toughbook CF-29

[Mxx20]

hey, i hope i am posting this in the right spot, i have a panasonic CF-29 and for work we need class 1 blue tooths, well my original one has died and several people have had luck with the $5 or less ones. well thats not in my case(we are all running the cf-29s). and my usb ports internittently drop out. ive tried PCMCIA cards(worse than usb for blue tooth) all with no luck. ive been hunting other options like an internal bluetooth. well needless to say SOME had an option for them and i can not find them, or anything that will work. its getting frustrating!... any one have any input or insite? Thanks!

[XRay333]

With that model the only option that I've made work is a USB Bluetooth adapter ( I have used a "Trendnet" model TBW-101ub) with no problems and the drivers are a good match for XP. As the CF-29 only has ONE USB plug you may want to get a "Good" USB spilter "4 into 1" (cheap ones may not work) and have more USB access and not have to fight to get pluged into.

I've set Four CF-29 and worked every time. Most other customers just use the USB setup with their devices, have you considered that?

[Mxx20]

its odd, my cf-29 has two usb ports. one on the side and one on the back(where everyone else here has one like you said) ive used the usb bluetooth adapters and i guess its the enviorement im in(i work on over the road trucks) the things take some abuse..i was hoping for another option

[XRay333]

One Problem

Only One problem with All Toughbooks and that is Venting (lack of). They get HOT and the way they deal with cooling Sucks. As long as you don't leave it ON for a long time (two hours or more). Turn it off after the job is done and save on the lifespan of a great tool.

The first thing that goes is the Hard Drive and they just Fail without Warning So be sure to make a external backup of any software and Docs you may need later.

I've never seen a 29 with two USB ports, think that it may be a newer MBoard in a 29 case. I've done that to one that overheated and went with an Upgrade as they are cheap on amazon. The only way to check is by number on MB or System Info.

[Mxx20]

yeah its a mk5(29n). and i found a factory blue tooth for $10. its faster than i expected but the distance i wish was further

[han2542]

help

would like to know if any one has a copy of the restore cds for a cf-29n i know its a set of 3 but my laptop got a virus and the hard drive was damage i had to have it replace and know i cant get it to work correctly i was told if i do a restore from the cds it will go to factory settings but when i bought it the guy didnt have the cds
please any help would be great this is my working laptop and i need to get it up and running
again thanks to all members for the help
thanks in advance
han2542

[XRay333]

This is what I do.

I have restored many Toughbooks, lots of differant models. I always do a clean install and I use the last version of XP Pro with all the updates. I'll put a link to that here:

Win.XP.PRO.December.2012.rar (569,51 MB) - uploaded.to

You can burn this Image to a CD and do a clean install. Note this is preactavated so no troubles there.

I also have a program that will install and update all your drivers so everything works. PM me if you want that also.

[dustymech]

its odd, my cf-29 has two usb ports. one on the side and one on the back(where everyone else here has one like you said) ive used the usb bluetooth adapters and i guess its the enviorement im in(i work on over the road trucks) the things take some abuse..i was hoping for another option

I also have a cf-29n with 2 usb ports. I believe the Mk5 models all had 2 usb ports.

Sorry but I do not have the restore disks. I have been able to find all the drivers on Panasonic's website to re-install when I have needed them .

I have not had good luck with usb bluetooth adapters either. I have tried them for use with my Nexiq USB link for truck diagnostics and have always went back to the cable. It is a pain in the neck but works.

[Mxx20]

i now use the internal one from panasonic. it gets ok distance but i still strugle some times. i hate dragging the cables around...i do more diag and electrical and go thru alot of trucks

[XRay333]

Home made

I have placed a single coated 24 gage wire parallel 1/16th of an inch to the antenna inside the monitor case (Lid) with duck tape to maintain the gap. This is a copy of a anolog reflective antenna. This has 2x the range. If you need or want more info on this PM me.

[Mxx20]

Xray, sent you a pm...but have you thought about tieing the antenna to the cell antenna in the lid? Ivd got it but its not hooted to anything