Motorola MW-520 Please Help

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rescue7043
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:50 pm

Motorola MW-520 Please Help

Post by rescue7043 »

I recently purchased a Motorola MW-520 Came complete with the main board, keyboard, touch screen and a 800MHz radio to send the signal. My only problem is that the guy I bought it from Formatted the Hard Drive prior to sending me the unit. I am going to install WINDOWS 98SE (because that is what was previously on the system) but I was wondering if anyone had the software, or knows where I could get the software to send/recieve data through the radio module. Would be a lot of help due to the fact that the Search Team is going to use these devices to transmit data back and forth from Base to mobile units out in the field on a search Mission.

Matt Miller
Nicolet Search Team Inc.
http://www.nicoletsearchteam.org
Threeshot223
Posts: 300
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2002 9:02 pm

Post by Threeshot223 »

You'll need a lot more than just the data radios to create a full system. That's why all the Motorola MDT's and MW-520's sell so cheap- they need may thousands of dollars worth of base stations and "server" equipment to communicate.

Reference:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... ight=mw520
rescue7043
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:50 pm

Post by rescue7043 »

Onto my next question... Has anyone ever installed an opperating system onto one of these computers? And if so, HOW?!?! I have an external CD drive that connects through the parallel port (convienently found on the back of the unit) I am just wondering if the DOS will find the OS cd in the cd drive on its own and boot from that (like normal PCs) or if there is something special that I have to do to get the WIN 98 OS onto this hard drive to get the unit working again.
firegood
Posts: 182
Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:55 pm

Post by firegood »

If it has a floppy drive, then you can use a windows 98 startup disk. However i dont know if the start-up disk will detect the external cd rom drive. Computers are more my thing that radios, so PM me if you need Further Help
Threeshot223
Posts: 300
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2002 9:02 pm

Post by Threeshot223 »

Try finding a 2.5-3.5 inch hard drive adapter. The MW-520 uses a standard laptop hard drive, and with the adapter you will be able to connect it to a standard PC. Copy over your Windows 98 install files and you should be fine.
ScannerDan
Posts: 433
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by ScannerDan »

Can the Motorola mw-520 be used as a stand a lone computer in a vehicle to access programs like Microsoft Office and the Internet via WiFi ??? I see a few of these on E-bay and I got to thinking, a cheap computer in the car.

Dan..
***********************************

I hate arguing with stupid people. They just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
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Bruce1807
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Post by Bruce1807 »

Assuming it's a
Model F5205 Series

Ruggedized On-Board Computer
The MW 520 is Motorola’s high tier Mobile Workstation, which
meets extreme environmental specifications and adheres to
Motorola’s strict standards for reliability and quality.
The MW 520 features a 700 MHz Intel Processor, sunlight
readable 10.4˝ VGA/SVGA color touch screen options, 10 GB
Hard disk, and up to 256 MB RAM.
The Mobile Workstation’s powerful processor can handle
applications with local database and detailed graphical images,
including fingerprints, mugshot, and maps, that can often
overwhelm slower devices.

Full Peripheral Connectivity
The Mobile Workstation, by adopting the cutting
edge technologies such as USB and IDB-C, is capable
of supporting a wide range of peripherals. In order
to achieve higher transfer rates than possible with
RS232, the MW 520 offers one USB port, which allows
the connection of peripheral USB devices. External
adapters are available to provide multiple RS232
ports if they are needed for connection to
non-USB peripherals.
IDB-C (ITS CAN bus) is the new data bus technology,
being adopted by the car industry. The MW 520 offers
the interface to this future data bus. In addition, the
Mobile Workstation supports one external serial port,
two Type II/one Type III PC Card slots, enhanced
parallel port and composite video input. Peripherals
such as CD-ROM drivers, DVD ROM, bar-code readers,
magnetic card readers and video cameras can be
supported by the MW 520.
Data Communication Access
Internal Radio-Modems:
The Mobile Workstation’s optional integrated radiomodems
support Private DataTAC (MDC 4800, RD-LAP
9.6 or 19.2) at 800 MHz, iDEN Packet Data, or CDPD.

External Radio-Modems:
The Mobile Workstation supports a variety of seriallyconnected
Data Radios, including: Private DataTAC
(RD-LAP), Public DataTAC (ARDIS), iDEN Packet Data,
CDPD, Tetra, GSM/GPRS.

Automatic Vehicle Location
The MW 520 can include an internal Global
Positioning System (GPS) receiver in addition to one of
the internal radio-modem options. Alternatively, it can
support an external serially-connected GPS receiver.

Maximum Mounting Flexibility
The Mobile Workstation’s compact three-piece design
offers flexibility in vehicle mounting without sacrificing
the traditional ruggedness of one–piece MDTs of the
past. It is durable to withstand harsh environmental
conditions and consistently deliver the performance
required by even the most demanding mobile
professionals. Even in dual airbag-equipped vehicles,
the MW 520 with its ergonomic design, can be easily
mounted to permit safe and comfortable user operation.

Application Supported
Since the MW 520 is a full-featured computer running
Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, or Me, it will support
existing software applications, including Motorola’s
Premier MDC, TX-Messenger and Airmobile™.
Applications can be developed for the MW 520
using standard Windows development tools. Such
applications can make use of the Mobile Workstation’s
supplementary function keys just below the display
screen. These keys provide quick access to your
application’s critical functions.


Now as it has PCMIA slot yes you can do WIFI
But remember in a moving vehicle WIFI doesn't work(well barely anyway).
Now if your county has Mesh, plug in a mesh card and surf the web at 180 mph without dropout.

Back to your question though.

If it shipped after July 1st 2002 it will have a 20G hard drive.
Give 98 a miss and go with 2000 Pro.
Much more stable although avoid XP due to it's resource hunger
As Threeshot223 said just remove the drive and install the operating system from another unit. You can also use a USB drive to boot up from or a USB cd drive will do the trick (enable the boot order in Bios)

You can also add this if you have radios on board. It looks pretty cool but is dated. I moved up to an ML900.

Virtual Radio Control Head

Virtual Radio Control Head (vRCH) is a Windows-based software application developed specifically for an MW-520. vRCH is a factory loaded application with touch-screen display capability. The vRCH displays an interactive image of a voice radio control head allowing the user to operate most voice radio control head buttons via the MW-520 display. An MW-520 with a USB Port, but needing more serial ports, can support up to four radio connections using the USB to RS-232 Converter accessory (Comm 5 through 8 ). MW-520's shipped from the factory after October 4, 2001, will include the vRCH.

(vRCH is included on models with serial numbers including or later than: 736SBUXXX; where B=2001 and U=start of October; any subsequent letters in the "B & U" positions signify a later release.)

Compatible models shipped prior to October 4, 2001, can access a downloadable version of the vRCH software from the Mobile Workstation 520 Website.

The appropriate Cabling Interface Kit must be ordered from Motorola AAD:

MW-520 to Voice Radio Cable Interface Kits
FLN2869 MCS 2000 Mobile Radio Cable Interface Kit
FLN2871 Spectra (Analog or ASTRO Digital) Mobile Radio Cable Interface Kit
(Supports Control Heads Types: Analog Spectra A4, A5, A7, & A9 plus ASTRO Digital Spectra W5 & W7)

MW-520 Serial Port Extension Kit
FLN2955 Converter, USB to 4 RS232 (Converts MW-520 USB Port to 4 RS-232 Ports)

Manuals are available electronically at the Mobile Workstation 520 Website
vRCH User's Guide
vRCH Administrator's Guide

vRCH Software is intended for touch-screen MW-520s on the following platforms:

F5200C Win98 and WinNT
F5201C Win98 and WinNT
F5203* Win98, WinNT, and Win2000 (Model will need the USB to 4 RS232 Converter Cable)
F5205* Win98 and Win2000 (Model will need the USB to 4 RS232 Converter Cable)

NOTE: User's with MW-520 models above that did not come from the factory with vRCH all ready installed can download the installable version of vRCH Software from the Mobile Workstation 520 Website
ScannerDan
Posts: 433
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by ScannerDan »

What is the address for the Mobile Workstation 520 Website ?

Thanks

Dan
***********************************

I hate arguing with stupid people. They just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
jmr061
was KB9KST
Posts: 3176
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by jmr061 »

Its been dead for several years. There isn't one anymore.

Jason
ScannerDan
Posts: 433
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by ScannerDan »

KB9KST wrote:Its been dead for several years. There isn't one anymore.Jason
That figures!!!
***********************************

I hate arguing with stupid people. They just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
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Bruce1807
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Post by Bruce1807 »

Yea it sucks as they also took the ML900 website off which had all the drivers etc. avilable as well as some other stuff.

It used to be http://mw520.motorola.com/
http://mw800.motorola.com/
http://ml900.motorola.com/
jmr061
was KB9KST
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Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by jmr061 »

If you do a google search you can come up with cached images of the old mw520 site but obviously the links for downloading drivers,etc dont work anymore.

Even the current production laptops and mw800 don't have their own site anymore. You can find them through motorola.com but can't get drivers, all you can do it get literature and user manuals. Kinda sucks if you ask me.

Is anyone looking for info on the F5201 model MW520. I have some old files saved.

Jason
ScannerDan
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Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by ScannerDan »

Bruce1807 wrote:Yea it sucks as they also took the ML900 website off which had all the drivers etc. avilable as well as some other stuff.

It used to be http://mw520.motorola.com/
http://mw800.motorola.com/
http://ml900.motorola.com/

I've come to the conclusion that Motorola just SUCKS!!!!
***********************************

I hate arguing with stupid people. They just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
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VE9MP
NOT ALLOWED TO BUY/SELL/TRADE
Posts: 429
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:38 am
What radios do you own?: FPP Railroad XTL9000 Cleancab

Post by VE9MP »

ScannerDan wrote:
Bruce1807 wrote:Yea it sucks as they also took the ML900 website off which had all the drivers etc. avilable as well as some other stuff.

It used to be http://mw520.motorola.com/
http://mw800.motorola.com/
http://ml900.motorola.com/

I've come to the conclusion that Motorola just SUCKS!!!!
Haven't you heard of the way back machine??

http://www.archive.org/index.php

Put in those links on archive.org, and you'll be able to still view them.

:P
-----Nick-----

"I can trip some repeaters in Maine, but I'm not getting any audio into it, is there some type of tone frequency I use? If so do you know what one is for Maine?" - The SMT Machine
jmr061
was KB9KST
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Post by jmr061 »

Yeah but can you download the drivers and stuff off of it. I doubt it.

Jason
User avatar
VE9MP
NOT ALLOWED TO BUY/SELL/TRADE
Posts: 429
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:38 am
What radios do you own?: FPP Railroad XTL9000 Cleancab

Post by VE9MP »

Not sure, I've downloaded some .PDF's using it, check and see...
-----Nick-----

"I can trip some repeaters in Maine, but I'm not getting any audio into it, is there some type of tone frequency I use? If so do you know what one is for Maine?" - The SMT Machine
motorola_otaku
Posts: 1854
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:03 am

Post by motorola_otaku »

There was another MW520 thread a ways back where a guy posted a download link for the drivers. I never got a machine to test them on, but if anyone needs them I can re-upload them.

EDIT: Hell with it, I'll do it anyway.

http://rapidshare.de/files/17388240/MW- ... s.zip.html
High_order1
Posts: 210
Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2002 10:39 am

on the topic.....

Post by High_order1 »

I've seen a bunch of these things popping up on eBay, and the idea of using one with a broadband wireless card to get real-time weather radar, internet, whatever appeals to me.

Problem is that they are all going as MW520's. Some have a 233, a couple 700Mhz (processor, NOT rf), and one 1.7.

Does anyone have access to the breakdown chart that says, for instance FLNxxxx is the low tier MW520, and FLNyyyy has built-in GPS, a 17Ghz processor, and whatever?


Thanks, I am searching to see if this data is already here, but haven't had any luck.

-Shawn
gUeRRa
New User
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Re: Motorola MW-520 Please Help

Post by gUeRRa »

I have mw520 700MHz/256Mb/20Gb model and have managed to install XP-SP-2 with all Autopatcher.com updates till May 2k7.
I have installed D-link pcmci LAN and have got a real net computer. That is very stable indeed.
Now it is running about two weeks w/o rebooting.
The problem I had was ELO touch-screen driver (serial legacy driver) that I have found on ELO site.
This model has USB-host and IDB port. I have no idea how to use this IDB :)

Some problems are still unsolved..
- Cannot switch on lower raw of keys.
- Also volume control key on monitor does not work in XP (but does in w2k)

P.S.
I have managed to switch Volume Button with speakerbar.exe driver by Moto..

I still looking for utility to run 6 buttons on the bottom of the monitor.
Please, help..
djh218
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:16 pm

Re: Motorola MW-520 Please Help

Post by djh218 »

Wow, my name is Dan and I just purchased a used MW-520 as well. A little off topic maybe, but does anyone know what amp fuse the computer unit and the touch screen should be wired to and then to power? Also, do I just apply power and it boots up? I don't understand how to get anything on it because it does not have a floppy or CD crive. Please help! What I really want to do is use office on this computer, excel to log vehicle mileage and other data. WOuld also like to use a GPS program, but am not sure how to get it all working.

Dan H.
Danny Boy
spareparts
Batboard $upporter
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Re: Motorola MW-520 Please Help

Post by spareparts »

djh218 wrote:I just purchased a used MW-520 as well. A little off topic maybe, but does anyone know what amp fuse the computer unit and the touch screen should be wired to and then to power?
Bump! I just picked up a pretty clean MW520 / F5201C. Any takers on the fuse value?
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