Toughbook CF-31 No Sound

I have recently acquired a CF-31. It's in excellent condition, not a scratch on it.

It came from the original owner with a locked up version of XP on it. I installed Win 7 Enterprise on it and away we went. Of course I had a couple of drivers that had issues and I downloaded the drivers to fix them ( off the P-Sonic website). I had no exclamation points left in my devices so I figured I was good to go. Unfortunately, I have no sound. The sound driver shows it's ok, but I deleted and re installed anyways.

I thought possibly it was the sticky headphone jack syndrome. There is no sound from either the speaker or headphones if you plug them in. If you click on the speaker in the icon tray, the sound bar goes up just like it's outputting sound.

It's a CF-31 mk1, Value. It's a Core i3 with 2MB of RAM. I figured I could upgrade to 8MB of RAM anytime I wanted. The hard drive is a little small too but that's easy to fix as well.

I need this fine tool for my vehicle and I really like it, but no sound isn't going to let it be useful to me.

CF-31GT
Win 7 Enterprise
2MB RAM

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook Forum

Do you know if it had sound when it had XP on it ? What is the full model number of your CF-31 ??

 

Power pull reset to drain everything out of the motherboard....

quoted intructions.....Try removing the main power, battery and cmos battery, and it would not hurt to pull the ram as well. Cycle the power switch multiple times, holding it on for a few seconds each time. Install the cmos battery, ram, and plug in the main power. ......

I never tried on a Toughbook, but to test the speakers and general sound, I used to hold down any key during post/boot up.. Push the key and hold it as soon as I hit the power button....That would trigger an error and the motherboard will send a BEEP.

 

Did you install all the hotkey drivers and the Panasonic Misc Driver ?

So you are saying you only used a few drivers from Panasonic ?? and the rest were loaded by W7. This could be your problem since Panasonic has about 30 drivers for your CF-31 that are custom made for it.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/pan...ss-sound-internal-speakers-6.html#post9669560

 

Lets see....

I only replaced the drivers that were in error or not working properly. When I did that, I used the ones from Panasonic.

My full model is: CF-31GT2AX2M


I do not remember installing the hotkey drivers as one of the 4 that were faulty.

 

Model Number:
CF-31GT2AX2M
Status:
DISCONTINUED
MSRP:
$3,579
Description: WinXP (Win7 COA), Intel Core i3-350M 2.26GHz, No vPro, 13.1" XGA Touch, 160GB, 2GB, Atheros WiFi b/g/n, No TPM, Bluetooth, Single Pass (WWAN), Lightweight Battery, No Drive, Toughbook Preferred


The easiest solution is to first of all, get an official Win7 recovery dvd for it.

 

Panasonic's are very fussy about drivers and sound drivers in particular. I had installed a newer, non-Panasonic, version of a sound driver on my CF-19, which worked OK, until I hit mute. Nothing would bring back sound until I removed the main battery AND the CMOS battery, and drained all power before I hooked things back . Reinstalling the Panasonic driver fixed the issue.

Panasonic drivers also interact like no other laptop I've seen. Installing in correct order is vital.

Since the Win7 recovery CD is available and relatively cheap, I'd start there if the battery/powerdrain/correct driver trick doesn't solve it.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Solution is above.

Nope. Not important at all. I always install drivers in the order I want (random) )
Under Win 8.1 64 all functions work as they should now on my 19 MK4 except of auto-rotation. Even front buttons
It's possible to use some drivers from newer systems (19 mk6/7)

 

OK, I went to the Panasonic website and filled out the form for the recovery CD.

It said somebody will be in touch with me for payment information. Why would they not just let you enter it online?

So thank you so far, you all have been a great help, even though it's not fixed yet.

I will keep you all updated since this has been so helpful.

If you have other ideas, please keep posting.


Thanks

 

The first thing you need to do is cut your problem in half and answer the first question, "is it a hardware or software problem?" To do this easily, burn a Ubuntu Live DVD and boot from that without installing. In Ubuntu point to a sound file, or go to YouTube. You have sound, the problem is software, no sound, the problem is hardware. Once you do this refer to the appropriate prior posts for help. Easy!

 

If you live in the good old USA then you need to call Heartland Services @ 1-913-685-8855 . They handle all Panasonic's service work and parts. If they still have the DVD in stock then it's $35.00 free next day shipping but if you need parts then watch out because shipping charges start at around $25.00 and up...yes a $5.00 part will cost you about $30.00 shipped. When or if you call you will need the Toughbook in front of you. She will need some info on the bottom of it.

Heartland Services

 

Do as Azrial recommends and try Ubuntu to test first. Then PM Rob to get a copy of the Recovery Disk.

Or if you want to stick with Enterprise, then you need to download ALL the drivers from Panasonic for your laptop and install them. As BaRRmaley states... Order is not important any more... It used to be but generally I start out with the video driver then the three Hotkey drivers and apps. Then sound, then misc, common components, etc.

 

I'm downloading Ubuntu right now. I will reply back when I get some results. Thanks for all of the help.

 

Alright...

I downloaded Ubuntu. Burned it to a disc.

Booted up on this laptop with Ubuntu (just tested it and not installed it)

went to YouTube and played a video. I did not have sound. I also tried listening through headphones, they were quiet as well. I also went into sound properties and did the sound test with no results either.

This is starting to not bode well for the audio. I assume this means there may be a hardware problem?


Thanks

 

Problem with hands.dll only
Your sound is muted and you can unmute it by hotkey utility and, after that, Fn+F4.

 

Not always a hardware issue..

Another member had a similar issue with a CF29...The only thing that repaired it was the Windows restore disk.....Apparently Windows somehow muted the sound on the mainboard...The full restore via the official dvd was the only thing that restored the sound.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/588054-cf-29l-audio-problumes.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/537010-cf-29-lost-audio-output.html#post6927740

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/635228-cf-29hwlgzbm-no-sound.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/639422-i-thought-i-done.html

 

I had a similar issue randomly happen with a Cf-52, clean install of Windows with clean install of drivers fixed it

 

The mute and un-mute icon does show and hide when the Fn-F4 is depressed, it will not change the fact that is no sound though.

I suppose I will wait for that call from their support so I can buy the Restore DVD.

 

I posted this in the wrong place ....though it make sense there too. Lucky.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/pan...ss-sound-internal-speakers-6.html#post9820908

Good luck.

There's a post rattling around re:using msconfig and checking a box. (maybe un-checking it) I'll look and see if I can beat Shawn to it.

HERE: Read this section. http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/658465-cf-19-sound-no-sound.html#post8461322

Applies if you have all the correct drivers and possibly if you do not.

End edit.

 

here here here

 

Have you done the complete power reset yet? Pull main battery, CMOS battery, push power buttons, then reconnect batteries. Only way to reset sound card that gets hung up by bad drivers. Double check bios settings when done.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

I'm... surprised.
Solution was already mentioned 4 or 5 times only in this topic.
I'm sure topicstarter has to buy recovery CD, if those steps are too difficult.

 

Its all worth a try. I actually like trying different things and learning new ideas. I have never messed with Ubuntu before and now I have something else to play with. I am really thankfull for all of the input.

I also stated that I am just waiting for them to contact me about the CD/DVD. I am unsure why you just can't pay and order it but it says "we will contact you for payment information". I'm just waiting for that call or email. I'm writing down all the info off the stickers on the bottom and taking it along with me to work.

 

Just think if you called them Monday morning you could have this Tuesday afternoon for cheaper than Panasonic will charge you...

 

All good stuff here- please let us know how you make out. Just ordered a recovery disk from Heartland. They will ask you for the entire model number and which disk you want- They only use FedEx as mentioned above. Also, as mentioned Rob here and on ToughBookTalk might have one too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

My recovery disk is on order. It should get shipped out tomorrow and be here on Thursday.

 

Come back and let us know how you made out.

 

Well, I got home and my disk was sitting here waiting for me.

I put it in, booted from the DVD and away we went.

I got the DOS looking screen that it was loading files. Then, it went to a windows boot screen. After that, it went to a windows background screen with a window in the middle of it. The window was entitled "Recovery". It said it was loading files. About 20 seconds later, it pops up another window up in top of it. This window says. Error, Your model is not supported. CF-31L-1.

I tried again with the same results. I have a DVD that is labeled CF-31 Series Product Recovery DVD-ROM Win 7 Pro, 32 bit.


Ideas?

I checked all the info I gave them and it is correct.

 

Can you post a close photo of the recovery DVD?
I need to be able to read all of the writing on it.

Like this photo of a CF30 recovery DVD..
If you look at the bottom, in the box.....MK2-XP2M......
That tells me it's for a Mark2, It's a XP service pack 2 image, and the M indicates North America.

 

MK1-7PM32


Mark 1, windows 7, 32 bit

My model is a CF31 mark1


Edit to add.... It's the incorrect DVD.

I am supposed to have a MK1L-7PM32 I will have to call Heartland back.....

The "L" is for LOW BUDGET model.........that is what this rig is.

 

Mate, just so you know...some of us see this do not respond. In my case because I don't have an answer. So....it's with you in spirit if not in knowledge.

Hang in there.

J'd

 

Moral support....:thumbsup:

 

I've had this happen before. Try calling Heartland back and tell them your short story clearly. They sent me out the correct disk overnight. :hi2:Take care and keep in touch.

 

Time for an update.....

I had to wait a few days after I called Heartland for them to get "my"disk in stock before they could send it out. I ran the DVD and this time it didn't yell at me and tell me it was the incorrect one. I ran trough the system restore. Everything seemed good after the restore so I cloned my drive onto a new 512GB SSD I had bought for it as well.

I'm using it to send this message, new drive and sound. I think now that everything seems fine, I will get the emissive chicklet keyboard for it to finish it off.

I would like to thank you all for your support. It's too often that when posting on forums, messages just overlooked or blown off. You folks stick with it and really try to help. You all have great ideas. Sure, some of them might not have been my answer, but I did try them all and take them all in with the same amount of validity.

Now I have to get a vehicle docking station for it and install it into my M925A1.

 

Blade... Congrats! Glad you figured it out. One thing... If you read up on installing SSDs they say that you should do a fresh installation and not clone. Something about cloning from a std hard drive to a SSD makes it degrade over time... Something like that. You may want to do a fresh installation on your SSD. (Unless you cloned from SSD to SSD.

If you have maxed out your ram and installed your SSD... You will notice a bug difference in just about every aspect!

 

Or use Paragon Partition alignment tool in the end of cloning.

 

I will get the Paragon Partition Alignment tool and run it, thank you.


Now, I will run this thread off topic....I see I have the "Single pass (WWAN)". I assume that is the single antenna model so my docking station should be the Single passthrough antenna model? I think I am correct, but I figured I may as well ask. It seems docks are available in no antenna, single antenna and dual antenna models.

I hope to find something on fleabay because I'm not looking to put $600 in a dock.

 

You should be able to find a dock for under $100. Yes... You want a single pass-through dock. If you don't intend on using it... It won't matter. Just don't get the dual-pass connector.