Wifi for Federal CF-52

Found a couple of threads on this topic, which came to no conclusions. All got it to work, but some blocked the 20 pin to make it happen, others apparently not.

I've got a CF-52FKN10AM with Vista Business with these questions remaining unanswered;
1.) Can the BIOS be changed or updated to include wifi?
2.) It appears in this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/650600-replacing-adding-wifi-cf-52-a.html

that wifi card Intel link 5100 512AN_MMW, with sys: 480985-001 0A was used successfully with no modifications. I cannot find that exact card. I have been able to locate cards with the same sys, with the exception of the 0A suffix. Does anyone know if sys numbers with a different suffix can be substituted?

3.) I currently have an Intel link 5100 512AN_MMW card with the sys x'd out that is not recognized by the BIOS, but it is recognized in Device Manager, though with an error. The physical wifi light is on. The physical switch does work, but the card does not work. I have removed the wireless switch program and the Intel ProSet program, using only the device driver (unsuccessfully).

Can anyone offer some help? Thanks in advance, Joe

 

I tried upgrading my cf52's wifi card and had the same issues you did with anything but the original card. I tried the exact things you did.
I tried 2 different 6000 series cards and an Atheros card.
I wanted full n and not draft n. No joy on any of them. It must be tied to the bios. It seems odd the device manager finds them though.
I guess the bios turns them off. I don't know. I tried cutting the trace to pin 20 (same as taping or painting it.) That made no difference. I finally gave up for now.
I don't know if there is another bios available for your unit or not. I have a backup copy for mine. CF52G with working wifi.

 

I am having the same problem on a CF-52D. All cards show in device manager but not on at the switch even though the switch is set to on. Tried a 3945, a 5100 and a Athreos card. No luck. Oh, I did get the Atheros to work until I powered down the CF-52. When I powered it back up the card would not connect. States that it is off at the switch. Trying to find a bios for a CF-52C to re-flash.

 

Shawn,
Thanks for the reply. There was another thread started earlier, that also resulted in mixed results (linked below)

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/473978-cf-52-wireless-switch-2.html

In that thread there was mention of a conversation with Panasonic (more accurately, Heartland) that implies a solution can be purchased for for some $200 plus. I tried to PM that poster to find out if that solution worked,, but he/she does not permit PMs. I am not willing to spend the $200 to find out for myself, but I did make the call to see if it were still $200, it is. Still it is encouraging to know that adding wifi to the federal CF-52 can be accomplished.

It is my opinion, based on the above info from Heartland, that wifi CAN be added to the federal units, AND that the only thing stopping us is the correct wifi card. Evidently, the BIOS is only accepting a very specific wifi card. I believe the part number for this card is N5HZC0000038. Just bought one on eBay today, I'll let you know if it works in a few days after i receive it.

Hawk, I too tried a variety of cards. No luck with any of them.

Be back soon, Joe

 

Just to be clear, Mine is not a federal unit. It came with wifi. My non federal bios(I assume it's the bios) only accepts that specific card.

 

I recently switched out the stock wifi Intel 5100N with an Intel 6230 model 62230ANHMW card and had no problem with bios on a CF-52G. The software utility switch no longer works though. The hardware switch works fine. If you switch to an Intel 6000 series card be aware that you also need an adapter bracket to go from half height pci-e to full height pci-e. I am using the stock drivers from Intel's website. The bluetooth stack from Intel is pathetic, but it does work. I intend to try the generic M$ bluetooth stack but haven't gotten around to it. The Intel wireless drivers are working fine as far as I can tell. I am still running XP Pro, so the drivers are all for XP Pro. Another minor issue is that the stock antenna cables are only just barely long enough to reach the half height card. And from what I understand the 5ghz antenna wire should be smaller in diameter than than the 2.4ghz antenna wire for the stock Intel 5100N is. I have not looked into replacing the antennas yet, but it's on the to do list, any advice on antennas would be appreciated I am having no problem connecting at 300mbps to my router. If you haven't updated to the latest drivers from Intel's site you might try that Joe. You also might try and see if the latest WLAN drivers from Panasonic would work.

 

It would be great if you could post some more info. Bios version. Exact card number etc....

 

Alrighty here we go... Full CF-52 model is CF-52GCMBXAM running BIOS V2.50L16. As far as exact card number for the wireless card I'm not sure where to find that. I have four of these cards, all bought from a fleabay seller in Oregon I think you pointed me to actually Sean. I apparently have at least two versions of this card, Rev A01 and Rev A02. Anyway here are several numbers from the cards... D PN 0XXG96 Rev A01, C/M 62230ANHU, T/A E97644-004, and CMIIT ID 2010AJ5733. The preceding numbers are all off the card that is actually installed in the CF-52. The only difference in the Rev A01 and A02 cards is the number in the first number that has the Rev in it. The Rev02 card also says 'PTA Approved Model' above the CMIIT string. I hope this helps and if you can give me something more specific numberwise to look for I'll check for it

 

I have bios v2.50l17. I wonder if that's the difference?

 

BINGO! Well maybe a qualified bingo.

I now have wifi on my Federal CF-52. The card is recognized in the BIOS, it is recognized in device manager, the physical switch works, and the wifi card connects to wireless networks. All without tape, or alteration to the wifi card of any kind. It was too easy and it works great! So what is qualified? I'm not sure what card I have.

If you recall, using the part number I got from Heartland (N5HZC0000038), I searched eBay, only finding 2 cards, bought one and waited. When it arrived, I was disappointed because I could not find that part number anywhere on the card. Though there are tons of numbers on the card, it looked like a generic card, which I had already tried with no success. Even the SPS number was nothing but X's. I was about to just ship the card back, but decided, what the heck give it a try.

Removed AC, removed the battery, held the power button 30 seconds to drain the residual power (all of which I had done with previous cards) installed the new card, reinserted the battery and started the machine. Vista recognized the card, installed the driver (I had left the Panasonic driver - just the driver not the ProWireless software- on the hard drive) it worked like a champ.

So here is the info from that wifi card ;
Model: Intel 512AN_MMW Intel wifi Link 5100
SPS: XXXXXX-XXX-XX
MAC: this will be different for every card, but if you are interested 0016EA9C15AC
TA: E14718-010 (This is the number that I think is key for find the right wifi card, though I have no idea what TA means)
IC: 1000M-512ANM
FCC ID: PD9512ANM

Note: As I stated earlier, I have tried several cards, a couple of those had a "U" at the end of the FCC ID and ID. So, I'd recommend staying away from those. There are many versions of the Intel 512AN_MMW card. The key for this application is to find the right card. With it, it is so easy, it is embarassing that we wasted so much time with other cards.

Now if I only knew for sure that the card I received was Panasonic part number N5HZC0000038. I don't know how to tell which cards are in fact that part number.

This should help many. Good luck, Joe

 

Great work...glad you got it working. Would you be able to post the link to the one you got. I just need to look at the card...maybe the seller has more ??

 

Ok, I was finally able to get mine to work. I ended up putting an Intel 4965AG card that I pulled from a CF-74J into the CF-52D. It came up first thing. Signal is great. Switch works and lights up. Here are the specs on the card:

Model: 4965AG _ MM1
Intel Wireless W-Fi Link 4965AGN
FCC ID: PD94965AG
IC: 1000M-4965AG
MAC: (This is different for every card)
TA: D74671-006
Made in China

Hope this helps someone.

 

Attached are the photos. Thanks for all that helped and good luck to those in the future. If Panasonic would put the part number on the wifi card this would all be much simplier.

 

@Raven66GT (#10), I have to thank you for your posting - after numerous attempts I now got my CF-52 working with WiFi. The E14718-010 card did the trick. Bought one on eBay for $4. thank you! (I have a CF-52FKN10AM toughbook)

 

That's a great deal! Do you have a link for where you purchased?
This seller has them, but for much higher price:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390998467496?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT