CF-73 Recovery... "Model Not Supported"

I have a CF-73 toughbook and a CF-73 Genuine recovery disk that I got on ebay. It STILL says model not supported. Is there any way I can get this to work?

Much appreciated,

Brandon

 

Post complete CF-73 model number and recovery disc title.

 

Here are some pictures.

 

Model Number:
CF-73NCQTSKM
Status:
DISCONTINUED
MSRP:
$3,718
Description: Pentium M 1.7GHz (Centrino), 13.3" Transmissive Touch XGA, 512MB RAM, 64VRAM, 60GB, 56K, Ethernet NIC 10/100, Intel 802.11b+g, DVD/CDRW, WIN XP

Your CF-73 is a Mk3 that came with XP. That disc is for a Mk2 with Windows 2000.

I haven't seen the correct disc to know the title but, 2K would be replaced by XP.

The Mk3 was available with XP (SP1?) and XP SP2. You will need the correct XP disc. IOW, an XP2 disc will not work, AFA!K.

 

Thanks for the information! So it sounds like I need to get a MK3 recovery disk. Not sure wether or not I will need SP1 or 2 though.

Also, where can I obtain this disk? There's only a handful on eBay.

Secondly, is there an alternative way I can get an operating system loaded on here? I have a genuine OEM XP Disk. If I load this, will I be able to install the drivers from Panasonics site?

 

I don't know anything bout' 73's, but you might want to look at what I did with my 29.

And yes, you should be able to load a standard and legal copy of XP, and then load the drivers. I also know that the order of installation is important for 29's; I would imagine it's the same for a 73 (and other panny's)

ALso, check to see if there is a copy of Ubuntu, Lubuntu, or Crunchbang that natively support 73 hardware. Or just download and try one or all of them (live cd's); might be fun.

JEFF! OH JEFF! Does Linux play nice with a CF-73????

 

Ok. I'll give OEM XP a go. Linux, can't do. This is for a customer.

 

Just download all the necessary driver for your model no. from panny site. The link provided above. Remember to install first the chipset driver(inf) then rebbot. Then video driver, again reboot and the rest is up to you. Installing the driver for CF-73 is not as complicated compare to CF-18 or cf-19

ohlip

 

I don't have the restore CD's and have loaded xp pro on 3 of the 6 CF-73's I have then just loaded the drivers. Mine is the same model you have the N model with ATI 9000 graphics card. They are good machines, just the caddy and batteries are a pain/expensive to get.

 

I can't remember who posted it but there is a way to get around the MK# issue as long as the recovery disk has the OS you want to install.

It had to do with booting off a floppy and then calling up two files you had preloaded.... Well... One for relabeling the model number whatever you want and one for the serial number too. (Though I can't imagine why you would want to change the serial number.)

I'll try to find it....

EDIT - It was Rusty.. I sure hope he is doing okay!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/475233-writing-bios-id.html

I've done this many times and it works. I sometimes rewrite the model number to support the mods I have done to the laptop.

 

Doing something like that will load windows but he would still have to go back and change a few drivers up. Besides he is shooting for XP, the restore disk he has is for 2000.

 

Apologises for jumping in but it is sort of related!
If you rewrite the BIOS as outlined to install an OS, do you rewrite the model back to the original after or just leave it? Guess it makes no differences to you but obviously if you sold it on, they would be a bit miffed!
Thanks!

 

You are, of course, correct sir!

MrRe.... Your choice. When I started doing that it was ONLY for Federal models. Normal Recovery Disks won't work with Federal models and you get the dreaded, "This Model Not Supported"... It was a matter of changing a few letters in the model type and you could then use normal recovery disks.

AND this is ONLY for using recovery disks for the same MK#... You would NOT want to force load MK1 recovery disks onto an MK4 or 5 for example. The drivers are not the same. I did, however, do this to old CF-28 models that were slated for W2000 and changed the model number so that I could use recovery disks that had the XP OS.... If you do this you MUST adhere a valid COA on the bottom of the laptop for the OS you load. They are widely available. I used to buy them in batches from used equipment. Mr. Gates may not be happy about that but you are legal and it allows discussion of the subject!

Personally I have loaded drives for all the CF-29 models that I just clone. Since the COA governs the useage on the bottom of the laptop... The recovery disks all load the same COA. (I think) You are never prompted to input the COA with the correct recovery disks as it addresses the BIOS to check it is the correct model to load to.

Just random info!

 

nice.

I didn't know about the bios flashy thingy....

Thanks!

 

Please... Let us NOT throw around those types of technical terms... We will lose our audience!