The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    CF-28 BIOS update to use 768M ram?

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by Springfield, Feb 10, 2011.

  1. Springfield

    Springfield Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    507
    Messages:
    942
    Likes Received:
    127
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Someone with a CF-28 said they planned to update the BIOS so it can see 768M ram. I know that certain low-density ram like Kingston will work even tho Pani says the max is 512M. But is there a BIOS update that makes it work for other kinds of ram also?

    What is the latest BIOS for CF-28, and where is it found? I'm willing to try this with a 1G Mk-3 CF-28 if one of our sages thinks it will help .... :D
     
    Springfield, Feb 10, 2011
    #1
  2. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,081
    Messages:
    4,293
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Alex, Feb 11, 2011
    #2
  3. gray-beard

    gray-beard Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    257
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    41
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Kingston, KTM-TP133/512 512MB Module is what works.
    BIOS: V3.00L12C is what's running on my MK3


    Bob
     
    gray-beard, Feb 11, 2011
    #3
  4. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

    Reputations:
    1,116
    Messages:
    3,389
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    116
    Yeah, the update adds support for additional ram modules up to 512MB on the Mk2/Mk3; this doesn't include the onboard 256MB or VERY RARE 512MB.

    This really isn't that big an issue; Win XP runs fine with 512MB total. Once you get up to 768MB, it doesn't make a lot of difference to get up to 1GB unless you're one of those freaks like me who keeps 33 tabs open in a browser all the time. It's not like this was EVER a gaming rig. ;)

    mnem
    CF-28s are the REAL ToughBook, baby...
     
    mnementh, Feb 11, 2011
    #4
  5. Markie99352

    Markie99352 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Are you sure that this BIOS update is applicable to the CF-28 Mk2? Would there be compatibility issues (not to mention transforming a CF-28 Mk2 unit into a fine doorstop) if attempting to install a v.3 BIOS to a v.2 machine?
     
    Markie99352, Feb 11, 2011
    #5
  6. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,081
    Messages:
    4,293
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    106
    The bios is for the mk3 only
    It will not work or load on mk2's
    I had a heck of a time even finding 256mb ram that worked on the cf-28's and the dwagon is correct with these , 512mb total running xp will be fine
     
    Alex, Feb 11, 2011
    #6
  7. capt.dogfish

    capt.dogfish The Curmudgeon

    Reputations:
    903
    Messages:
    2,328
    Likes Received:
    55
    Trophy Points:
    66
    I'm with Bob, the referenced Kingston stick never failed me on dozens of MK2 and MK3 CF-28s. Buy.com has them for $51.54 shipped, and there are several on the flea for a starting bid of $0.99. I never worried about the bios version, plug that sucker in and you got 768MB. I too really liked the CF-28.
    CAP
     
    capt.dogfish, Feb 12, 2011
    #7
  8. Springfield

    Springfield Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    507
    Messages:
    942
    Likes Received:
    127
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I'm with you guys, use Kingston and it works. But if there is a BIOS upgrade that allows using non-low-density 512M sticks, which are about half the price, then it's worth a try. Especially since I have a few CF-28 Mk3 carcasses laying around that are just volunteering for my next great "experiment" on them .... :eek:
     
    Springfield, Feb 12, 2011
    #8