Windows 8.1 on CF-19 mk3

I have a mk3 CF- 19KHRAGAM. Here's an initial update of installing Windows 8.1 on it.



Reference website:
Panasonic Toughbook Computer Support Downloads
- This is following the recommended driver install sequence in the "installation instructions"
- All drivers downloaded by the Download Manager (just shy of 2GB) (choose CF-19 mk7, Windows 8 64bit)
- Installed Windows 8.0 via DVD then used Windows Update to update everything before starting to install Panasonic's drivers. I want to see what works by default.

As of Feb 26, 2014:

NOT WORKING/STILL EXPERIMENTING:
- Bluetooth on 8.1, the Panasonic-provided Toshiba stack is flagged incompatible by Windows although I'm not sure what I'm missing since my keyboard & mouse are still working.
- Display driver (only real problem I see is dimmest setting is not dim enough at night unlike Win 7 drivers)
- Sierra Wireless MC7700: while Device Manager sees it (3x Sierra Wireless COM ports, 3x unknown MC7700) the Watcher software doesn't recognize.


WORKING:
- Pen calibration via Windows' own calibration utility in Tablet control panel.
- Tablet buttons (lock still requires add'l Enter just like in Win 7)
- Tablet display rotation

Mandatory Installs
Inf file for ChiefRiver	Unknown	Installed ONF files instead
Rapid Storage Technology	OK
Video Driver	Incompatible
LAN Driver	Incompatible	using Windows' own driver
System Interface Device Drivers	OK
Common Components for Panasonic PC	OK
Common Components for Panasonic PC (x64)	OK
2nd LAN Driver	Not required
Port replicator LAN Driver	OK	Works on CF-VEB181AU and Gamber Johnson docks
Bluetooth Stack	OK	Windows' BT stack works fine. 8.0 seems to be ok with the Toughbook Toshiba stack, 8.1 complains it's not compatible (but still seems to work.)
System Interface Manager	OK	Manual device manager install - MAT&DEV_0019 and MAT&DEV_0021
System Session Manager	OK
PC Information Viewer	OK
Intel Management Engine Software	No
GPS Registry Patch	OK
HID Drivers for Panasonic PC	Not installed	MAT&DEV_001F (HID Keyboard) Windows prefers its own driver
Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework(DPTF)	No	Bluescreen/reboot crash on installation
Sound Driver	No	Windows prefers its own driver
Touch Screen Calibration Data for CF-19	No
Touch Pad Driver	DO NOT INSTALL	Use Windows' own driver. Panasonic "VersaPad" driver will make your touchpad jumpy-unusable. External mouse still ok.
SD Driver	No	Not correct Hardware ID
Display Rotation Tool	OK
Wireless LAN Driver for Intel 6205/6250/6235	OK	Although Intel has more updated drivers on their website
Wireless Toolbox	OK
Bluetooth control component	OK
GPS Viewer	OK
TPM Professional Package	OK
Wireless WAN Driver for F5521gw	Unknown
Wireless WAN Driver for MC7700 (AT&T)	OK	But I have another three "MC7700" with no drivers in Device Manager.
Wireless WAN Driver for MC8355 (USA model only)	Unknown
Wireless WAN Driver MC7355	Unknown
Wireless Helper Service (MC7355 for US)	Unknown
Wireless WAN Driver for MC8305 / MC8355	Unknown
Wireless WAN Driver for MC7305 (for EU)	Unknown
Wireless WAN Driver for MC7305 (for Australia)	Unknown
Recommended Installs
Battery Recalibration	OK
Calibration Utility	OK
Camera Light Switch Utility	Unknown
Camera Utility	Unknown
Dashboard for Panasonic PC	OK
Device Data for Panasonic PC	Unknown
Hand Writing Utility	OK
Hotkey Settings	OK
Power Plan Extension Utility	OK
Optional Installs
AirCard Watcher (MC7305 for Australia)	Unknown
AirCard Watcher (MC7305 for EU)	Unknown
AirCard Watcher (MC8305)	Unknown
Asset Tag Entry	OK

 

It's been a few months, are there any updates on this?

 

DOUBT this will work.

Sorry.

 

Nothing to be sorry about, Rob.
I was just curious.
I'm content running 7.
Thanks though!

 

It's still going... I'm using 8.1 as a daily OS on my mk3 now.

The only thing I've found wonky is that the Sierra Watcher doesn't seem to keep a connection on the MC7700. Most of the time it won't even connect. I don't know if it's a Sierra Wireless fussy thing (and it sure is fussy! Breathe wrong and it won't work.) or 8.1 issue. It worked fine on 7 for me.

Using Microsoft's BT stack is fine and I've never updated the video drivers. Seem to be all ok for now as long as you set the reminder to 'ignore' Windows won't bug you again.

Let me know if you have specific things you want me to try and I'll see if I can do it.

 

Did you try the updated Sierra Wireless driver package for the MC7700 modems. NDIS DriverVer = 13.10.1050.53
They are on the PanCan support site.
There are 4 different drivers listed for CF-19 ans W8.

 

OK! Tried the 13.10.1050.53 drivers, and now the Watcher connects reliably, everytime!!

BUT.

It still sticks on "connecting..." even though I have full Internet access through WWAN. Windows is not controlling/dialling it (I think, AFAIK since if I click Disconnect on the Watcher, I lose connectivity) so I'm not sure what's going on here.



But nonetheless, I can confidently say
Windows 8.1 Pro CAN be run on a CF-19 mk3 (CF-19KHRAGAM)
Here's my Panasonic PC Info Viewer... no photoshopping.

View attachment 112279

Attached below is the Drivers report from the Panasonic PC Info Utility.

 

That's pretty cool. But is it really worth it?
What are the benefits?
I honestly don't know enough about Win8, so I don't know if I want to pull the trigger on that one.

 

Windows 8 is totally worth it in a laptop. Just for the quick hibernation and wake up, especially with an SSD. It's incredible. I run Windows 8.1 Pro with Classic Shell so it gets rid of the metro interface (for the most part.)

However, it may affect some programs you use as some aren't compatible with Windows 8 for whatever reason, especially proprietary stuff so check with the vendor first.

 

how would you compare the windows 8.1 pro to windows 7 on the CF-19. I know the windows 8 is more desgined for tablets, but does how does the windows 8.1 respond to the digitizer function?

 

Sorry I can't say about the digitizer function, mine only has a touchscreen.

But donations are always accepted.