CF30 Mk1 XP to Win7 - advice for non techy pig

Hi all,

I have a CF30 Mk2 touchscreen and would like to upgrade to Win7. The toughbook was originally Vista (CoA sticker on bottom) but was bought with XP installed. I have an XP disc but no Vista disc.
Is it as simple as updating BIOS back to Vista and then clean installing Win7 from a disc, and then installing whichever drivers needed? Or do i have to update BIOS, then clean re-install Vista from a recovery disc before clean installing Win7? If so can anyone point me to where i can get a Vista recovery disc please or a link to an ISO file to create my own.
New to all this so sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, i've spent most of the evening reading and plenty more reading to do!

Thanks


Edit - Just seen the 'mandatory reading' thread, hope I'm not asking anything against forum rules about the recovery disc, I saw Heartlands mentioned in another thread, but maybe should have mentioned that I'm in the Uk.

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook forum

Please post your full model number. Your 30 might of been down graded when it left the factory to XP. You will not need to do anything to the bios to upgrade to W7.

 

Install generic Win7, then run the bundle as an administrator.

cf 30 mk2 win7x86 driver bundle
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/computer/software/30fg-mk2-7x86.exe

cf30 mk2 win7 x64 driver bundle
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/computer/software/30fg-mk2-7x64.exe

 

Thanks for the prompt reply toughasnails, feel a bit silly now because I had it in my head that it was a Core2Duo & therefore a Mk2 but it's actually a Mk1 CoreDuo - model no. is CF-30CASAZBM.
Would the same still apply?

Edit - Looks like lots of the original spec has been changed, it has a 120Gb SSD, 4Gb RAM, bluetooth & wireless.

 

You will need to have the Vista bios to upgrade to W7 for the touchscreen to work.

 

mk1 package,, 32 bit only

ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/computer/software/30cd-mk1-7x86.exe

mk1 bios
http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/dl/download/file/011544/s/77315aefcc1bd83e/CF-30_BIOS_update_Manual.pdf

http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/dl/download/file/011544/s/27f0504da861f106/bios_30_1_r070208.exe

 

Model Number: CF-30CASAZBM
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSRP: $4,599
Description: WinXP, Intel Core Duo L2400 1.66GHz (Centrino), 13.3" XGA Touch, 80GB, 1GB, Intel 802.11a/b/g, TPM1.2, Bluetooth, Emissive Backlit Keyboard, No Drive

 

Check out this thread forum.notebookreview.com/threads/how-to-load-windows-7-on-a-cf-30-mk1-model.476149/

 

Thanks for the links to the BIOS update & manual Shawn, my antivirus blocked the ftp link but the other two look like just what I need. And thanks for pointing to the Mk1 thread toughasnails.
Believe it or not I've been reading all night, but it is slowly starting to make sense now! Head spinning a bit & need sleep now so will continue reading tomorrow. I'm in a bit of a rush to get it done before going away for Xmas, so my main concern was if I'd need to order a recovery disc from somewhere before leaving, glad that doesn't seem to be the case.
Thanks again

 

"... but it is slowly starting to make sense now!"
i have often wondered what that would be like .

"Head spinning a bit & need sleep now ..."
and your point is ?

ehhh ... you'll get used to that .

seriously , there is a lot to absorb and get a grasp of .
there are many nuances between models and mark editions .
sometimes the difference between a mk1 and a mk2 (or other number) means that something won't work as you have come to think it should .

 

Ha yeah lots to absorb. i've ordered my Win7 disc now so we'll see how much i've absorbed when i start doing it!

 

Please ask us if you need more help.
The links I provided are safe. They are direct from Panasonic. If you can't download the driver pack, send me a private message(start a conversation) and I can help you out.


What kind of Win7 disk?
x86 or x64
Retail Win7?
Factory restore disk?

 

Thanks Shawn, I'll ask if (when!) I need more help.

Now I understand the model number code, it seems the laptop has had a few upgrades -
C - yep, definitely a Mk 1 !!
A -the touchscreen & keyboard are still factory spec,
S - the harddrive is now a Sandisk SDSSDHP128G with 4Gb RAM & a Matshita DVD-RAM UJ-8415
A - it now has a Toshiba Bluetooth BC04-External & Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network adapter
Z - not sure, doesn't have a sim card slot or antenna so assume it's still factory spec no WWAN
B - not sure, Vista basic sticker next to touchpad & Vista Business CoA on bottom, but running XP Pro 2002 SP3
M - made its way across the atlantic now!

Not sure why my anti-virus (avast) blocked the 'ftp' driver bundle?

It's Win 7 Pro 32bit, didn't realise there were retail or OEM versions , when I saw 'OEM', I assumed (wrongly?) that it just meant it was a 'proper' Microsoft version & not a copy, similar to OEM car parts. Is this likely to be a problem on my non-factory hard drive with an OS already installed?

 

Matshita is owned by Panasonic so it most likely came with it. I think the Bluetooth is the same too as mine.

 

OEM Win7 is fine. Are you getting a COA with the disk? It will ask for the key code during install.
Just curious if they told you what OEM the disk is from. I have used a DELL disk many times on my Toughbooks.

 

Yeah the disc came with a CoA sticker, not sure about the OEM, the disc sleeve says DSP & OEI? Not sure what they mean, but the disc came from a reputable supplier over here, so it should all be legit I hope!

Anyways, a big THANK YOU for your help, & for the knowledge given on this forum.

It's taken a few hours today but my Toughbook is now up & running on Win 7. All went much easier than I thought it would, everything appears to work as it did previously (just faster now ), & only had to download the hotkey drivers & settings, as Win 7 did the rest!

Thank you from a very happy MissToughPig

 

Bet you are glad you found us now

 

From one Pig to another... if you are deployed or otherwise time and resource limited, an idea that worked well for me was to divide my HDD into two partitions, a large one for data and files, and a smaller one for the installed OS and programs.

After I installed the OS and all the drivers and programs, after I have made all my tweaks, after I have it all Win-updated and running great on my Toughbook, I use imaging software, like Acronis, to make a image to keep on a DVD or better, a flash drive.

That way, if something happens and you need your PC to work NOW, you can quickly re-image your HDD. Just shut it down hard, and boot from the FD/DVD and Yes, Yes, Yes, and go grab a cup of coffee.

All of your data should still be safe on your second Partition. It takes a LOT less time and effort, and makes your system even more bulletproof.

Welcome to the site!

 

I wondered when the local pig-in-residence would show up.

Two things:
1. Unless already done (as in replaced with new style) your touchscreen will eventually "break" . From earlier described differences between your model # and existing equipment this machine has been tinkered with so the repair/replacement may have already been done.
2. I hope you are calibrating w/ W7. Which in and of itself indicates that you are using a Vista bios. If you want to know check bios and ec numbers.....or look in device manager >>>>one Fujitsu driver = touchscreen,...two hid devices = Tablet Bios. (You want tablet)...CF-30 and CF-19 MK1 only.....the one with no choice in the bios.

CF-30's are TOUGH. Good choice.

Welcome,

Jeff...windy as usual...

 

fine business on getting that '30 going ...
now for the next disast --- errr ... project .

an after market gps is a good investment .

 

Cheers Azrial - good thinking about recovery disc, did this on my last laptop not thought about it yet on this one as been too busy fighting with Win7 updates!
Thanks for the pointers Sadmkr - touchscreen is working better than it has done before, so far so good...
I have calibrated Win7 and am finding the CF30 an excellent choice

I will give the after market gps some thought for the next project thanks CWB32

Thanks for the welcomes, all info has been very useful