GOBI2000 - cross-model compatibility?

[rjenkins]

Hi all,
so the generic GOBI2000 module I bought to update my CF-30 Mk3 (from GOBI1000) just does not work.

It came with Acer drivers, which load fine - but no connection controller ever sees that GOBI is installed...
So much for believing compatibility claims from Chinese resellers on ebay (it was solds as a CF-30 compatible device).

There are some genuine Panasonic GOBI2000 retrofit kits on ebay at present, but naturally not the one labelled for a CF-30.
Does anyone know if the CF-31 (or CF-19) kit would contain a suitable GOBI2000 module to fit the CF-30 caddy / tray?

Or, does anyone know where I can get a bare module with the correct device ID to be seen by the Panasonic drivers??

Thanks,
Robert.

[Rob]

The CF-31 GOBI2000 chips are just the mini express card's. The info is below as per Heartland. I'm not sure how it would fit into a CF-30 sled. I know that the later marks (MK3???) of the CF-30 come with the GOBI2000 cards so I know it's possible. You just have to figure it out If you have to unlock some feature in the BIOS like I did with my CF-31, then GOOD FRIGGIN LUCK!

Thanks

EDIT, The CF-30 isn't on the Toughbook site anymore... I'm not sure about the compatibility.

[rjenkins]

Hi Rob,
mine has the sled & mini express card, but came with the older gobi module, so no GPS capability.

As long as the CF-31 also uses mini express, I expect it would work as the Panasonic carrier select app that includes the drivers works with both the -30 and -31.

With the non-panasonic module, it's fine on the hardware and driver side, but the device IDs don't match what the connection controller expects and it says no Gobi module found. Likewise, the Panasonic drivers will not install as they don't accept the hardware ID.

A real Toughbook module should be OK, now I know the CF-31 uses the same connection I'll risk getting one.
That may leave me some spare hardware (is there a sled in the -31?) but at leat give me a matching device.

Robert.

[rjenkins]

Well, I received the GOBI2000 upgrade 'kit' - it consists of the GOBI2000 module only, no other hardware...

Luckily that's all I need, though I was expecting the other parts that would be required for use in a non-WAN Toughbook.

Anyway, I swapped the new module for the generic one, installed the Panasonic CSA kit & selected AT&T - and everything works perfectly first time! This is on the O2 UK 3G Network.

[Rob]

BRAVO!!!