how to set (boot to) landscape screen CF-18

I cannot find the answer to what should be an easy fix: How do I stop my CF-18 from booting in portrait? The Windoze “help” is much less than helpful “Tablet and Pen settings” doesn't do it: no matter what sequence I select (primary this secondary that) it makes no difference, I still boot to Portrait. YES – I can change rotation via the task bar or hot button after it has booted but doing that plays havoc with my desktop. I can find no reference to “default landscape screen” I bough this machine used from a Govt agency. I assume their IT people know this gear as they have about 80 in their fleet. The HD has been upgraded so I'm wondering if I have an incorrect driver as that seems to be a major plague here. I have searched through the first 41 pages of posts here and followed many dead end threads (from my viewpoint of course) SO … is there some magic setting and where in *&^^ do I find it? Many thanks if you can provide the answer. I'd like to get this fixed so I can stop obsessing over it and go play with some of my other toys.... they are starting to feel neglected.
My machine:
HD 160GB
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
System Model CF-18BDAZXMM
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 9 Stepping 5 Genuine Intel ~598 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies K.K. V1.00L12, 5/1/2003
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Total Physical Memory 1,280.50 MB

 

Hi! even on bios mode still dispaly on a portrait mode?


ohlip

 

I'm not sure I understand you --- I didn't find any settings in the BIOS that related to screen orientation. Is that what u mean by "BIOS mode"?
|G|

 

Never mind just kidding. May I know if you split the case before and work somewhere on the control switch area?


ohlip

 

You just need to go into the display rotation tool (the icon is on the right on the taskbar). click settings and change the default angle's for laptop mode and tablet mode.

 

I do not have that option in the display rotation tool. As I posted I have tried all the settings available re Landscape/Portrait. I even tried:
1. Landscape primary
2.Landscape secondary
3. none
4. none

It STILL boots to portrait, but I CAN change to landscape after windows (and of course Panasonic drivers) load ... I can then toggle between landscape/landscape (only) Portrait mode is then gone as it is supposed to be based on my settings . I just want this thing to BOOT TO LANDSCAPE *AND be able to rotate to portrait - if I want to. Does anyone know what would be the correct driver for my model? I think that may be my problem?

thanks again

|G|

 

Here is the correct driver for video dispaly: cf18_xptab_video.zip
and for front panel control:cf18_xptab_buttons.zip

here is the link where you can get it: http://www.panasonic.ca/english/customercare/sandd/softwareResults.asp

Good luck


ohlip

 

You might have some issues running xp on your digitizer
Lots of posts on those issues here
toughbook finaly found a tablet version and installed it on his digitizer to clear up some issues
James "Zippy-Man" Teo "ohlip" and I have posted quite a bit of info on this
The info from James is probably the best for your digitizer model

Alex

 

Yep... them's my drivers. That isin't the issue then. As to XP (?) I'm running the original Panasonic tablet XP.

 

You can try to install the driver again but it may need to be installed in a certain order... Meaning that you may have to reformat. You can try the reinstall to enable the system tray icon (or under programs) You should be able to set the opening image by degree angle. Once you have an icon in the system tray you should be able to right click on it and set the parameters.

 

If you have the screen rotation tool setup for laptop mode=primary landscape and tablet mode= primary portrait and it still boots to portrait then I would have to assume that the screen sensor is stuck in portrait mode. This is a magnetic sensor that causes the screen to autorotate when you swivel the screen from laptop mode to tablet mode. Does your screen autorotate when you swivel the screen?

I would open the bottom and check the ribbon cable that goes to this sensor switch as that would be the primary suspect in this case either loose connection or defective switch.

 

The screen will not auto-rotate unless the software driver is installed correctly. Believe me... Try the easiest thing first! Then tear apart your Toughbook...

 

If the driver wasn't installed correctly he would not be able to rotate it using the front buttons either so I assume he has the right driver mr tb.

Also you think reformatting and reloading the drivers is easier than removing a few screws to inspect the ribbon? NOT

 

I ask this question coz of the posibility that maybe the flex cable on the control switch is not seated properly and may grounded to another pin thats why it doesn't stay on a default or landsacape mode. my 2 cents only.


ohlip

 

UM... Reformatting the whole system may not be necessary so... Yes I do. He said he doesn't have the screen rotation icon in the system tray. I loaded the rotation drivers incorrectly and the same exact thing happened to me. It didn't boot the way he said but I'm not sure his is either... It may be switching to that mode after boot... and then start jumping around (as he states)... This is exactly the same thing mine did with the wrong driver/loaded out of sequence...

 

Tough 2 Go, I think you win the prize! Auto rotate you say? Well it did that on me a few times and I figured I had touched the hot key. I had no idea that feature existed. So there is the clue: my auto rotate doesn't and if it's toggled via a mercury switch then it follows that the switch is either stuck or the message isn't getting through (bad cable, connector or connection)? In any case that's all I need to know. My concern was that I was having a driver conflict and if that was the case I wanted to resolve it before other crap started happening.

BTW if you read my first post I did mention that the icon is on the task bar – I WAS changing the settings to no avail. Thanks again, problem solved. I can work around this! I'm relieved it is not a software problem/glitch/bug/driver/conflict thing. I don't like those very much – I'd rather be sailing.

 

Okay... I was looking at post #6 and read it wrong I guess... Glad you got it working anyway...

 

There is one magnet that pulls double duty, when in laptop mode and you close the lid it activates a sensor to the left of the clasp to turn off the dsplay. When you close the lid in tablet mode it activates the sensor to the right of the clasp to autorotate to the preset settings in your screen rotation tool. You can test each sensor with a small magnet to verify their operation.

 

Thanks to all for sharing your knowledge. Great lil box. BTW I noticed some of you are in BC.... me 2, Sunshine Coast.

 

Sometimes Sunshine...Its raining in Comox tonite lol

Alex

 

Well now... how do you like that! I monkeyed around the top with a really small magnet (recovered from an old aquarium pump) last night to no apparent result (then) After re booting this morning EVERYTHING works just like it's sposed to! First hint was that instead of popping up in Portrait it booted to Landscape and auto rotate works every time. I think the talk of surgery brought it to it's senses. Thanks again

 

Garry82ms: if you haven't found out yet: I did! First, let me say I totally understood your frustration! NOW: here's the answer: right click any open space. Click on "GRAPHICS PROPERTIES". There you will see, I believe on the right side of the window a compass where you can click a radio button at 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and so forth so set your screen aright. Peace!



QUOTE=garry82ms;4682882]I cannot find the answer to what should be an easy fix: How do I stop my CF-18 from booting in portrait? The Windoze “help” is much less than helpful “Tablet and Pen settings” doesn't do it: no matter what sequence I select (primary this secondary that) it makes no difference, I still boot to Portrait. YES – I can change rotation via the task bar or hot button after it has booted but doing that plays havoc with my desktop. I can find no reference to “default landscape screen” I bough this machine used from a Govt agency. I assume their IT people know this gear as they have about 80 in their fleet. The HD has been upgraded so I'm wondering if I have an incorrect driver as that seems to be a major plague here. I have searched through the first 41 pages of posts here and followed many dead end threads (from my viewpoint of course) SO … is there some magic setting and where in *&^^ do I find it? Many thanks if you can provide the answer. I'd like to get this fixed so I can stop obsessing over it and go play with some of my other toys.... they are starting to feel neglected.
My machine:
HD 160GB
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
System Model CF-18BDAZXMM
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 9 Stepping 5 Genuine Intel ~598 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies K.K. V1.00L12, 5/1/2003
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Total Physical Memory 1,280.50 MB[/QUOTE]