cf-18 MK1 vs. Mk2 and gps?

Hello all. I would like to say, great forum!

I have some questions about cf-18s. I have in my posession 2 cf-18s. I am wondering what to do with them. Basicaly I am looking to take the 2 units and put them together and have the BEST of each unit. Best case, gps, rubber keyboard, max avail memory, processor ect. Should I take the best parts from each one to make a hybrid that is superior? Can I take the GPS from the MK2 and install it on the MK1 that is in WAY better condition? I will be mounting this computer in an expedetion vehical and using it for navigating back country trails. I will be running DeLorme Topo USA on it... https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10045I was also wondering what the max memory for each computer is? Can I take the MK2 mother board with the faster processor and install it in the better MK1 case? Should I even mess with swaps like this?


The first is a MK1, cf-18BDAZXMM 900mhz with 512mb of additional memory. 60 gig hd. This 18 is in very good condition. I would rate the condition of it at a 9.5-9.8. A good feature about this one is the rubber keyboard.

The second is a cf-18DDAZAMM 1100mhz with 256mb of additional memory. 40gig hd. This unit has factory GPS. It is in poor condition. It is missing some port covers, has many scuffs and scratches. It has some small dents too.

What are your opinions of what I should do? As I said before I would like to build a computer from the two that will be the best it can. Please help me out, I appreciate your advice.

THANKS!!

 

I'd max out the 1.1GHz unit, keep the GPS in there, max out the RAM, swap over all the port covers, top and bottom covers and have a newer looking and FASTER CF-18! Don't forget to make sure you have a new(ish) 5400rpm hard drive... Drop in an Engenous 600mW wifi card and have blazing everything!

Step back and ENJOY your new creation!

 

rtreads, I am doing much the same thing right now. I have a 1.1 that was fairly beat to death and was able to get a pristine upper case. The new case had no doors/covers, but I just bought another case with all intact in decent shape for $50. I painted the bottom case with Grip-It to give it some texture and did the bare case in Krylon Dark Gray Hammered, the rest will be a surprise. From what I can tell, there are no real differences in the case, just what is put into the case. The digitizer models will not have the serial port, it will be blocked off, some have GPS while others are blocked and all have the slot for an SD card, but only some have the reader. The 1.1 has 256 ram on the board so put in a 1GB stick (see link) and the GPS will swap fine, but the antenna will be fun to route so you may want to consider just swapping LCD's if they are both regular touch and in good shape. Also, if you have never played around much with laptop internals I would suggest taking pictures before you tear into them.

1GB Memory Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 (Pentium 4) Series - eBay (item 370380370081 end time Jul-12-10 02:30:32 PDT)

 

Are you referring to a SD card from a digital camera? That would be really cool to take pics and vids of the back country trials and just toss the SD card into the toughbook and upload.

I have replaced the CMOSS battery already and have been insde the 1.1 already. Its not that big of an issue. I am very comfortable taking things apart and getting them back together.

I am glad to hear that you say this.... as this is what I was thinking of doing. As far as a custom paint scheme, what about a brushed finish? I think that would look really "tough" and natural??

thanks!

 

How do I tell if I have the new-ish 5400rpm hard drive? Also why change the wifi? The MK2 has wifi already. Is there a benefit to changing it?

THANKS!!

 

Oh, I have one more question...

The screen on the MK1 seams a lot "whiter" and brighter than the screen on the MK2. Why is this? I like the look of the screen from the MK1 a lot better.

 

The specs of the HD will be on the outside. The Samsung 160GB HD is one of the more popular (see link below) and it is a 5400 rpm and very reliable.

The power of the Engenius is the highest out there and so is reception. If you have the 2100 card, dump it. If you have the 2200, it will do, but there are better.

The two screens should be the same, but how many hours on each will make a difference. The MK1 may have fewer hours or the screen on the MK2 may be going bad.

As far as the SD card, you need to make sure you have the reader. Usually only the later models have it.

Samsung 160GB HM160HC ATA PATA IDE Notebook Hard Drive - eBay (item 160423634772 end time Jun-13-10 00:13:29 PDT)

 

It looks like they both have 4200rpm hard drives. No biggie for now. I can always change it later since they are the same now. But i will take the 60 gig from the MK1.

Hey any idea how to transfer files and programs from teh MK2 hd to the MK1 hd?

I cant wait for tomorrow when I have time to do the swap/mods!

Thanks!

 

Where is the wireless card?

 

You will have to pull the bottom cover to get to the wifi card. Plus, you will have to reformat the HD if you are going to use it in the 1.1 as XP will recognize it is a different mobo, plus the drivers are going to be different. You could wipe the drive from the MK1 and then put it in an external HD enclosure, then use Acronis to clone the drive. Or you could wipe the drive and start from scratch. If there is an easier way I am sure one of the other guys will chime in.

 

I will have a look at the wifi card when I have the bottom covers off while I swap the mobos. Can you point me in the right area to find the wifi card? or is it obvious? I agree that acronis will be the best way to clone the 40 gig MK2 hd onto 60 gig MK1 hd. Do you have a link to the drivers? I feel that I had one once but cant seam to find it.

Also do you know where I can get another cap/cover for the GPS antenna?

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!

 

Once you pull the bottom cover it will be right in front of you. If you want drivers for the MK2 try the following link:

Official Support Download Center of the Drivers, Manuals and FAQs | TOUGHBOOK | Panasonic

One of the guys on this forum may have an extra cover, if not, you can get one from Heartland for less than $20.

 

Well,well
Let me tell. With risk to irritate s.o.
I also own a few cf18s. One is MK1.
My main aim is to navigate with them. We are traveling and offroading.
For this I bough from Ebay 2 original CF18 -GPS kits, but also and 2 other USB-GPS Surf3 receivers.
And now I may compare them.
Despite I bough the cheapest USB-GPS at the market, They are much better than the original CF18 GPS. Find more satellites and faster. Position much more accurate vehicle on the map. For comparing I use VinFast and Garmin software and maps.
In my MK1 there is a GPRS and bluetooth board and infrared. I think to exchange it in some of MK2, but actually I don't need GPRS for now.
But my most heretical idea is to try to build in the Toughbook one of that USB-GPSs. If it'll be successful, we may have one really huge and in same time compact and accurate GPS in the vehicle.
For navigating, I think, the touch-screen is more easy to use, but all mine are digital-pen screens.
So, If You are going to navigate too, take in mind this, don't be disappointed

 

Look for the many threads on aftermarket internal GPS. Our favorite EM408 is the same engine as the best of the USB units. The chief reason you get better performance from the USB unit is its better view of the sky than is possible with internal GPS when the computer is someplace other than on a table outdoors, although some of the internal hacks which Rick and Teo have developed with a little help from the gang are just as good for all reasonable purposes.
CAP

 

I have read about the em-408. The only problem that I have is that I dont really know what they are talking about in the threads. I understand that the em-408 gets MUCH better reception, but I dont know how to integrate it into my cf-18. I am VERY able to follow instructions to do the swap to the em-408, but I just dont understand the lingo that is used to describe what to do. Hope that makes sence. If any one has a set of insructions, I would LOVE nothing more to swap the factory GPS to the em-408.

Thank you!!!

 

I'm not sure which "lingo" you are having trouble with, but read a little more and look for the complete threads with pictures, there are several. The worst of the soldering can be avoided with a customtoughbooks.com daughter board which can be bought bare with no GPS fairly cheaply.
CAP

 

Thanks for the heads up! I will check those out for sure.

 

I started taking the mobo out of the MK2 last night. I have everything loose, except a couple plugs that plug into the top side of it. Im not sure how to remove the keyboard and get to the plugs. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

Pull the two plates below the screen and the keyboard will lift up. Underneath is a cover that needs to be removed to access the keyboard ribbon cables and the cables for the screen. Once all those are unplugged, you can remove the keyboard and the screen (if needed).

 

GREAT THANKS!!