Win 2000 to XP

Hi Guys,Thanks to this forum,i have now got my CF-28 up and running online using a 3com xjack card.
I am running win2000 prof.,but have no recovery discs.I do have an xp prof reinstallation from a long gone PC that came with XP installed.

Would you recommend changing the os to XP?.Can I do it from this disc as it is not an upgrade disc and I suspect a number of files will not be on it.

 

usually the disc's all have all the files. They just require you to put in a previous version disc to prove ownership of the older version. The reinstallation disc will require you to insert a serial number.

 

Not that anyone would do this, but it is possible to just continue installation without putting a serial number in. This would be beneficial if you want to see how XP runs on this older machine, make sure the TS works etc etc etc... Then put the license code in once you confirm that it runs right and you like it.

 

I put in the XP disc and get a message "Setup does not support upgrade from Windows 2000 Pro to XP Pro."So i am guessing it would have to be a new installation with the loss of existing files under win 2000.

Does anyone run XP on the CF-28 mk2 who used to run Win2000?

 

What model # is the 28?

Jason

 

From a previous post, I believe it is a CF-28PBJ12FE

 

Yes you can run XP on it . There is a restore disk for it but since your sticker is W2000 it might not work. You may have too use a regular XP Pro disk.

 

I think the xp restore disc was tried by another member. "Toughbook Rick"? The official restore disc reads the full model number in the bios and stops because it is for win2000. Unless you use a work around mentioned in another post.

 

Looks as if it could get in a mess doing a install from a XP restore disc.have to do a bit more research on this.it is a bit confusing as to the left of the touchpad is a windows label which states "Designed for Microsoft Windows XP".
Possibly a later add on I suppose.
Another slight issue I have ,is with the wireless 3com card,In the Internet connection wizard there is no option for a Wireless connection.Is this option only available in IE versions > 6?

 

Any windows XP disc will install windows on that machine provided you have a serial number and good COA. When toughasnails mentioned restore disc, we were referring to the official Panasonic restore disc made specifically for your laptop. Not any reinstallation disc that you may have.
The official restore disc from Panasonic reads the factory installed windows version from the bios and will not install any other version.
I have regularly used a Dell reinstall disc to install xp on a number of different computers. I did need a good XP serial number and COA for each machine.
A restore disc is very different from a reinstallation disc.

 

Had a think about it.I have an original XP home edition disc from my old DT(with Product key).I think I will try and save the utility/driver files from the CF28 and then do a fresh install from the XP disc and reinstall the Panasonic drivers afterwards.Maybe be holes in my theory though!

 

No holes that I know of. That's the way I did many Toughbooks until I got an official disc. I suggest that you download the XP drivers from Panasonic though. Don't try to use any win2000 drivers.

 

For some reason it has become standard wisdom around here that you need restore disks for your Toughbook. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just get an OEM XP disk, Dell ones work great, load XP and then the Panasonic drivers for your model. There are plenty of sources listed in the stickies. On your CF-28 it will probably take an hour or so. If you have an XP COA just enter the key and off you go. If you don't have the XP COA you need to buy a copy of XP, a junk CF-28 that has one, or some other LEGAL way to activate. There are work arounds but they aren't legal, this includes modifying your bios to work with restore disks for an operating system other than that for which it has a COA.(the CF-18 is a big enough PITA to justify paying for restore disks)
CAP

 

ehm.... http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/515589-how-use-wrong-oem-cd.html

Don't know if it's the same for the 28 as it is for the 29.... I would imagine so.

 

I've used the Dell disks on all my ToughBooks; multiple times. I've never had any issue with them failing to authenticate, and once I deleted the DELL folder and removed the entries in the registry (Took like 15 minutes the FIRST time, much quicker after that since I knew what I was looking for) and installed the drivers as per the directions posted in the stickies, I couldn't tell the difference from a retail version install.

mnem
DELL is good for SOMETHING...

 

Compaq's are good too! I once re purposed the old image cd's into a hovercraft (over volted 40mm cooling fan, food lion bag, super glue, you get the idea). Beyond that, they're only good for parts.

 

Hi Gents,I have done a clean install of XP pro(from a original Dell disc) and installed drivers etc,thanks to all the advice received on here.

I have one issue outstanding.I have a couple of applications for vehicle diags. that run fine except there screen display size is too big for the screen.IE i cannot see all the info simultaneously and in one case part of the screen display is actually cutoff completely and cannot be read by shifting the display.
The fit is out vertically and horizontally.Simple I thought, change the screen resolution,but it does not help.Tried updating drivers but no go.
Any suggestions?,Do I need to download a different video utility etc?
By the way the applications are displayed correctly on my Dell 1525.

 

You probably need to find a better video driver.

 

I'd more think you might have to look for a screen resolution setting in the application. It seems odd that a utility application like vehicle diagnostics would require a wide screen computer.
CAP

 

I didn't read your post carefully enough. I have seen OEM automotive applications that require specific resolutions in order to work. Especially parts applications where the diagrams are detailed.
The apps are many times written for specific hardware. They may use built in video drivers that you may be able to adjust from within the application, not with Windows video adjustments. "Cap" read your post it more carefully than I did.

 

Thanks Gents,I think you are on the right track.I cant see any way to set video within the applications themselves,so have emailed the company concerned to see if they can help.

I just found another issue ,I am unable to load the Speed step utility.The setup starts,goes off the display nothing further happens to complete the installation.It is for win2k though as I dont see an application for XP.Is this an incompatibility issue with the mk2?

 

I believe the Speedstep controls are built into XP's power settings in the control panel. No extra utility is needed. From what I have read elsewhere, pick always on or desktop. The laptop setting competes for control of the cpu with Intel's built in cpu power controls.