CF-51 BIOS Updating help Be First! to give the right advice

Well, for me at least!
Took a gamble on a CF-51 that wasn't particularly well advertised. Could see from the labels and the fact it had 4 USB ports and a SD card port that it was probably a MK3. It was also relatively local. Went to get it today.
For the first time, I have basically got a complete Panasonic Toughbook apart from the original box
It's a CF-51RCVDNBE and had a complete caddy and OE HD, a FDD, the PSU, the higher capacity yellow tab battery, recovery disc, the operating instructions, operating hours of 480hrs and NO PASSWORDS!
Down sides are it doesen't seem to have a wireless card but assuming its like the other "spares" one I bought, it will have the antenna. There is a small dent on the top cover and a few scratches.
So for the time being I am as happy as a dog with two tails. If it was not for this Forum, I would have given these models a miss. Now, if I can only overcome my dependancy on my reliable CF-72's

 

good for you! always glad to see someone get a good deal. the cf-51 core duo model is the only toughbook that you can upgrade the cpu and just by swapping out the cpu. there is plenty of info about this and I've got several that I upgraded to thr T7600 and T7400. Rusty503 got us on this trail about a year ago and toughasnails has quite a bit of experience with these as well. I enjoyed the hunt for seeing what mods we were able to do with this laptop and you will enjoy using this one. check into the cf-74's but get one with options you want as no other TB's can do a cpu upgrade without big time equipment. enjoy!...Driller

 

Haven't opened it up yet but suspect my latest buy does not have a wireless card as it was a poverty spec version. So there is an opportunity for improvement if the standard Intel cards are inferior. Any recommendations for the MK3LL?
Think the OE would have been a Intel 3945. I used an identical card from a CF-74 in my "spares" CF-51 which had the antenna and cables but not the card fitted. I found it quite difficult to squeeze the antenna connectors onto the card to be honest. Once fitted the performance (signal strength) seemed to be less than a 2915 in a MK1!
I notice some people recommend ditching the Pro Set and letting Windows manage the wireless card. What is the reasoning behind that?

 

You are going to love your 51 and they are so easy to work on. We have a couple threads on the cpu upgrade on here and toughbooktalk so check it out...cpu mod + 4GB memory + Windows 7...It will be just as fast as a CF-52 without the cost :yes:
Best upgrades
T7200 - 2.0mhz - $30/$40...best bang for your $$$$
T7400 - 2.16mhz - $100/$120
T7600 - 2.33mhz - $75/$100
These all have 667mhz FSB...800mhz FSB will not work.

 

I blame this Forum! I have only been on here a while and already have 4 1/2 CF-51's! Might stick some more RAM in but trying not to caught up in the modification escalation!
Not much point in making a CF-51 perform like a CF-52 if you already have a CF-52. Obviously Blair will not agree!

 

I had put an Intel 5100 in mine. Took it out to put in a half height Intel. Can't remember what is in it right now.
Are cards reasonably priced in the UK? Is it worth it to ship this 5100 to you from the USA? Give me postage plus $2.00 and it's yours.

I was happy with the 5100's performance. I just had upgrade fever and wanted a newer card.

 

Shawn,
Without knowing what the desirable option might be, its difficult to comment. A quick look at whats available indicates that the 3945 is cheap and common.
Still, thanks for the offer. I'll keep it in mind.

 

At the time I had my 51 I never had a 52 but now I have 2 52's (MK1,MK2). That is why I say with the upgrades the 51 is just as fast as the CF-52 mk2...but my CF-52MK1 is faster than them all... Two of my girls have 51's now and they love them and the upgrades made a big difference. My 51 had the T7600 but I never liked the fan going all the time so when I upgraded my kids 51 I went with the T7200.

 

The 5100 is 2 generations newer than the 3945. It has lower power consumption and I forget what else. Aha..The 5100 has N along with ABG where the 3945 has just ABG. Better bandwidth and connections. I chose the 5100 because it only uses 2 antennae. Some N cards use 3. The latest version of Proset isn't too bad. If you want to try it, make sure you download it direct from Intel. Most people use Windoz wireless because it is simple and it works.

Lemme figure a link for you. ....................


Intel 3945

Intel 5100

 

Hmm.. the 5100 does seem to be an improvement. Seems little point in putting back something that development has rendered obsolete.
Am I right that there are two version, the regular and the half height? Guess I would be looking for the regular mini pci-e version. Seem to recall that the card is screwed down.

 

Yeah, the cf51's are damn good machines. I've got one too. An mk1. Its confined to my desk cause of a cracked lcd, but i have a parts machine (mk3) on the way. I have half a mind on fixing up the parts machine if its possible. But we'll see, First i gotta fix up the mk1 and give it to my sister in law. Whether or not the mk3 can be saved or not is not a priority atm.

Btw the t7200 cpu is one of my favorite cpu's. I had it, have it, in my zepto. Its got a buggered gpu though so it useless. Im hoping for an cf-51 project where i can use the cpu.

 

Yes the regular is the correct choice. They are screwed down.

 

It's ALWAYS a good feeling when you score a deal on your 1st or 50th Toughbook!

 

Panasonic ToughBook CF-51
Part Number: CF-51RCVDNBE

Expansion / Connectivity
Interfaces : 1 x keyboard / mouse - generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style)
1 x display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
1 x audio - line-out/headphones - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
1 x audio - line-in/microphone - mini-phone 3.5mm
1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 PIN FireWire
1 x docking / port replicator - 100 PIN docking
1 x serial - RS-232 - 9 pin D-Sub (DB-9)
4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 PIN USB Type A
1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45
1 x modem - phone line - RJ-11
Expansion Bays : Front accessible
Expansion Slot(s) : 1 (total) / 1 (free) x PC Card - type III (2 x type I / II)
Memory
1 (total) / 1 (free) x SD Memory Card
1 (total) / 1 (free) x Smart Card

Processor
Features : Enhanced SpeedStep technology, power-optimized processor system bus, Execute Disable Bit capability
Processor : Intel Core Duo T2300 / 1.66 GHz
Data Bus Speed : 667 MHz
Multi-Core Technology : Dual-Core

RAM
Technology : DDR2 SDRAM
Installed Size : 512 MB / 4 GB (max)

Storage
Hard Drive : 80 GB - 5400 rpm
Floppy Drive : 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy

Networking
Networking : Network adapter
Data Link Protocol : Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Compliant Standards : IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless NIC : Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Wireless LAN Supported : Yes

Miscellaneous
Features : Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately), administrator password, system password, hard drive password
Compliant Standards : ACPI

Power
Power Device : External
Voltage Required : AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )

Video
Graphics Processor / Vendor : Intel GMA 950 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0
Max Allocated RAM Size : 128 MB

Audio
Audio Output : Sound card
Audio Codec : STAC9200

Display
Display Type : 15" TFT
Max Resolution : 1024 x 768 ( XGA )
Widescreen Display : No

Cache Memory
Type : L2 Cache
Installed Size : 2 MB

Optical Storage
Type : CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo

Input Device(s)
Type : Keyboard, touchpad

Telecom
Max Transfer Rate : 56 Kbps
Modem : Fax / modem

Battery
Technology : Lithium Ion
Installed Qty : 1
Capacity : 7650 mAh
Run Time (Up To) : 6 hour(s)

Operating System / Software
OS Provided : Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Software : Drivers & Utilities, Adobe Acrobat Reader

Card Reader
Type : Card reader
Supported Flash Memory Cards : SD Memory Card

 

Not according to Insight UK.

Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG

Because PROSet sucks!

 

The cf-72 CPU is upgradeable as well
And the cf-72 is one of the easiest models to disassemble
Downsides to the cf-72 was the power jack was prone to failure ,(I have replaced or repaired at least 10 jacks)
And of coarse those darn weak hinges
When the members on NBR were doing mods on the cf-28's ,member's of this site were modding cf-72's
A good read http://toughbook.wikispaces.com/CF-72

 

I have not used a Intel 5100, but I can say that my Toughbooks that use the Intel 3945 had outstanding reception

Newer is usualy better in wi-fi as support for new drivers dries up as the model gets older

Exception to this is the Atheros cards that always lacked driver updates
They were good choices years ago , but it's Intel for me these days

 

Hmm..
Thanks to the link from TopCop, I decided to investigate. I had hoped to have a Toughbook for longer than 24hrs without taking it apart!
Indeed I can see that it has what appears to be the regular 3945 in the slot.
Going back into the BIOS Advanced section, I noticed that there is no Wireless Lan or SD card slot shown, although evidently, these are present and correct.
I am now wondering whether this is a BIOS issue:
BIOS V3.50L10 M30
Embedded Controller V3.60L10
My other MK3 is:
BIOS V3.50L12
Embedded Controller V3.60L10

I guess I could eliminate the card by subsituting in in the other 51. Whilst ideally it would be nice to have all the features working, not particularly bothered with the SD card reader. The PO has obviously been using it online as it has Explorer and Messenger. He did mention using a dongle to be fair.
Thoughts please!

 

Well it does look like this is fitted with a wireless card after all! However both the wireless card and the SD card do not show up in the BIOS.
The BIOS is V3.50L10 M30 rather than the V3.50L12 I have seen eslewhere. So beginning to suspect something isn't right!
Also it does seem that the specified HD should have been a 80GB 5200RPM HD!

 

Try to flash the bios with the currently available bios. Maybe it will overwrite the custom bios.

https://panasonic.ca/PCS/Firmware/CF51R_mk3ll_BIOS-EC_v3.50L10-R-2006-0076-Binary.zip

 

I found this one on the Canadian Panasonic download site:

Firmware
Model Number(s): CF51RCVDNBM, CF51RCVDNLM-3, CF51RCVDNLM-31G, CF51RCVDNLM-Q, CF51RCVDNLM-Q1G CF51R_mk3ll_BIOS-EC_v3.50L10-R-2006-0076-Binary.zip (612.64 KB - English)
Operating System(s): BIOS
Release Date: 2006/6/22 Version: 3.50L10
Original BIOS and EC shipped on units.

 

If the consensus of opinion is a flashing of the BIOS, then I admit I am going to struggle without help! Whilst quite happy to physically take things apart, I am not confident when it comes to s/w stuff!
However I have downloaded that BIOS and I think unzipped to a folder with 4 files in. The good news is that I now have a FDD to use and have found and formatted 2 HD floppies.
One thing that bothers me is that clearly there are later versions of the BIOS. According to the instructions for updating to Vista is states the following:
Model name BIOS version (Before) BIOS version (After)
CF-51xxxx[F/N]xx V3.50L10, V3.50L12, V3.50L13 - V3.50L14

Here is the link to the recommended BIOS update:
http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/itn/support/vistainfo6_51mk3.html

So it looks like L14 is the latest. I guess my spares 51 being an S rather than a R model has the later L12 version. Unfortunately my understanding sort of stops there!

So knowing very little about the process, what do I do next and are there any precautions to take?

 

Ah well, I thought I would see how far I could get on my own! I can at least follow instructions.
Thought I was doing alright. Downloaded the Bios update, extracted it correctly and using the Vista guide, followed the steps and all seemed ok.
As there are several prompts before actually comitting to updating the BIOS, I thought I would just stick the floppy in and see what happens. At first it was encouraging, a black screen with the following:
Boot Loader Version 2.01L12
Program Launcher Version 2.00L10
Then nothing but repetative clanking and whiring from the FDD! Gave up after 10 mins.
So I am guessing that the old FD's I have are not writing to. The first time I tried to copy from the ultility it failed when trying to copy the actual BIOS by the look of it. So I guess I am going to have to try and source some virgin FD's which might not be that easy methinks! Rest of the evening on eBay then for me!

 

Latest piece of useless information!
I have noticed that in the PC Information Viewer that both the Wireless Lan and the SD Card Slot are both listed and shown as disable. They are not visible in the BIOS Advanced tab!
Virgin floppy's on their way!

 

Never mind

 

Did you notice "virgin floppys" as well?

You lot have no idea how much i'm restraining myself right now... I mean, the tasteless jokes are just flooding my mind.

 

Nope. Not gonna say it. Ya cain't make me.

mnem
Hoopy Frood.

 

Sounds like an ex government issue unit with the sd card and wifi disabled in the bios. Other posters have had the same issues. The most recent was a cf 50 that once flashed with a different bios, works great.
A while back someone had a 51 with the same problems. I can't remember who and I'm too tired and lazy at the moment to search for it.

 

Anyway, whilst I wait for the media to turn up, I thought I would try another update. Found a CF-52 DVD Multi bay on eBay and won it for 99p! It's a TEAC DV-W28EC or CF-52DM001. Wasn't sure if it would work or not but seems to function. It also looks better than the original silver/black drive in my opinion.
Instead of the clatter when the drive is powered up you get a sort of buzzing sound. Its the same on my CF-52 though, so I assume its ok!

 

I have found a L14 version which I assume is going to be the last Panasonic upgrade. Looks as though Panasonic provided a utility as well to make the disc. Haven't had any success yet. Hoping that its just the media at fault!

On the wireless card front. Just set up the spare one and perhaps have been a bit harsh on the 3495 cababilities. Going by the bars on signal strength it appeared to be worse than I thought. In reality it performs adequately!
If I upgrade my router with N capability, it might be worth sticking in a 5100 I guess.

 

Update!
Right then. New FD's arrived. Stuck one in and the Panasonic Utility done its stuff. Held my breath and booted up from the FDD and this time got progress of sorts. The prompts appeared in the correct order until it got to the File Load page. This started promisingly stating the current version of the BIOS and then the new version of the BIOS, then a red dialogue box pops up to ruin my day!
The red dialogue box says that "This BIOS is not for this model. Press any key to exit". In the File Load it states the machine name as CF-51MK3LL and that particular BIOS version is for the N models.
As a check, I then ran the same disc in the "spares" 51. In this machine when it got to the File Load it was quite happy to proceed further, i.e. update the BIOS! This machine has a different model number but is still a N model. It is a CF-51SCYDNBE rather than the CF-51RCVDNBE I am trying to update. The only difference is the S model has a BIOS version of L12. The Panasonic documentation implies that the L14 will update from L10 through to L12 versions.
So to summarise, I can update the BIOS in a machine I don't want to and that originally didn't have a wireless card fitted, but when one was fitted, was recognised by the BIOS. Whereas I cannot update the BIOS in a machine that has a wireless card fitted but is not recognized in the BIOS! Go figure.
So I guess another option is to try the other version of the BIOS linked in this thread the L10 rather than the L14. Here is where I struggle!
The Panasonic Utility for the L14 version is foolproof as you just double click on the application and follow the instructions. I am uncertain on how to get that other version onto the FD, especially as its zipped. So could do with some guidance on that. I have extracted the files into a folder but when I copy those directly onto a FD and try to boot, I get a mesage to remove media. I have also noticed that the FD with the L14 version appears to have no files on it if you try and open it. Not that helps me much other than indicating I am not copying that other Bios correctly!

 

You have to read the documentation from the downloads site on updating the bios , it will be in the same location as the file
It will explain in detail how to update

I have seen three ways that a bios is updated

The latest is very easy from within windows

Another way is to full format a floppy and extract the bios files onto the floppy and boot with floppy drive first in the boot sequence
You only need to agree to the update as the software starts right away
The old way was to full format + make the floppy bootable by transfering windows dos files + you add the bios file
You then need to find the name of the .exe and type it like a:???.exe and go from there
I have not updated the bios using the floppy method is quite some time and never on a cf-51

 

Alex,
Can you enlighten me on the "easy" way through Windows?

 

Sure
This is the steps for my cf-30
All this is done from within windows

Window bios updating is only available on the latest models , but as you can see above its quite easy

Your cf-51 will not be this easy as panasonic support bios files are updated using the older floppy drive method

This will most likely be the way to do yours

 

Unfortunately, that procedure is not available for the CF-51.

 

Its for information purposes only
He asked how the windows update worked ,and I responded

With a disclaimer that he would most likely have to do it the long, step by step way

 

To be honest Panasonic made it easy to make the update disc which looks like it will work on the CF-51S but not the CF-51R. Apart from that difference in the model number and the BIOS versions the machines are identical as far as I can tell. They both appear to be the N models!
Part of the problem is that I am not familiar enough with commands/file types etc!

 

Yes
And as usual I wish it was sitting in front of me and I was working on it
I would have an answer to the question
Is this possible without bricking my Toughbook

Hopefully a member or a tech stops by and gives advice here

I might as well change the title

 

Alex, of course that is a concern! Especially as I am inexperienced in these matters. It's a calculated risk I guess. I am gambling for full utility and lets face it, without wireless a computer is virtually useless. I could use a dongle/card and that would be safe. But it bugs me thats its wireless equipped and I can't use it!
My knowledge is expanding and I am grateful to Forum members for their advice and comments.

 

Thanks Alex, this is a new project that I will have to check into. I love finding a toughbook that you can upgrade, swap cpu's and mod. I'm not on the level with you guys but it sure is fun to tinker with all these toughbooks,..Driller

 

You could change the model number in BIOS to match one that the BIOS update file will work with. Use the attached text file for the steps. It is actually pretty easy to use but you HAVE to follow the steps exactly as listed.

I would first change the model number to one that does have wireless enabled and see if that unlocks yours. If not change the model number to one that the update file will work with, reflash the BIOS and then change the model number back to the original if desired.

This proceedure has been done by numerous members here and they will attest that this does work.

 

I have had a few attempts at this as well!
All I get is a red dialogue box stating that "Invalid Model Number File Specified: model.txt"
Tried a few variants, including NA models just in case the fact that European models are different.
Now as I am responsible for the model.txt file its possible I have done something wrong. Basically you just put the model number CF-51xxxxxxx whatever in there, right? I used the model number of the spares 51 as that will take the BIOS upgrade but still with the same result.
It is also the same if you try and change the spares 51. You get the same dialogue box.
I should add that I am only adding the model number file. Should I be doing both the model and the serial number?

 

Thinking about it I haven't tried the 3.50L10 as I am not sure how to go about it. I have the files, so do I just stick them onto a bootable FD? I guess I then need a command? Got to be worth a try. Its just that the L14 version is easier to set up for the beginner!

 

You don't need the BIOS files to change the model number. You must however use the correct BUxxx file. Try the steps again using the same model number. That way you can check your procedure without really "changing" anything. If you still get the error, your steps are wrong or you are using the wrong file.

 

Hi!
One option is to try and get another BIOS on there and see whether it will upgrade to the L14.
I honestly cannot see what I am doing wrong. I have tried renaning with the same model number with the same result. It is a valid number in terms of a stock OE Panasonic documented one!
Now this BU51M3L file may be the problem. It is supposedly for the MK3LL models in the R series. In the L10 BIOS updrade it is an exe file. However in the L14 BIOS upgrade it is shown as a BIN file. So would the process be the same using the BU51 BIN file rather than the EXE one.
There is a difference in the BIOS Update Tool Versions. The version in the L10is 1.59L56 and the L14 is 1.68L10.
Its a bit odd that neither machine accepts the remaning process which obviously does work for everybody else. It does sort of imply that its the model.txt file at fault. So to confirm, the model.txt file should read as follows:

CF-51RCVDNBE

I think I have already tried to use the NA model version in conjunction with the matching BU51M3L file, which should have been consistant. Anyway, I'll plug away at it again. Got a few things to try, although its a bit frustrating!
Thanks for the tips!

 

Success!
Well of sorts! Decided to try the L10 Bios which it accepted and all seemed to go well. Got the default screen and pressed F2 for set up. Set the time and date and went to the screen to check if the Wireless was up - Nope!
But I do have the SD Card enabled! If it had been the other way round I would have been happier! Checked the PC Information viewer and the SD Card is shown as enable. I reported previously that the Wireless was shown in the PC Information viewer as disable. It is not shown at all now. Not sure whether thats indicative of anything or not.
In for a penny, in for a pound as we say here, I decide to push my luck with the L14 upgrade. This time it went without a hitch so can only conclude that there was something funky about that M bersion Bios. Again through the default screen to the Set up - still no Wireless!
So the positives are I have learnt a lot and upgraded the Bios to the latest version without bricking it and reactived the SD card reader which I will probably never use! The negatives, still don't have the Wireless! Guess it is dead after all. Will substitute a know good one to see if that works.
So a big thanks to all those who have helped, particularly one member who spoon fed me! Much obliged to you all!

 

Success!
Swopped the suspect 3945 into the "Spares" 51 and was surprised to see it work. Swopped the known good one back into the Good 51 and it all works!
So can only assume that it was a dodgy connection or something originally, although if that was the case I am surprised it showed up in the PC information viewer as disable! It didn't after the BIOS upgrade.
So all's well that ends well. Bit of a frustrating weekend but with a satisfactory ending. If only everything was as easy to fix as that!
Cheers!

 

There you go...I new you would get it sooner or later

 

CONGRATULATIONS !!

Now that you know how to mod a Toughbook, the addiction starts to set in . . .

 

Ok, small update!
Managed to find a cheap 5100 for a £1, ex Toshiba. Thought I would just chuck it in and see what happened. I had already prepared myself for executing the pin 20 mod. Checked the BIOS to see if the card was recognised - it wasn't. Decided to load the OS and see if anything was picked up. Got conflicting dialogue boxes, one saying no physical wlan adaptor fitted whilst the other said found new hardware Intel 5100!
The wlan symbol began to flash and low and behold I was connected. So bit confused now. I haven't loaded the 5100 drivers but it clearly is working with whatever drivers are factory installed. Signal strength is up from 4 bars to five over the 3945. Unfortunately still waiting for the upgraded Broadband from the main supplier within the UK which is supposedly much better and which will be N, which will hopefully improve the 56mbps I have at the moment. I was quite happy with the 11mbps a few months ago!
Oh, and the wireless switch utility appears to work as well.