even the original drive's programs aren't working right ...they said remove all the GPS programs from the new drive, set the bios to default, reboot and try reloading the programs one at a time and test...the tech said he'd bet his paycheck on it, as he sees bios glitches from hardware changes all the time...

Those who put up with me might remember my CF-29 GPS fiasco - turned out Doobi needed to reload the bios stack to get it working after all the com ports disappeared when the GPS module was installed....so I'm no stranger to TBBGS (Toughbook Bizarre Bios Glitch Syndrome )...

Just a shame all the GPS programs are so data file intensive - they take a long time to reload, so I hope this works....

 

Well, despite my suggestion that this is not a 3rd party software issue, as demonstrated by the fact the original, untouched HD has the same issue, I agreed to follow the advice of the Panasonic tech...

I removed all the software that accesses the GPS , removed the Franson GPGGate, reset the bios to default (although I never changed it in the first place), rebooted, and tried it again, loading each program and seeing if it works.

Well, as I guessed, no change. The GPS registers in the hyperterminal, in Virtual GPS, but the other programs only "see" there's a GPS (no com port errors), but are not receiving sufficient data to register a position.

So, I called again...and Panasonic is going to have engineering call me tomorrow...I know it's some small, stupid setting somewhere....

(and the tech owes me a week's salary...)

 

I need your input here.

Panasonic tech service is saying they think the issue I'm having might have been caused by the hard drive I have installed, and that the CF-30 is not able to handle a 320mb 7200rpm drive - and that's what caused something on the MB to whack out.

I picked this HD based on info I got here - FWIW, I'm not blaming anyone here or accusing anyone of anything - I just want to know if anybody is successfully using a 320gb 7200 rpm drive on their CF-30 so I don't get hoodwinked by the tech dept at Panasonic....

 

Here is a link to one of the drives that I use in my cf-30mk2
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=006442b3f64f9110VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD

Its a 320gb drive

Bios v2.00L11



Alex

 

After using the CF-30 mk2 with the origional 80G HD for half year, I replace to a Hitachi 320G 7200rpm HD, and reinstall the System , Work good.
The BIOS is L06.

VR2ZHU

I've updated the BIOS to L15 which claim to support Gobi WWan ???

 

I ran a Hitachi 320Gb 7200 for almost 6 months without a problem at all. It was a huge upgrade from the stock 5400 model. I can't see how the HDD woud be causing your problem?

 

GPS issue has been solved

Removed the battery, removed AC power, and let the volatile memory drain...waited about 4 hours to be sure....then, without reinstalling the battery
I hooked up the AC power, booted up the 320Gb HD, and viola !!! The GPS now registers properly with all programs

However, I did notice one other side effect: with the 320Gb HD installed, the SD drive is not recognized - no drive letter is assigned, and it doesn't show up in the system folder...although the SD drive (w/o a drive letter) is shown in the "safely remove hardware" window...

The SD drive works perfectly with the 80Gb HD installed...and the device driver shows the SD drive, SD controller, and SD device driver with both drives...

Ideas ???

 

Larry... I don't have time to go back and read every post... But did you install the OS via Recovery Disks or by another method? You may not have the drivers installed or installed correctly.

 

I did use the recovery disk that came with the CF-30...

Not sure if this is related, but now it says "new hardware found - data controller" (actually finds 2 of them) - but doesn't find drivers for either every time I boot up...looked in the device mgr, and it shows 2 unknown data controllers, with no other info...so I don't know what drivers to look for, or see anything else malfunctioning, so I don't know if I should just delete them from the device mgr to see what happens, or what....very strange because the device mgr shows this "unknown" data controllers with the 80Gb drive, but I don't get the "new hardware found" message on boot up with the 80Gb drive, and the SD drive works with the 80Gb drive...

 

A notion -

The SD reader MAY have been a dealer installed option; in which case the drivers might not be included with the restore media.

mnem
*Back to work... mumble grumble...*

 

Actually, it was factory installed, as per the model / serial number. Also, the device manager has the identical driver shown for the SD drive on both the 80Gb and 320Gb drive, and device mgr on both drives says the SD drive is functioning properly. But no drive letter is assigned to it on the 320GB....

Also, I don't know if this is related, but both drive's device mgrs show the same question-marked "data controllers" under a question-marked "other devices" in the device manager. The difference is when I use the 80Gb, the SD drive works fine, and no error messages pop up. When I use the 320Gb, after boot up I get a "new hardware found" messages for "data controller" with no addtl info; and no driver is found for them. Can't figure out what they are - I disabled them in the device mgr, and no change; I'm just scared to delete them w/o knowing what they are supposed to be...

I just seem to be a problem magnet with the TBs...

 

Larry.... When you go into My Computer... What size does the 320GB hard drive show?

I would grab another drive, clone your old one and see if the new drive works. Something has to change in this scenario for you to learn what is causing this issue.

 

"My Computer" shows the drive as 298Gb, which should be about normal for a formatted 320Gb...and the drive and all other programs (including the internal GPS now) work great.

When you click on drive c "properties", and then "hardware", it shows thew SD drive - but no drive letter, and nothing on the previous "my Computer" screen...

 

HI, Larry.
What does the disk manager show?

Sparky

 

Not sure what you are asking for. Drive size is correct regardless of where I look. I checked the Conflicts/Sharing in System Info for both drives - the same (SD uses IRQ 22). Under "drives" in sys info, with 80G it shows drive C:, D: (CD/DVD), and E: (SD card).
With 320G, only shows C: (HD@ 298G / 320G), and D CD/DVD).

I can't find any differences in the info between the 2 drives...and I can't figure out what the 2 "data controllers" the installation wizard keeps finding are for...I've deleted them, and they come right back next boot up...

 

While learning how to load all the correct drivers on W7 over the last 2 weeks I have become pretty knowledgeable about this crap

I learned today from Panny Tech that the 2 "Unknown Devices" 99% of the time is the Intel Extended Control Manager. If you look under Properties>Details>Network ID's, it should say ACPI.

Download the proper driver and update or install it. I finally got all my Panasonic Apps working today! The tech support guy showed me some funky ways to load some of the drivers. He stated they are in the middle of revamping the driver installer programs. He said they are way too complicated with how they are. Windows 7 drivers should be released to us the 2nd week of October. That's if MS does not move there date. They are ready, just will not release them until MS starts saling the OS.

 

HI Larry,
The Disk Manager is not the same display as those from the Device Manager or My Computer. It can be accessed by right clicking My Computer > Manage > Disk Manager. You will see it. All of your storage will be displayed along with all partitions.

Sparky

 

Sorry for being ignorant on this stuff. I am finally learning my way around the diagnostics paths thank to the help here...

Went to Disk Mgr, and only the C: drive (298.0-8 Gb / healthy system) and D: drive (CD/DVD) show up - no SD drive E:. In the device driver > Storage > Generic, "device status for the SD says "This device cannot start (error 10)".
Any ideas on that error code ?

 

HI Larry,
I'm no expert on this issue. I just wanted you to become familar with the Disk Manager because it offers the most comprehensive view into your storage system.

I don't know what Error 10 means. I suggest that you google the error number. I'll bet you will come up with an answer for that particular question. It may help point you to the final solution.

It sure sounds like your drive is not being recognized. Don't know why.

Sparky

 

I did a google search on "Device does not start (error code 10)", and it appears to be a common win xp pro device driver / registry corruption issue.

The only thing I found to repair ir is a program called RegCure 1.6, and they want $29.95 to "fix" the error 10 issue. Has anyone had any experience with this type of program ? Can I repair the problem myself by using the restore disk to "repair" drivers without reloading xp and all my programs again ? Or is ther any freeware / shareware that works the same as RegCure ?

 

1 Have you update the win XP to SP3 ?
2 You can try re-install the sdkey_30_1_d060061.exe
73!

 

I do have it upgraded to sp3, but I haven't reloaded that SD driver yet - can I get it from the panasonic site, or can it be reloaded from the recovery disk ? When I tried to find it on the pani site, it said it was for sp2, and I didn't want to download it and make things worse...is that driver compatible ?


I'm guessing from your sign-off that you're a licensed ham....what's your call sign ?

 

This might be a stupid question...........................But have you called Panny tech support? Those guys will do whatever they can to help you out. I have been exchanging emails for over a week now in regards to W7 with one of the tech specialists. There is only ONE problem left with the CF30 and Windows 7 that nobody can seem to figure out. Wehave been exchanging notes about it. If they will do this for a OS that is not even supported yet, I am sure they will help you!

 

Oh, I've been on the phone with Panny tech for the last 2 weeks. They are very helpful, and even call back if I have to cut the call short for work. Unfortunately, they are hung up on blaming the 320Gb drive and it's power consumption as the possible cause of the problem, keeping the engineers from actually progressing to a real solution. This was the same thing I went through with them for the GPS issue I had, and finally just removing the battery and letting the volatile memory drain fixed it. Now, this issue with the SD card reader is very similar - only affects the larger drive, the reader gets power and the "remove hardware" program "sees" the SD card but without a drive letter. The SD is not working due to a "error code 10", but I can't figure out how to fix it. I also have two "data controllers" that don't have drivers, reappear even if deleted, and seem to affect nothing (and they weren't there before loading XP on the new drive. All of these issues have stumped the Panny techs so far....

Is ther ea way to completely delete the SD drivers so I can reload them from scratch ?

 

Do you want to use the SD? If not, try non enabling it in the BIOS and see if that works.

On some of the hardware I don't use I disable in the BIOS,that way I know it's not even getting the commands from anything.

 

I wouldn't spent so much time with Panny tech, or bugging the kind folks here, if I didn't want to use it... I need it for storing trail info on off-road excursions for uploads to external GPS units in other vehicles. Right now I'm using the 80Gb HD, but I think its ridiculous that I can't use the 320Gb HD unless I want to give up the SD reader. If I can't figure it out soon, I'll reformat the 320Gb and try to clone it instead of the fresh install I did before. Problem was, I couldn't get Acronis to clone to this drive for some reason the first time.