CF-51 MK3LL BIOS

Hello to all

I got a CF51-MK3LL and wanted to replace IDE disk with mSata 2 IDE
But the toughbook won't boot. (error reading disk)

Incredible is that a second old CF-51 MK1LL will boot.
In may opinion thats the reason why a bios update for Vista upgrade is necessary for MK3xx and not fot MK1/2xx

So i and wanted to update bios to version 3.50L14 as described on
https://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/itn/support/vistainfo4.html

The update denies because of wrong bios in my toughbook
current version: 3.50-L12M18
new Version: 3.50-L14
answer; THIS BIOS IS NOT FOR THIS MODEL
(the old CF-51 MK1LL denies bios update immediately at start)

3.50-L10, L12, L13 are describe as bios version before in
https://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/itn/support/soft_update/d_os/up_vista/kit/Windows_
Vista_Upgrade_Step-by-Step_Guide(CF-51mk3)_ver2.pdf

I guess the problem is M18 behind 3.50-L12

So is there any flash routine to update bios to 3.50L14 ?
Or any other fix ?

btw my CF-51-MK3LL Win7 is working perfect per regular 320GB IDE disk including sound, hotkeys, touchpad. many thanx to http://forum.notebookreview.com

 

It wont take the Panasonic update because its an M bios. I can offer to update the BIOS but you have to mail it here.

 

So what is an M bios and why You wont take it ?
Mail the bios chip ?

 

M bios is a modified for the customer bios, he will need the entire laptop to change it. Also from past experience the cheap Chinese ide drives will not work.

 

Thanx for Your reponse

The entire laptop doesn't work. It is in germany.
I remember last bios upate file was from Panasonic server, so not original stock.

I tried 3 different sata2ide: Delock 62495 was one of those, Docooler another.

But those boot on older CF-51MK1LL

 

Some of those cheap drives will also work on Linux but not boot and work for windows.

 

So I wanna give it a new try

I have read about same issue in
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...help-be-first-to-give-the-right-advice.624962
especially in
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...e-the-right-advice.624962/page-2#post-8078445
and success in
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...e-the-right-advice.624962/page-5#post-8090526

Might ist possible to downgrade to Version: 3.50L10 ?

This should be the stock bios version as described in
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...e-the-right-advice.624962/page-3#post-8078794

And then upgrade to 3.50L14 ?

 

I gave it a try and success
BIOS 3.50L14 is flashed.

I didn't flash 3.50L10
I flashed directly 3.50L14 with utilty from 3.50L10 bu51m3l.exe

no risk, no fun
thanx to this forum

 

Well done.

 

Well done.. Can you let us know how you did it please?

 

Download 3.50L10 zip file, see
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...e-the-right-advice.624962/page-2#post-8078709

Extract to DOS7 bootable USB.stick, no matter if other files stored there.
Copy 3.50L14 Bios file to USB stick
Edit biosup.bat
from
BU51M3L V350L10.513
to
BU51M3L V350L14.513

boot USB stick and execute biosup.bat

viola

btw.: You can also use a DOS bootable floppy if You have one on hand