CF-19 Mk 1 Win 7 problems

Hi,

OK, I have been following various threads here and am still struggling to resolve a few Win 7 problems.

To start off I have a CF-19CHB23BE - and have done a fresh install with Win 7 ultimate on a new hard disk.

1. On the video front Win 7 chose to install it's own drivers that it then updated to the latest Intel drivers (8.15.10.1912) for the Intel 945GM chipset and it appears to be working fine, EXCEPT it flickers a lot (flashes to black screen and back 2-3 times) on boot up as well as every time I try to adjust the brightness or speaker volume. During the flickering I can sometimes just make out the speaker volume level or brightness level image in the middle of the screen, but it's not very clear.

I normally wouldn't worry too much about it but it does slow things down quite a bit.

2. Front buttons - At the moment only the brightness and lock buttons seem to work - I don't get anything from the keyboard, 'enter' and rotate buttons. I have tried the hints in post 29 of the thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=431682&page=3 but that hasn't helped.

I have managed to resolve all other problems with the sound, touchscreen, etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Julian

 

Have you tried rolling the graphics drivers back yet?

 

Julian,
As stated in many other post regarding CF-19 Windows 7 instalation, please follow the CF-18 instalation guide, found here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=418424

Please follow that closely, followed by the instructions from the Panasonic web site.

You may also want to read over the following thread as well, since you are describing problems that other people had, but were able to get resolved:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=431682

 

Thanks for the pointers, but as already stated in my messages I have already been through the above and am still having no luck.

One thing that confuses me is that I see references to a Tablet PC application in Control Panel, but I don't have one.

Any other suggestions?

 

Follow the above exactly and you will get your tablet button function back. The issues you are having is a registry issue. The fact that there is reference to tablet PC options in your control panel is a big red flag that the MeiTBSet_STANDARD.reg was not loaded or was not loaded properly. Hope this helps.

 

Hi,

This is what I said in my original post I had tried but hadn't worked.

The bat file is supposed to copy meitbrc.dll to the system32 dir prior to the reg file being registered, but it wasn't so I copied it manually and then registered the .reg file, but still no front control panel buttons and NO tablet PC options in control panel.

The only extra option I am getting in Control Panel is the Touch Panel settings.

 

NEGATIVE.
The correct procedure is as Follows, and described by panasonic and forum members here:


W7 Install Tablet PCbuttons driver [CF-19 Series only]

1. Click [Start] and right -click [Computer] to select [Properties], and click [DeviceManager].
2. If [UserAccount Control] screen appears, click [Yes].
3. Double-click [Human Interface Devices] - [Panasonic TOUGHBOOK tablet PCButtons].
4. At the [Driver] tab, click [Update Driver…]
5. Click [Browsemy computer for driver software].
6. At [Search for driver software in this location:], enter [C:\Util2\drivers\meitbtn], and click [Next].
7. When themessage [Windows has successfully updated your driver software] appears, click [Close].
8. Then you must go to C:\Util2\drivers\meitbtn
9. Then you must Run MeiTBSet_STANDARD.reg to update the registry
10. Restart and your front tablet buttons should be good to go

When you first install W7 there will be a total of 3 unknown devices in device mgr. One of them is the tablet button driver. If you want to send me a PM and I'll walk you through this. There is no bat file to run in the procedure listed above...

 

Tried that several times with different versions, but no luck.

Also tried the standard.bat file in C:\Util2\drivers\meitbtn directory but no luck.

I must be missing a step somewhere because Win 7 just isn't picking the machine up as a tablet pc - under system properties it says 'No pen or touch input is available for this display' and I'm not getting the Tablet PC app under control panel.

I have tried uninstalling and re-installing 3 different versions of the touchscreen drivers but none of them seem to 'wake up' Win 7 to the fact that it is installed to a tablet.

 

Tell me where we deviate...

When I install W7 to a CF-19CH (touchscreen model):

1. I first do a clean W7 install
2. I then follow the procedures outlined here: http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/itn/support/soft_update/d_os/up_seven/Windows%207_Upgrade_Step-by-Step_Guide(CF-19_30)_en_091125.pdf
3. Any other lingering unknown devices I use the following instructions http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=418424

These methods have worked perfectly the two times i've tried this on the touchscreen model.

 

Theres another thing you can try, others have reported sucess on this is:
Install vista and all the pertaing vista drivers.
Then follow the procedures outlined here as you upgrade to W7: http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/itn/support/soft_update/d_os/up_seven/Windows%207_Upgrade_Step-by-Step_Guide(CF-19_30)_en_091125.pdf

 

JV you are going to say we are crazy, but you are NOT, I repeat NOT, following the instructions to the letter. I know you THINK you are, but you are NOT. I messed up 3 times on my clean W7 install on my MK1 19 and am VERY methodical and ANALYTICAL and was SURE I followed all the steps as required. Guess what.. I wasn't. Take it very slow, and go step by step, and read and reread each step AS YOU DO IT. You will also need to fix the video issue as you are not using the right driver right now. We are here to help you but just saying "tried that, tried that" doesn't help us help you. We've all been there and said the same thing to realize we were wrong. Trust us and do it again, this time slowly.

 

I didn't follow the Panasonic Win 7 instructions so will do a re-install to see how I get on although I don't think they varied much from what I did.

Did you use the Mk1 drivers or use some of the Mk3 drivers from http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/itn/support/win7info4_1930.html - some of these appear to be newer versions of the ones used on the Mk1 drivers.

Thanks for persevering.

 

Use as many of the MK3 drivers as you can, once you finish with the panasoinc install instructions tie up your loose ends with the instructions in the CF-18 W7 install.

You must, and I repeat, you must follow the instructions to the letter.

There will be some MK 3 drivers that will not work, but standard W7 drivers should fill the voids where needed.

You will not get auto screen rotation (this is not an issue since the front tablet buttons will work).

 

Thanks, do you recall which MK3 drivers didn't work?

I'm going to try to get a full set of drivers together before I start.

 

I cant answer the MK3 questions as I used ALL MK1 and had zero issues. I followed the CF18 guide for WIN7 to the T when I finally got it to work. Per my comments on that page, all but the video had to be done. Mine picked up the correct video driver from the get go, to include having the correct sub-menu when right clicking on the desktop IIRC. You can read the 18 guide and look for my comments if you wish.

 

I have read and followed both of the above, there isn't a vast amount of difference between them, but I get to the position where Windows isn't recognising the computer as a Tablet and therefore I'm guessing isn't enabling a number of features.

I have been lead to believe that my model was on of a special batch made to order for a specific customer so may well have a few propriatory bits in it.

Anyway, I'm going to try the Vista route now to see if I have any luck with that.

After nearly 20yrs in IT I have never come across such a tempramental PC - it's worth than a woman

 

anything new working this time around?

 

Hi,

I have Vista on it at the moment - Vista recognises it as a tablet and includes one or two extra apps in contol panel including the app for changing the tablet pc buttons.

There are still a few things I need to sort out like the function keys, wireless, etc, but they were all working fine under win 7 so I'm now going to make the jump now to see what happens.

 

OK, have now got Win 7 on and now some things that worked on vista have stopped working and some that weren't working nw are.

I have followed the CF18 Win7 install notes and official WIn7 upgrade notes to the letter and both have their problems.

The problem is down to the drivers. I got so far with the vista drivers from the official panasonic site, but some things didn't work properly. I then tried some of the official Mk3 Win 7 drivers and some things got fixed and some were broken.

To top it off I also downloaded some updated drivers from FCL and other sources just to confuse the mix.

I'm not a believer in reinstalling ad infinitum in the hope that the next try will work, I would rather get to the root of the individual problem.

The key issue seems to be whether Win7 recognises the machine as a tablet. After a little time on google it is apparent that there are a couple of registration keys that enable this and lead to further options under Control Panel as well as enabling ink functionality in office.

I think that these reg keys are set when you install the touchscreen drivers, however I have been trying to install a version from the FCL website that obviously doesn't set the reg key.

The plan now is to completely remove the FCL drivers and then reinstall other versions until I find one that does the trick.

Failing that there are some scripts on the web you can use to set the IsTabletPC reg switch, but I don't want to go down that route yet.

I think the key is driver sets and getting a set that works with your machine.

 

I'm not sure if I can agree that the drivers are the issue, since I and many others have used the same W7 panasonic drivers, and have had success.

Are there any major differences (hardware wise) between your CF-19 and others? Where did you pick this computer up from? Anything unusual in the bios settings?

Your perdicament is very interesting, please keep us posted.

 

Did you install the .Inf file when you were supposed to? This is a file that alot of people seem to be forgetting to install. You must install this BEFORE any other drivers. Somehow we need to make members aware of the importance of this file. It basically allows the Panny specific drivers, files, etc to work properly.

Where do you stand on this? If you have the PANNY Vista loaded from your recovery disc that is baffling that it isnt working properly!

 

Which .inf file? There's one for every driver.

I am going through the drivers again (for the Nth time) in order to pin down which driver it is that kicks Win 7 into recognising it is a Tablet. My machine was recognised fine under Vista but then lost it on the upgrade to Win 7.

 

Do you have the PDF file from Panny that has the instructions on how to install W7? Which i hope to god you do, and are doing each step by step of it. Look thru the install order and you will see the .inf file that you should do 1st. It spells it out very well.

 

Go here.
http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/itn/su...de_Step-by-Step_Guide(CF-19_30)_en_091125.pdf

 

When we talk of .inf ,we are talking about Intel m/b chipset


Alex

 

OK, Just to recap....

I have a CF-19CHB23BE (touchscreen NOT digitiser) and I can get most things working under Win 7, however it will not recognise my machine as being a tablet model so won't enable things like 'ink' functionality in office or the pen and tablet controls in control panel.

Running over things...

1. I have been following the info in the CF-18 Win 7 install thread as well as the official install/upgrade docs in the pdf.
2. I have been trying to use where possible the CF-19 Mk3 Win 7 drivers from the official site, but am actually getting better luck with the Mk1 Vista drivers from the http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/cgi-bin/itn/toughbook/dl01.cgi site so now default to using those to start off with particularly for things like the hotkey and panel buttons.
3. I do install the Mk3 chipset drivers (there aren't any Mk1 vista ones on the download site), but it doesn't seem to do anything.
4. I don't bother with the Lan, Wlan, Bluetooth, Video or sound drivers - Win 7 seems to pick these up fine and all appear to work correctly.
5. During the installs I don't bother loading any win 7 updates, skipping the network/web access. This just speeds u the install process (I have done several trying various options!)

I think that the key issue of Win 7 not recognising the machine as a tablet relates to either the touchscreen drivers or the inf file.

Loading the Mk3 Wn 7 inf file makes no difference - are there any others out there that might kick the Tablet functionality on?

On the touchscreen drivers, I find that Win 7 installs some basic drivers that work to a degree, but don't provide a callibration tool. The Mk1 vista and Mk3 Win 7 drivers work, but the tpsetup.exe installer doesn't run properly - it gets so far and then says it isn't completed so I go the upgrade driver route and select the .inf file to do the installs.

So, any suggestions

 

When you say it doesn't do anything, whatcha mean? When I load mine it usually takes about 30 seconds to start up. Do this. Put it on your desktop, left click, try installing it using compatibility mode. For every program, etc that you can't get to load, do that procedure.

That Intel Chipset file is very important. You have to get that on there somehow!

 

1. Can you move the cursor around with your finger?
2. When you right click on the desktop, what submenu options do you have (include pic if you can)?
3. Can you take a picture of your Screen, especially the lower left corner where the pen slot is.

 

The only problem I have still is the fact that Win 7 won't recognise the CF-19 as a tablet so things like the Pen and tablet pc options aren't available and ink isn't available in Office.

I have installed the .inf file as per the instructions and it doesn't apear to do anything at all - it doesn't seem to matter if the inf file is loaded or not so I am guessing that there is something different about my particular model.

I have gone back to trying to get a stable version of Vista running. Interestingly Vista pick up the fact that the machine is a tablet from a basic install, then it is just a case of updating the various drivers.

I only have the tablet buttons to sort out, but should be able to get those going with with more recent drivers.

Once I have a 100% working version of Vista I'll take an image of it and then try a Win 7 upgrade again. If it still doesn't work I'll just live with Vista.

 

Yes, touchscreen works OK.

Can't remember, am back on Vista now - I don't recall seeing anything unusual.

What was supposed to be in the bottom left corner other than the normal start menu.

 

OK I have been doing some more digging and the key to getting Windows Vista/7 properly recognising your machine as a Tablet is the touchscreen drivers.

For some reason with both Vista and Win 7, whilst I load the Fujitsu touchscreen drivers and can get the touchscreen working OK, it isn't being picked up by windows.

The key is that whilst I get a Fujitsu TOuchscreen under the HID devices it is only being picked up as a HID compatible mouse NOT a pen/tablet touchscreen device.


So for those of you with CF-19s that have win 7 working correctly and being recognised as tablets, what drivers are you using for your touchscreen and what is appearing under the Mice/Pointing devices?

In the meantime I am going to do a little more digging into my machines' spec to see if it has any unusual touchscreen setup.

 

This is why I was asking him those questions. Mine just shows up as an HID compliant mouse, but I have digitizer, not touchscreen. It appears his is a touch as he stated the cursor would move around with his finger.

JV, By looking at a picture of the screen we could almost tell for certain if its a touch or digi as the pen hole on the bottom left is longer on the digi than it is the touch. I was going with maybe your trying to install touch drivers on a digi screen, but if you were able to move the cursor with your finger, that rules that out. On mine, when right clicking on the desktop there are at least 2 additional options that show up when the display is installed correctly: 'Graphics Properties' and 'Graphics Options'; there may be more, but those two for sure are new if you are using the correct display drivers... for the digi screen anyways.

 

Sorry, missed the relevance of the photo of the screen - I should have said from the outset that it was a touch screen, not digitiser.

Also I do have extra graphics related options on the right click menu as you have, but no additional tablet/touchscreen related options which is what I am trying to track down.

 

For the CF19CH models that have W7 on them
In device mgr under Human Interface device I have:
Panasonic Toughbook Tablet PC Buttons
Panasonic Toughbook Touchscreen
Bluetooth HID Device
HID-compliant consumer control device x3
HID-compliant device x2

I used the W7 CF-19 drivers from the Panasonic site
I've installed W7 on two seperate touchscreen models of the CF-19
Both work with no issues, with the exception of auto rotate

 

OK, that's interesting. I am trying to use the W7 drivers from the panasonic site(tscreen_v1.00l10m00_19_3_w732_d081526d091540.exe), but the installer won't run properly giving some sort of 'installation isn't completed' message.

So I am having to force the install by upgrading the USB HID Device via the 'have disk' option and the drivers are coming up as 'FCL Touch Panel Vista (USB)' under Human interface devices and then under Mice and other pointing devices I get a 'HID-compliant device' although if I use some newer drivers I can 'upgrade' it to a 'FCL TOuch Panel Driver'. In the end it doesn't matter what FCL drivers I use, none of the tell W7 that I have a touch screen.

When I try to run the Panasonic Calibration Utility it won't recognise the touchscreen as a touchscreen or a digitiser.

The more I think about it I suspect that I have a non standard touchscreen on this model, but I need to find some way to interrogate the system in a bit more detail than DMI - either that or try to find out more from Panasonic.

Alternatively could I be trying to install touchscreen drivers on a digitiser??

 

Your model number from your original post suggest that its a touchscreen, however it is possible whomever you purchased the CF-19 from may have switched out components. I think you do infact have a touchscreen since you are able to move the cursor around with your finger.

 

Yes, I was pretty certain that I had a touchscreen.

So the question is, why aren't the touchscreen drivers working properly?

Which drivers have you been using?

 

tscreen_v1.00l10m00_19_3_w732_d081526d091540.exe

 

Those are exactly what I am using.

Did you manage to get TPSetUp.exe to run properly? Is that what installed the touch screen drivers as Panasonic ones?

 

Yep. No issues. I only have one touch model now where I can say that this is 100% the case. The other was sold not too long ago, and I havent received any complaints with it so I assume the same is true with the second.

 

Well that looks like the nub of the problem, I need to pin down why the driver installer isn't running properly.

If anyone else here has any more clues, your input would be appreciated.

 

Out of interest, what do you have under the Mice and other pointing devices?

 

Under Mice and other pointing device I have:
HID-compliant mouse
touchpad

 

Well I'm still failing to make any progress with this.

What intrigues me is that I can't see how running the touchscreen installer is giving you a Panasonic Toughbook Touchscreen where as installing via the .inf file is giving me a FCL USB Pen Tablet (Sus).

I also can't see why the installer isn't running on my machine - we have the same basic model and have installed stuff according to the instructions (therefore in same order) yet for me the drivers consistently fail to complete the install routine - so far I have tried several different versions including the exact same ones as you.

I'm just going to pursue the registry hack side of things to see if I can make progress that way.

 

It just hit me, I wonder if you have one of the new dual screens? They are both touchscreen and digitizer, and require special drivers to be sure....

Just a thought

 

Interesting, I doubt it because of it's age, but how would I be a able to tell?

 

I would go to panny's site and download the driver set for the dual screen and see if it works. Yes your laptops age does predate the use of them, but who's to say the original screen didn't fail and get replaced by a dual? I don't even know it that is possible, but you seem to be experiencing symptoms of having a touchscreen at times, and then having a digitizer at times, so worth a shot I think.

 

If I can find some drivers to download I'll give it a try.

 

Go here. http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/itn/support/win7info4_1930.html

Read the instructions it has specific to the dual touch models and perform that driver procedure.

Good luck!

I was thinking....., I wonder what would happen if you called Panny support and told them the problem you are having. Don't tell them you are doing 7, tell them Vista. I bet you anything if you play it right with them they will help you. Those guys are super helpful, cool to boot. Just say Hey, I know I am out of warranty but I have been working on this problem for weeks and was wondering if you can help me for a few minutes. Worth a shot in my book. I shot the crap with one of those guys for close to an hour one day, heck we got all the way to talking about cross country motorcycle trips!

Let us know, and good luck!

 

Sorry, I must be going mad because I can't see any Dual Touch drivers there at all.

I've been tempted to give it a try.

BTW, I run a business prepping 4x4s for overlanding trips!