CF-52 Toughbook Phoenix BIOS update help needed

Hello,
Can anyone help? I have a Panasonic CF52 MK1L Laptop with a Phoenix. V1.50L12, 7/18/2007 BIOS which I want to update so I can use the built in PCI E slot and Gobi WWAN modem which are not currently picked up by the BIOS I am told by Panasonic that I need a BIOS 2.00L15 EC 2.00L11 or later so it does exist.
Panasonic is not going to help unless I ship the Laptop back for a BIOS upgrade ($130+ postage) which is not financially viable and the Phoenix website does not help as their third party suppliers of their BIOS updates BiosAgentPlus say that they do not have an update for this BIOS but I know there is one but I do not know where to get it, please help
I am a determined guy but fighting a losing battle at the moment I am on five forums with this spent hours on Google, this was a US Government laptop and although 5 years old had never been used with zero hours on the BIOS and pristine keyboard, screen etc all I can think is that these items were disabled for a reason but why install them in the first place.
Your help is appreciated

 

I think bios 2.00L15 is for a mk2. If you flash your mk1 with it, you'll have an expensive brick.

 

Thank you for your warning it has been heeded, I am going to speak to Panasonic UK as a last resort

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook forrum
My guess why it is disabled is the government does not want this hardware installed on there laptops so they have panasonic disable them

 

Thank you.
It is frustrating to have this installed hardware which I would definitely use denied to me, I am hoping that with such a good response there is somebody out there has the answer to my problem.
I like Toughbooks I have had CF 48, 27, 28, 29, M34, U1, 18, 53 MK1 & 2 I gave the MK2 to my daughter when she went to Japan and got a Getac M230N which died so I am back to a CF 53 MK1 which had zero hours so that is why I want to max it out

 

What is your full model number ??

 

I was just checking out ebay looking at the different bios versions and only found 2 of them for the MK1
CF-52AJCBDBM T7300 V1.04L21
CF-52CCABXBM T7100 V1.50L12
If I am right even if you get the BIOS updated you still will not be able to use these. That part of the BIOS no one can get into only Panasonic can. I might add also we can not discuss breaking into a locked BIOS...sorry.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/351660-mandatory-reading-anyone-who-posts-panasonic-forum.html
Try doing a search of the forum on the CF-52 GOBI card. This has been talked about before. The Toughbooks will only take a certain type of card...I think this could be your problem.
Use the search in my sig...it works great

 

The full model number is CF-52CCABXBM it also has 7HTYA05787 I am hoping that as they installed the hardware in the first place that it can be unlocked

 

Is the GOBI card a Panasonic one and what is the model number of the card ? I don't use these in any of my Toughbooks so really can't help you much but other members use them so it would help them if they new which card you are using.

 

Sorry no Gobi model number unless they are,
JK7004
57004
ZA7001
really difficult to see
I unscrewed the speaker cover to look it has two micro switches on it which gives the following options NONE, EVDO, HSDPA, RESERVED on top of the Gobi card it has the PCIE slot, all aerials are connected

 

And also thank you for your help

 

The 2 CF-52 Mk1L that I have use BIOS Version: V1.54L25. They are both CF-52CCABVM models. I don't know if they will work for you. Might turn your unit into a brick.

 

My BIOS is V1.04L21, the model is CF-52 mk1 (serial starts with "A") and the mini pci-e port is working fine.

 

Thanks for your reply, does your unit have the Gobi WWAN/Cellular Modem?

 

Thanks for your reply, does your unit have either the Gobi WWAN modem or mini pci-e slot or are they shown in the BIOS/setup screen if they are I will ask Panasonic support if the BIOS is compatible with my unit, my BIOS is V1.50L12 I feel that yours should be compatible as my CF-52 is a MK1L as wel

 

Thanks for your reply, does your unit have either the Gobi WWAN modem or mini pci-e slot or are they shown in the BIOS/setup screen if they are I will ask Panasonic support if the BIOS is compatible with my unit, my BIOS is V1.50L12 I feel that yours should be compatible as my CF-52 is a MK1L as well

 

Yes the units have a mini-pci slot under the speaker cover. I have not tried a Gobi in either of them but have had various Sierra Wireless cards in them. They are recognized in the BIOS. Yes, you would think the BIOS from one of my CF-52's would be compatible with yours.

 

Interesting, I will try and find out from Panasonic if they are compatible, if so can I have a copy of your BIOS? is your mini pcie slot recognized in the BIOS?

 

Yes the slot is recognized in the BIOS. Yes, I can send you a copy, but take no responsibility if your unit turns into good looking paper-weight. Be sure to check with Panasonic before proceeding.

 

This is great, I might be coming to my journeys end I do not expect you to take any responsibility for this risky action I have posed the question to Toughbook support and await their reply, personally as an optimist I feel that your BIOS is compatible as both machines are CF52 MK1L's and I think that the machines are probably identical but Panasonic configures the different hardware options through the BIOS, I would be very grateful for a copy of your BIOS, can you email a program? if so my email is [email protected]

 

I find it better to be up-front than assuming anything.

Give my a few hrs to get done work. I do not have the software tools, or the time, at work to do this now. I will email you later tonight.

 

Please take all the time in the world it is not urgent and I appreciate your help, it really does not matter how long it takes please do it at your convenience days or a week or two does not matter.

 

A copy of a CF-52CCABVBM Mk1L BIOS has been sent to your email address. Best of luck.

 

I cannot thank you enough for all your help I will wait for the response from Panasonic support before taking the leap and I will let you know the outcome whether I have turned my machine into a top of the range model or a brick.

 

Well I could not wait. I tried to update my BIOS using Winphlash with the version kindly sent by mklym and it did not work please see the attached screenshot (if I have attached it correctly).
I need to think about this as I am far from an expert but I have a feeling that Whinplash might not be compatible as I read some where that the BIOS has to be compatible with it.
Has anyone got any ideas or advice on this and can anyone recommend an other BIOS update tool that I could try

 

FROM ANOTHER FORUM
I am getting an error message when trying to flash the bios.
"Corrupted interface descriptors in the new BIOS file"
"Part table signature not found in the interface"
"Error code 161"


09-30-2005, 11:28 AM #4

I thought I should tell others about the bios resolution. I did not open up the downloaded program folder and when winphlash would recognize the downloaded folder it acted as though it would install. After coming out of my coma I opened up the zip program and moved the real program onto my desktop. That allowed winphlash to install the update. So much for my thinking that I know anything about computers.

10-19-2005, 06:52 PM #5
Hi I am having the same problem.
I open a BIOS.ROM file using Winphlash and press "Advanced Settings". Then it shows the message.
Can anyone please tell me what this exactly means and how can I handle it?
Thanks!

10-20-2005, 02:41 PM #6
If I read Jgan correctly, you need to unzip the file you downloaded first. In windows, this means select "extract all" after right clicking on the folder you downloaded.

10-21-2005, 01:48 AM #7
actually I just double clicked the zipped folder and took out the updated folder and put it on the desktop

 

Translated from Russian

Part Table Signature not found in the interface The error message 161 :
Corrupted interface descriptors in the new BIOS file

Error Messages Phoenix WinPhlash
Interface control 161

At launch WinPhlash utility attempts to locate the configuration file PHLASH.INI, and in the absence creates a new one. Parameter settings of the file indicate the order of some of the procedures. So, for the service interface is used polzovatelskogo section [UI] , in which structure can specify the order in dialogue with the user. To do this, set the StartScreen = 1 , which would eventually lead to the conclusion that the screen saver WinPhlash:

 

I think that I am running out of options.
I have tried downloading a different version of Winphlash, running it as administrator, putting the BIOS update file on the desktop and what ever I do I get the error message 161 : Corrupted interface descriptors in the new BIOS file
Also if I try the Winphlash help I get the message cannot open the file WINPHLASH.chm
Also if I try to go into advance settings I get the error message the 161 : Corrupted interface descriptors in the new BIOS file even if I just pick the backup BIOS option.
I feel that the BIOS file that mklym sent me is probably good but I feel that I have hit a brick wall with this.
I cannot understand why winphlash does not work has somebody got a proven copy that I could try or another BIOS update tool that I could try.
When I first started this course of action I thought that it was going to be alot simpler than it has proven to be as I have this hardware installed in my CF 52CCABXBM MK1L I thought it would be simple to get the bios update so I could use them
Has anyone got any advice for me or different options that I could try
Thank you for all your help.

 

Un archive the winphlash file that Mkylm sent you. That single file is actually an archive that has several files inside of it. Those several files is what it's looking for. It comes up with the error because you are running the file from inside the archive.....

 

As this goes on I realize how little I know.
If this is the case please can you let me know how to run the file using Winphlash how to extract the files that I need to successfully update the BIOS, how do I run the file from outside the archive.
I have extracted the file using jzip and it comes out as a 1mb .rom file only showing one file and this is the file that I have tries to use to update the BIOS using Winphlash without success
Thank you.

 

You should be able to right click on it and have the option to extract. If not download 7zip. It's free and it will do a lot.

 

Thank you I will give it a go, but as I have have just retuned from a Sunday lunch in Spain so will it another time to lessen the risk of doing something stupid

 

I think that it's the Winplash file itself that is archived. Not the bios file.

 

Thank you for all your help​

My journey has come to an end in my search for an updated BIOS after spending hours on Google, contacting Panasonic US they wanted $130 and to ship back the Laptop, Phoenix BIOS they gave no help, BiosAgentPlus they did not have a BIOS then joining five forums where I received a lot of help and advice especially from this one.
Then I contacted Panasonic UK who were a big help and they emailed me the BIOS that I needed so I got there in the end so thank you to everyone that has helped and if anyone needs an updated bios for a CF 52CCABXBM I now have one:hi2:

 

Cheers to Panasonic UK!

 

Congratulations! Perseverance pays off again.

 

Hi!
Did Panasonic give you just the rom file or was it a complete utility?
Trying to do something similar to what you did with Winphlash and getting the same error message. I too am completely clueless!
Cheers!

 

Hello Simslee,
I have the same cf-52 can you please send me winplash and the rom file PLEASE I will use at mi own risk [email protected] Thanks a bunch.. betonesto

 

Unfortunately not, please read below sorry for the late reply I stopped getting notifications and also gave up as this was taking over my sanity

 

Firstly sorry for the late reply I missed or the notifications from this site stopped.
Unfortunately I celebrated too early I updated the bios but the Gobi modem was still not recognized please read below

 

Update​

Hello all,
I was celebrating too early I did not win after all, I did update the BIOS and was happy about that as I learnt something new, I will explain how I did it below to help anyone who is looking to update their BIOS as well. The problem was that after the BIOS was updated the Gobi modem was still not recognised, I tried altering the dip switches on the modem in a vain attempt to get it to work I also downloaded every driver and bit of software for the modem, when I tried to install the drivers I got the message telling me that there was no embedded modem or device not found.
Panasonic UK was VERY helpful but they could not help me any more they told me to contact Panasonic USA as the laptop was bought in the US and they felt that they could help me as the modem is set up for the US carriers but Panasonic USA was NOT helpful at all, they told me that if I had 250+ Panasonic laptops they would train me on how to install the modem so I only have to buy an extra 246 laptops or I could ship it back to them as they did not give assistance via email, I think it is a pity that they could not give me any guidance on a 5 year old laptop without a payment involved.
My pure guess is that the embedded controller or firmware needs updating has anyone got an opinion on this?

How I updated the BIOS​

I am posting this to help anyone who wants to update their BIOS but do it at your own risk.
Panasonic UK sent me the BOIS updates in a ZIP file and in this file there was a BAT file that needed to be run in DOS so this is how I did it.
1. I downloaded and made a windows 98 boot disk, I needed this to run the BAT file in DOS.
2. I made a very small FAT 32 partition on the hard drive and unzipped the BIOS files to it, this partition has to be FAT 32 to be picked up by the Windows 98 boot disk.
3. I rebooted the laptop with my boot disk in the disk drive.
4. I navigated to the partition with the BIOS files on it and ran the BAT file and hey-presto the BIOS was updated
[/LIST]
Then disappointment the modem was still not picked up, has anyone got any ideas on where to go from here? I have posted a picture of my modem below to prove that I have one and some screen shots just in case I am missing something or somebody has any ideas.

 

Also I now have WWAN Broadband on my CF 52 I am using a PCMICIA unlocked cellular modem

 

It's the middle of the night here and I haven't the energy to read the whole thread but...
your photo shows the board to which the WWAN modem would be fitted. If you had one.
It would be plugged into the mini pci-e socket to the right of your photo. Which is.. er.. empty.
Unless I'm dreaming this and my alarm clock's about to ring.
Good job getting something useful from Panasonic UK by the way.

 

Thank you for replying to my post, I am far from an IT expert so it is possible that I have made a mistake and would be happy to find out if I have as this Gobi option would be very useful to me.
You are saying that the Gobi modem goes in to the PCIE slot? if this is so is it a extension to the card underneath because that has a SIM card slot, dip switches and is connected to all the internal aerials I thought that this is the modem but is there anything else I have to install? I have attached two other picture of a Modem that I found on ebay and it seems to correspond to mine.

 

Could you post the link where you got the pictures

 

Sorry I think that there were old pictures that I had when I was trying to identify the Modem

 

From your username and logo you seem to be experienced with toughbooks, can you tell me if I am chasing my tail with this quest or is there a solution

 

This is something I do not have in any of my Toughbooks only because in Canada it cost way to much for a monthly plan for it. Looking at the picture you just posted what you have is a wireless WAN connector board . Check out this auction Panasonic Toughbook CF 52 Wireless Wan Connector Board w Cable DFUP1912ZA 9 | eBay

 

The wwan /gobi looks like this.



This is the board with a mini pci-e that the wwan / gobi plugs in to. This board just has the sim holder and antenna connections. It is not a modem.
View attachment 100548

Here is a photo of a cf 52 with a wwan / gobi installed in the proper location.

 

Blair /Ador
Do you guys want to add my last post to any CF 52 FAQ's?