Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

I tried searching but couldn't find what I needed.

After having a Classmate magically "Stop Booting" 1 min prior to our first Elimination match this weekend, the topic of a "Spare Classmate" came up.

Althought any laptop would seem to do, the rules seem to imply that we must use the classmate as shipped.

Anyone know where we can purchase a spare Classmate with the little FIRST logo on it?

ps: We did try the "event spare", but it didn't want to talk to the Cypress, so I assume it may not have had the software configured...."

Phil.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=13805
The GDC answer to replacement Classmate question.
Direct link to Classmate PC Sales page
http://www.ctlcorp.com/v4/p-872-ctl-...ok-laptop.aspx

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

The replacement Classmate is: http://www.ctlcorp.com/v4/p-872-ctl-...ok-laptop.aspx

per FIRST Q&A:
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=13805

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Thanks Guys...

I see they still have a "backorderd" notice up there...

I'll call, but anyone have any good/bad experiences ordering there.

(Not much good unless we can get in time for Nationals :)

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Be carefull when you get the new one. See one team's experience here: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread...ssmate+restore

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

I've narrowed my problem down to a battery issue.

My classmate doesn't think it has one ?????

If I go to the Control Panel power scheme setup for the classmate it indicates that there is no battery (so the Black battery indicator on the driver station makes sense)

Assuming it is the battery (may not be) anyone purchased a spare battery for one of these?

Phil.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

OK, when I can get Tech support on the phone they want my Serial number or Asset number.....

Apparently on the back of the classmate, BUT my number has been lifted off by Velcro.

Anyone want to give me their serial number so I can at least get an answer from Tech support.

It's under the flexible cover on the back of the classmate.

Thanks.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Do you know if this part has a warrantee? If so, how do we send back our failed unit? At the Seattle Regional, our first two matches were no starts because the wireless part of our CLassmate died. Another unit was used and we were able to compete for the rest of our matches. The admin people at the match said our unit had a hardware failure but they did not have any spare units. I hope those that get to go to Nationals will have spares available...

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

I have to say, this whole Broken Classmate issue is starting to make my stomach churn a bit.

Let's face it, this is a mandetory component with a dubious supply chain.

I thought that going with a commercial off-the-shelf product would have given us some stability and support, but in reality it seems that we really are worse off then the old Blue-Boxes.

I mean... there are no direct replacements available from the suppliers. The alternative seems close, but not fully compatible with the supplied imaging/restore tools and drivers.

Since many teams have removed the flexible cover from the clamshells and applied Velcro, they are unlikely to be covered by any sane warantee so I think we're going to be left out in the cold again.

Seriously.... Two weeks to nationals and I have a Classmate that can't run on batteries, and no-one to call for tech support (the live online support is a joke! and the phone number just goes to a machine that never calls me back.)

What are my options?

Guess I better go and see if it's legal to power the classmate from an external battery and inverter. Short of that we're done for championships.

Phil. Pretty dissapointed with the whole deal.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Seems like some confusion here.: you don't need the wireless on the Classbook. It's hard wired to the FMS.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

It is.

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=15017

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Outstanding !

Kills two birds with one stone.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

We bought the iGo battery from Radio Shack. Seemed to work fine when we used it during Philly elims.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Funny... I thought you were pointing to a battery....

So you used the Igo charger powered from a 12V battery (like a car charger).

Gets rid of clunky inverter.

Cool.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Brian, to make this work you did what, just cut off the cigarette lighter end and replace it with an Anderson battery connector? I just realized that we need to figure out some system to keep our Classmate Charged for the Championship, since up to now we relied on the pits being 30 seconds away from the field... I believe we have a spare battery in route, but I'd be more comfortable with another source...

(I'm really starting to miss the blue box from last year.)

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

I have one you could borrow :rolleyes:

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Joking right? They're not legal are they (I have several) ???

I wish they were :)

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Any way you could find out exactly what you ordered, and where from?

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Just joking...
There's no power for them at the Driver Stations this year either, so they'd be deader than a Classmate with a weak battery...
about the same as your Classmate...

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Hmmm... if only we could use them... *Sigh*

I'm having a hard time getting a definitive answer as to what we bought, because apparently we may have ordered the wrong battery...

But, here is a page that lists three different battery models, you may have to call them to get a correct answer:

http://www.ctlcorp.com/v4/c-70-2go-p...ook-parts.aspx

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

I see these on sale online at igo.com

If I try to locate a charging tip that works with the 2GO netbook is says it can't find one. Does the tip you use have a number on it? ANy other way to ID it?

Does the Radio-Shack one come with a compatible tip?

Thanks.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

That's what I wanted to avoid.... Not having a lot of luck with Tech support.....

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Sorry, I meant DC-DC converter. People keep referring to it as the "battery" :rolleyes: now they have got me doing it. I'm pretty sure we use it with an Anderson connector as instead of cigarette adapter. I really didnt work on it or even see the finished product (just a cable attached to the cart), I just suggested it based on a Eugene Brooks post.

[EDIT]
I think we just bought it from Radio Shack. It was purchased and built quickly as we were motivated by loss of comms due to low Classmate battery in Chesapeake SF1-4 that lead to our elimination. You probably could compare power adapter tips in the store.

Someone tried to bring them back the blue box DS at Philly this year. It worked in the shop atleast. Luckily, we got them a Classmate and updated code.
[/EDIT]

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

Same thing happened with one team at SBPLI, luckily they brought their (never opened) Classmate box with them.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

I'm going to look into the model of inverter you guys purchased. Luckily, the only time our classmate died on us was in a practice match.

I can't wait for a team to show up at an event with a full IFI system... Lol.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

I just got the (only) iGO travel charger at my local (45 miles away) Radio Shack.

So... in case anyone wants to buy the cheaper unit online from www.iGO.com ... the card that comes with the unit indicates that the "206" tip is the one for the CTL 2GO Netbook. I'll know later if it really is the right one :)

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

As a fallback plan, I've also purchased a replacement battery.... hopefully the problem is in the old battery, not the Classmate itself.

This is what I was told to order:

Replacement/Spare 6 Cell Battery for 2go Classmate PC Atom and Celeron (EO9)
SKU: NBB2GO96CELL

http://www.ctlcorp.com/v4/p-811-repl...leron-eo9.aspx

Can't help feeling slightly ripped off paying $120 for the battery of a $440 PC.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

I'm glad you got one. I forgot about your locale, 45 mi to Radio Shack is crazy :ahh:. I drive past at least 3 Radio Shacks on the 10 mi drive to our shop.

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

If anyone has a "dead" classmate, I'd like to buy it from you for the screen. Ours decided to take a dive off the table and the screen is now only half viewable (other half blank). The PC works OK, and I hate to spend $500 to replace it. Oh, and the power charger was so disgusted with the PC diving, it ran away and cannot be located (need it too).

Thanks!

Brian
Team 3145, TeraViks

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

We thought we had a dead Classmate. The computer quit recognizing the battery. Anytime we'd boot the classmate, it would try to boot Windows and then shut down (thinking its battery was dead) or it wouldn't boot at all. When we swapped the battery into a different classmate everything worked just fine. No problems with the battery...

Before we went down the road of getting a replacement (which did not look like a trivial process) we called GoToPC's tech support.

Apparently they are aware of this issue and they have a fix. I was not the one that called, so I cannot say what the fix is. The person that did call said it was a hardware reset and the Classmate has been working just fine since. Give them a call... It might not be as bad as it seems...

Re: Where/how to purchase spare classmate
 

I found this instruction for reset on their website - haven't verified it works, though:

http://ctl.helpserve.com/index.php?_...eid=11&nav=0,8