Writing BIOS ID?

Does anyone here know how this is done? I have a bios here with no model or serial numbers listed. Each comes up with N/A. In all service manuals I have seen it indicates to do this each time the motherboard is replaced but I find nothing on how it is actually done. Is it a small utility program or some other means?

This is for a CF30 MK3.

 

From what I know... You need special software from Panasonic to write to the BIOS... And you need to be one of their retailers/repair facilities in order to get this software.

I have not yet heard of anyone writing to the BIOS values. I guess it would be fun to try on an old CF-27....

 

If I had a virgin copy of the latest BIOS, I could compare it to what was there and modify it that way. The only thing I could find was version V300L16.303.

 

Modifying the BIOS BIN file is no simple task; any change in file size (even by one character) alters the CRC Checksum and it won't self-validate, which means the FLASH utility will spit it back and laugh at you.

You do need special developer software to write your own BIOS BIN file with a valid CRC; these packages are not allowed into general circulation due to copyright issues. I've done a few hacked BINs myself to fix restrictions on the Intel Centrino WiFi HCL; even those minor tweaks are technically a violation of Copyright Law so please, don't rat me out to AMI.

mnem
*Thankful to Rusty and all those who "will be in Iraq all day" so I don't have to. *Salute*

 

You can read about what these guys have done but so far not with a phoenix bios.

http://bios-mods.com/forum/

 

But! What if you programmed the whole thing with a EEPROM Programmer...

Not that I am sure that one is available for this particular prom.

 

One is available. I have already done it. The problem I have is that I could not find a copy of the latest BIOS version. I had to use a prior older version. If I had the latest version, I would just do a compare with the image I already grabbed, find the differences and bingo, know exactly what bits to change. I am not really asking to do anything illegal. I was just hoping to find a copy of the utility that Panasonic and ANY service facility would use as indicated in the service manuals when replacing the motherboard.

 

Could this virgin BIOS be copied over via a Bios Savior?

 

You almost had me there. Never heard of it until you said something. I had to go look it up. That will not work in this case because the chip is not supported.

 

Mmmhmmm...

Is the prom socketed on these? I could have sworn someone here said they were soldered on the 29. Not that this is a show stopper; I have the hot air rework station to do that work, I just HATE DOING IT.

mnem
Squee!

 

Nope, soldered to the board. I too have a SMD hot air rework station.

 

Ugggh. More power tooya dewed... I simply do NOT have the patience for THAT anymore. LOL :laugh:

mnem
poit.

 

Man... Am I ever behind the times.... I don't have a hot air re-work station... Just a digital soldering iron.... (With teeny-tiny tips!) ...And a 10X Headset... And (still) steady hands.... I used to be a sign painter back in the day fresh out of high school. That's where I learned about voltage... And which wires NOT to touch.... Also welding, carpentry, metal working, plumbing, yada, yada, tada... Try using a mahl stick....

 

I found out how to do this and was actually suprised at how easy it is. The utility for this is actually provided with almost every BIOS for the Toughbooks. The trick was finding the instructions. Of course, I didn't know what the file was really for either. The utility is by Panasonic and is provided by them and not exclusively to dealers or service centers.

 

OK, now that you have posted the teaser, where's the details???

 

I have to retype the directions. I was given a hardcopy. Give me a bit and I will post it here.

 

The following directions are exactly as given to me. This applies to the CF51 but can be applied to any model as long as you find the correct file for your model and MK. For me that was BU30M3.exe. (CF-30 MK 3) So in step 5 instead of bu51m2 I put in bu30m3. If you have to, download every BIOS file for your model regardless of the version number to find the file. I have made NO changes to the following as crazy as it looks. There are NO typos on my behalf.

How to write the Model Number and Serial Number to new main PCB.

If you replace the main PCB, you have to write the M/N and S/N to new main PCB.
First of all, please prepare following items.
- USB-FDD and Floppy Disk (DOS bootable)

[Procedure]
(1) Check the M/N and S/N of defective unit.
(As for the M/N and S/N, please see the sticker at the bottom side of unit.)
e.g.) CF-51JFVDCBM 5KTYA72467

(2) Create the 2 text files (M/n and S/N) into the FD like below.
e.g.) serial.txt <- only S/N (5KTYA72467) is written in this file.
model.txt <- only M/N (CF-51JFVDCBM) is written in this file.

(3)Copy the program "bu51m2.exe" into the FD.
If Object model is below, please use each program.
CF-51mk1High (CF-51xxxxA/H/Qxx) bu51m1.exe
CF-51mk1Low (CF-51xxxxB/J/Rxx) bu51m1l.exe
CF-51mk2High (CF-51xxxxC/Kxx) bu51m2.exe
CF-51mk2Low (CF-51xxxxD/Lxx) bu51m2l.exe
You can download these programs from Toughbook Web BIOS/EC site.

(4) Change the bootable device setting. USB-FDD is high priority by BIOS setting screen. And save it. And re-boot. (You can see BIOS setting screen when press F2 Key during Panasonic character appear on the LCD after power on..)

(5) Boot from USB-FDD, and type below.
bu51m2 -snserial.txt -cnmodel.txt

(6) Please hit enter key, and continue it by following message.

(7) Re-boot and press F2 Key. and check the M/N and S/N.

 

Someone has to try this out and post back it all works.... Not to doubt you Rusty but we like to confirm. If it all works on all models.... This will be slicker than owl crap.....

 

Believe it or not, those directions came directly from Panasonic.

 

Then you are officially today's "The MAN!"

 

Where u found BU30M3.exe ?

 

I had to go to the Panasonic Canada site to find it. Try this:

Go to: https://panasonic.ca/english/customercare/sandd/softwareResults.asp Check BIOS and then put in CF30 in the Model box. Scroll to the bottom and download cf30k_mk3_bios_r-2009-0027-binary.zip. Unzip it and you should find the file there.

I hope the links above work. If not go to www.panasonic.ca click on your preferred language, click "Support" at the top of the page, click "Downloads", click "software, drivers and firmware", check "BIOS" and put CF30 in the Model box, hit "Search". Follow the other directions above.

 

i cant search on that site, always "error '8007203a' /includes/incUtility.asp, line 182"
can u send me that bios file please ?

 

I've tried both links and get the same error noted above.

Rusty503, can you post the downloaded file?

Thanks

 

Can't do right now. The file is on another computer that I will not have access to for quite some time.

It looks like someone read the thread here and Panasonic took down the files.

 

I was able to go to the link in post 22 and saw the file to download. I don't need it so I didn't down load it.

Ted

 

Yup, the web page is back. Download at your leisure.

 

Okay... I tried this and it didn't work... I must be doing something wrong.

I copied BU29M2 to a floppy disk along with a serial.txt file that contained ONLY the serial number (IE, 4FKSA39703).. There was no S/N preceding the number... Just the model number itself... I did the same thing with the model Number... I typed in CF-29E3LGBBM and labeled that model.txt.. I put all three onto a floppy and booted to it. When it boots back up... It just shows4

"Remove disks or other media.
Press any key to restart"

If I try to type anything it just assumes I am hitting any key to restart and repeats itself.

What am I doing wrong?

 

You must have something else on that floppy. Reformat that floppy and make it DOS bootable. You might want to check the floppy by booting to it. You should come up with the A:/ prompt only. Type in any DOS command and verify that that is all you get. What I mean is for instance, type in DIR and you should get the directory and not the prompt mentioned above. Hopefully, you are not using any boot managers. Once you have verified the floppy is good, copy your three files on the floppy. That should be files: BU29M2.exe, serial.txt and model.txt. Boot your system using that floppy. At the A:/ prompt enter:

bu29m2 -snserial.txt -cnmodel.txt

and follow the prompts from there. The bu29m2.exe file does NOT autoexecute so if you cannot type anything in without you getting that prompt mentioned above, you have some other program(s) affecting your system.

 

Rusty,

Thank you.. I formatted the diskette but forgot to make is DOS bootable. (DUH!)

The USB port DOES work now... BUT... It still will not work with MY USB key... I have about 10 of them lying around so I tried a Sony USB key... It read it immediately. I think it it because it is a full USB key and not the Super Talent 64GB mini USB key that I have. It must have something to do with the grounding of the USB port... Thats the only thing I can think of.

I'll poke around in there and see if I can't pop out the grounding pins a little more to make better contact.

So I guess we still don't know if the fact that it was a Federal Model had anything to do with it... Most like not as the port looks like it has been used before. It's just the first time that my little Super Talent key hasn't been recognized on any PC.

But it is cool to know now that it is easy to change the model and serial numbers of any Toughbook now! Rep to you for that!

One note... When doing this mod it is just like flashing to the next higher version... You will need to enter the date and time again before you boot up or you will start to get error problems with software telling you that it is out of date.

Thanks again for your help!

 

How about changing the model number back and see if the Sony key would work then. Quick easy test to see if my theory is good or not. Another thought. Your big key may draw more power than the port can provide. I have the same problem with some of my equipment. Some keys are recognized and others not. It may be that the port on the MK2 is USB 1.1 and not 2. That does affect the flashdrives or at least that is my experience with the computer systems I work on here.

 

To tell you the truth... I didn't write down the old model number and had already peeled the sticker off... I could fake one I am sure but I'd rather not. There are a lot of other Federal Only models out here for someone to check... I suspect it worked all along... I was just too busy to even think of trying another key... Plus not all of them fit the Toughbooks

The USB on all CF-29s is 2.0/ I can't imagine the current draw would be much with the little pico drive I have. I may try my ohter 32GB one though to see if it works.

 

Actually, you put it in one of your other posts. CF-29FTKGZKM

 

I thought I remembered his posting it.

CF-29FTKGZKM DESCRIPTION:
***FEDERAL ONLY***
Pentium M 1.3GHz, 13.3" Transmissive-TOUCH, 40GB HDD, 256MB, 56K/LAN, FDD, NON-WIRELESS, WIN XP

Rick: I suppose this unit has the WLAN antennas installed, correct?

 

It has the WLAN antennas installed but no wifi card.... No WWAN antenna however...

I popped in an Engenous card and it works great!. Now the USB works great with every USB key except mine!

 

Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 Top Cover with WWAN Antenna

Great! :yes:

BUMMER!

 

I am wondering if re-writing the model number in a MK1 that was built for W2K and relabeling the model number so that it reflects XP Pro would allow for XP Recovery Disks to be used. I'll have to try that next time I get in an old 1.2GHz unit with W2K...

 

Hello,
I have tried the trick from rusty503 today, on a CF30mk2, with BU30M2.exe from the canadian panasonic site, and it works like a charm.
I made the floppy with the XP option of having it DOS bootable, and remove all the files except command.com, io.sys and msdos.sys.
Then I've put the two files serial.txt and model.txt, exactly like rusty503 explain it, and after the warning of having a battery and ac power charger, everything works perfectly.
Options used :
-sn(file) = serial changed
-cn(file) = model change

Now, for the following, what are the following options (with BU30M2.exe, or other bios writer program):
-st
-wt
-sum=
-wbd
-rbd
-wlt
-rlt
-wdd
-rdd
-whole
-wpc
-rpc
+bb
-bb
-sec
-sc3
-gen
-issec
-im
-entire

There is options to change the mac address, put a password (oohh) , change record working time and poweron count (both in one file, but with what option?), to write an OEM String, to modify the LCD Time (?), etc...
I'm specially intersted by the record working time, it's the option fo which I've tried all this.

If someone does have some info...