CF-19 W7 Drivers for MK3

Good afternoon. I'm hoping to find some answers on here that I could not find on the Panasonic site. I have a CF19 MK3 that I'd like to install W7 64bit on a new HDD. Panasonic's site only lists drivers for W7 32 bit.

Where do I find, or what drivers do I use to get everything working with the 64bit version? (CF19KDRC66B)

Thanks! :hi2:

 

You will have to load a combo of windows 7 32 bit drivers and find generic 64 drivers for other stuff. (look to see for Misc driver and few others of the newer models is offered for 64 bit, I use to use a windows 7 32 bit misc driver for my CF-50) At one time Panasonic had 64 bit folder for Mk2 19 and I loaded all of those drivers when I put 64 bit windows 7 on that machine. All but two drivers loaded correctly then I had to find alternative to those to get everything working right.

I have a Mk3 but since I didn't plan on upgrading the 4gb of ram that was in the machine when I got it, I just stuck with 32 bit windows.

 

Is there a reason why you want 64bit...the MK3 will run very fast with W7 32bit and just add a SSD and it will fly. If you try to put 64bit on it you will have some work cut out for you. Like ADOR said you will be trying drivers from many other models...it might turn into a not so easy job. Good luck and welcome to the nuthouse :hi2:

 

I was looking for speed and ability to run multiple applications (have several programs open and running at peak efficiency) I hadn't really considered a solid state drive. Do you think it will address that task or will the increased RAM (up to 8g) be the better route? I've been looking at some SSDs online this morning and they're kinda salty for the space I want, however I've come across a few hybrid SSDs. Do you have any experience with these? they're advertised to function the same as a regular SSD, but have larger capacity and less expensive. Also, which SSD do you recommend?
Thanks for the reply....and the welcome.

 

Some say more memory is better but it does come a time when it's over kill like my CF-53 which has 16GB but 4GB would of been more than enough. My 52MK4 has 4GB and it just as fast as my 53 . Now put a SSD in it and you will see more bang for your buck. It open and closes programs faster and boots up into windows under 20 seconds. I have (3) Samsung, (2) Kingston, (2) SanDisk and (4) Intel...(not cheap). Stay away from OCZ SSD's for now, they filed for bankruptcy but Toshiba will acquire there assets but warranties could be lost
. I have had good luck getting my SSD's at newegg, price range $50.00 - $80.00 for 120GB and $120.00 - $150.00 For 250GB and if you got some $$$ 500GB for $300.00 . Sign up for newegg's email deal , they always have a couple SSD's on sale.

 

Great information! any experience or knowledge with the HD/SSD hybrids? they claim the same performance as the regular SSD but are less expensive.

 

I never had one but a new member some time ago put one in a 52 but did not get the speed of a SSD but it was much faster than a standard HDD.

 

regarding RAM: if it happens often that when you have multiple applications open, and start another one, the disk starts working hard (i.e. the swapfile increases, the OS starts moving the less accessed program memory into the virtual memory area on the HDD), then you will surely benefit from more RAM.
also, when there is unused memory, the OS caches frequently accessed files in memory, so the next time they're needed, the data is already there, in RAM (that's very fast).

the biggest impact, however, would be from upgrading to a SSD, you WILL notice it, and everything will seem much faster/snappier.

here's a interesting deal, $280 for 480GB: Amazon.com: SanDisk Extreme II 480 GB SATA 6.0 Gbs 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SDSSDXP-480G-G25: Computers & Accessories

 

the Hybrid ones (SSHD), mainly Seagate which is the manufacturer with the most experience in this technology, have 4GB or more of NAND Flash, and a different controller, compared to a regular HDD.
Keep in mind, though, that that's only used for READ cache; so in theory it could be comparably as fast as a decent SSD, but only if the data fits in that amount of storage space, and if it's already there the moment you need it. The best use scenario for it, is frequent access to ~static (limited amount of) data, i.e. when booting up, or starting programs. Random data reads are not improved.
It's of no use, and as slow as a regular drive, when you need to WRITE data on it (AFAIK, that integrated flash is only for caching reads).

So, it's a half-decent option, if you cannot go with a SSD, or have a specific usage pattern.

 

Very good, I guess I'll just have to pony up the $$$ and get a full fledged SSD. Thank you for all the input, I learned much!

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/725310-toughbook-ssd-thread.html

Here is the SSD thread I started so we could compare speed. My Mk3 19 is in there also. The SSD is a older Generation 2 160 GB intel, if you get a newer SSD your speeds should be better, but you will get a idea of how fast you can get. Use the same program we did in that thread to see what you are currently getting speed wise.

If you want something that works well for your CF-19 for extra storage get one of these.

Acasis USB Dual External Drive Enclosure w USB Hub Supports Up to 640GB New | eBay

Another member turned me onto them. It is a usb hub with extra ports, SATA dvd drive holder (no drive included) and a external SATA hard drive. It's thin and light also. Can be powered from usb, or from power cord.

 

Neat unit. I will have to get one to play with. Thanks for sharing the info.

 

HA! the more I look into this the more questions I have. Ok, this time on SATA 2 vs SATA 3 drives. which one does the CF19 MK3 come with and can I expect the speeds you guys talk about with a SATA 3 used on a SATA 2 system? (if that's what I have?)

 

I am not sure what your 19 is but since it has no fan and needs to keep the heat down it's SATA 1. Download BootRacer here BootRacer - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com . Run the program and compare it to ADOR CF-19MK3 with the SSD installed to give you a idea of the boost your 19 will get with a SSD installed in it.


TOUGHBOOK: CF-19 MK3

OS: WINDOWS 7 PRO SP1 (32 bit)

DISK: INTEL X25 G2 160 GB SSD

WINDOWS 7 EXPERIENCE SCORE: 7.2

CRYSTAL DISK MARK 3.0.2.2012:

SEQ: 133.1 READ / 90.17 WRITE
512K: 120.0 READ / 90.76 WRITE
4K: 8.363 READ / 22.28 WRITE
4K QD32: 90.81 READ / 78.90 WRITE

START UP SPEED: 28 seconds to desktop (bootracer)


When you download BootRacer sometimes they will want to download 1 - 3 other programs too so read what you click yes to. Check below to see what I mean. I am telling you this because I had 1 new member get mad because he clicked "Accept" without reading.

 

Now I know what I said about OCZ SSD's but at this price it's hard to say no

Manufacturer Recertified OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE180G 2.5" 180GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) for $69.99 shipped...they also take PayPal payments :thumbsup:

Manufacturer Recertified OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE180G 2.5" 180GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - Newegg.com

 

Did you happen to read the reviews on these? Seems like most of them are dead at the 6 month mark. I'm still looking around. I've found a few online deals for some in the 240-256g range for under $200.

 

Oh yes I seen the reviews. I did read some where that when you get it to update the firmware ASAP and you will not have a problem with it down the road...but you never know

Keep looking around...I just bought a SanDisk 240GB for $129.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820721108

 

I think at the very least you will get better write speeds from the newer SSD's. I chose the intel X25 G2 SSD because of their long known life and at the time I could get used 160 gb unit for 85 to 100 bucks each. The prices on the newer SSD's have dropped a lot over the last year and the prices on the G2 intels are staying the same. So the newer drives are becoming the better option.

 

CF-19 MK3.......

First time poster....Soooo I went and installed windows 7 on my TB CF-19 MK3...the only thing I can't get to work is the SD card reader and the 2 PCMCIA slots...Any note worthy places to search for the right drivers?

Thanks

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook Forum

You can find all the drivers you need here... Panasonic Toughbook Computer Support Downloads but not sure what is wrong with you 2 PCMCIA slots...they should work.

 

SSD arrived this afternoon, installed W7 and most of the important stuff already worked on the CF19 (touchscreen, calibration tool, BT, sound card etc.) without downloading the drivers from Panasonic. Windows experience score is still 2.8. Boot racer boot up time was 23.6 seconds. Programs open faster, navigation appears faster. This is a 32 bit system with 3.5 gigs of usable RAM in use. I may have to get another SSD for my second Cf19.

 

My organization has had great success with Intel SSD's for CF-19K's. We had problems with OCZ's Agility 3 SSD's drives and only stick to Intel 120GB SSD's.