Needing a motherboard for a CF-28 Toughbook

I got a Toughbook CF-28 for my son so we can keep in touch while he is in Afg., well he wanted a back-lit keyboard and when he was installing it, he broke the connector on the motherboard, so we need a replacement fast and cheap...it's a 1 gig...I have the model number if that will help...I just want to get the right one for him, and we don't have alot of time to wait on ebay. I'm on disability and cant afford to get him another machine at this point.
Does anyone have a motherboard cheap that we can get fast and get his tuffy going again?
Thanks
Steven
My email is [email protected] if someone has one to sell

 

Steven, a couple of questions. Does he have everything else (caddy, hard drive, optical drive, battery) to make it work? Could he use an 800Mhz (complete minus the other items mentioned) instead of the 1Ghz? If all you want to do is stay in touch, it should do the trick. If he can, I have a bare 800Mhz with the daylight readable screen (doesn't show the bright colors like a regular screen, but you read it outside in the sun or he can swap and use his other one). It is even painted in desert colors (good job too...I did it myself!) Instead of having to swap out the boards, all he would have to do is plug everything in and go. He would probably have to reload Windows and the drivers, but I could send him the drivers on a disc. I will sell the unit for $55 including shipping (to a stateside address, possibly to an APO).

 

SilverTrooper,

If you don't get a response from the OP, I'd gladly take the bare laptop mentioned for $55.

I bought my first TB from eBay just a few days ago, it came with hd caddy, battery, etc, but I'm fairly sure the hard drive controller is bad, I can't install windows (XP) (occasionally giving memory errors, after googling exact memory error, it's a common hard drive issue that causes the "memory" error, go figure), and when I try to run Fedora 12 Live, it gives me ATA1 errors, which I'm going to assume is the hard drive and not the cd-rom.

800Mhz is what I already have.

Much thanks,
Knight.

 

I am waiting to hear back from another possible buyer that had a family emergency. I should hear from him by Friday. I promised him first dibs, so if he does not take it you are welcome to have it at the same price.

 

No worries, I appreciate the reply.



Knight.

 

Just a thought... have you checked for faulty RAM module?

 

Yes. I have removed the RAM module so that only built in ram is on the MB.

Just for future reference the error I am getting is:

CDBOOT: Memory Overflow Error

And here is a post explaining the issue:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/50101-35-cdboot-memory-overflow-error-help-please

I seem to agree with their postings since 1) When I tried to boot from a floppy it took a LONG time, (Like over 5 minutes) but I can't confirm how long it actually took since after 5 minutes I walked away and did something else, came back and it finally booted.

2) Everytime I attempt to install Windows XP (home, or Media Center Edition) it takes a LONG time to get to the Text based GUI, instead it just sits there with a blinking cursor for at least 3-4 minutes, then it finally boots into Windows setup, then it will attempt to format the drive, and complete setup, everything looks normal, it tries to reboot for first time, and stis with the blinking cursor forever. I left it overnight at the blinking cursor at this point and it was the same.

3) When I remove the hard drive and attempt to boot from floppy only, it boots quickly, as you would expect.

4) When I swapped harddrives from a older 20 GB Fujitsu to a brand new 80 GB Western digital, the laptop performed the exact same, no change.



So, my conclusion is that it's either 1) The hard drive caddies cable, 2) The hard drive controller. I've had a previous Acer laptop die because of a failed hard drive, so it wouldn't surprise me. The only thing that makes me hesitate that it's the hard drive itself, and not the cable is that the CD-Rom function flawlessly. I've booted into a live version of Fedora Core 12, and it completes the media test properly, in a decent amount of time.

I've also booted the Fedora Core 12 Live and did a memory test, it passed the memory test.


I appreciate the suggestion ToughNut, and welcome any other suggestions.
Knight.

 

Did you ever solve your problem? Are you still needing a CF-28?

 

I resently got a cf-28 and think that the motherboard is bad, how do i tell what Mhz size the motherboard is to find a replacement?
Thanks

 

http://toughbookcentral.com/decoding-panasonic-cf-28-model-number/

 

Or you can look at the sticker on the bottom and go the the Panasonic configurator HERE!

Though what is in the BIOS would take precedence over what the sticker shows. But if it can't boot.... At least the sticker would get you there.

 

I actually found out my problem isn't with the CF-28's motherboard. It's the flex cable that connects the hard drive to the MB. So I need to buy another one of those.

That'll be $30 shipped. Unless anyone has a better price then eBay. I want to buy 2, to have a second, just in case.


Knight.

 

Silver Trooper, I don't suppose you still have that camoed 800mhz unit for $55 still available? I've got a unit with a bad motherboard

 

Sorry, sold it about a month ago. I do have two complete 1GHz models and one 800Mhz if you would be interested.