Trying to load XP

I bought a new 80GB HD
And a new (never used) copy of Windows Xp PRO

how do I load the new operating system onto the new HD

I do not have the restore disk, I bought the computer used on E-bay

 

Dave.... Welcome to the forum! We have a lot of new members coming on board as Toughbooks increase in popularity. So much so that we have created "Stickies" at the top of the Panasonic forum. You can click on the one for CF-29s and read, read, read. (I started writing this on your other one that Tomcat just deleted... But all Toughbooks are similar in the way their drivers are downloaded and installed.) Toughbooks are not like the Dull laptops... You don't just download EXE drivers and install them. If you do not have restore disks (which install your drivers automatically) you will have to learn which ones to get based up on your EXACT model number. (Or MK#) The stickies are filled with links to authorized download sites where you can download the proper drivers. If you read further in the stickies you will see that the drivers should be installed in the proper order.

Some will require that you install the driver and then update an existing drivers... Other will require you to go into device manager and click on the yellow exclamation point to install that driver (Hotkey Driver)....

So read the stickies as they are all filled with tons of info... Not only on how to install your OS but also other items that you will eventually become involved with.... Believe me.... You just stumbled into Toughbookland. You'll have some frustration but a heck of a lot of fun.

And you can tell if/when you have "The Disease" because you'll feel the need to suddenly have 2-3 more Toughbooks!

 

Dave, I don't mean it in a bad way but have you even attempted this before on other PCs or notebook?? If yes, the same basics apply; setting the boot device in your bios, partitioning, etc.

Installing the OS won't be an issue, probably a few hiccups installing the drivers in a fixed order. A good learning experience. What's the full model number?

Your 51 may not have the floppy drive but it definitely have a DVD/CDRW drive and the XP disc is bootable... so... urm... what's your problem again??

ah yes, and welcome to the nuthouse... taken your meds yet?

Ron in SG

 

Boot to cd with the windows disk
Download drivers for your model (download location found within stickys on the top of the forum)
Update drivers
Report back with any issues


Alex

 

I have a CF-51CCMDBBM
The BIOS is set to boot from the CD first, everything else is set properly.
The new Windows XP disk starts up and goes through formatting and setting up the partitions (NTFS), and installation of Windows.
It re-boots the computer after installation finishes, and has the following error
"Operating System Not Found"
I took the Hard disk out of the caddy, installed it in an external adapter to look at the disk with another computer. The windows folder was on the C partition, where I expected it to be.

What am I missing, I do not have the restore disk, but I have been able to locate the drivers I need.

Does anyone know why Windows cannot be found?

 

I have a CF-51CCMDBBM
The BIOS is set to boot from the CD first, everything else seems to be set properly.
The new Windows XP disk starts up and goes through formatting and setting up the partitions (NTFS), and installation of Windows.
It re-boots the computer after installation finishes, and has the following error
"Operating System Not Found"
I took the Hard disk out of the caddy, installed it in an external adapter to look at the disk with another computer. The windows folder was on the C partition, where I expected it to be.

What am I missing, I do not have the restore disk, but I have been able to locate the drivers I need.

Does anyone know why Windows cannot be found? Or What I did not do correctly?

 

What happens if you change the boot order back to C: ? Also when you did the format did you do the quick format? Try to redo the setup but choose the full format NTFS of the partition. I have had problems booting after doing the quick format.

 

How many partitions do you have and how large is your hard drive and is the hard drive jumper set to master? The other thing you can try is to boot the install disk and go to the repair console and when you get to the command prompt type fixmbr. It will ask for the disk letter, type c an hit enter and this should fix the master boot record and windows will be seen by the computer and should boot.

 

Hit F2 while booting and enter bios
Change first boot order to hard drive first
Try again
Check bios version and report


Alex

 

I have not tried the command prompt FIXMBR method ye> I did make a boot disk on a floppy but have not used it yet. Changing the BIOS from CD to HD after installation did not help. I really don't want to send it to Panasonic for repair.

And to answer the question before it is asked. The computer arrive in working order with a trial copy of Windows 7. The software I need to use is not supported by Windows 7. There is not a good method of reverting back to XP. That was when I purchased a new HD to install XP. The HD is excatly the same size (80 GB) and model, neither have a master drive jumper.

 

There is no need to go to that expense, with a little patience I believe that we can help you get it running correctly.

 

I would rather buy another CF-51 with XP and "Ghost Copy" the HD that give Panasonic Service the money. I haven't given up yet, still have some things to try.

 

Is this a Mark 4 or 5? Do you happen to have a flash drive stuck in the SDHC port?

Ignore the above comment!

Thanks to toughasnails it is obvious that I did not carefully read the post. as this is a CF-51 and not a CF-29!

Still, and I am all for helping everyone, but this is more of a "Computers 101" question and not particularly Toughbook specific.

IMHO there is nothing wrong with directing folks to read the stickies, and then, if they are having problems with something to come back and ask. The wording on many questions makes it obvious that many folks skip this this step.

 

I just checked Panasonic site , I think its a MK1LL

 

I am having the same problem with a CF29 mk5 I got in a few days ago. I cannot get it to boot from the CD drive. I have searched and searched the stickies and cannot find the one to troubleshoot my problem. not trying to hijack the thread but this seems like the right time if there ever was one to make a complaint. You guys that have been here for ever and may also be moderators can be so quick to demand that a poster "READ THE STICKYS". Well this is not my forum and I am just a regular guy with a toughbook. That being said how about you just let a guy make his post, ask his question and if you are annoyed then don't read it more than once. If the guru's that shove the sticky's in everyones face are so up on where the needed info is then cut and paste the sticky and leave the condescending comments out of your reply. I have seen this going on since before I got a screen name. I know you gurus are nice guys, I have read your replies, hundreds of them. personally I like seeing repeat questions. I think it keeps things fresh and new people with new knowledge make a comment. You guys really need to let anything Windows 7 related run it's course. Nobody is an expert on CF29 windows 7 so far as I can tell. OK there I said what I have been thinking for months, let the hate mail begin. good luck davehoss

 

@ willpelton, If you had spent as much time explaining your problem as you did complaining you might have an answer by now! We get impatient with questions like, "what's the fastest processor I can put in my CF-29" and the like. Be specific, did the CD Drive work before you started to do whatever you are doing, have you swapped in a new hard drive, what exactly have you tried so far? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO??? This is not a paid support site, everything you get here you get through the generosity of your fellow members. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, and don't kick it in the ba!!s either.
CAP

 

That is an unusual problem, and not everything is covered in the stickys,or else the forum would only need to be read only lol

In order to use the cd as boot it needs to be seen in the bios and to be selected as first boot device

Could you post some details on whats happening and what you have tried ,so we can help narrow down the problem


Alex

 

I have done the F2 while booting suggestion and changed the boot from HD to CD and back again, to no avail. The Windows XP disk loads into the Windows subdirectory and does a re-start. This is when "No Operating system found" appears. This is after I have changed the BIOS to HD boot. This is not a "Computers 101" problem, I have never had this trouble with other laptops, only Panasonic. I think what I need is a Panasonic recover disk, I have a restore disk but it is for loading the drivers after the Operating System is functioning.
Anyone out there have any other suggestions to try?

 

I have never worked on a CF-51, but I have loaded XP on CF-07, 18, 27, 28, 29, 30, and M34s using an OEM Dell disk. For what it's worth I don't think you need recovery disks, I think there is something wrong with your XP disk, new or not. Grabbing a Dell OEM disk should be fairly easy, there are lots of Dells around.The Dell install will activate just fine with your Panasonic COA.
CAP

 

The same thing happened to me on my CF-51 (MK3) ,I had to take the DVD/RD-RW out of the boot order all together . In the bios highlight the CD press " X " to take it out. After it restarted and I loaded all the drivers I put it back in the boot order.Works fine now.......at least that problem is fine.

Also do a search on yahoo for DFQX3820MAU . He has what you need, I got mine there. It is over but I would email him.

 

"Fine" as in... it boots, it load apps and accessible from DOS and windoze?

That's mighty strange... what have you been drinking?

Ron in SG

 

I ran into a problem trying to boot to cd on my CF-50. I ended up downloading a floppy boot image, booted to it, and then rebooted to cd. Kudos to PLoP, btw, nifty little utility.