CF-52 Wifi Issue

Hi,
I have a CF-52 with a wireless card fitted under the L-shaped hatch on the bottom of the unit however it is not available when powered up.
I am worried it may be a BIOS issue as all the correct drivers are installed and even the switch doesnt change anything.

In the BIOS there is no option to turn WIFI on either which is why i think it is a BIOS issue. The details are:

Model - CF-52PFNBVPE
BIOS - V3.00L12 M30
Controller - V3.00L11
Firmware - 6.0.30.1203

Can someone confirm if they have the same details and if they have the WIFI working.

PLEASE NOTE - I have turned the swith on and off and tried turning the laptop on with the switch on and off as well, no difference. Wifi, bluetooth and wireless switch are all disabled in panasonic pc information viewer.

 

Can anyone help with this issue as it it really bugging me now. Panasonic support say try the switch even though i said it is definately not the switch or drivers!! THEN they give me a parts suppliers email address in Wales who only provide parts, no tech support at all!!

If no one can help, could some one please point me in the right direction to someone that may be able to or where i can get a BIOS update/dowwngrade for my model?

Thank you.

 

Is it the original wifi card? The bios will only recognize certain Intel cards. I have an Intel card I stick in the Toughbooks just to be able to see the options in the bios. Once I turn it on in the bios, I can swap in whatever card I want. I use atheros cards.

My cf 51 won't recognize an Intel 5100 card. The 51 came with a 3945 originally.

 

It is an Intel

Model - 622ANHMW
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200

We get our laptops direct from suppliers so it should be OEM. How come this doesnt work?

 

CF-52PFNBVPE


Processor
Intel® Core i5-520M (2.4 Ghz, Intel® Smart Cache 3 MB)

Memory
2 GB, DDR3 SDRAM (4 GB Max.)

Hard Drive
160 GB

Display
15.4" Active Matrix (TFT) colour LCD 1280 x 800 pixels (WXGA)

Connectivity
Intel® WLAN Advanced-N 6200 AGN
Bluetooth, SD Card Slot, TPM V1.2 Security Chip, Firewire IEEE 1394a

Multimedia Pocket
Supplied with DVD/RW

Opertating System
Pre-installed with Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (SP3) downgrade with Windows® 7 Professional license).
(Both XP Pro and Windows 7 Professional recovery DVD’s included).

Warranty
3 year limited warranty, parts and labour (Return to Panasonic) See Service Brochure link for full details
Panasonic Toughbook Service Brochure

Other
WUXGA Versions Available See here

Price EUR: 0.-
Warranty (years): 3

 

Is this still under warranty? If so, you may want to just contact Panasonic.

Otherwise I would try a different 6220 card.

 

I have tried to get an answer from Panasonic but they said to take it in, however i am out of the country for 6 months and this is not possible.

Its not the 6220 card, i have several laptops here with the same issue. I recon it is something to do with the BIOS version as the company i work for may have locked this function down by changing the BIOS.

I have tried all drivers and the hardware switch but it still doesnt give me the option to turn on wireless in the BIOS. The device is recognised in device manager when the driver is installed so this is why i think it is a modified BIOS issue.

Do you know where i can get a BIOS flash from as they dont have any CF-52 BIOS downloads on the Panasonic support page so i cannot confirm if i have the OEM BIOS installed.

 

I see. The wifi may be locked out by your company as it is their laptop. They may not want surfing on company time or for security reasons. Security is why the federal models do not have wifi. It may be locked out via the TPM chip (if that is possible) In that case you can not "fix" it.
Why not try a USB or Expresscard wifi device? I personally would rather go that route and leave as few tracks as possible. Your employer may not have a sense of humor if they found out you modified their equipment with a bios flash.

 

It is work that wants it doing. I have put a clean install of Win 7 x64 on to see if that cleared the issue but it didnt. I have enabled and disabled and run all the combinations in between on the BIOS settings to see if that changes anything and nothing. There arent any switches on the motherboard which would disable the wireless card and the antenna cables are connected correctly.

All of these point to the BIOS being the issue. Can anyone confirm the standard CF-52 Mk3 BIOS version and where they are available from and also if they can think of any other issue.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

 

You may want to read these posts.

CF52 wifi issues.

CF 52 wifi issues

CF--52 Wifi



Some info from the Panasonic FAQ on the CF52.

How do I connect with my WLAN (Intel®ProSet Version 11.0)?
Open your Intel®ProSet software and make sure the switch radio is on. If it is not, select On. In the lower-right corner, click Refresh. When your network is found, click on it once and click Connect. Intel®ProSet will ask you to create a profile. Click Yes and input your network and security information into the profile. When you are done, click Finish.
Could it be that simple that the radio is turned off in software?

Are you using an official recovery disc? I am pretty sure Panasonic will send you one free for such a new laptop. It really would be a good idea to have one. The front switch won't work without all of the drivers installed. wswitch and misc are needed.

 

Here is one from the Panasonic.ca site:

https://panasonic.ca/PCS/Software/CF52P_MK3_bios_V300l14-R-2010-0240-Binary.zip

Model Number(s): CF52PFNBEDM, CF52PFNBEPM
Operating System(s): BIOS
Release Date: 09/10/2010 Version: v3.00L14
Updated version: AMD Madison VIDEO BIOS was updated to 154945.

 

Its definately not windows software or driver related. I have downloaded and installed every driver and bit of software from the Panasonic website, checked that they were all set up correctly and it is still not allowing me to activate wireless in the BIOS. It is also not the switch behind the handle.

Cheers Glen, i will have a research in to the BIOS you have linked, hopefully it will be compatable and see where i get to after that.

 

Glen, will that version of BIOS definitely work with my system?

 

What do you see in device manager
Is the 6200 showing

BTW Its tough for us to diagnose these new models as non of our members have the mk3 yet

 

Found the issue, the BIOS is an after market one which restricts wireless capability. Hopefully the BIOS that Greg provided me a link to will work and allow me to turn on the wireless devices.

Cheers everyone

 

Hi,
I work with Metalboz and he has been away for the last couple of weeks so he hasnt had a chance to reply. We used that version of BIOS that was linked but when we tried to flash it, it to says its not for our version.

Does anyone have any other solutions we could try? I am going to try a different brand/model wifi card tomorrow but I cant see it making any difference.

Regards

 

Oh and to Alex...

It doesnt appear in device manager at all.

 

If you go into the BIOS on the CF-52, to the Advanced tab (where you can disable/enable the hardware), is there an option to disable/enable "Wireless LAN"?

If there is an option, and it's set to enable, then it will appear in Windows Device Manager.
If there is no option, then it has a custom BIOS, with Wireless LAN set to disabled and no way to change it back unless you reflash the BIOS.

Oh - and if there is an option, and it's set to disable, then switch it to enable

 

Pinecone - I have found out that it is a custom BIOS. Does anyone know where i can get the original BIOS files for the model i have posted in the first post?

BIOS flash is the only way i can fix this and get my wireless card to be activated!

CAN ANYONE HELP!???

 

Still not had any joy finding a CF-52 BIOS that will work on my model, has anyone else had any luck??

 

A BIOS update for your custom BIOS probably will still have the wifi blocked, since that was a feature of the original custom version. Suggest you try changing the BIOS version number to match the standard Mk3 number, then flash the standard update.

Of course there is more than a small likelihood of bricking your computer.

Another approach is to use a nano USB wifi unit and leave the BIOS alone.

 

Springfield - I tried flashing the BIOS that is linked earlier in this thread which is a Mk3 BIOS but it said that the BIOS version was not for my model.

Lookin gon the Panasonic website there isnt the BIOS files for my model of CF-52 Mk3. Do you know where i can get one and if flashing it is the same process by running it through a boot cd?

 

I juzt want my Mk3 back to standard!

 

Your CF-52 seems to be a current model. Do you not have a warranty with it?
At least one UK seller lists Bluetooth only in the specifications under "Wireless Connections". It is also listed as having a "wireless connection disable utility" under "Software Included" in addition to a wireless switch. I think you are going to have to work this out through your dealer or Panasonic support. There are very few CF-52 owners on this forum and probably none with your specific model. If you keep messing with it you risk bricking it and then you are in real trouble.
CAP

 

Metalboz; from your comments so far I guess you are in the UK. Just give Panasonic tech support a quick ring (08709 079 079) and talk to them. CF-52P is a CF-52mk3, so the unit is well within warranty.

 

It is a company laptop and not his personal machine. I doubt Panasonic will help him as it voids the wishes of the actual owner. I figure he is on his own to find a bios and flash it.

 

There was talk a while back about changing BIOS info for another model, might have been CF-29. If you can re-write the BIOS to have the designation for the standard Mk3, then you may be able to re-flash the BIOS with the standard load.

 

Has anyone come across a BIOS for the CF-52 model stated in the first post??
I have searched all over and can't rectify this issue unless I get a new BIOS for this laptop.

Anyone who can help would be much appreciated!!!

 

You might try this one:

Model Number(s): CF-52PFNBEDM, CF-52PFNBEPM
Operating System(s): BIOS
Version: v3.00L14
Release Date: 09/10/2010
CF52P_MK3_bios_V300l14-R-2010-0240-Binary.zip (3.73 MB - English)

It'll either work, or it won't.

 

Using the aforementioned zip file and the attached file you can rewrite your BIOS to match the BIOS files, update the BIOS and then change the system in the BIOS back to the original. Anywhere in the text file it says CF-51, substitute CF-52.

 

i have managed to change the M/N to CF-52PFNBEPM and CF-52PFNBEDM which are correct for the BIOS files however when i copy all the BIOS files over to the USB and try to install the new BIOS it says that the BIOS is not for these models.

Could not changing the S/N cause an issue?

Also when running BIOS Update tool and changing M/N it says
current version: 3.00-L12M30

and the new BIOS is
version: 3.00-L14

Could this be an issue?

Thanks for all your help so far, we are nearly there!!!!

 

I have managed to change the M/N to CF-52PFNBEPM and CF-52PFNBEDM which are correct for the BIOS files however when i copy all the BIOS files over to the USB and try to install the new BIOS it says that the BIOS is not for these models.

You need to VERIFY that what is showing in BIOS on the first page is in fact as listed above.

Could not changing the S/N cause an issue? No

Also when running BIOS Update tool and changing M/N it says
current version: 3.00-L12M30

and the new BIOS is
version: 3.00-L14

Could this be an issue? No

From here you may need to experiment with the model number. Did you include the - as in CF-52PFNBEPM or did you put CF52PFNBEPM? The last one is bad. First is good.

 

I confirmed the M/N each time I changed it before trying to install the new BIOS.

I included the - in Both M/N's I tried, the same character set up ad the correct M/N was in there before.

I think it could be the M30 at the end of the BIOS version that is causing the issue.

 

@rusty503 I still can't get this to work, any suggestions?

 

My suggestion at this point is for you to do the "Pin 20" mod. I don't have the info readily available but do a search here and you will find it. Basically you tape or cover pin 20 on the card and reinsert.

 

This is what Rusty is talking about, check out this link http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/595917-problems-upgrading-cf-30-internal-wireless.html and don't use a sharpe as this guy found out. More pictures here Index of ./CF-30 Stuff/CF-30 Upgrade to 802.11N Intel 4965 Fix/

 

I don't want to start hard modding working hardware. The issue is with software and eventually I may be able to fix it without damaging anything.

Worst case, will have to use USB device for now.

 

This was the only way I could get my cf-52 mk2 up and running was to do this as with many others who have upgraded to the "n" card. If it does not work its easy to take the nail polish off.

 

This is really a very minor mod and it is easily reversible. That coupled with the short amount of time it takes to do this makes it worthwhile. Like they say, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained"

Don't be too fast pulling the trigger saying it is a software problem. Others here have gone thru the same and done the mod with very good luck. I have done it myself at least 4 times. I used scotch tape and a sharp razor blade to trim it up. Others have used nail polish.

 

If u think this is hard modding, well u should buy a USB-device.
Or ask someone, who is living next 2 u to help u to make this "Mod" possible.

 

I don't think it will help because it doesn't even give me the option to turn on wireless services in the BIOS so playing about with hardware shouldn't change the fact that the BIOS won't see or register anything to do with wireless inside the laptop. That's why I need to either flash the BIOS or use a USB dongle.

@onirakkis thanks for the 'advice' I dont want to start messing about with hardware in case I decide to sell the laptop, putting a piece of tape on a pin is hardly above me.

 

See now that is the beauty of what we are trying to tell you. Ours didn't show up either without doing the mod. It still may not show in BIOS but Windows will see it and you can use it. I have installed several Intel 5100 series cards in CF-51s and others. The card will not show in BIOS and Windows wouldn't see them either until I did the mod. Many of us on this board have done this mod.

Do trust us on this.

 

Same here...no workie untill I did it

 

One problem here: the pin modification photos in the linked threads are "MIA."

Are they posted elsewhere (<cough> Toughbook Talk <cough>), perhaps?

 

Mine are working fine

 

This didn't work as I expected. The only resolution for this is a new BIOS I fear. Any suggestions?

 

Still trying to hunt down a BIOS for my 52

 

Hi, the bios link of CF52P_MK3_bios_V300l14-R-2010-0240-Binary.zip is not working. Can you repost it?

Thanks a lot

 

That link was from Panasonic Canada but as in the past they only keep these BIOS downloads up for so long then take them down.

 

It does not make any sense to me why they take them down...