CF-28 running very slow at times...

Hello all, I have been looking around this forum for about an hour now. I have a lot to read!!!

But before i get started, i have a rather basic question that may or may not be covered already.

Here goes... I got my toughbook on ebay a year or so ago. It came with windows 2000 pro (1-2), but it didn't come with any disks. Since i ran into issues with other computers in the past, (I should take this time to say that i am not an expert when it comes to software) my computer would ask me for the original windows disk every now and then when installing or doing things that i can't recall at the moment.

Anyway, i put a fresh install with with windows xp. I first tryed a copy of windows 2000 nt, but it would not install. So i picked up a copy of XP.

My problem is that the tb is running very slow at times. it drives me nuts.

Do i need to get a copy of windows 2000 pro (1-2), or can i improve what i have??? I tried to install all the required drivers when i first got the pc and upgraded the os. Touch screen never worked again and i gave up until now... (i found this forum). Also had to disable the GPS so the mouse would work.

If i have to go back to windows 2000 pro (1-2), does it have to be panasonic specific, or will any available work. I know that i.g. dell ships disks with there machines, and i don't know if you can use them on other then dell equipment.

I am very new to all this. But I do enjoy tinkering with things like this. And i love to learn new things.

thank you for taking the time to read this loong intro... and for any help you can offer.

CF-28PCJGEPMBKB 800Mhz, 250M ram

 

I don't know what "(1-2)" is but you should be looking for a 2000 Pro OEM CD. After a load of this you would want Service Pack 4 (SP4) + all updates. If you were to go with XP, then make sure you have all updates as well as Service Pack 3 (SP3).

Consider running a chkdsk /r because I suspect that your hard drive might be bad if it's randomly slowing down for periods of time. - This is a sign of a hard drive that is ready to die.

If the slow down is only with XP and didn't do it with 2000 then it might be because you only have 256MB of RAM - consider upgrading to 512MB.

 

You should not have a slow running toughbook
You need to do some reading and either do a fresh install of xp and then install the chipset drivers,and then all the other drivers for your model
The ram is ok for a basic load, I have seen ram usage of only 110mb at idle ,but as Rob says 512 is recommended, especially as you add antivirus software etc

Alex

 

Ummm... yeah.

I'll bet you're having troubles while poking around on the internet, right? There's a lot of high bandwidth content out there nowadays that wasn't even DREAMT of putting on the internet when that machine was built; it simply isn't going to play the HD-res version of that new Star Trek trailer, no matter what you do. Get used to it, it's going to happen.

Aside from trying to play DVD-resolution content over your internet connection & modern video games, there's not much your Mk2 can't do; you just need to give it the best it can get.

First off - it WILL Support up to 768MB RAM; get a LOW-DENSITY 512 MB 144 pin SODIMM; the Kingston KTM-TP133/512 is KNOWN to work.

Secondly - Get into a better hard drive. We used to use the Hitachi 7200 RPM IDE drives to upgrade these; then they stopped making them, and they got both scarce and expensive. All that is left are 5400 RPM models; nowadays pretty much any 5400 RPM IDE drive will be a great improvement over your original equipment drive, but get the RAM FIRST - here's WHY:

Windows XP WILL run on 256MB; but at that level, it's using Virtual Memory (Space on your hard drive used to swap out data from actual RAM so it can have enough space to work - we call it the SwapFile) for almost EVERYTHING. It will run VERY slow at times, no matter WHAT. XP starts to run right at 512MB; it really gets cooking at around 768MB-1GB, where it almost NEVER needs to hit the swapfile except for housekeeping when you're jumping between tabs. Above 1GB it really doesn't utilize RAM very well; Windows XP was never intended for such machines - at the time it was designed, only super-workstations & Servers used that kind of RAM because it was so expensive.

Now on to the HDD -
No matter what the people who mess with their systems tell you, XP WILL use (or want to use) the SwapFile from time to time; it expects to have it, it tries to use it, and when it can't (like if you disable it like THOSE people do) it will bog down until it can free up enough memory to continue working. As mentioned before, the swapfile is on your HD - and the OEM HDs from these machines were dreadfully slow by today's standards - so just upgrading to a 5400 RPM drive with a larger cache will make great improvement on your system.

Last - Windows (whatever version) collects CRAP. It's part of the way it's made; if you've been using a machine for over a year, (Or sometimes much less - if you use it a lot) it will have collected programs & junk (like printer drivers & other drivers for stuff you no longer use) which occupy memory & eventually slow it down. Sometimes just uninstalling those programs & drivers will make a big change in your performance; other times, you really need to just bite the bullet & save all your data & documents, then NUKE & PAVE.

To ensure the best performance, a fresh install of XP is the best bet; but do yourself a favor & get the RAM maxed out first.

mnem
Faster than light...? Well... I suppose it is TECHNICALLY possible... but you don't want to see what comes out at the other end...

 

Hello JB007Rules

>> I don't know what "(1-2)" is

it is for 1 or 2 CPU's. That is what was installed. Not sure if there is 1 or 2 CPU's though. I need to get set up with another pc before i open this one up.

>> Consider running a chkdsk /r because I suspect that your hard drive might be bad if it's randomly slowing down for periods of time. - This is a sign of a hard drive that is ready to die.

I will try the chkdsk /r command, but i suspect the hard drive will pass... It makes the fast clicking sound when the pc slows down. that is the screen and mouse lock up and or screen update almost stops, but hd sounds like it is running faster. cpu processing rate is irratic. screen has parts of 2 or 3 different windows.
I was thinking "not enough ram", but thought someone said that was the max for this TB model. Do you recommend any specific ram sticks?

>>If the slow down is only with XP and didn't do it with 2000 then it might be because you only have 256MB of RAM - consider upgrading to 512MB.

Again thinking, maybe XP uses/requires more ram than 2000. Don't know. I am not experienced enough to choose between the two. I do know that I hate changing every time MS comes out with a new os that they say is better then the last.

thank you for your feedback!!
daron

 

Hello Alex, I agree.... lots of reading to do... just found this forum, and am exited to dig in. I gave up on my own last year. and didn't use it much for a while. I got the drivers from Panasonic website, but not all of them. then i was directed to the canadian site, and didn't have much luck when it came to installing them. I really want to increase the ram, but as i stated in other reply, didn't think I could and now not sure of type or brand... any thought or recommendations?
thanks...!!
daron

 

Daron -

Look up.

mnem
Ask and ye shall receive...

 

Hello mnem, hello all,
if my forum response edicate is bad, let me know... still learning and can't seem to find the forum guidlines...

this is true... it seems to happen when i have several windows open, and now google has this multi tab window which i love. I usually get six or more going at once... with other apps running...

fantastic...! i will look into getting some tonight...

you are saying to replace the 7200 rpm with a 5400 rpm. will this work better?? is it the larger cache that makes the difference?

I had a feeling it could be the swap file... i remember this term from some time ago, but not savvy enough to do anything about the thought...

definatly sounds like my problem. I will also replace the HD, do you know the max size my TB will handle?

nice way to put it. that's what i tried to do when i bought this, but now i think i have a place to find great tech info and support....

thank you very much for your advice...!
I think i will finally get this pc working properly. then a want to try to add a wireless card so i can get rid of the pci.. card sticking out of the side.. it's a pain sometimes..
thanks again!

 

The 'slow at times' rings a bell...

Every so often, my CF-28 used to slow to a crawl.
I eventually found it was Windows Update running in the background.

Try turning off automatic updates (if it's not off already).
Right-click 'My Computer', go to Properties, then Automatic Updates tab and select Turn off Automatic Updates.

(You can still get updates by manually going to the Windows Update site via the link at the top of the start menu).

 

"you are saying to replace the 7200 rpm with a 5400 rpm. will this work better?? is it the larger cache that makes the difference?"

- No, obviously the 7200RPM drive is better than the 5400RPM drive, he is just saying to get a 5400 RPM drive because the 7200 ones are impossible to find these days because they don't make em any more. If you already have a 7200RPM drive in it then use that...

 

mnem....

YOU are our guiding light!



YOU are the MAN!

What a great explanation! Well done... VERY well done... I'm going to look for a sticky place to put this....

 

*Blink...blinkblink*

Well... Thanks! I'm not used to getting appreciated like that... LOL

mnem
Feelin' all Zen & e'eythang...

 

TB -

I've edited the part about the hard drives to reduce confusion as experienced by Daron there... I'm thinking maybe I like this new "lightness"...

mnem
Ummm... but maybe we should find a place to sticky this, rather than a sticky place to find it?

 

Mnem, I see you've changed your picture... NICE lol

 

For me at least it has always been obvious that behind the humor lies a deep understanding of all the ways people manipulate electrons. There are only a few members whose opinions and guidance I take as gospel and you are on the very short list.
CAP

 

It's ALL Rick's fault! Well, a little help from Cap'n too... They got me head all swelled up, now I need to vent that gas buildup somehow... :wink:

mnem
Prometheus was a dragon...

 

Cap... Very well put... I agree...

Mnem... I feel honored that you put the dwagon aside in favor of the new avatar.... But hey... It still has fire in it!

 

Hey ppl,

He did mention that the HD would make a clicking sound when it slowed down. That sounds like a device ready to fail. Seeing its supplementing the RAM with the swap file the HD death is near. If this is the original HD I'd upgrade as you guys have mentioned. Keeping a close eye on the task manager will show if any background programs are hogging his CPU. This is where increasing Ram will help. 256M Mem isn't the best but will work.

As suggested its the typical 1..2 approach. Max your Ram to the highest amount your OS will support. HD's are not too expensive and yes......not the most reliable device in any system. That's why you get one with a decent warranty and backup your ****.

SIN

 

Well, OF COURSE it would... LOL

As for the ways people manipulate electrons... well, I'm often surprised at how one can suddenly grok a whole huge construct just by removing one obstacle to understanding one tiny part of it; trying to figure out what that obstacle is... therein lies the fun part. I've never been a good teacher; I don't have the right kind of patience. But problem-solving - That's my bliss.

mnem
Well, that and a nice juicy bacon cheeseburger...