help on obtaining model number

how do I obtain the model number of a CF-29 if it does not turn on and the stickers underneath are unreadable. the original HDD caddy that came with it says CF-29N but that is all the info that I can see. I would like too know the configuration of this laptop to see what I can use from it. Any help at all would be appreciated so thank you for at least viewing this posting and trying to help.

 

What is the number on the mainboard? Remove the bottom cabinet and you will see a sticker somewhere on the board.

Also. If it is a mark 4 or 5 it will have an sd reader in the pcmcia area.

If its a mark 1 or 2, instead of a rear usb port, it will have a ps2 port for keyboards or mice.

 

With the battery, media bay, and HDD removed and on AC power, does it turn on at all? If not, please describe what it IS doing.

 

ok, the guy that gave it to me said that some "black ribbon looking thing" broke off inside the laptop when he was pulling out the HDD caddy. so I look inside to check things out and there is a ribbon that looks like it broke the connector that to my limited experience goes to the motherboard somewhere. and the motherboard battery is also disconnected. He does not have any other real explanation as to how this really happened so I have to take his word for it. it does not power up on battery or AC or any other combination asked in the prior post. physically how I know if a laptop from the factory unchanged in anyway has GPS. is it just a matter of pulling out the sled that WWAN card goes on? someone correct me if I am wrong. The laptop is at work so I will have to bring it home to take a picture of the internals through the HDD opening to better visualize to everyone the cable that broken.

 

Yeah.... A close-up picture would be helpful. You my need to start over or at the least take it apart (If you are up to that) and let us see the inside. It could be the ribbon cable for the ON/OFF switch is torn or the cable that goes to the LEDs on the front panel near the touchpad. It all depends.

 

When you slide the switch to power it on and do nothing. I am 100% of what Rick suspected that the cable to power it on/off will be the one which was broken.


ohlip

 

I will get pics tomorrow when I bring it home. what is the resolution limit for images to post. or maybe I can just read some sticky about how to post images.

 

There is several ways of adding images
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=137713#post2118326
And if you are including them don't go over 800 x 600 or link the large images
If they are too large I can resize them if needed


Alex

 

in the first image you will see the cable itself. and in the second image you will see that the thin cable looks like it goes up towards the keyboard somewhere or maybe it just takes that route. if better pics are needed I will get some lamps and an LED lantern and try and do a better job.

 

so I got a little brave and went for it. for the first time I took off the bottom panel with some help from some of threads on how to be careful doing it. here are some picture of it from the bottom. does anyone notice something out of place here. I think that it might to the spot right behind where the speaker connects but I am not sure. let me here it from you experts has this laptop seen it's last days or does it have a shot?.

 

here is a closer pic. sorry I have a 14.1 MP camera but the thing has a digital zoom that sucks.

 

and this one is clearer than the other two.

 

upon closer inspection just incase I am wrong but it looks like the broken ribbon cable is supposed to be connected right where it say "CN54". I have no idea what that is but again if I am wrong someone correct me. the joy of having a toughbook is quickly turning into frustration..

 

That frustration disappears very quickly and becomes satisfaction when you realize that you finally figured out the problem and the toughbook starts to go back together and that you will eventually end up with a working CF-29.
Oh and by the way,,,,add this to your satisfaction, yes it does in fact go to CN54. That ribbon cable is for the power / battery LEDs by the power switch.

Bob

 

ok now that we have that settled as to where that cable goes, what is my next step to getting it fixed.? is going to require soldering, or is it going to require a new motherboard. how many OEM if any are interchangeable to the CF-29 models? I don't have another CF-29N.

 

The part you need is power switch cable DFJS865ZA. It cost $9.96 from Heartland plus shipping. Maybe Rob (JB007Rules) is making another Heartland order.

The cable runs from the power switch along side the touchpad ribbon cable, sandwiched between the upper case and that black plastic shield, to the motherboard. Then along the top side of the motherboard towards the PCMCIA slots to the edge of the MB and around the the bottom of the MB. It plugs in under the green board that is attached with 3 screws. There is a piece of black tape that protects it as it goes around the edge of the MB.

It plugs in on both ends. Identical plugs.

Glen

 

It appears though, that the "plug" is still attached to the cable. Unless I am mistaken, it has come detached from the MB.

 

Possibly, it's hard to tell from the picture. Easiest way to tell is the remove the circuit board held with three screws and see if the socket is still on the MB.

What I'm calling a plug is made to the cable. It plugs into a socket on each end. My terminology may not be correct.

Glen

 

I should also say that I just changed this cable on a Mk2. The socket may be in a different place on the MB on a Mk5.

Glen

 

The connector for the power pcb cable is removed from the mainboard.

You can just resolder it if your REALLY CAREFUL,

I believe that board goes to a CF-29N BTW.

 

TBtech29 is correct the connector had been completely ripped off the motherboard. what are my option since I do not own a soldering iron nor do I plan on buying one. is a new motherboard going to be required because that looks like it will be a real delicate job that will require the use of a magnifying glass also. that type of work is alittle beyond my abilities. if it is a dead laptop to me then ohh well I am not worried.

 

What you could do. See if any of your friends are good at Circuit Board repair and have them do it or go to radio shack or anything like that, and ask if they can reccomend a company that can fix that for a good price.