mdk1000

Hi all. This is my first post.

I have a Panasonic Toughbook CF45 with a malfunctioning trackball.

I had tried to remove the cover and was partially successful but I knocked something loose since the trackball worked fine before that and now does not. I cannot figure out how to remove the keyboard and top case-half. I pulled out every screw I could find and even looked under the feet and labels.

Can anyone advise me where I might find detailed disassembly and/or keyboard removal instructions/diagrams for this thing? I've been all over the Internet searching and all I've come across are places wanting to sell me an "e-manual" for more than what I paid for the Toughbook.

Thank you.

jhernon

I have a similar problem and would appreciate someone who could tell me how to take apart a CF 45. I have two loose ribbon cables on the inside that is shutting me down.

beut

I personally don't have this laptop, but here is a page for Panasonic laptops.
You may find something useful for this particular brand

http://repair4laptop.org/disassembly_panasonic.html

jhernon

OK i've figured out part of it. take out all of the screws. including the ones that hold in the cpu cover. pry off the back of the hinge assemble to pop it loose. then carefully lift up the keyboard assembly. there are three ribbon cables the need to be disconnected. do this by popping the white levers on each side of the ribbon cables. then you can remove the keyboard assembly. the assembly is the reverse of what you did. the problem that i'm now having is reattaching the last ribbon cable that lights the screen.
hope this helps you.

JAMES GILLIS

Hi my name is James and I have had my old cf-45 appart about 79 times and I mean compleatly gutted out so I may be able to help you. So first you take out every screw on the bottom only and then you carefully pry off the cover with the keyboard and trackball in it but be care full of the 3 ribbon cables and make note of where each goes then you will notice about 2-4 screws on a circut-board like structure take them out and then your trackball is out. When you go to put it back togeather after your trackball is screwed in pop out the keyboard and place the small ribbon cable in the trackball slot blue side away from the trackball assembly then pop the cover back on then place the small ribbon cable empty end into the slot on the mother board then the keyboard ribbon cables go into the slots on the mother board then you snap the keyboard into place flip the laptop upside down then replace the screws then use the trackball. hope this solves your problem James