Problems with cf-18 HELP!

OK guys/gals I picked up a used panasonic toughbook cf18, the problem I have is it was obviously part of a business system and the software is completely restricted, I have looked at tutorials on how to back door my way in to remove the admin stuff but nothing works on this computer. I can't even boot in safe mode. Do i just get another version of windows xp professional ? There are a few systems on this laptop that I do not want to lose. I have the Verizon access manager,built in bluetooth,some program called ritePen, uses a different wifi setup intel PROset even though it has the normal one as well. I dont even know if I can install a different version in this thing. In the start menu there is no run or my computer or anyway for me to access anything. Also I connect to my wifi but when I go onto internet explorer it will not connect and I have no way to even get into the options! Any help will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance-JOEYD

 

For starters post your full model # Cf-18??????? . On start up can you get into the BIOS or does it have a password too. Press F2 on the startup screen. If it does have a password due to forum rules we can not talk about this "BIOS hacking"

 

Joey... Welcome to the forum! Toughasnails is right about discussing BIOS breaking.... Hopefully it will not come to that.

Sounds like you'll need to reformat it... Which you should anyway... So your stuff is YOURS and you know everything works. You can read a few of the stickies about how to installa new OS, either from Recovery Disks or by using any Win XP Tablet CD...

Your complete model number may help.... (CF-18XXXXXXX)

Rick

 

Actually giving out non-wiped machine? stupid IT people. That should never happen.

Since the computer isn't formatted, do you know what company it used to belong to before they sold it away? Or any chance to identify it from the software installed?

Easiest thing would be contacting the previous owners, especially if they are local and ask them for install discs. Then wipe the laptop with DBAN and do clean install yourself. Besides, they would probably want to know if the lease company (or some employee even) sells computers unwiped.

 

model number is CF-18NHHMBBM thanks for the help guys-JOEYD

 

CF-18NHHMBBM Description:
Intel Pentium M 753 1.2GHz ULV (Centrino), 10.4" Touch Screen XGA, 60GB, 512MB, Intel 802.11a+b+g, Dual pass through, Win XP SP2, TPM 1.2, Verizon EVDO, Bluetooth, No Drive

 

JOEYD..... Have you tried F2 on startup to see if you can get into the BIOS ??? My guess it has one since you cannot go anywhere in windows, it's the same way at my work.... What I mean is if the IT guy went to all that trouble to disable all that stuff in windows and forgot to put a password on the BIOS well he is not much of a IT guy
If you can get into it then I would do a formatte and install XP Pro and start from scratch.
If it has a BIOS password then you need to find out where it came from and see if they could tell you it or sadly you have yourself a fine looking paper weight which I hope you don't.

 

Off.
I had a similar problem with CF-18 second hand from UK.
It come without OS. But when I did try to install new Windows XP, the access to Hard DD was refused, Windows was unable to format the hard. We also did try with Harens butCD, try access to the hard from other PC, but nothing. The hard was locked and protected with the password.
I did claim and seller sent me another 40Gb IBM Hard. And same situation!!!! inaccessible.
Than I bough third HDD from the market. And things was OK. Formated, Instaled XP, drivers and so.
The two locked Hards I sold for parts, with the reservation that, if some guru unlock them, to tell me. Nobody call me