HOWTO: Install Windows 7 on a CF-18 mk1

RCX

I guess my problem is in trying to read several posts -- Slammer111 wrote "I had the same problem with my Panasonic CF-Y2. After beating my head on it for a few days.. the way to do it is to install the .inf file into " ACPI Embedded Controller". Do a Manual install, and select the "Have Disk" option. So no mention of Microsoft! Also as I mentioned before I was working from an older version of your instructions that I had printed out when I first found these on the web.

I've gone back through the entire process described in your updated instructions, and everything seems to work now except for the (and most annoying) display rotation. I’ve uninstalled the Display Rotation Tool and reinstalled it. The icon appears in the Notification area and I can open the settings menu (Laptop is set to Prim. land and Tablet Mode to 2nd land).
The display rotation tool appears under programs/Panasonic but clicking it just puts the spinning timer on screen for a second or two and nothing else happens. Pressing the screen rotation button and again nothing!

Any (polite ) suggestions would be appreciated

I accept your point about the non-destructive technique and I'll use your method should I run into any further issues.

 

Glad you still hanging in there! Hopefully we'll get through this here.

I'd like to get a better feel for what might be working and what might not be working with screen rotation. So, could you post back whether or not screen rotation works for each of the following scenarios:

• Video Driver Context Menu
  • Right-click on the desktop
  • In the pop-up menu, navigate to Graphics Options > Rotation
  • Select another rotation setting
• Video Driver Hot Keys
  • Test without other programs running to verify that another program does not intercept these hot keys
  • Default hot keys are as follows (think of the arrow as pointing to the TOP of where the screen would be if in Notebook mode):
    • <Control><Alt><Up>
    • <Control><Alt><Down>
    • <Control><Alt><Left>
    • <Control><Alt><Right>
  • To Enable/disable and/or customize these and other display Hot Keys, go to Start > Control Panel > Display > Change Display Settings > Advanced Settings > Intel Extreme Graphics 2 for Mobile tab > Graphics Properties > Hot Keys
• Tablet PC Buttons
  • To configure, go to Start > Control Panel > Tablet PC Settings > Go to Orientation (link toward the bottom of the dialog)
  • Choose the orientation sequence and click OK
  • Press the screen rotation button on the front panel of the computer
  • Each time the screen rotation button is pressed, the display should rotate to then next rotation angle specified in the orientation sequence
• Automatic Display Rotation Tool
  • To configure, Right-click on the Display Rotation Tool icon in the System Notification Area
  • Click Settings
  • Select the default angle for both laptop mode and tablet mode
  • Click OK
  • Flip the screen from notebook mode to tablet mode and vice-versa
  • As long as "Keep Angle" has not been selected, the display should automatically rotate to the specified angle

Normally, the Automatic Display Rotation Tool is already running on boot; however, if it is not, it can be launched from Start > All Programs > Panasonic > Display Rotation Tool. This program will not actually rotate the screen; it will simply launch the utility and load it in the System Notification Area.

Given the nature of these instructions, I highly recommend what you did in printing them out and then checking each item off while progressing along the process. Unfortunately, this past weekend saw the most significant change to the post since the time of its original posting, so I can certainly understand some confusion. I try to keep the first post updated with the latest information and clarifications (for example, since the question came up, I'll likely add the above display rotation information to the first post).

 

RCX,

Firsty thank you for your answer.

Even before reading your post this morning I had come to the conclusion that the video driver I installed had to be the wrong one! (And it was! )

After trying your scenarios I was convinced, as none of them did anything!

So I have removed the video drivers and also undid the destructive settings and then followed your Video Driver instructions. I had to run through them twice as you indicated might happen

Success!!!

OK a few small issues – flipping the screen does not change the orientation, but the button does. I have made the changes using Tablet PC Buttons. I also have the same setting in The Display Rotation Tool.

A right-click on the desktop is not bringing up Graphics Options >Rotation, I only have Screen Resolution. This does give me an option to change the screen orientation.

Video Driver Hot Keys -- your last sentence -- I don't have Intel Extreme Graphics 2…
Tablet PC Buttons - works as you describe!
Automatic Display Rotation Tool -- does not work as described even after making the settings.

In Device Manager I now have

Intel 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics controller
And two Mobile Intel 945GM Chipset Family (both disabled)

Under Other Devices Video Controller has the Yellow ! against it.

The display is described as “Digital Flat Panel (1024x768 60Hz) on Intel 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics controller.

I feel I am getting close!

 

If you do not wait "long enough" for Windows to complete the driver install process going on in the background prior to disabling the 945GM device, I have seen Windows 7 re-enable a 945GM device that had just been disabled. If the system is rebooted with the 945GM device enabled, Windows 7 will roll the driver back, and you will have to repeat the step.

"Long enough" is somewhat vague, because even after all the driver update dialogs have closed, I've still seen in the System Notification Area where the driver install is not fully complete. I've only seen this problem the first time through; on subsequent times through, Windows seems to process the driver update faster.

Fortunately, the solution is simple enough--perform the driver update again for the "Digital Flat Panel (1024x768 60Hz) on Intel 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics controller" that has the yellow (!). Due to repeating this process a third time, there will be three disabled 945GM devices instead of two; however, it still seems to work just as well in those cases.

 

RCX

Success!

I decided to go back to the beginning. I re cloned the old XP drive to my new one, and started all over again!

Followed your revised notes and now all the options shown in your Manage Display Rotation make the display work as they should, so thank you again for you help and support.

One, I hope final issue; I cannot get the digitizer to work. If I bring the pen near the screen there is at the very edge of the left side of the screen the edge of another window (I think it’s the keyboard) appears. It's not big enough to open and see. I have tried calibration, tapping the first screen appears to do something, but as far as calibration goes nothing!

I have not been able to find a post to help with this!

In the Tablet PC Settings the 'reset' btton is not available!

 

See Post 'New Wacom Driver' for my solution to getting the digitizer working.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/522553-new-wacom-driver.html

 

Assuming no other digitizer drivers have been installed, the Reset button is only available if there has been a prior calibration, so if you attempt to perform a calibration and the Reset is disabled, it should go through a "full" calibration.


Glad to hear things are progressing. I've never had any digitizer problems with any of my installs; in fact, Windows 7 recognized the digitizer right away.

Just curious--does this unit have GPS?

 

Thank you again.

Calibration
Having installed the Wacom software there is still the control panel Tablet PC Settings but also a new one 'ISD Tablet properties'. Clicking on calibrate in the first opens the second.

On this there are three tabs ‘Pen’ allowing various pen setting; ‘Pop-up Menu’, (which I still have to look at); and ‘Calibrate’, which only has the four point calibration. Closing this takes me back to Tablet PC Settings, but the reset button is still disabled.

The only suggestion I have that might explain why Windows & did not recognise the digitizer, is that I was distracted and may have lost concentration while doing step 6 or 7 of your instructions, but that’s about all.

Would it be possible to list which drivers should be associated with each of the ‘special’ entries in Device Manager?

My CF-18 does not have GPS, although this is my principle reason for getting it. I use a Bluetooth dongle connecting to a Holux GPS receiver. I have already installed mapping software and have this running and it works well.

 

Based on the description, it appears Windows had at least somewhat recognized the digitizer, as the Tablet Input Panel will pop out from the side of the screen when the pen is brought near the display.

If a digitizer driver other than the built-in Windows driver is used, and that driver provides its own calibration utility, that driver can disable the Windows calibration utility, which might also make the Reset button unavailable.

On systems integrated GPS experiencing erratic mouse behavior, temporarily disabling the GPS while setting up the digitizer/touchscreen drivers helps, but since that system doesn't have GPS, that wouldn't have been a factor.

 

I have an update!

When I installed the 'new' Wacom driver I did not fully test the results! When I came to switch from laptop to tablet mode for the first time, I found that the pen did not make the transition!

This was not what I wanted so I decided to uninstall ISD Tablet properties, which I did and then re-booted.
When my Toughbook restarted it began to installed Wacom drivers, I though Oh no! Thinking it was reinstalling what I had just removed.
But no it did not, it installed the drivers that were missing following my W7 update.
Tablet PC Setting is now as it should be, with the full 16 calibration points!

 

Great news, Martin! Thanks for the update.

 

Great instructions!
Wouldn't have tried it without this thread.
I installed on a Mk4 (EU-model CF-18KEH01VE) at work while working a boring night shift . It took a five-six hours all together. All the booting..
I ran windows update until it didn't find any new updates. Good for me, it installed graphics drivers for the 915GM.
Tablet buttons all work, and these new drivers have settings available for press-and-hold under control panel -> tablet pc options. No need to necessarily modifiy the registry directly.
Sound card drivers were used for XP (Sigma-tel).

I cannot however take any advantage of the Concealed mode -utility, how is it supposed to work?
It install correctly, but no shortcut comes available, neither any app in the tray..

Regards, Martin

 

I don't believe it will work as there is no hardware support for this
It's supported on the cf-19mk3 up and cf-30 mk3 only
I tried to get it to work on my cf-30 mk 2 when it first came out
I will be loading W7 soon on my cf-18 mk-5 and will confirm

 

OK, I'm getting Windows 7 for Christmas!

I'm installing on a CF-18 MK5. Do I begin here, on the section about MK4? Is it the same?

 

No, I would use the very first post in this thread. I try to keep it up-to-date with the latest information.

Unfortunately, the formatting was messed up during the site upgrade a few months back, and it still hasn't been fixed yet (I've posted several times about this on the thread where bugs were supposed to be reported), so the numbering on some of the steps may be hard to follow. Hopefully, though, you will still be able to make out the proper steps.


Merry Christmas!

 

Hello! Wanted to say that this site is great!

I have an issue though.. CF-19C with Windows 7, started going through the list per the first post on the thread, which is installing the Pana Misc driver. When I follow the instructions and try to install the driver, Windows tells me 'The best driver software for your device is already installed' and only gives me an option to close the update driver box. Any suggestions?

Jeremy

 

Keep reading this thread. That issue gets resolved by page 12....

 

You have to exactly follow the steps in section under the "Panasonic Misc Driver" heading. Just performing a typical, run-of-the-mill driver upgrade won't cut it.

Unfortunately, the formatting issues on this forum still haven't been fixed, and it's been a couple months. If the formatting hadn't been broken in the last site "upgrade," the post would be much easier to read. I've posted about this numerous times on the forum's bug report thread, but it has remained unfixed.

 

Yep, I wanst following the directions exactly... lol! Well, at least my ignorance caused me to register here, and I now see that Im not the only toughbook collector out in the world

Thanks!

Jeremy

(BTW, 1 CF-19, 5 CF-29, 1 CF-28, 2 CF-M34 and counting... lol)

 

I just installed Windows 7 on my CF-18 MK5. I followed all the steps except the video driver install, because I have a Intel 915GM/GMS 910GML. I then installed the Wacom software, PenTablet 508-2a and rebooted. All my hotkey buttons on the front are working now. I am thrilled. I never could get these buttons working in XP. My only problem now is when I click on Pen Tablet Properties in the Control Panel, I get- A supported tablet was not found on the system. I guess I could be okay with this setup so far. My touchscreen is working fine, but I can't calibrate with Wacom software or use flicks. To calibrate the touchscreen, I have to go to Mouse properties.

Anyone having the same experience with MK5? I would be interested to hear more on anyone's successes with Windows 7 and CF-18 MK5. This forum is great and I want to thank everyone for their input.

 

If any Wacom software is installed, it should be the Tablet PC Enhanced Graphics Driver; however, the Wacom driver is unnecessary in Windows 7, and from my experience, it is actually better without it.

The Wacom release notes on that page state the following:

Note that this driver is not required.

I did install and use this driver for a time, but I no longer have it installed.

• On shutdown, it wouldn't exit promptly, and my system would have to wait on it when shutting down.
• It isn't even needed for providing pressure-sensitive support. Pressure sensitivity works just fine in Windows Journal (Start > All Programs > Accessories > Tablet PC > Windows Journal) without the Wacom Tablet PC driver. Just go to Tools > Options > Pen Settings and click the "Pressure sensitive" box to start using the existing pressure-sensitive support in that app.
• I don't know that the additional side-switch functionality is that necessary. One of the options Wacom adds is to make a side-switch press automatically fire a right mouse click (instead firing a right mouse click event when the screen is tapped). I don't like that feature; plus, you lose some hover capabilities in the process.
• When enabling custom driver extensions, you may disable default Windows capabilities (such as with the flicks).
• The Windows digitizer calibration process provides more and better calibration points than the Wacom digitizer calibration process (especially with respect to the edge calibration trickiness noted earlier).
• The Wacom driver software stopped working one time after I had just installed the latest Windows updates.

Thus, I don't recommend installing the Wacom Tablet PC driver, which is why it is not included in the instructions.

Lest I appear to be a Wacom driver basher, I would note that under Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, I had regularly installed the Wacom Tablet PC enhanced driver. With Windows 7, though, you get a better out-of-box experience.

 

^Agree^

Always try the standard drivers first, Vista and W7 are tablet friendly O/S

W7 requires huge resources in comparison to XP and I don't usually recommend installing any resource hogging O/S on older hardware, except on the cf-18 tablets
I have seen posts on this forum where members require up to 2GB of ram!
Where are you going to get that ram when you have a fixed 512MB and only one slot left for upgrades
Add-on memory using usb storage devices+sd card's are used just to keep the software from fragmenting the hard drive and slowing down your computer

Compare with XP that runs along @ 500mb at most and with tweaking most of my XP instalations use 350MB

 

Willvan
This looks similar to the problem I reported with the Wacom Driver, once I un-installed it the windows 7 driver installed and everything worked as it shoud.
See my post in this thread from 10-08-10

 

Sorry if you missed understood me. Without the Wacon driver, Windows 7 dosen't recognize the touchscreen on my CF-18 MK5. Also the front keys don't work. I tried uninstalling it, hoping I would have the same luck as you did. But no. The touchscreen however still works, but like I said, Windows doe not recognize my computer as having a pen or touch input available. There is no Pen Tablet Input in the Control Panel without Wacom installed.

I am ok with using the Wacom driver for now and will keep watching this forum for anyone having any luck with Windows 7 out of the box or any other suggestions. All and all I am very please with Windows 7 and would never go back to XP. With an upgrade to 1.5GB ram, Windows 7 runs fairly fast to me.

Thanks guys for your quick replies.

 

I'm not sure of your full CF-18 model number, so we can't tell for certain how your CF-18 is configured. For the mk5 series, the model number should begin with either CF-18N or CF-19P.

Also, assuming this CF-18 originally came with Windows XP installed, was it Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition?

I mention that because the Wacom software is for digitizers, but in the above post it is a touchscreen that is mentioned. The CF-18 mk5 touchscreen is a Fujitsu touchscreen, so the Wacom software would not be appropriate. This likely explains why the Pen Tablet Input appears under the Control Panel when the Wacom driver is installed, but you received the message about no supported tablet being found when opening the Pen Tablet Input applet.

Also, Tablet PC functionality was designed for digitizers, not touchscreens (which is why XP Tablet PC Edition was only available from Panasonic on the digitizer models). A Tablet PC-capable OS can be installed on non-digitizer systems (which I have also done), but the system needs to have a digitizer in order to be able to fully utilize all the Tablet PC features.

If we are indeed dealing with a touchscreen, you could try downloading and installing the Windows 7 Touchscreen driver for the CF-19K/L (mk3), as that touchscreen is also a Fujitsu.

 

Willvan8120 or rcx, maybe you guys can help. I also have a CF-18 MK5 and so ive gotten everything working great except the tablet buttons. Ive installed the drivers and the program, but when i try to open the tablet button settings program, nothing happens. The 2 brightness buttons work fine along with the "lock" key, but the keyboard key, the tablet mode button, and the center button all do nothing.

Willvan8120, since you have the same laptop and got everything working fine, did you do anything different than what rcx outlined in the frist post?
Rcx, do you have any tips/suggestions? Thanks!

 

Under the "Tablet Buttons Driver" section, be sure not to miss the last two steps. If there is only partial tablet functionality (such as described above), those steps could be the needed key. If omitted or not completed successfully, the tablet buttons are only partially functional.

Also, when executing those two steps, be sure you are running as an administrator or other user that has rights to modify the system folder and update the registry.

A tip for troubleshooting--
Check to see if you are able to configure the Table PC buttons under Start > Control Panel > Tablet PC Settings dialog > Buttons tab. This tab shows Toughbook-specific images. If you do not have this, this is another sign that the tablet button drivers have not been installed correctly/completely.


Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the suggestions rcx, i went back and uninstalled the driver and followed the directions on the first post down to the letter, but still no improvement. although i do have one correction to make on my first post, the tablet button settings program opens, but no matter which settings i change,it doesnt affect anything. The other 2 programs that were installed in the same directory, HPLSMan.exe and HPLSKey.exe wont even open.

Also, when i navigate to control panel, there is no Tablet PC Settings dialog. Do you know which driver/program package it comes from? I installed everything listed in your post, but maybe whichever program gives that control panel dialog was installed incorrectly. Any ideas?

 

• Is this a digitizer version or a touchscreen version?
• What is the full model number?

If you don't see "Tablet PC Settings" in the Control Panel, it sounds like the Windows 7 Tablet PC Components are not installed. If the CF-18 does not have a digitizer, Windows 7 likely installed without the Tablet PC Components.

If you navigate to Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features On or Off, when you scroll down the list of Windows features, the item "Tablet PC Components" will be checked if it is installed.

 

The full model number is CF-18PHHZXBM which is a touchscreen version i believe. I checked under Programs and Features and there was no Tablet PC Components listed, which means i guess it wasn't installed with Windows 7. Is there any place where I might get it manually and install it? Again, I've found a way to calibrate the screen without the Tablet PC Components, everything seems to be working fine except for the keyboard, enter, and screen rotation Tablet buttons. I've looked through numerous forums but Windows 7 installation on a mk5 specificaly is a little less common

 

The Tablet PC Components aren't required for touchscreen calibration.

These instructions are geared toward digitizer models. For these instructions, digitizer vs. touchscreen is a bigger difference than most of the mark differences; in fact, CF-19 users have also reported success with these instructions. So, I'd look more for touchscreen-specific information rather than mark-specific information.

Are you able to rotate the screen using even one of the methods described in the "Manage Display Rotation" section?

For non-digitizer models,

• Don't install any Wacom drivers; if one was installed, uninstall it
• Try downloading and installing the Windows 7 version of following for the CF-19K/L (mk3)
  • Touchscreen Driver
  • Panasonic Handwriting Application

 

Sticks918, I have the exact same problem. On a very similar model number I believe. Ill be curious to see what your solution is.

 

My toughbook is a CF-18NHHZXBM. I followed steps 1-20. I tried to do step 21 even though I didn't have the same display adapter. I have Mobile Intel 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family. I couldn't finish that step. I forget what or why, but I stopped. At that point I didn't have the front keys functioning yet.

I don't want to contradict anyones reply, but after I installed the Wacom software, PenTablet 508-2a , I had full function of the front hotkeys and the touchscreen display keyboard when logging in. I know now that my model is a touchscreen model and not a digitizer model, but having the front keys working and especially the login touchscreen keyboard working is enough to make me a happy camper. I really prefer to use my toughbook as a tablet so this is enough function for me. I can't calibrate using Wacom's calibration, but can calibrate with 9 points using the touchscreen calibration under the Mouse in Control Panel. I can use my finger or the pen, but prefer the pen for more accuracy. The only thing I wish I could do is Flicks, but for browsing the web, I use Firefox with Grab and Drag extensions for scrolling the page.

Like I said I don't want to contradict anyone, but maybe for those who have MK5's, using the Wacom software, may be an options to at least try and see if it works for you. It works for me. Hope this helps.

 

You didn't mention if you tried the drivers suggested above--the Touchscreen driver (Fujitsu) and the Panasonic Handwriting Application. Did you? The touchscreen driver should be a Fujitsu driver, and the Panasonic Handwriting application provides some Tablet PC-like functionality that non-Tablet PC OS touchscreen models don't have. Again, this isn't a mark issue, this is a digitizer versus touchscreen issue.

 

No I didn't. I installed the fidmous.inf driver as in step 4. This is the touchpad/touchscreen under Mice and other pointing devices in the Device Manager. There wasn't a step to install the Panasonic Handwriting Application so that isn't installed either. I may have to try it and see if I can get functionality of a Tablet PC with it. That might be what the Wacom software is doing for me now. I will let you know.

 

To hopefully help clarify, fidmous.inf is for the touchpad that is adjacent to the keyboard, not the touchscreen.

Correct, because the instructions were geared toward digitizer models. With a Tablet PC-enabled OS, such as with the digitizer models, the Panasonic Handwriting Application isn't needed.

While most of it is the same, the instructions will be slightly different for touchscreen models.

 

I am sure you are right about the fidmouse, but what I got was the touchpad/touchscreen in devices when I installed it, as in step 4.

When I tried installing the touchscreen driver for CF-19 MK3, the installation could not complete. Probably because its not compatible with my system. When I installed the Panasonic Handwriting App, it installed, but then I got the Blue Screen of Death. So I had to boot into Safe Mode and uninstall it and reinstalled the Wacom Software. Wacom may not by necessary for others, but it works for my system. All front buttons work with it installed. Without it, nothing works. Please don't take feel that I am arguing with you or anyone on the forum. I am just saying what works for me. Thanks.

 

Was there any particular error message when the driver install failed (e.g. no compatible devices found)?

If the Panasonic bundling of the Fujitsu driver didn't work, the next step is to try going straight to the original source.
- Fujitsu Touch Panel Driver Software

That page splits the drivers out by Serial Interface and USB Interface. Under each interface type, there are various types of touch panels listed (e.g. 4-wire, 5-wire, 7-wire), but each interface type has its own driver that is used across the various panel types.

• For Serial Interface touch panel types, the Windows 7 32-bit driver part number is NS01B-0559-0556.
• For USB Interface touch panel types, the Windows 7 32-bit driver part number is NS01B-0559-0554.

I know you had mentioned not being able to do certain things such as flicks, so no worries, just trying to see if we can improve the situation. ;-)

 

I didn't get an error when installing the driver. It starts to install and then quickly says "The installation isn't complete".

I tried all the other drivers, except the DOS and Linux, from the Fujitsu link above, but had the same thing happen. Even the mouse type drivers, both serial and USB. Plus the 4, 5, and 7 wire types. Under the Device Manager, the touchpad/touchscreen shows it is plugged into the PS/2 mouse port, not Serial or USB port. I believe that is where the problem is. That's the reason I can't do flicks too. Windows thinks I am using a mouse instead of a touchscreen. Could there be some kind of registry tweak to fool windows? LOL. Thanks anyway.

 

willvan8120- Where did you download or find the PenTablet 508-2a software at? I'm having a hard time finding that particular piece online.

 

sticks918-I found it in this forum, post #7

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/451856-problem-kotkey-plus-driver.html

 

Thanks! Before I Install the Wacom drivers, do you know if I should uninstall the 2 drivers that werent working completely before? they would be the Panasonic Toughbook Tablet Button driver and the Panasonic Hotkey Driver. Or is there any other prep work that I need to do before installing?

 

The touchpad is a PS/2 device, so Device Manager showing a PS/2 touchpad is correct. The touchpad and the touchscreen are both Fujitsu devices, so this is where it gets interesting...and that is where in the recent posts I've realized I overlooked communicating a step.

So, to be sure we're all starting from reasonably the same point, perform the following:

• Uninstall the touchpad driver
• Uninstall any touchscreen drivers
• Uninstall any Wacom drivers
• Uninstall the Panasonic Handwriting Application

Now, perform the following:

• Install the Panasonic driver for the Fujitsu touchpad (follow the instructions in the first post)
• Download and install the Panasonic driver for the Fujitsu touchscreen
  • Run TPSetup.exe
  • Run FujitsuTS.reg to update the registry
  • Reboot
• Download and install the Panasonic Handwriting Application

 

As noted by Toyo in another thread, Intel has release a Chipset/INF update. This update is relevant to the Windows 7 installation process, so I have updated the first post in this thread with Intel Chipset/INF install instructions....

 

Hi
Can someone tell me how to get the wireless card to work after installing windows7 on a cf18 on a mark 5
Thanks

 

I am trying to get tablet buttons working on a CF-18DHAZXKM Touchscreen (not Digitizer). I have also tried on CF-18 MK3 and MK5. In no case was I successful in getting installed any referenced CF-19 touchscreen driver or generic Fujitsu 4/7 wire serial/or USB touchscreen drivers.

Any attempt of touchscreen drivers install will start to install and then quickly say "The installation isn't complete".

It seems, if Windows 7 does not register a tablet (touchscreen) driver, that the PANASONIC tablet button driver and manager app do not work, as they seem to depend upon loaded Windows 7 tablet support.

Has anyone successfully managed to get Windows 7 tablet support to work on a CF-18 touchscreen version (and consequently the CF-18 tablet buttons) ?

So far I can only concur with post#140 to #144 in this thread, in that if I install the Wacom PenTablet 508-2a software after installing PANANSONIC tablet button driver and manager, Windows 7 all of a sudden registers tablet support and the tablet buttons are fully working.

This tells me that only if loading a vendor "tablet" driver on the CF-18 touchscreen, Windows 7 will enable generic Windows tablet support.

Any account of actual cf-18 touchscreen version experience here is greatly appreciated.

 

I ran Windows 7 update twice after fresh install on a CF-18 MK5 (also true for MK2) and along with other recommended drivers were the Intel/PRO wireless drivers loaded.

 

I'm not sure I fully understand the expectation that several have voiced here for Windows Tablet PC functionality to work on non-digitizer laptops. Going all the way back to the release of Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Panasonic's launch of the CF-18 mk1, Tablet PC Edition was only available on digitizer models. Non-digitizer models were typically installed with Microsoft Windows XP Professional, but Panasonic did provide some of their own software and utilities to try to fill in some of the functionality that those systems not running Tablet PC Edition did not have.

Fast forward to Microsoft Windows 7, and a digitizer is still required for Tablet PC. To quote Microsoft's Tablet PC Hardware Requirements page, the following is included in the list of requirements:

That definitively rules out official Tablet PC support for any non-digitizer models.

This is due to fact that the Wacom PenTablet software is software designed to support a hardware digitizer. When this software is installed, it leads Windows to believe that a digitizer is now present on the system (even though one really does not exist). Technically, this is an error on the part of the Wacom software in telling Windows that the system has a digitizer when in fact the system really does not have a digitizer. This very likely also explains why some functionality (e.g. flicks) doesn't work after the Wacom digitizer software is installed, as touchscreens lack the full capabilities of a digitizer, and if the software has been setup to expect digitizer capabilities when there really isn't a digitizer, some things may not work as expected.

Again, we are talking about official Tablet PC support for non-digitizer models.

For non-digitizers, the solution that would ideally be the most workable would be to get installed Panasonic's software and utilities that fill in for some of the Tablet PC functionality that non-digitizer models do not have.

 

@rcx: Thank you for your detailed elaboration, it matches exactly my observation and conclusions.

For me it is really only about getting the toughbook tablet buttons to work on a CF-18 touchscreen with its default functions (and having the convenience of customizing button behaviour as well).

As pointed out, I was not able to get this to work with PANASONIC drivers only. Also post#140 voiced the same question and the post #144 given tips to install the touchscreen driver seems to not be confirmed working by anyone.

So in summary, if one wants the (3) tablet buttons on a CF-18 touchscreen version toughbook to work with Windows 7, my finding is that the Wacom PenTablet software (as per link in post #142 in this thread) needs to be installed - along with the PANASONIC tablet button driver and tablet button manager app (as per post #1 instructions in this thread).