cafescott

hello,

I recently bought a Toughbook CF-51 from an ebay vendor. I put Windows XP on it. I looked in "Device Manager" and saw no adapters listed (besides the 1394) beneath the Network Adapters tab. (I'm assuming 1394 is something generic.)

Then I tried to purchase a wireless card for it with another vendor on ebay. However, this vendor can't reply to my emails and so far the purchase hasn't been completed.

So, I've been searching Google for someone else who can sell me a wireless card for the Toughbook. However, after spending a long time doing this I can't find anyone else who sells this wireless card.

I'm told the Toughbook CF-51 has an integrated wireless card. I'm not sure what that means. Does that mean that whether the Toughbook can connect to wireless networks depends on the motherboard configuration? If not, why is it so hard to find someone who can sell me a wireless card for it?

thanks for the help.

BCCOMP

You unit may have an integrated wireless card.
Can you supply us with the FULL model number of this toughbook (CF-51 what?)
Do you have ANY errors in the device manager (yellow !).
Bill

cafescott

hi BC,

sorry, i'm a little wary about revealing the model no...i don't know what the security implications are. I need to research your request a little.

is the model no. crucial to the task of getting the PC to connect to a wireless network?

Also, there are no errors in the Device Manager.

thanks for your help.

BCCOMP

Hi,
If you are sure there are no errors in the Device Manager and you do not see a wireless card under Network Adapters in the device manager, then chance are you have no wireless cards installed.

From the info I can find for this model it should have come with an - Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection:
Source:
http://www.auroton.cz/odolna_pc/CF-5...et_English.pdf

or

Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG network connection 802.11a/b/g
Source:
http://www.feeneywireless.com/produc...ughbook_51.php

This is why the model # would be helpful

Your card may have been removed or was never installed as these were Optional.

An Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection is fairly inexpensive:
Examples:
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...02&dcaid=17902
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/re...uct/B000EDQOK8

Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG network connection 802.11a/b/g:
http://www.centrix-intl.com/details.asp?productid=3448
http://www.colamco.com/store/product...source=froogle

But again these are optional, so you may not have the antennae

The other option you have (and you will not have to dismantle the laptop) is a PCMCIA card:
Example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833150016

A google search for a PCMCIA wireless card will produce more results.

Hope this helps.
Bill

cafescott

hi BC,

wow, that is a tremendous help. You've helped me a great deal. thanks.

BCCOMP

Can you confirm this laptop has had a wireless card when purchased?
I am not sure see you are hesitate about the model # (you can PM me if you wish).
But seeing you have NO errors in the Device Manager and you wish not to dissasemble the laptop to see if you have the atennae. I would suggest a PCMCIA card. GOOGLE for one, you may have less exspensive options. I only gave you a quick link for an example.

Let us know how you make out.
Bill

cafescott

Hi BC,

Sorry for the long delay in responding. I got very busy at work and dropped off of this conversation.

I have stuck a PCI card in it, and it works fine. (I can connect to wireless networks pretty easily with it.)

Also, I'm pretty sure so far that the laptop did not come with a wireless card.

thanks.

BCCOMP

I am glad to here you now have a wireless connection.
Thanks for letting us know.
Bill