What is the difference between the Recovery Disk Image and Standard Windows + Driver Pack?

Hello list members

I have just purchased a CF-18 mk-II on EBay. It is one of the CF-18DHB22KA units that is coming out of Australia (from what I can tell this is an ex-Telstra field service unit with an integrated Sierra CDMA module).

The system came from the EBay seller with an OS installed on it (Win XP tablet edition). The OS seems to have been cloned off an IBM tablet (or installed from an IBM tablet recovery CD). So I'd like to blow the OS away and install a fresh OS image.

Before I go hunting for a recovery CD, I'd like to know if there is any difference at all between the recovery disk image and a standard Windows install + driver pack?

Secondly, can anybody tell me the part number for the Recovery CD that I'd need to image this system?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

There is a difference and there isn't... The Recovery Disks will install the OS plus all the dirvers at the same time. The install takes about 10-15 minutes total then the normal setup time for adding your name, downloading updates etc.

You can also use a regular OS CD by using the COA that is on the bottom of your laptop. After installation you will manually need to install all the drivers. Some install by double clicking on them... Some must be installed by updating drivers in Device Manager

You really don't need a part number... Just a set of recovery disks for a CF-18 MK2 model number CF-18DHB22KA. Heartland Services should be able to help you out. Please view the top sticky for their phone number.

 

I saw the link to Heartland Services, but unfortunately that's of no help to me.

Heartland Services does not carry recovery CDs for models which are not sold in the USA (which includes the CF-18DHB22KA) and Heartland Services does not sell to customers who are not located in the USA (such as myself).

Does the Recovery CD image contain any bundled software or utilities that aren't part of the base OS install?


Edit - I'm happy install a generic image and the driver pack, I just need to know if this will result in an identical system image to the one on the Recovery CD.

 

BBB,
See the thread "CF-18 buttons...". A recovery disk from heartlandsi would certainly simplify things. I've been curious, what kind of shape are these in? And what's in them other than the cdma modem. The model # comes up not listed on the configurator, so its a custom from the factory or the dealer. I'm not sure why XP tablet is loaded as it should be a touchscreen model which shipped with XP Pro. Do the tablet buttons work? Thanks in advance for your reply, and welcome to the forum.
CAP

 

They're in pretty good shape. Though they've clearly been well used by the field technicians (as my unit has the usual dings, dents, and worn paint on the external case). All of the rubber seals are intact.

They're touchscreen units with a stylus (so there's a serial port on the back). Other than that the hardware is essentially stock. The battery is original and seems to be good for around two hours of use. The charger is Fujitsu branded, so I assume it was replaced/provided by the EBay vendor.

I haven't played with the CDMA modem at all. I assume it is an EVDO unit. You can download the modem driver from the following link:

http://www.panasonic.com.au/support...D=3920&productCategoryID=81&formSubmitted=yes

It is definitely loaded with XP tablet edition. I think the vendor has used an IBM recovery disk (or cloned an IBM tablet) as there's a bunch of IBM specific drivers sitting in a dedicated folder in C:\

The tablet buttons don't work in the image as was shipped.

However given the low price they're selling for, I think it was a good deal. I don't mind reloading the OS.

 

BBB,
Then I'm afraid your best bet is to load the OS which matches your COA and down load the drivers and put them in. It is a PIA, but I don't think you are going to find a recovery disk set for that machine. I have got everything working on mine except the tablet buttons, but my friends to the North assure me that we'll get that done.
CAP

 

[email protected]

Is the contact email to try to get a restore disk set

The software that is installed using the restore disk is a very basic windows xp pro load
That’s a benefit though , unlike other brands of laptops and desktops on the market Panasonic’s are not loaded with bloatware , 3 month trial programs etc. like other manufacturers do to their models

The restore cd’s are an image of the hard drive and as toughbook and Cap have said require very little work on your end to get the unit up and running to a factory condition

The original cd’s are exclusive to each model and mk series as well as the restore has drivers only for the model that they were originally intended for as hardware changes between mk#s, and finally the restore cd’s for your model has to match the windows coa as well as the cf-18’s were available with w2000,xp pro, and xp tablet as option’s
For example there is a possibility of aprox 15 different restore cd sets for the cf-18 , and each set has to be for the intended model # or you will get an error message when booting saying “model not supported”

My post is in “CF-18 Drivers and Buttons” and is quite clear and comprehensive on loading your exact model using a oem xp pro disk and your coa which you will have hopefully still intact on the bottom of your cf-18

The only difference in the end between restoring and doing a fresh load the way I have described in that post is the length of time required and the oem info and background that Panasonic installs automatically , and I put that info in manually anyways

Alex

 

Quick question about using the COA on the bottom of toughbooks... will a regular XP retail CD work, or does it have to be an OEM one? Does it matter which service pack? This is in reference to a CF-29...

Thanks!!

 

If you have a valid COA it will load.

 

The service Pack does not seem to matter, but in my experience the oem keys will only work on a oem disk , they will not work on a retail cd
And of coarse you need an xp pro disk , not an xp home disk for our toughbooks

Alex

 

I have noticed the restore DVD on newer models incorporates a few extra things over the standard windows disk.

1. It loads all drivers and software automatic (the obvious)
2. It loads the reference manual and important info manuals.
3. it puts link to the manuals embedded in windows (like the control panel or start panel)
4. For me it added the ability to control screen brightness thru vista in the control panel and before with just a vista install this was not an option.
5. Also bluetooth software for most models is impossible to find on the download site but comes preloaded with the recovery disk.

That is all i can really think of at the moment. It is so much easier to use a restore disk but they are pricey and hard to come by for some models so sing a OEM disk is not a problem just download all the drivers you need to CD or a USB drive and the load em up after you install windows.

-James

 

I work for a Panasonic Reseller who just puchased a large quantity of these. They have the wrong image on them (you can't run tablet nicely with touch). They have to be completly reloaded. (we found out the hardway

I do have a restore disk that works but it is my companies.

 

As far as I know, and we do quite a few of them, because of the ins and outs of the toughbooks, it needs to be a panasonic restore disk.

What model cf-29 are you trying to reload?

 

Actually it CAN be done as is described in this thread.

This has been discussed and answered... Thread closed.