CF-C2 Optional Kit Configuration

9I've bought a CF-C2CCAZXCM from the US (I'm in the UK). I've happily changed to the drive to an SSD, upgraded the RAM and installed a UK Keyboard, but I'm struggling to install a VGA port ... I think the reason is because this piece of kit needs to be specified in the BIOS, and the part of the BIOS where changes are made is password protected .. which seems a bit mean given Panasonic sold me the VGA port in the first place! Does anyone know how to get past that password? Help very much appreciated .. I'd rather not rely on an HDMI/VGA converter if I can simply switch this VGA port on ..
Thanks for your help!!

 

Once you have 5 posts I can help you...

 

it's a secret

 

I sent you a PM

 

Thank you for all your help, much appreciated..
So I've got past that BIOS password .. but it didn't help.. For others, this area contains a 2 letter code box which appears to be associated with the setup of the WWAN only. (Or is this 2 digit code in some way links to the optional peripherals on the laptop?).
So my question is, how does the laptop 'know' what peripherals are installed, and what model code to show in the BIOS? The Panasonic model code shows on the first page of the BIOS .. and this cannot be changed from within the BIOS.. But how is this model code information retained when the BIOS is flashed? Is there a way of changing this model code? Or is there an 'open' non-Panasonic BIOS I can use with this motherboard? Obviously this is a clean, new laptop, and I just want to use what I've paid for in an unrestricted way!

 

Have you contacted Panasonic?

 

How do you know VGA port is disabled?

 

Yes, I contacted Panasonic, and they said they could not help me as they do not support self installs. (And that I'd voided my warranty by opening the case).

How do I know the VGA port is disabled? Well, when I plug in an external monitor it does not register .. but other than that I don't know...

There are no hardware faults listed in Device manager (but I can't find any VGA port listed under hardware).

I've connected the VGA port via the ribbon, but not 'switched on' the port in any other way (hardware or software) .. should I have done something more?

 

Ok. When you plug in an external monitor you can go to display settings (in your Windows OS) and check whether there is a secondary display listed. If it's there - you have to tell Windows how do you want to use it.

VGA port is absent in my device manager too. But I have one and it's not disabled
Go to BIOS and look for external monitor settings. It's usually possible to switch between external (if connected) and internal monitors there. On my CF-19 it's Main -> Display -> External monitor.

 

In the BIOS...what is set for monitor? Internal/external/both/auto?

From the manual.

„ Display
No.display. l. The.external.display.is.selected..Press.Fn.+.F3 .or. .key.+.P.to.switch.the.display.
Wait.until.the.display.has.been.switched.completely.before.pressing.Fn.+.F3.or. .key
+.P.again.
Then.click.the.display.mode.
l. When.using.an.external.display,
Ÿ. Check.the.cable.connection.
Ÿ. Turn.on.the.display.
Ÿ. Check.the.settings.of.external.display.
l. The.display.is.turned.off.by.the.power-saving.function..The.screen.returns.to.the.original.
state.when.you.operate.the.touch.pad,.keyboard,.or.the.screen..When.operating.the.
keyboard,.press.a.key.that.does.not.affect.the.computer.operation,.such.as. Ctrl .
l. The.computer.entered.sleep.or.hibernation.by.the.power-saving.function..To.resume,.
slide.the.power.switch.

 

There is also the possibility that the VGA port is not able to be enabled with your BIOS..
Panasonic may use a different BIOS for units with VGA ports.

http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/computer-support-download-manuals.asp

From the reference manual..

Switching the display mode

1. Press « » key + «P» or «Fn» + «F3».
2. Click the display mode.

NOTE
- After switching the display mode, the display resolution may change.
- After resuming from sleep or hibernation, or restarting the computer, the output destination may not be the same as selected in the previous status.
- When you change the display after Windows starts up, do not press any key until switching is complete.
- Until Windows startup is completed (during Setup Utility, etc.), the simultaneous display cannot be used and pressing «Fn» + «F3» switches the display between the internal LCD and the external display.
- Do not connect or remove the external display during sleep or hibernation.
- It may take some time to switch between displays depending on the displays used.
- When you use the external display only, set the suitable number of colors, resolution, or refresh rate separately from when you use the internal LCD only or when you use the simultaneous display.
Depending on the settings, some external displays may be distorted or may not display the mouse pointer correctly. In this case, set the settings to lower value.
- When you use the simultaneous display, DVD-Video, MPEG files and other motion image files may not be played back smoothly.
- Carefully read the instruction manual of the external display.
- When connecting an external display that does not conform to the Plug & Play standards, select the display driver accordingly in the following menu, or use the driver disc supplied with the monitor.

1. 
   Open the Control Panel, and then click [Adjust screen resolution] - [Advanced Settings] - [Monitor] - [Properties].
   To open the Control Panel, proceed as follows on the Start screen.
   1. Right-click any empty location on the Start screen.
   2. Click [All apps] on the toolbar.
   3. Click [Control Panel] under “Windows System”.
   
   Click (Start) - [Control Panel] - [Adjust screen resolution] - [Advanced Settings] - [Monitor] - [Properties].
   • A standard user needs to enter an administrator password.
2. Click [Driver] - [Update Driver].

CAUTION
- Before disconnecting the external display, switch to the internal LCD by pressing « » key + «P» or «Fn» + «F3». Otherwise the displayed image quality may become different after disconnection (e.g., wrong resolution). In this case, press « » key + «P» or «Fn» + «F3» to reset the image quality.
- The screen may become distorted due to the following operations. In this case, restart the computer.

• Disconnecting an external display for which you have set high resolution or high refresh rate.
• Connecting/disconnecting an external display during computer operations.

To Change the Display Settings

1. 
   On the Start screen, click the [Desktop] tile, right-click the desktop screen, and click [Graphics Properties].
   
   Right-click the desktop and click [Graphics Properties].
2. Click [General Settings].
3. Select the display destination.
4. Set the display color and resolution etc.
5. Click [Apply].
6. Click [OK].

NOTE
- It may not be possible to use the extended desktop with some software applications.
- When you click the maximize button, the window is displayed on one of the displays. You cannot move the maximized window to the other display.
- Do not use the display rotation in the extended desktop.
- To switch left (primary display) and right (second display), follow the steps below.

1. Right-click the desktop and click [Graphics Options].
2. Make the settings in [Positioning]. You can move monitor icons by dragging.

- To switch to the Extended Desktop, be sure to use the [Intel® Graphics and Media Control Panel] screen. If you use other methods (e.g. display setting, etc.), the screen may not be displayed correctly.
- The pop-up displayed by «Fn» key combination appears only on the primary display.
- Set the internal LCD to the primary display when using the screen. The pointer will move on the primary display when you touch the internal LCD.

 

Thanks BaRRmaley: OK, so in the BIOS my display shows 'main/external monitor' .. out of a choice of 'external monitor / internal LCD'. I can't see anything else in the BIOS that is to do with display.

Thanks Shawn: I'm using a VGA display / VGA cable that works on another PC. When plugged in I go to control panel / display / change settings and check for a second monitor - nothing appears. Selecting Fn F3 does nothing either..

I really appreciate your help folks..

 

Thanks Shawn .. I'm running BIOS V2.00L14. I've heard talk of L15 but I can't find that .. could that be the issue? I'd assumed a VGA port was a legacy piece of kit, so would be supported by earlier BIOS .. but perhaps that's not true?

 

You"may" need a different bios....Panasonic whitelists things. I can't put a fingerprint reader on a value model CF52. I can't change the wifi card on a CF52..etc..
The connector for the fingerprint reader is there and it plugs in but will not be recognized.


main/external is the correct choice...

Here's a thought....First of all, please post a photo of the vga connector assembly you purchased.
Second...Could you have plugged the cable into the motherboard upside down or backwards?

 

Hi Shawn,

No, there's only one way the ribbon can connect, so I'm 99% certain that's all in OK. But I suspect you're right that the issue is Panasonic ..

Is there any place I can get hold of the BIOS V2.00L15 .. or would I be in danger of losing some other functionality?

Seems like a dead end here ..?

Just want to say thank you for all your help so far .. much appreciated!!

 

I have cleaned and edited the latest parts of the thread, please keep things civil!

 

The VGA port is plug and play, you don't have to enable anything in BIOS, it's detected automatically and should work off the bat.

My guess is that you have a VGA port kit for a CF-C2A (Mk1), the Mk1 VGA kit will not work in a Mk2.

 

Thanks for the new information.

 

Dear toughasnails,
Today I recieved CF-VEBC11U from USA for my CF-C1 mk2, but I don't know and can'nt find in web the optional kit configuration password. Can you help me by PM letter?
Thanks at advance!

 

delete it, because it's prohibited to publish (last time I've got message )

 

Who sent the message?

 

moder

 

Odd....

A while back the mods told Toughasnails it was ok to post because Panasonic has posted it on the web. The password is public knowledge.


https://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=M9tKyO4zoeE

 

This is embarrassing but can you tell me how to post my own thread...this is not a joke I am completely helpless when it comes these things please and thank you

 

On the Panasonic board index page, look towards the top on the right side. Look for a box marked Post new thread.

 

It's all OK to post now. There was a problem at one time.

 

This button

 

Hello

Please Help me i have CF-C2 CCEZXCM same problem optional kit configuration password

I am trying install broadband car sierra EM7355 but its not detected in windows

 

Password is. toughkit

 

awesome thank you man

 

Just bought a decent C2 Mk1......$99. Cant beat that.

 

Just gifted one to my sister.
I put Linux Mx-16 in it with a SSD.
She got tired of the kids getting viruses in her Windows machine.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

Kids ALWAYS get virus's. The school and school bus is like a petri dish.