Everything you need to install Win7 64-bit in a CF-30 Mk2 in one thread, for newbies

[ Summary: Toughbook CF-30 Mk2, no drives, installing Windows 7 64-bit, new owner. ]

I figured I'd write something about my recent experience of buying a CF-30 Mk2 and setting it up, in the hope that somebody else might benefit from it. Many of the great posts here are scattered, and I thought another newbie like myself might appreciate seeing everything in a single post. So thanks to those who had posted the original info, and thanks to those who have been answering my questions.

Being brand new to Toughbooks, I read a lot of threads and checked a lot of eBay auctions to research and decide on what model I should be looking for. I settled on a CF-30 Mk2 due to features and price-point.

Anyone looking to buy a used Toughbook can look up the model# via ToughWiki. Here's the CF-30-specific page. Some custom-configured models won't be listed, but you can generally get a good idea of how the unit in question is equipped.

I found an ex-police CF-30FCDAXAM from an eBay seller, with no hard drive caddy, no hard drive, no media drive, and 2GB RAM. It was in really nice shape, had all port covers intact, and included a good battery, a brand new 15.6V 5A Panasonic AC adapter/charger (CF-AA1653A S B) and power cord (still in the original package), the stylus and tether, the original manuals and micro-fiber cloth still sealed in plastic, and the original box. According to ToughWiki, the model configuration specified a 1000-nit touch screen, a backlit emissive keyboard, dual-RF, and WWAN-ready. It also came with Bluetooth, even though the model# according to ToughWiki specified no integrated devices (I only realized it had Bluetooth after installing Windows).

I made a "best offer" and got it for $85; it was a perfect "starter" unit as I wanted to install an SSD, a DVD multi-drive, 8GB RAM, and an aftermarket GPS anyways, so I would have been replacing anything that a more-expensive unit might have come with. The seller had 76 units; I bought mine when about 30 had been sold. By the time it arrived, the rest were all gone.

From eBay, I ordered a new DVD multi-drive (CF-VDM302AU) for $80, a used Panasonic hard-drive caddy (not a new Chinese clone) complete with an 80GB hard drive installed (so I knew everything was included) for $70, a new Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD for $238, and (2) sticks of new Micron 4GB SO-DIMM PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz 200-pin RAM (MT16HTF51264HZ-800C1) for $100 for the pair.

The CF-VDM302AU media drive is the newest iteration of DVD multi-drive (reads and writes DVDs and CDs). I wanted a new one as I'd read that some people were reporting issues with the used drives that they'd purchased. I also hoped that maybe the newest drive would be a little faster than than the previous CF-VDM302U drive, but I don't actually know what the difference is.

I picked the Samsung SSD because it has an extremely low current draw, had received good reviews, had decent specs, and I liked the fact that everything was done in-house by Samsung (RAM, controller, etc.). I bought a 500GB drive because I figured that I wanted a drive at least that big, and that was also the price-point. There are two models of this drive; they are identical but one comes with a spacer (it's called the laptop kit or something like that). You don't need the spacer (see note below).

While waiting for my parts to arrive, I read everything I could here about the CF-30 Mk2 (I went back just past 100 pages of old threads), and asked the forum members a few questions. I've included in this post a few of the things that I was wondering about, being a newb.

- First off, definitely register on this forum and on TBT. The wealth of knowlege is simply amazing, and the members are very friendly. Then read everything about the computer you're looking to buy, especially the stickies.

- Note that some units for sale on eBay are listed with "BIOS password", meaning the seller doesn't know the BIOS password. Do NOT buy one of these units, as there's no "trick" to get around it. Pulling the CMOS battery will not work.

- The original Toughbook hard drive has a 9.5mm drive height; the Samsung SSD has a 7mm drive height. The 7mm drive fits in the caddy just fine, as the anti-shock compression foam inside the hard-drive caddy fills-in the extra 2.5mm. Don't worry about disabling the hard-drive heater; it's only operational during start-up, and then only if it's cold enough to warrant it. When you are at the stage of removing the original drive from the clear plastic portion of the caddy, you can slide a small slotted jewelers screwdriver along the back, in between the black material and the drive, to loosen the drive from the adhesive. It will then slide right out.

- Right now, faster RAM is cheaper than slower RAM. It doesn't matter what speed you get as the CF-30 isn't fast-enough to make full use the faster RAM. As long as it's SO-DIMM PC2 DDR2 200-pin RAM.

- I wanted to install Windows 7 64-bit, mainly because I already had Enterprise edition, but also because the Mk2 has a 64-bit processor, and I had read that Azrial had installed 8GB of RAM, which would need a 64-bit OS to make use of it. I like maxing things out if I can afford it. Moar power!

Installation of the media drive and the drive caddy was dead easy. Open the doors, insert, close the doors.

I then installed Windows 7 Enterprise. Once installed, it automatically found my wireless network. I updated Windows 7. Then added MS-Security Essentials. Then calibrated the touch screen through Windows.

I verified that the FN keys for screen brightness, monitor switch, mute, volume, and keyboard backlight all worked. Note: the FN keys for screen brightness and keyboard backlight also worked BEFORE installing Windows, ie. just from the BIOS screen.

I verified that the SD card reader worked (I had read that some people's did not at first).

I checked Device Manager; there were 3 unknown devices:

PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller
Unknown Device (#1)
Unknown Device (#2)

The PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller is the Intel Extended Thermal Model Driver (ETM). Panasonic doesn't support Windows 7 on the Mk2, so I downloaded the Vista driver for the CF-30 Mk2 from the Panasonic site, as I'd read that the Mk3 used a different chip (so I couldn't use the CF-30 Mk3 Windows 7 driver).
http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/dl/docs/011053
I ran the file I just downloaded, which saved the drivers to my hard drive.
I manually installed the driver by telling Windows to look in
(my saved location)\etm_1930_22_d071197\drivers\2.0

For the unknown devices, you can view the device details; Unknown Device MAT0019 is Panasonic Hotkey, and Unknown Device MAT0021 is Panasonic Misc.


Downloaded the Panasonic Hotkey driver for the CF-31A Mk1 from the Panasonic site.
http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/dl/docs/052891
As above, I ran the file I just downloaded, and manually installed the driver.

I downloaded the Panasonic Misc driver for the CF-31A Mk1 from the Panasonic site.
http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/dl/docs/052902
As above, ran the file, manually installed the driver.

The Device Manager now shows everything working.

The only things NOT working are FN keys F7 (CPU sleep), F9 (battery), and F10 (hard drive sleep). I haven't bothered to remedy them yet, as they aren't stopping me from using the computer, and I don't think I'd ever need them.

My RAM arrived last; my computer doesn't have a fingerprint reader, so installation was super-easy. Remove the plate in the bottom of the case that covers the RAM, remove the two screws that retain the black plastic stopper, remove stopper, remove the first stick of RAM (I had previously installed a 2nd 2GB stick while waiting for my 8GB to arrive, just so I could get Windows installed). Then gently lift up the copper cover from the side of the RAM socket, and remove the second stick of RAM. Install the two 4GB sticks for a total of 8GB RAM. When you reboot your computer, press F2 to look at the BIOS; it will show 8GB installed and 4GB available (don't worry about that). When you boot into Windows 7 64-bit, Windows will see 8GB.

If you're new to the Toughbook CF-30 Mk2, I hope this has helped you.

Next up is a GPS board with high-gain antenna, and maybe a high-powered 802.11n card.

 

Nice write-up. I don't do LIKES (button clicks). But I like it o.k.

Thanks for sharing the wealth. (experience)

So...total cost was what for a $85 computer? Including the COA for Windows.

CF-31 drivers is VERY interesting. Does misc show up as Miscellaneous or Newmisc in \util2?

You have no idea the time that you saved others from the hours and hours of reading involved here. (well maybe you do, but they don't) Personally I have read and re-read the GPS threads multiple times. What a wild ride that was....as I got to know the people involved.....made it all worthwhile.

If you intend to do this again....save your "drivers" on a USB stick and point the installer at the stick. Folks are driver crazy in a way, I deal mostly with Linux and the drivers are installed in the kernel already. As is W7....most is self loading. There ain't that much difference. The OS looks at the system, grabs a bunch of "drivers" for the session and loads it up. As you said....three exclamation marks. 0019, 0021 and etm. Make the yellow exclamation marks go away and it works. A minor difference is a WWAN 5725 or something but that cures itself about the second update from Windows.

All in all, good show. One very minor criticism......use of the word easy, simply or merely to newbies. Everything has a learning curve. Please don't use these words.

Very nice write up.

Thank you,

Jayburd :thumbsup:

 

Great job This will help many of our old and new members.

 

Sorry... I have a problem with this thread and/or title.

1. You may list *everything* it takes to actually run W7 64 bit but not to have it run correctly and efficiently.

2. You title the thread *everything you need to know* and it is not. You do not have full functionality.

3. You list the installation of 3 drivers and you are done? There are A LOT more than 3 drivers to install.

If you want full functionality... Start over and follow the other CF-30 MK2 thread here. Install the drivers listed and read on to find that you need to install the older Video driver, get the BSOD and install again to have full functionality of your Fn keys... Plus you'll need the correct drivers listed in the other thread.

I don't mean to rain on your parade but we have a lot of people who read through threads to gain the knowledge of exactly what they are supposed to do. I would suggest not to follow this thread. I don't mean to flame or offend... Just sayin'....

Just my .02 cents and guaranteed worth as much!

 

No offense taken! And good points.

According to the Device Manager, only 3 drivers were not found. I know there's that big list, but none of that appears in the Device Manager. And just reading that list it made it seem (to me) like the task to get Windows 7 64-bit running would be quite onerous. I wasn't really looking forward to having to do all that work for what I thought was needed just to get Windows running. However, after doing the basic install, I was pleasantly surprised to fint that Windows was actually working, and without having to go through that list of additional drivers. Installing the just the 3 missing drivers reported by the Device Manager made the Device Manager happy. Will I need the additional functionality of the missing FN keys? Probably not (or at least, not so far). So maybe the thread title should be changed to "quick and dirty install".

As for making Windows run more efficiently and with "full" functionality, I might look at installing the additional drivers later, but for now I am just happy that the computer is "working".

I think my main thing was being happy that the installation wasn't as difficult as I was expecting it to be (after reading the list), to get a working computer running under Windows 7 64-bit.

 

If you read up about Toughbooks... There are A LOT more drivers needed than just what shows in Device Manager... I guess that was my point.

 

Ah, I see. Thanks, I will do some more reading.