CF-51 BIOS Updating help Be First! to give the right advice

[MrRe]

Well, for me at least!
Took a gamble on a CF-51 that wasn't particularly well advertised. Could see from the labels and the fact it had 4 USB ports and a SD card port that it was probably a MK3. It was also relatively local. Went to get it today.
For the first time, I have basically got a complete Panasonic Toughbook apart from the original box
It's a CF-51RCVDNBE and had a complete caddy and OE HD, a FDD, the PSU, the higher capacity yellow tab battery, recovery disc, the operating instructions, operating hours of 480hrs and NO PASSWORDS!
Down sides are it doesen't seem to have a wireless card but assuming its like the other "spares" one I bought, it will have the antenna. There is a small dent on the top cover and a few scratches.
So for the time being I am as happy as a dog with two tails. If it was not for this Forum, I would have given these models a miss. Now, if I can only overcome my dependancy on my reliable CF-72's

[Driller]

good for you! always glad to see someone get a good deal. the cf-51 core duo model is the only toughbook that you can upgrade the cpu and just by swapping out the cpu. there is plenty of info about this and I've got several that I upgraded to thr T7600 and T7400. Rusty503 got us on this trail about a year ago and toughasnails has quite a bit of experience with these as well. I enjoyed the hunt for seeing what mods we were able to do with this laptop and you will enjoy using this one. check into the cf-74's but get one with options you want as no other TB's can do a cpu upgrade without big time equipment. enjoy!...Driller

[MrRe]

Haven't opened it up yet but suspect my latest buy does not have a wireless card as it was a poverty spec version. So there is an opportunity for improvement if the standard Intel cards are inferior. Any recommendations for the MK3LL?
Think the OE would have been a Intel 3945. I used an identical card from a CF-74 in my "spares" CF-51 which had the antenna and cables but not the card fitted. I found it quite difficult to squeeze the antenna connectors onto the card to be honest. Once fitted the performance (signal strength) seemed to be less than a 2915 in a MK1!
I notice some people recommend ditching the Pro Set and letting Windows manage the wireless card. What is the reasoning behind that?

[toughasnails]

You are going to love your 51 and they are so easy to work on. We have a couple threads on the cpu upgrade on here and toughbooktalk so check it out...cpu mod + 4GB memory + Windows 7...It will be just as fast as a CF-52 without the cost
Best upgrades
T7200 - 2.0mhz - $30/$40...best bang for your $$$$
T7400 - 2.16mhz - $100/$120
T7600 - 2.33mhz - $75/$100
These all have 667mhz FSB...800mhz FSB will not work.

[MrRe]

I blame this Forum! I have only been on here a while and already have 4 1/2 CF-51's! Might stick some more RAM in but trying not to caught up in the modification escalation!
Not much point in making a CF-51 perform like a CF-52 if you already have a CF-52. Obviously Blair will not agree!

[Shawn]

I had put an Intel 5100 in mine. Took it out to put in a half height Intel. Can't remember what is in it right now.
Are cards reasonably priced in the UK? Is it worth it to ship this 5100 to you from the USA? Give me postage plus $2.00 and it's yours.

I was happy with the 5100's performance. I just had upgrade fever and wanted a newer card.

[MrRe]

Shawn,
Without knowing what the desirable option might be, its difficult to comment. A quick look at whats available indicates that the 3945 is cheap and common.
Still, thanks for the offer. I'll keep it in mind.

[toughasnails]

At the time I had my 51 I never had a 52 but now I have 2 52's (MK1,MK2). That is why I say with the upgrades the 51 is just as fast as the CF-52 mk2...but my CF-52MK1 is faster than them all... Two of my girls have 51's now and they love them and the upgrades made a big difference. My 51 had the T7600 but I never liked the fan going all the time so when I upgraded my kids 51 I went with the T7200.

[Shawn]

The 5100 is 2 generations newer than the 3945. It has lower power consumption and I forget what else. Aha..The 5100 has N along with ABG where the 3945 has just ABG. Better bandwidth and connections. I chose the 5100 because it only uses 2 antennae. Some N cards use 3. The latest version of Proset isn't too bad. If you want to try it, make sure you download it direct from Intel. Most people use Windoz wireless because it is simple and it works.

Lemme figure a link for you. ....................


Intel 3945

Intel 5100

[MrRe]

Hmm.. the 5100 does seem to be an improvement. Seems little point in putting back something that development has rendered obsolete.
Am I right that there are two version, the regular and the half height? Guess I would be looking for the regular mini pci-e version. Seem to recall that the card is screwed down.