This video actually sucked. Half the time, your helper had the HDD off screen so we couldn't see what he was doing. Great Picture of the CF-31 THE ENTIRE TIME but we can never actually tell what he was doing with the HDD. Please make another video or I guess I'll have to figure this out myself. I'm getting ready to pick up 60 of these units without HDD and need to see a clear How-To on HDD Installation and Replacement.
Hello Joe, We're sorry you're so dissatisfied with our video. The only things done off camera were getting a better view of the caddy and sliding the caddy out of the sleeve. If you have any questions about how we slide the caddy out or how to remove the tape we can absolutely help. We appreciate your honest feedback. Without it, we wouldn't be able to improve. We will definitely work on this in future repairs.
you folks make good videos but this one EVERYTIME there was something a bit fiddly you pulled the thing out of frame and I am guessing looked carefully at it. all good for you but hard on us. getting those brackets back can be hard some times, probably why you looked so carefully at it. I'd rather see what is going on. the drive should never leave camera frame.
Again, thanks for the video, but it would really be nice if your hands stayed in the camera view when actually removing the SSD from the inner foam carrier.
Thanks for all your great videos. Bought a like new Mk4 and am having a blast on it. Question: Does the SSD drive even need the heater? Mine came with a 1TB drive and no heater in the caddy. I personally would like one if it needs it.
I feel like the heater is not necessary if you have an ssd. The heater is to make sure the platter style hard drives did not do a cold start which would damage the drive. With a SSD there are no moving parts and in fact if the unit is cold it might even benefit and run faster.
What are the cooper sleeves for? EMI projection? The inner sleeve looks like there are two wires coming out, is that works as a heater to stablize the temperature? Thanks
We have installed up to 2 TB SSD drives in all the generations of CF-31s. Be advised that the CF-31 MK1 maxes out at 8 gigs of RAM, the MK2 - 5 maxes out at 16 gig and the MK6 maxes out at 32 gig.
@AndrewEppler The best way to answer this question is to simply fill out our Tech support form. Our in-house technicians will answer with the links and info you will need. Here is the link: www.bobjohnson.com/tech-support-form/ Thanks for Watching.
Any and all info on the original hard drive will of course not be on the new hard drive. You will need to reload the operating system, any software and then transfer your documents to the new drive.
Hi Elishia! So, Panasonic mostly uses Toshiba SSD's. Hard drive compatibility differs between generations, so it depends on what mark (MK) you have. If you need help figuring out what mark you have, our blog will help: www.bobjohnson.com/blog/a-note-on-model-numbers-for-toughbook-nerds/. The CF-31 MK6, however, comes standard with a 256 GB SSD. Hope this helps.
Hi. Could I put my 5TB HDD in a n MK3 CF-31? MK1 had a 2TB limit. At that time (MKL1), a cumbersome installation of drivers and splitting the disk was necessary.
Hi Ano Nymos, unfortunately, no. Not in anything less than a CF-31 MK4 (which has UEFI that allows for greater than 2TB partitioning). MK1-3 have a 2TB limit. Hope this helps.
@@Bobjohnson OK. That's a pity. MK4 are very rare on eBay. Especially as an auction. I can't find any among the ended auctions either. Maybe a MK4 as an auction would end up at $400. MK3 ended in mid 2020 for around ~$350. Then I have to look again for this possibility of splitting under Windows. Do you know the name? I have forgotten it. The only not too expensive way to empty SD cards on the go. It's only a temporary thing anyway. At home, I can transfer it to a NAS etc.. Or is there a possibility to put two or three drives in the cage? Some kind of "SATA splitter". Does the 2TB limit also apply to the USB port? But all CF-31still with the old 1024x768 screen with low contrast, right? Why has nothing changed there? It's not a notebook for gamers and graphic artists, but 4:3 with 1024x768 is a disadvantage. E.g. displaying a web page at 100% is usually not possible. Is there a list of all Full Rugged Laptop (not only Panasonic), sorted by capabilities like USB3, 2TB+, more than XGA resolution, 16:9 or 16:10 etc.? E.g. the question, what is currently the cheapest used (auction end prices) Full Rugged Laptop with USB3 and 2TB+ and bright display.... Is there possibly a complete list, a kind of "configurator", that allows narrowing down all existing ruggedized laptops by features?
much of what I wanted to see was done out of view of the camera, with hands blocking the view, or sped up. I have no idea the quality of your shop work but I certainly would not be able to discern it from watching these videos.
@AndrewEppler The best way to answer this question is to simply fill out our Tech support form. Our in-house technicians will answer with the links and info you will need. Here is the link: www.bobjohnson.com/tech-support-form/ Thanks for Watching.
I really like that these older toughbooks are serviceable. my new lenovo, it seems like they dont want me to replace the battery
That is one of the bigger perks of having a Toughbook! Thanks for watching!
You did a bit of the actual SSD assembly “off camera” so you really didn’t show us much…
Hi Chip, thanks for the feedback! We are always looking for ways to improve our videos, and will take this into account in the future.
This video actually sucked. Half the time, your helper had the HDD off screen so we couldn't see what he was doing. Great Picture of the CF-31 THE ENTIRE TIME but we can never actually tell what he was doing with the HDD. Please make another video or I guess I'll have to figure this out myself. I'm getting ready to pick up 60 of these units without HDD and need to see a clear How-To on HDD Installation and Replacement.
Hello Joe, We're sorry you're so dissatisfied with our video. The only things done off camera were getting a better view of the caddy and sliding the caddy out of the sleeve. If you have any questions about how we slide the caddy out or how to remove the tape we can absolutely help. We appreciate your honest feedback. Without it, we wouldn't be able to improve. We will definitely work on this in future repairs.
you folks make good videos but this one EVERYTIME there was something a bit fiddly you pulled the thing out of frame and I am guessing looked carefully at it.
all good for you but hard on us. getting those brackets back can be hard some times, probably why you looked so carefully at it. I'd rather see what is going on. the drive should never leave camera frame.
Thank you for the feedback Lou. We will try to be better at this.
@@Bobjohnson you do better than most!
Just a bit frustrating :)
@@bookmanpc1 Thanks Lou. Completely understand.
Again, thanks for the video, but it would really be nice if your hands stayed in the camera view when actually removing the SSD from the inner foam carrier.
Noted!
Thanks for all your great videos. Bought a like new Mk4 and am having a blast on it. Question: Does the SSD drive even need the heater? Mine came with a 1TB drive and no heater in the caddy. I personally would like one if it needs it.
I feel like the heater is not necessary if you have an ssd. The heater is to make sure the platter style hard drives did not do a cold start which would damage the drive. With a SSD there are no moving parts and in fact if the unit is cold it might even benefit and run faster.
What are the cooper sleeves for? EMI projection? The inner sleeve looks like there are two wires coming out, is that works as a heater to stablize the temperature? Thanks
How much ssd does support cf31 and maximum ram upgrades?
We have installed up to 2 TB SSD drives in all the generations of CF-31s. Be advised that the CF-31 MK1 maxes out at 8 gigs of RAM, the MK2 - 5 maxes out at 16 gig and the MK6 maxes out at 32 gig.
Some constructive criticism here... Every time your hands go off camera is hard to follow what you're.
Thank you
I cloned my hard drive and when I put in the new one my computer is not working cprrectly?
@AndrewEppler The best way to answer this question is to simply fill out our Tech support form. Our in-house technicians will answer with the links and info you will need. Here is the link: www.bobjohnson.com/tech-support-form/ Thanks for Watching.
If I do this SSD swap, do I lose all my word doc and excel files? Will I lose computer programs if I swap the SSD? Thanks for your answer.
Any and all info on the original hard drive will of course not be on the new hard drive. You will need to reload the operating system, any software and then transfer your documents to the new drive.
Can you recommend an SSD hard drive? Mine didn't come with one. Thanks
Hi Elishia! So, Panasonic mostly uses Toshiba SSD's. Hard drive compatibility differs between generations, so it depends on what mark (MK) you have. If you need help figuring out what mark you have, our blog will help: www.bobjohnson.com/blog/a-note-on-model-numbers-for-toughbook-nerds/. The CF-31 MK6, however, comes standard with a 256 GB SSD. Hope this helps.
Hi.
Could I put my 5TB HDD in a n MK3 CF-31?
MK1 had a 2TB limit.
At that time (MKL1), a cumbersome installation of drivers and splitting the disk was necessary.
Hi Ano Nymos, unfortunately, no. Not in anything less than a CF-31 MK4 (which has UEFI that allows for greater than 2TB partitioning). MK1-3 have a 2TB limit. Hope this helps.
@@Bobjohnson
OK. That's a pity.
MK4 are very rare on eBay. Especially as an auction.
I can't find any among the ended auctions either.
Maybe a MK4 as an auction would end up at $400.
MK3 ended in mid 2020 for around ~$350.
Then I have to look again for this possibility of splitting under Windows.
Do you know the name? I have forgotten it.
The only not too expensive way to empty SD cards on the go.
It's only a temporary thing anyway. At home, I can transfer it to a NAS etc..
Or is there a possibility to put two or three drives in the cage?
Some kind of "SATA splitter".
Does the 2TB limit also apply to the USB port?
But all CF-31still with the old 1024x768 screen with low contrast, right?
Why has nothing changed there?
It's not a notebook for gamers and graphic artists, but 4:3 with 1024x768 is a disadvantage.
E.g. displaying a web page at 100% is usually not possible.
Is there a list of all Full Rugged Laptop (not only Panasonic), sorted by capabilities like USB3, 2TB+, more than XGA resolution, 16:9 or 16:10 etc.?
E.g. the question, what is currently the cheapest used (auction end prices) Full Rugged Laptop with USB3 and 2TB+ and bright display....
Is there possibly a complete list, a kind of "configurator", that allows narrowing down all existing ruggedized laptops by features?
much of what I wanted to see was done out of view of the camera, with hands blocking the view, or sped up. I have no idea the quality of your shop work but I certainly would not be able to discern it from watching these videos.
Hi James, we appreciate your honest feedback. Without it, we wouldn't be able to improve. We will definitely work on this in future repairs.
You should redo this half of it was done off screen very poorly done
I cloned my hard drive and when I put in the new one my computer is not working cprrectly?
@AndrewEppler The best way to answer this question is to simply fill out our Tech support form. Our in-house technicians will answer with the links and info you will need. Here is the link: www.bobjohnson.com/tech-support-form/ Thanks for Watching.