What are these indicators?

Hello,

I am new to this forum (and from Europe).
I recently got a CF-18 (CF-18BHA07KG), 900 MHz, 1.2 MB RAM, 40 GB HD, in remarkably good condition.

Thanks to the tips and tricks of this forum I made everything work well:
- XPSP3
- wLAN
- Bluetooth
- Touch Screen
- etc.

So, everything is ok.

But there is still one question: These indicators next to the ON/OFF-button (see attachment) are not mentioned in any online-manual that I found so far, nor did I find any info here.

I am pretty sure that I am not the only one with these indicators. The function is also not so clear to me: this on/off-symbol just turns the indicators on and off. When ON, the "wireless" symbol and the "antenna" symbol are lit, and they don't seem to be influenced by the software BT- and wLAN switches. Also the "envelope" symbol does not seem to be influenced by the e-mail-client.

Anyone who has an idea where I can find some information about these indicators?

Thank you.

 

Here is a link to look at
http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-tough...goryZ177QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Its a wwan module that allows you to receive internet from cellular service providers

Alex

 

Hi Ghaffy,
welcome to the forum & congrats on getting the CF-18!

I don't know that model, but the light / switch panel is similar to the ones used on other Toughbooks to control a WWAN module.

I'd guess it may have one of these fitted? I've just tried to match the model number you give in the Toughbook configurator but can't seem to match the '07' part. These two characters seem to specify the Wireless / WiFi / Bluetooth / GPS setup.

If it's a model intended for Europe it may well have some type of GSM compatible (?) mobile internet device fitted. I don't know exactly how this would appear in Windows Device Manager, it could just be a serial port with a modem on it, so possibly not very obvious.

Robert.

 

Perhaps this also may help you although it is for CF18BHAZKKM
http://www.devicemanuals.com/guide/...CF18BHAZXKM-NOTEBOOK-COMPUTER-TWpVeU1RPT.html

 

Thank you,

helped me already a lot.

The mentioned manual was on my harddisk, but it does not cover these additional things.

The tip with the cell phone / GSM is gold: I found a slot just below the ear and mike connectors, now I will take out the SIM-card of my WWAN from the actual notebook that I am working from right now, and put it into the CF-18 slot. Let's see what will happen.

If I am not online in a minute again, the toughbook probably crashed my SIM-card .

If GPS was on that board either, this would be a feature! How to make sure? It should appear in the BIOS, at least in the XP hardware manager, shouldn't it?

Andreas

 

Andreas... Welcome to the forum. Yes... If you have GPS it will show in the BIOS. What I would do is spend some time reading some of the threads around here. There are a few members here that have hosted Toughbook manuals on their websites that are available for download. You will come across these in the process of reading. They have schematics, board diagrams, etc... Probably MORE than you want to know!

The CF-18 is quite a little powerhouse... I just picked up two myself and am trying to figure out the digitizer on one of them... Drivers installs... Sheesh.

You'll get it all figured out... Just don't get in a rush like I did... Now I have to reinstall my OS all over again!

 

... You are right ...
More stuff than I can handle

Anyhow, I read here allnight and found a lot of useful things, (although my "new" CF-18 came with comprehensive documentation apart from the thing that I was asking for). Only a little rest of rationality kept my from taking a screwdriver and have a look inside (which my son would have so much appreciated ...)

Finally, by the hint that this could be the GSM/GPRS module, I found this:

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pc/itn/manual/options/GPRS_SI.pdf

which describes everything, at least for the European version.

Indeed, it is this module, and the "additional" power switch on the front panel turns on/off the GSM-module independantly from the notebook's status, so one can receive SMSs or so.

I put in a SIM card from my cell phone and configured an additional modem and I am online now with it. (However, comparatively slow, as the port on the CF-18 does not yet support UMTS/HDSPA but only GPRS).

The GPS module is obviously not integrated.

So this little gem is ready to replace most of my navigational equipment on board of my boat

Thanks, meanwhile
Andreas