Hard drive format?

Hi Guys!
Well I thought it would be a good idea to get an OS onto the the 74. I purchased a used HD, worked out how to gat it in the caddy and inserted it.
Was somewhat surprised when Windows appeared but would not start. Tried the Recovery and Restore options but no go. Thought I would just stick my XP on there instead. It went through the first steps ok, got to the install XP option nd then decide that there was no hard drive installed. I have checked the set up and it is shown as the correct drive type and size.
I did notice that the Set up called it an IDE HDD is that correct? Shouldn't be a SATA?
I was trying to format the disk using the MS prompt in the Windows. I thought I had done it correctly but soon realised I was wrong. So now when I try to boot from the HD is says BOOTMGR IS Missing.
I have never had a problem before. Normally I just stick the XP disc in and let it do its stuff. So how do I get out of this. Basically I want to wipe the HD and install my XP on it.
Thanks!

 

The difference you are seeing in the BIOS with "IDE Hard drive" vs "AHCI hard drive" is for compatibility. For XP you need it in IDE (or compatible mode), if you were to load Win 7 it could be on either, but AHCI is preferred as it's faster somehow.

As far as loading is concerned, you should be able to boot of the XP CD (rather it be a recovery dvd/cd set or an OEM xp disc) and do a full format of the drive within the blue windows xp loading screen (If it was a recovery CD it would do everything automatically).

 

Hi Rob!
The trouble is the process gets to the part where you select the option to either install XP, recover it or exit. Then when you select the install part its says that there is no hard drive so all you can do is exit using F3. Run through it a few times now. I think it is usually after that the process allows you to partion and format.
So the hard drive is installed and I was able to se it had Windows on it but wouldn't start. It is recognised in the Set up so can't see why the XP disc is not seing it. This BOOTMGR IS MISSING message must be to do with the HD/OS as its presumably the thing I deleted when trying to format.
Freely admit to being useless as these things. I just keep my fingers crossed when I stick the disc in.

 

I would try to aquire an OEM XP Pro disc man.

 

Hmm..
It looks like its a OEM device driver problem as that can cause the set up disc to stall just before the partion/format stage. You can use F6 to load the driver from a floppy. That is if you had the driver in question and a floppy and a floppy drive! This is the 21st Century!
That sounds like a problem to me. I have always taken great care to source the "correct" hard drives for the model of Toughbook I had but not on this occasion. Perhaps its not an issue for later OS.
Does leave me with a problem. I think the original HD was a Toshiba MK8032GSX which I can obtain used. Bit worried that the same thing might happen again. Unfortunately the sticker on the bottom has been defaced so I can't see what OS it was equipped with. Think the code indicated XP.

 

It would be XP Pro...

 

Thats adds up! Looks like Windows 7 was on the HD. The HD is a Western Digital WD800BEVS. The SW I have has loaded on 6 other HD's although they were all IDE not SATA.
Perhaps I need to source a wiped and formatted HD to start with. I know the MK8032GSX I can get might also have SW still on them and so I am concerned that I will have the same problem.

 

You didn't post your model number. This is for a Mk1. This procedure is required if you don't have a recovery disc:


Title: In the case of clean installation of Windows XP For CF-74C/D (mk1)‚ CF-74E/F (mk2)
Model Number: CF-74C/D (mk1)‚ CF-74E/F (mk2)
Operating System: Windows XP
Language: null
Last Updated Date: 2006/10/18
Question In the case of clean installation of Windows XP
Answer
In the case of clean installation of Windows XP
[Preparation]
- Floppy Disk Drive
- 1 Floppy Disk (3.5 inch FDD 1.44 bite format)
- F6flpy32.exe file
* In the case of CF-74C/D (mk1)‚ CF-74E/F (mk2)‚ download "f6fd_74_1_d060267.exe"
from the Panasonic Website
( http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/public/soft_first/cf-74/f6fd_74_1_d060267.exe)
and unpack it.
"F6flpy32.exe" file. is made.
[Making of Driver Floppy Disk]
1. Insert the floppy disk in the floppy disk drive.
2. Run the "F6flpy32.exe" file.
3. Click "OK" when "Insert floppy to write" message is displayed. (The data in the floppy disk will be deleted.)
Driver files will be copied automatically.
[Installation of Windows XP](English)
1. Set the floppy disk drive and insert the floppy disk made in the [Making of Driver Floppy Disk] to it.
The floppy disk will be used for the installation‚ so please do NOT remove it.
2. Insert the installation CD of Windows XP and boot up the computer.
* Unless it is CD-ROM of the Windows XP SP2 application being completed‚ the blue back occurs at
last stage of boot.
3. When the following "Press F6 if you need to install a third party SCSI and RAID driver…" message is
displayed in the lower part of the screen‚ press "F6" key.
(The message will have been displayed only while the "F6" key is effective.)

In the case that "F6" key could not be clicked‚ reboot the computer.

4. When the following message is displayed‚ press "S" to continue processing. (*)

(*) The key pressed is different by the language.
(Ex: English - S‚ German - Z)
Follow the indication in the lower part of this screen. (S=Specify Additional Device in English)
5. When the page below is displayed‚ choose your applicable driver‚ using "↑" and "↓" key.
In the case of CF-74C/D (mk1)‚ CF-74E/F (mk2)‚ choose "Intel® 82801GBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH7M)"
and press "Enter" to install it.

6. The message "Setup will load support for the following mass storage device(s):" is displayed in the next page.
Confirm the driver chosen in the No.5 is displayed in the following line and press "Enter" key.
7. An installation begins as usual afterwards.
Follow the instruction in that page.
* Continue installing it with the floppy disk inserted in order to copy the contents of the floppy disk.
(If there is no floppy disk in it‚ the instruction to insert it is displayed.)

 

Thanks for the info. The 74 is an early c model so thats a MK1 I think.
I have seen the option of the third party driver mentioned. The problem is as I understand it that the set up will only accept a floppy. I still have the ability to download on to my trusty 72 as I have kept a floppy drive. However I can't see how to achieve installation on the 74 without a compatable floppy drive. I will check but I don't think the 72 and 74 are compatable.
I guess the OE Panasonic recovery disc has the correct driver!

 

Ok, edited for a Mk1. You are correct that the driver must be loaded from a floppy disc. You can probably use any USB floppy drive.

Another option may be to integrate the driver into your XP disc. Google that.

Or get a recovery disc.

 

Hi Glen!
Got a funny feeling I read that it will only load from a floppy drive as all the USB ports are disabled.
I also read about integrating it into my XP by deleting something and reinstalling that other driver. I freely admit that I would struggle with that! Besides I don't want to ruin my XP as I need to install it on some other CF-72 I have.
The only recovery discs over here at the moment are a pair from a CF-52. There are not expensive so I might just see if they will do the job somehow. They are both XP variants. Apart from the screens, I beleieve that they are similiar specs. Another issue is the fact that the PO has defaced the COA label!

 

Hmm.. Looks like I might give this Slipstreaming a go. Bit paranoid about downloading software. Nothing ventured nothing gained I suppose.

 

I was a bit sceptical but so far so good. I didn't realise that you are effectively making another sopy of your SW with the SATA drivers inserted so there is no risk to you original.
I have got past the partition and onto the format stage.
I used this tutorial:
How To Integrate SATA Drivers Into Win XP Bootable CD Setup – Slipstreaming XP Guide Using Nlite
Had to download loads of stuff. My computer is so bare SW wise I didn't even have a way of extracting the drivers at first. So I have learnt a bit more today!
Will update once (hopefully) the XP installs.

 

All good! Seems to have done the trick. Apart from the impressive numbers of yellow question marks in the Device manager. Must admit, I have never even installed the correct Panasonic drivers before. As the 74 is my first wireless Panasonic model, I guess I will have to it properly.
I guess i need to go to that Panasonic site and get them. When I looked at the HD driver I didn't see how to download them. Guess I need to look harder!

 

Great!! Glad you got it worked out. Start here to get all your drivers:

Toughbook Computer Support - Search Downloads

You'll want to select XP SP2 for your operating system.

 

Cheers Glen!
I obviously wasn't looking hard enough so I have downloaded as many as look like thay might be useful, excepting the TPM, fingerprint and the Sata ones.
Managed to get the wireless up and working and put the DMI on there.
As I said before, I have never done it properly before and can still see that there are devices without drivers in the Hardware menu.
Probably a stupid question but should I just be selective or just bite the bullet and stick them all on? I guess some are for the touchpad, keyboard, display,ethenet etc.

 

I'd install them all. Obviously, if you don't have the fingerprint reader don't install the fingerprint driver. You may have to install the TPM driver, even if you don't use it, to get rid of an unknown device. You can download the install instructions which explain driver interdependence.