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That's another one of Rob's sites

 

How do I go about installing windows 7 on my CF-30 mk3 Core2Duo. Currently running win vista business. Should I install 32 or 64 but?

 

Find board member "Rob"
Buy a recovery DVD from him
Run the DVD and 15 minutes later it will be done
Windows 7 ...32 bit

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook Forum

What is the full model number of your CF-30 ? If you have a W7 COA on the bottom of your 30 the restore disk is what you need but if it's a Vista COA then you will need to get a Windows 7 Pro disk/COA and install all the drivers one by one. Like Shawn said stick to 32bit system. You can get all the drivers here Official Support Download Center of the Drivers, Manuals and FAQs | TOUGHBOOK | TOUGHPAD | Panasonic Global Notebook PC

 

I have the Vista COA but really would like to upgrade to Win 7 because of some the programs require win XP or newer. Thanks

 

You should look into buying a SSD too. Best upgrade you can give your CF-30

 

Vista is newer than XP

 

I just noticed that...good catch Shawn...I need more coffee. BTW got your PM and will let you know

 

Haha you are correct.

 

I would like to upgrade my non touchscreen cf-30 to a touchscreen. I can squire the entire screen, lid, bezel etc for pretty reasonable price. Would I have to just download the drivers and utility software? Or is there more involved?

 

Swap the entire lid assembly and install the drivers..
That's it as long as the replacement lid has a good touchscreen in it.

Mk1 to mk1
mk2 and mk3 are interchangeable......

 

Is there a way to tell if the kid came off a mk1 or mk2/3?

 

Ask the seller?

There is a difference in the connector that plugs into the motherboard..

 

Not to flame... But you should really spend some time reading... These are elementary questions.

 

Hello all,

Well I finally did it and bought me a new (to me) Panasonic Toughbook MK3 CF-30 off of ebay ( Panasonic Toughbook CF 30 MK3 C2D 1 6GHz 4GB 160GB DVDRW GPS 3G Gobi BT TS Win 7 | eBay) This will be replacing an older CF-19. So did I make a good choice??

 

You sure did...it's a nice one. Fully loaded one.

Model Number : CF-30KCPRQ2B
Status : DISCONTINUED
MSRP : $2,200


Description: WinXP ( Win7 COA), Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 1.60GHz (Centrino2), vPro, 13.3" XGA Touch, 160GB, 2GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, TPM, Bluetooth, Dual Pass (Upper:WWAN/Lower:WLAN), Emissive Backlit Keyboard, GPS, Gobi, No Drive, Toughbook Preferred

 

AWEMOME!!!!! I can't wait to get it. I hope that my Garmin Mobile PC program works with the internal GPS engine. I also wonder what kind of GOBI card is installed?

 

I think it's a GOBI 2000

 

Yes Garmin Mobile PC will work...

 

Just want to thank you all for these "official" threds. Been a great help for learning my T/B's.

 

Now if only everyone would read these.....

 

Yea, I messed up. Actually I had read it when I joined. I just had a head up my third point of contact moment.

 

This was the first one I read. http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...yone-who-posts-in-the-panasonic-forum.351660/
Then had CRS.

 

How to install HP un2420 Gobi2000 card in to Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 MK1 with Windows 7

 

Wow - I've been on here for the pas several days just absorbing as much as I possibly can about all of the features, mods and upgrades on my single most sought-after PC ever (and now....finally...very affordable). I've had a CF-52 @ work for 8 years (despite my IT department raising their brow at why I insist on keeping that particular machine and not getting a newer non-rugged laptop with faster stuff....NO-BRAINER - the 52 has worked flawlessly for everything I need it to do, why downgrade to an inferior model just because it's newer?). Well - my own 30 MK2 factory refurb with Win7Pro will be here next week and the wait was well worth it. I already have a 480GB SSD on its way to take care of that part, and a host of other necessary add-ons and such are also on their way, so I should have her fixed up exactly the way I want in no time. As long as these things last, I plan to be happily using the "new" 30 for many years to come. So far, I have found this site to be the single most beneficial and useful resource anywhere on the net for these things - VERY impressive! The vast amount of knowledge and sharing ups/downs/pitfalls/victories is a goldmine to me, and will save not only a lot of time and headaches (and potential for screwing up my machine somehow), but also a lot of money along the way by knowing what to invest in (because it works) and what to stay away from (because it doesn't). I passed on several (MANY) "fully loaded" used ones on ebay when I came across the factory refurb, with the expectation that it will be a much safer investment in the long run...and I can load it up with exactly what I want (and how I want it)... I'll be sticking around here quite a bit & I'll share how things go with my machine along the way.

 

OK.. I received my factory refurb CF-30.... Fit and Finish is 100% (literally like NEW)... I do have an issue with "advertised versus delivered (they advertised WIN7 64 Bit and it has WIN7 32 Bit), but...it is literally like NEW....AND. It has a fingerprint reader (which was not advertised in the deal I purchased), so I will demand free shipping - $24...and call it good (the unit is in PRISTINE condition and runs FANTASTIC)! So far, I am very impressed with EVERY part of this machine....I believe I have gotten every penny's worth....and now to make it MINE...via upgrades.. I could not be happier with this particular unit! (there are some driver issues to address...everything is reporting OK in the Device manager....but everything is also loaded on Microsoft drivers....)

 

If you got a free fingerprint with it I would not complain. They sell for $100.00 . That just adds value to the 30.

 

Definitely not complaining...BUT... I paid for 2-day shipping and received 7 day delivery...and the advertised product was with WIN7 64 bit...and it has WIN7 32 bit....I think the least they could do is give me free shipping, as I was planning to bump the memory to 8GB due the advertised 64 bit WIN7....I can live with 4GB MEM with 32BIT WIN7...but I paid for a few things i did not get, so my view is to get free shipping at least (the unit is, in fact, STELLAR, at the very least....but the service should be what I paid for...)

 

The fingerprint reader works GREAT....only because I found and installed the proper software...and I am working thiough the Panny drivers now (the Microsoft drivers leave out the hotkeys, etc....). The unit itself is PHENOMENAL! Like NEW!! SWEEET!!

 

Thought 30's were ddr2 ?
Did they make a ddr3 cf-30?

 

All are DDR2 200 pin SODIMM. PC4200 for the Mk1 and Mk2 - PC5300 for the Mk3

 

No DDR3 for the 30's...only DDR2.

 

So one would have to use this type of ram to achieve 8gb .
8GB KIT (2X4GB) 800Mhz SODIMM DDR2 PC2-6400 200-Pin MEMORY For Compaq EliteBook 8530W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...IMM,_DDR2_PC2-6400-_-9SIA7252PZ4467-_-Product

Yea. Not for my wallet. Way to rich for me. I'll stick 32gb and be happy.
As many systems as I've decommissioned, I have YET to come across ddr2 in 4gb sticks for laptops.

 

That is one reason why I stick with 32bit OS

 

So another update on my CF-30....I've gone through it from top to bottom...installed all of my necessary software (MS Office suite, Photoshop, utils, etc....) and installed the new 480 GB SSD....and tinkered with just about every aspect of it. The ONLY thing i haven't been successful with is the hotkey function to control screen brightness (although it IS controllable through the driver control GUI). I was a bit disappointed in the Win7 32 Bit instead of the advertised Win7 64 bit (specifically for the lack of ability to jump up to 8gb memory), BUT...the Win 7 32 bit has been perfectly fine with my Photoshop and everything else (the SSD helps), so I am absolutely fine with the system exctly the way it is. I copied of an image of the orig HDD, and then again of the SSD with most everything installed. Bought an extra brand new battery and a new Media Bay battery (never hurts to have maximum juice available). Everything is working flawlessly and I am 100% happy with this machine. Finally....THE PC I've wanted for years (similar to when I finally got my Toyota MR2 Spyder....). I'd recommend this machine to anybody who wants a sexy, dependable, indestructible PC!

 

So another update on my CF-30... the more I use it, the more I love it. I must say, I like this keyboard much better than any other keyboard I've ever used. Great feel to it and it is spaced just right. And the ONLY thing I was having an issue with (the screen brightness not functioning via the F1/F2) somehow resolved itself. Works perfectly fine now and everthing else is working great as well. I loaded my Photoshop Elements 12 and Premiere Elements 12 on it (I left the full Photoshop CS off...it seems to be a bit more hoggish on the resources), and all of my other tools and utilities...and it seems to handle them perfectly fine.

I did some testing with the responsiveness of the CDRW/DVD versus using ISO images with Magic Disc (I know it's not, per se, a multimedia powerhouse, but I still enjoy taking some movies, etc with me when I travel), and I found that watching DVDs via having the ISO stored on the SSD (plenty of room, plus I keep most of them handy on an external USB WD Passport to swap on and off of the SSD as needed) is far more smooth, quick and responsive (no-brainer, as the SSD has a MUCH better read/write speed than does the optical PATA interface. That also leaves my media bay free for the 2nd battery (I can simply keep the CDRW/DVD in a storage pouch and pop it in when I need it for something....I love having the extra battery power and longer runtimes). I did also get a brand new main battery for it (no idea how the lifecycle of the one that it came with was...and while it seems to be in new condition, it could easily be the original battery)...the original still works fine, but the brand new one works much better (easily 3 more hours use for each charge) ...so I can keep the charged orig on standby in case I need a quick swap without a long charge cycle while on the go.

I found my Express slot smart card reader works better than my PCMCIA slot smart card reader (already had both on hand, as I have to use my work ID with a smart chip to log in to our network remotely), so that's what I'm using...the PCMCIA card reader can also sit in stand-by in the event it ever becomes necessary...

Overall - absolutely stellar machine. Everything seems to be working exactly as it should, and it is tactical-sexy. Also loving the fingerprint reader! Works like a dream and I use it quite a lot!

 

I've used Dell branded DDR2 4GB sticks (believe they are Samsung?) on several Pany DDR2 models with good results. Find them on Fleabay for around $50-60 each after some searching. Agree with Shawn and Blair not really needed by most folks but good for multiple virtual machines . . .

 

Oh heck Spring, I've mixxed and matched all brands or ram, as long as same speed I'm always happy with the end results. It's the 4GB per stick factor that I was trying to example. Too costly for me.

 

WINDOWS 10 on the CF-30 Mk2.... My review

So just for a little fun, I gave a spin on my dear SF-30 MK2 (which, a bit over a month into ownership - I still absolutely LOVE) with the new Windows 10 upgrade offered free to licensed Win7 and Win8 machines. My TB came with a beautiful and absolutely completely functional Win7 Pro 32 Bit OS installed by Panasonic (factory refurb - like new in all aspects)...

Since it is running flawlessly with Win7, I didn't want to screw things up, so I freshly imaged my current drive to a backup 350GB HDD I had in the cabinet (my "ace up the sleeve HDD" for this machine) to perform my little experiment on...

After maybe 5 or 6 false starts (install sequences that ended for no apparent reason at the very beginning) it installed Win10. Pretty....ANNOYING! It did take a little bit of time to get the drivers all loaded through the WIn10 "assimilation process" (best name I could think of with this), but after tinkering with it a bit, I hated it in about every single aspect. Slower load, slower response to everything, and BUGGY AS HELL. Plus, I'm not a fan of the hunting porcess to find my programs (I do have a newer Dell 2-in-1 notebook/tablet that came preinstalled with WIn8.1, and I hated 8.1 until I installed a 3rd party classic shell to give it a WIn7 menu and functionality, although I occasionally do peruse the apps via the "metro" tile screens).
So, after a day of tinkering, I'd had enough and I spent the next few hours fighting with it, using the "easy" process it offered called "Go Back To WIndows 7"...It wasn't easy, and failed numerous times before it finally did its thing (I wanted my backup imaged drive to be good for a quick swap if ever needed)...To be safe, I re-imaged my current, flawless SSD drive I normally run in the TB to the backup drive again before putting that drive back in the cabinet for a rainy day (I like to have a failsafe working drive ready to go in case I get struck by lightning or something whilst using my TB and somehow lose my current SSD.). In retrospect, I should have just skipped right to the re-image of my SSD to the backup HDD, but I wanted to work through successful un-installation of 10 and make the "Go Back to Windows 7" feature work the way it was supposed to.

Neither the installation/upgrade to 10 nor the "Go Back" feature was "easy" nor did either work without numerous runs at it (and I am a fairly accomplished operating system installer/technician in a few ways...as I have been reinstalling operating systems and building computers from the ground up for several years with a pretty decent success rate at overcoming challenges with quirky installs, etc)

So my initial review of Windows 10 on the CF-30 Mk2 is, don't waste your time (I didn't count the hours I spent tinkering with the mess a complete waste...because I was able to determine, without any doubt, that I will be keeping my CF-30 equipped with the Windows 7 Pro that worked on it without fail and does every single thing I want it to do without a fight or endless workarounds).

 

Many are finding out just as you did. It's a big waste of time. Check out all the W10 threads below.

 

there is *something* that has been pinging in the back of my mind ...
i tried W8 in the beta stages ... while it did run faster than W7 the GUI and "layout" were not conducive to decent desk top operations .
i loaded "classic shell" like many others have done ... better but still no real joy .
fast forward to W8.1 ... some bug fixes but the GUI was the same ... still no joy .
(i did load 8.1 on the gf's comp but all she does is a little light surfing and watch netflix)
i beta tested the development of W10 ... it is mostly the same old wine in a brand new bottle ...
M$ didn't even bother to change the dress on the pig ... they just applied a little mascara and lipstick .
did i really believe that M$ would "change their ways" and turn away from the dark side ?
deep down i hoped that they would ,but alas and alack , they did not .
i tried W10 beta on my '30 and '52 --- just for fun --- i certainly am not going to waste my time by changing over to W10 on any of my machines .

 

Ok.... I have never heard anyone describe W10 like that.....I love it.

 

thanks ... i cannot claim it to be an original expression .
juuuussst remember the chorus from this song when ya get to thinkin' that trying it *one more time* things will be different .

 

Just stopped by to say hello, I haven't been around this forum in quite a long time. I agree windows 10 is not a good choice but it is the future with Microsoft. I'm using it now and I'm not pleased with it. But I cloned my win. 7 drive so not so hard to go back.

 

Windows 10 users who do anything illegal can and will be sued!

forum.notebookreview.com/threads
/windows-10-users-who-do-anything-illegal-can-and-will-be-sued.780319/

This is something that everyone needs to read. If you download movies or songs. Or whatever.

 

Have you read the EULA for Windows 7? I haven't but I wouldn't be surprised if it's not too different. Read this: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/useterms
Not that I would do this except for research purposes, see what happens if you have a pirated copy of Adobe CS5 running perfectly on your computer and you let Adobe Reader update itself.
CAP

 

What's the best place to get a replacement touch panel for a Mk1?

 

Right here...Techtuff
www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Touchscreen-panel-Panasonic-Toughbook-CF-29-CF-30-CF-73-CF-74-/221376946699?hash=item338b18220b

 

or maybe here www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-Toughbook-CF-30-13-3-Touchscreen-Complete-Screen-LCD-Hinges-/301718554907?hash=item463fd3c91b

or here from China

www.ebay.com/itm/New-Panasonic-TOUGHBOOK-CF-29-CF29-CF-30-CF30-CF-29-30-Laptop-TOUCH-SCREEN-Panel-/121420003188?hash=item1c45323774

www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-REPLACEMENT-For-Panasonic-TOUGHBOOK-CF-29-CF29-CF-30-CF30-TOUCH-SCREEN-Panel-/252010940361?hash=item3aad05c7c9

 

Got one ordered,what a pita. But it's a nice one so worth fixing.