u/dominicsapl

I've added onto the original image I found on toughbook forums archive.

After measuring with a multimeter, I found 3.3v, 5v and GND connections.

I know the last two pins are usb data, as the 2nd image shows that they are twisted wires.

Correct me if im wrong, but I believe that one of the 3rd or 4th pins (3.3v) is actually a microphone connector (to GND)

For now I've gotten the USB 2.0 schematics on this connector.

I need help determining the mic connector as my webcam module (from sony vaio) has a separate 2 pin mic connection.

If not I'll try to connect it to the mic in port on the back side (but unfortunately no aux jack is short enough so that the back cover closes.)

I have a CF31 without a camera, and the official camera module is too expensive/hard to find.

I wanted to install a generic laptop webcam, as all laptops use internal USB for the cameras.

Asking Google, I got some schematics but not sure how accurate.

I also found a picture of the camera connecting cable, twisted data cables on 2 pins, rest black wires

How can I use a multimeter to measure the wires? I know how to find +5v and GND, but what about the data lines?

TLDR: i want to use a normal laptop internal webcam on a toughbook.

I have a toughbook CF 31 mk4 without the camera and mic, and i eant to add those. Unfortunately I can't find any camera kits online, as all went out of stock years ago. The ones on ebay cost too much to justify a basic camera and mic.

The original camera module is a weird shape and no other normal laptop has a similar webcam. Hence I can't use the top right plastic cover.

However, I noticed that the plastic piece on the top left of the lid has enough space to fit a standard laptop Webcam. All laptop Webcam use USB internally, so connecting some wires should make it work.

There are 2 types of Webcam with mic built in. In some, the mic uses the same USB interface as the camera. In others the mic uses separate cables to the motherboard.

My question is: does the microphone on the CF31 use the same USB controller as the camera, or does it have a separate pair of wires?

Note: I won't be using it in extreme situations, so no worry of water tightness or durability.

I found this WD velociraptor drive, it is 600gb. The strange thing is its formfactor. Its a 2.5" drive in a 3.5" adaptor. I thought it was a generic adaptor someone had put on, but that wasn't the case. From factory, all of these drives came connected the adaptor.

I would understand if they sold them as 2.5" drives and someone put an adaptor on them, but all examples I found online of this drive are with the adapter. And they are not meant to be removed from the adaptor, as there's a warranty void sticker.

So I'm curious, why did they make them 2.5" drives if they knew that they all would be put in 3.5" adapter anyways from factory?