WTB. CF-52 Caddy!

As above, looking for complete HD caddy for a CF-52 MK1 if that makes any difference.
Let me know if your have anything.
I am in the UK!
Cheers!

 

I will check with Heartland tomorrow to figure this out. Generally the SEMI-Rugged Toughbook caddies are pretty cheap.

Thanks

 

I emailed them last month for a price, it should be about the same...little over the 30 days

but they don't ship to UK

 

Blair is right:

CF-52 Hard Drive caddy – DFWV99A0120 - $106.40

 

Do a web search for P/N CF-K52H007. It is a caddy with a 320GB drive. I have seen them for around $95 before shipping.

 

Rusty do you remember what the 160 drive was CF-K52????. I tried to find the box mine came in but must of thrown it.

 

CF-K52H003 = 160
CF-K52H004 = 250
CF-K52H006 = 500
CF-K52H007 = 320 (This one is by far the cheapest)

 

Hmmm.... Sounds too good to be true!
Bit perverse that a 320GB HD and a caddy is cheaper than just a caddy. So:

How confident are we that it does include the caddy and HD?
Is the HD which is listed for the CF-52MK4 compatible with the MK1?
Is the caddy compatible with the MK1?

Can't find an image that would satisfy me that the HD kit includes everything. Some show no image, others just a HD.

Too be honest 320GB is way over the top for me, but if its the cheapest way to get a caddy then its too good an opportunity to miss!
Thanks guys!

 

To be honest, having searched all the ads I can find, I beleieve the reason for the price difference is that the 003 160GB comes with a caddy and is listed as a plug in module, whilst the 007 320GB is just a HD and is listed as as an HD kit!
The 003 is even listed in some UK retailers as low as £125 but no stock. At that price it wouldn't be worth the hassle of importing one. Although I bet if I enquire the price will have mysteriously risen. No harm in asking I guess.
Another issue is that some ads say that the 003 is only suitable for the MK2models with the E F G H designation. But then the 007 is listed for the MK4!
Don't really need more than 80GB and obviously if I can score a caddy I can choose the manufacturer and storage capacity of the HD.

 

Ok, believe what you want. I went through this entire situation some months ago and I did alot of research then. There is a thread here somewhere documenting some of the stuff I went through then.

Now, let's look at some areas where your logic is a bit off.
All the part numbers I listed are the same except the last digit. If ONE is with a caddy, they ALL are. The difference is the size of the hard drive.

Since all CF-52s use SATA HDs, if it is compatible with one MK, it is good across the board.

Now, again, I went through the same thing with the CF-19. The older versions of caddy and HD were very pricey. Then I found the same series of part numbers but now one was released for the lastest MK CF-19. The difference? The size of the HD. Prices were much lower. Nowhere did I find mention of a caddy nor a picture. Well I did find a picture but it showed a table. Check out http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/574409-cf-k19hd3231.html for my adventures with the CF-19 caddy and HD.
Check out the same sort of thing with the CF-30 caddys and HDs. Look at the ones stated for the CF-30 and you find some pretty high prices. Then look at the caddys and HDs for the CF-31 and the prices are alot lower. That caddy is compatible with the CF-30.

 

You are right Rusty, I remember us talking about this...that's when I picked up the cf-30 kit (CF-31HD1611) no one new for sure, not even the seller that it was a caddy and HDD. I got my cf-52 caddy the same way.

 

Guys, I want to believe! But you can't blame me for being a bit over cautious!
Apart from the modules/kit distinction some retailers list the 007 as being for other Toughbook models which clearly doesen't make sense:
Panasonic CF-K52H007 320GB Hard Drive for CF-52, CF-53, CF-30, CF-31, CF-19 - Tough Depot (530) RUGGED-4

Rusty, I can sort of see the logic as the 007 is the latest version so perhaps there are economies of scale there for the manufacturer.
There are some for $91 which is a steal assuming they would ship economically to the UK. Failing that would need to work out an alternative supply route

It certaintly looks like that is exceptional value. It just sounds too good to be true especially as we know the caddy itself is more expensive. Its basically a free HD!
Should I look a gift horse in the mouth?

 

That is the first time I have seen it listed that way and you may be right.
Doing a bit more research I find that maybe it has to have HD instead of H in the part number. I don't know for sure and I really think it will take a member to buy one and see what comes in. I would only do it with a vendor that has a good return policy.

Since I am not getting my CF-52 as I had hoped, I won't be doing this until I come up with a good deal on a CF-52.

 

Rusty,

I like the way you have bought a caddy/HD first! Although thinking about it, the odds are that most will be offered without one I guess. So smart move really.
Obviously being so far away, I don't want to chance it. Like everything else, if you are patient, they turn up. Bit frustrating having something unusable laying around but prepared to wait.

 

An email to the company first to explain what you need is a good idea
We don't want to see you disappointed if you receive just an overpriced sata hard drive

 

Alex,

But as referenced in that other thread, the person on the other end needs to have sight of the object and know the difference between a caddy and a HD!
If they described it as a Caddy and HD rather than plug in module or HD kit we would be a bit wiser.
Plus there is the issue of something 100% larger being sold for 50% less, less even than a caddy. In fact it could be a business opportunity for someone. Split them up, sell the caddy for less than Heartland without the shipping rip off (must be able to send something within the US for less than $30 surely) and effectively end up with free 320GB HD's to sell.
If we look at the 160GB version that people have bought that were caddy/HD for @ $160 then it seems reasonable to break it down - $100 for the caddy and $60 for the HD.
HOWEVER, if they are $95 complete, forget you ever saw this!

 

For example:

CF-K52H003 Panasonic HARD DRIVE AND CADDY

Notice it states that its the caddy and hard drive and below it is described as a plug in module. Also notice the price, over $200!

 

It is just the harddrive, here is the caddy he is selling Panasonic CF-52 Hard Drive Caddy - Tough Depot (530) RUGGED-4. There is a way around the caddy. You really don't need it because you could put it in where you cd-rom goes...just forgot what they are called. Someone told me that is what they are using....may it was you or tango from toughbooktalk. Just worked 14 hours so a little tired.

 

Yes,I use the cd/dvd adapter to boot up the cf-52 :







so I can sure the 52 is working.

 

!
Tango, can you tell us more about this.
Is it a Panasonic extra. If so, is there a part number etc.
Obviously I have seen extra battery adaptors which make sense on some models but never anything like that.
Unless its easily available and cheaper than a caddy then its of limited use. Trick though!

 

They are lots of them on fleabay you just need to put in the right wording in the search. They are a lot cheaper $10-$20 shipped, you just need to use the caddy from you cd-rom

 

So what are the magic words?
How do you load your OS?
Guess this will not work out a lot cheaper if you have to gut a cd rom you might have to buy,plus the adaptor, plus an external DVD/CD drive. Still I am interested to see how its done.
Ta!

 

You can pick up a cheap external cd/dvd case and use the cd/dvd from your 52 to put in it. These cases cost between $8.00-$15.00 . You are not really gutting the cd-rom , There is only a few screws holding the caddy to the cd-rom and when you do find a HDD caddy all you have to do is put it back together...2 minute job

 

Ok, lets see if I have grasped this alternative.
I would need to get an external usb HD case and the HD caddy for the DVD/CD.
I would then load the OS through the original DVD drive onto the HD in the external case.
I would then remove the guts of the DVD drive, replace with the HD caddy or buy another cheap drive for its caddy, stick the HD in and Hey Presto another functioning Toughbook.
Do you just change the boot order to the multibay then?
Its not the preffered option but nevertheless it might be an expedient one. Subject to my limited understanding of these processes! Got to remember that I was attracted to the Toughbook partly because of the materials and the fact that they unscrewed!

 

Thank you, Blair , for the explanation.
Time zone problem (GMT + 8) !

 

What you need to do is
1: Get a usb external cd/dvd case .
2: Take the caddy off of the cd/dvd drive
3: Put the caddy on the cd/dvd adapter
4: Put the harddrive in the cd/dvd adapter and then put it in the laptop.
5: Put your cd/dvd into your usb external cd/dvd case
6: Plug both of cables into the usb slot and start laptop
7: You want the usb cd/dvd external drive to boot first . I am not sure about the rest but I think in the book order it should show you your harddrive and set that as #2 boot. Hopefully I did not leave anything out but my guess if I did someone will tell me Sounds like a lot of work but it's really not...that is if you have everything sitting on your work bench like me

 

More questions I'm afraid!
When you say "caddy" from the CD drive are we talking about the plastic bit attached with the four screws?
I have seen loads of 2nd hard drive adaptors listed. They are listed under specific computers but all look the same. So are these generic and the caddies specific?
Shame as I have a DVD multi thing from my spares 74. It is missing the bezel and the button/clip. If I had the clip I could have used that! Think if I go this route might just get a cheap donor DVD drive to cannabilise!

 

This is what I am talking about when I say cd caddy, check the pic . When you buy the adapter just make sure it fits your harddrive (ide or sata)

 

Cheers Blair!

Thats what fell off!
As luck would have had it there is a potential cheap Panasonic caddy a few miles away if I remember to bid. I can then either use that rather than any of my drives if it works. If not I'll use the parts on the 74 DVD.
Thanks!

 

Good luck and keep us updated

 

Must say I am still struggling on this a bit!
For the HD adaptor, I need a SATA to IDE 12.7mm? I then fit the cable and the caddy from the Toughbook DVD? The adaptors I have seen have the connector in the corner which struck me as strange as the connector on the original is central.
Good news is I got my cheap DVD (99p!) to rob for its caddy. Shocking that other sellers want £30! There is the possibility of a Panasonic CF-Vxxxx external usb DVD drive. I guess that would work and be more desirable than a cheap piece of rubbish from the far east.
Must admit I have a problem buying direct from there, even though I know its where they all originate from!

 

Here is 2 auctions
This is the style you need
SATA 2nd hard HDD Caddy drive Adapter thinkpad T60 T61 | eBay

and this one is the one you do not want
New 2nd hard drive HDD Caddy Lenovo Thinkpad T510 DV16 | eBay

 

Thanks Blair,
So its a SATA to IDE for the 9.5mm drive.
Think I have been confused over some being advertised as 12.7mm (the height of the DVD drive) and others advertised as taking the 9.5mm HD.
Just need to decide whether I want to be ripped off in my country (no surprises there!) or be patient and wait for something thats shipped half way round the world!

 

Yes I know what you mean. I had to do a double take on it too .

 

Don't buy the adapter with brand name, they have different connector ,get a universal one, its a 12.7mm sata HD to IDE dvd ,the connector should be the same as the IDE cd/dvd, so you can install it into the panny dvd caddy.

12.7mm PATA To SATA 2ND HDD HARD DISK DRIVE Caddy DV12

 

So, the IBM/Lenovo SATA to SATA HDD optical bay caddy works in the CF-52 WITHOUT any plastic trim pieces from a CF-52 optical caddy or any other modifications?

 

If you look at tango's picture it has the caddy on it already so you do need it.

 

Did some digging and found mine...check it out

 

toughasnails,
Is that made for/by Panasonic?

 

This is not a final solution for the 52, just want to verify that the 52 is running normally, before I find the HD caddy with reasonable price.

 

No it is not , just the outside frame/caddy is OEM . They want you to pay $100.00 for the real thing .
Go back and check the pic now. It really is easy to do...just be sure you get the right one. You are not going to trash the caddy from the 52 and its really no good to you untill you get a harddrive caddy for the 52 and when you do get one just put the caddy back on the cd-rom. One more thing you do need a external cd-rom to install the OS or restory disk but you should know that anyways .

 

Thanks for the pics. That makes it a lot easier to understand I think.
Of course in theory this temporary measure should work on The CF-51, 52 and 74 and perhaps others. It is the curse of the used Toughbook not to have a caddy!
It seems that the situation is not helped by the way they are advertised. Rather than advertise them as a universal adaptor they seem to list every computer under the Sun with the exception of Panasonic of course! I guess they figure that a Toughbook owner would not forsake their shock proof HD! That is if they had one in the first place.
Like Tango, I will keep an eye out for one. If Heartlands didn't charge so much for delivery, I would just pay the $100 odd for a new one!

 

Update!

Looks like the UK has an equivelent to Heartlands, so asked for the price of a caddy. Bit slow in getting back to me, but they can suppy the HDD Caddy with connector P/N DFWV99A0123 for a total of £77.08 including shipping.
Obviously depending on the exchange rate that works out to approx $125!
The only problem is that they require me to fill an XLS form out to get an order number from them and I only have the Excel viewer so can't enter any details!

 

Hello there,

have a look on Eb..y in USA.

There are actually new Hard Drive Caddies ( 160GB HDD included ) sold.

The Seller will ship to Europe.


Greetings,

Hermo