CF-19 MK 1 Vista Update to Custom Bios

Hi all,

I'm a new forum member and have a CF-19CHD07BE which is running fine on XP Pro but I really would like to upgrade to Windows 7.

The problem with this model, as I understand it, is that it has a custom Bios that can't be upgraded using the usual Vista Bios executable file downloaded from Panny (I just get the 'this program will not run on this PC' error message).

The current Bios is V1.00L13 M14 and I have tried to install using the Panasonic instructions and the power lead has been used.

I've had a good search of this and other forums but I could not get any further to overcoming this problem and updating to the Vista Bios.
Has anyone achieved this and if so, could they point me in the right direction please?

Any help given would be very much appreciated

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook forum

I guess you have downloaded the updated bios and double clicked on the exe file , that is when you get the "'this program will not run on this PC" .Well you could have it sent to Panasonic but the cost would be to high since this is a MK1. There is a program out there you can use but sorry I don't know it but hopefully someone later on can help you.

 

might help

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/440928-cf-19-bios-update-problems.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/443917-cf-19-mk-1-win-7-problems-2.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/629796-w7-install-cf-19-mk1-touch-screen-needs-calibrating-front-buttons.html


http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/746247-cf-19chd07be-mk1-windows-7-ultimate-32-bits-installation-need-help-please.html

 

Just an idea - install Windows 7 on another laptop (should be any intel but better close to your processor and mobo at least in age), then just attach the drive at yours. I was able to do it on a locked laptop from another branch so ... why not on a Panasonic too It boots and just needs driver fixes (lots)

 

Good idea but will not work because you need the Vista bios for the touchscreen to work.

 

I have a Mk.1, CHDAFBE, has the Vista BIOS update and runs W7 brilliantly with an Intel SSD.
Hope you manage to make it work, it's a huge improvement.
I didn't follow the Panasonic method either, just unzipped, ran the exe IIRC.

This is what the Vista update changed my BIOS & EC to, hope it helps:

BIOS version is V1.01L16 (M14 on yours is because of the custom BIOS)
EC version is V1.10L11

 

Thanks for the replies so far everyone

I'd seen these threads thanks Shawn. It seems quite a number of people have run into a similar problem and it looks like the solution might lie with a DOS based update to the BIOS. As to how to do this, I haven't a clue but hopefully someone out there has found a way to overcome the custom lockout and get the Vista update installed.

If anyone has any suggestions regarding the DOS update route then please let me know. Alternatively is there anyone out there who sells already updated BIOS chips that could be swapped in?

 

An alternative is beg or pay someone to backup their bios from a cf19 mk1 using a universal bios tool. Then you can use the same universal bios tool to restore that bios to your machine.

I'm guessing the bios chip is soldered on.

 

It is soldered in and no you just can't replace it because you have a soldering iron...just saying because it has been asked before

 

Well I could replace one using a 300watt soldering gun if I wanted to...It would not function anymore, but I could replace it.

 

I won't try that then, sounds like a way to make an expensive doorstop

Thanks for the suggestion Shawn. If anyone out there would be willing to do a BIOS backup on their Mk 1 then please let me know and we can work something out.

 

Still struggling with this one unfortunately I have requested help from Panasonic UK so we'll see what they recommend.

Surely there is an old BIOS update file out there which is not an exe and which might get myself (and many others I'm sure) around this custom BIOS issue?

If I get anywhere I'll post details up here.

 

Well good luck, maybe Panasonic UK are more willing to help that USA are.

 

If u have a BIOS file, which is for ur laptop, but not for ur special version, maybe I can help u 4 3. But u have to answer to this post here, so I can send u a message.

 

Well, although they replied quickly it seems they aren't willing to do much. This is the response I just received.

"Unfortunately the CF-19 mk1 toughbook cannot be upgraded to Windows 7, this is only possible for CF-19 mk 3 models onwards. As regards the BIOS, as you mentioned it is a custom built unit and our servers cannot upgrade it".

Onirakkiss: Thanks for the kind offer which I may come back to you about. Firstly I'm going to go back to the retailer who sold me the machine as they sold it as Windows 7 properly installed (which quite clearly it could not have been) and made no mention of the Custom BIOS issue. Hopefully I can get a Mark 3 replacement :thumbsup:

 

If you don't mind me asking but how much do they charge for the 19's in UK ? I have heard they are very high priced. I know I sell/ship a lot of port covers every month to UK.

 

They seem to be around £250 for a Mk1, £300-400 for a Mk3 and £800 onwards for the early i5 models (on eBay anyway)