CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
I've a CF-17 Mk 1 running XP. Decided I should up grade the bios to cfm34_mk1_w2k_v151l15.exe (V151l15). There seems to be a companion piece of software called "EC upgrade for Windows 2000. Use with CFM34_mk1_w2k_V151l15.exe BIOS upgrade. Version: L0111120. " I've no idea of what the "EC" is nor how to install this software.
A second issue is that when I attach the CF-17 to a CFVEB341 docking station, COM1 (on the CF-17) goes dead. Is there some way to have both COM1 (on the CF-17) and COM2 (on the docking station) working at the same time?
thanks for any insights, -john-
A second issue is that when I attach the CF-17 to a CFVEB341 docking station, COM1 (on the CF-17) goes dead. Is there some way to have both COM1 (on the CF-17) and COM2 (on the docking station) working at the same time?
thanks for any insights, -john-
- MasterBlaster2039
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:28 pm
Re: CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
Be warned ! If you install the wrong BIOS, your CF-17 turns into a doorstop/brick.
the EC update must be performed first ! After the EC update you can update your BIOS. Otherwise , your machine wont boot.
the EC update must be performed first ! After the EC update you can update your BIOS. Otherwise , your machine wont boot.
Re: CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
You have my attention! Is the EC software install from DOS like the BIOS upgrade? And, what is the EC software?
thanks for your response, -john-
thanks for your response, -john-
Re: CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
Concerning getting two com ports running simultaneously: My earlier description of the problem was incorrect. Once again, I'm running XP with SP2.
When I start the CF-17 Mk1 some process is grabbing COM1, making it unavailable. If I have the 17 plugged into a docking station I can use COM2, but COM1 remains unavailable.
One partial work-around is to go to Device Manage and disable COM1 and then re-enable it. COM 1 then becomes available for use (along with COM 2 if I'm plugged into the docking port).
Anybody have any ideas about what process might be grabbing COM1 during start up?
thanks, -john-
When I start the CF-17 Mk1 some process is grabbing COM1, making it unavailable. If I have the 17 plugged into a docking station I can use COM2, but COM1 remains unavailable.
One partial work-around is to go to Device Manage and disable COM1 and then re-enable it. COM 1 then becomes available for use (along with COM 2 if I'm plugged into the docking port).
Anybody have any ideas about what process might be grabbing COM1 during start up?
thanks, -john-
Re: CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
Serial Port.
Fair for you/ Fair for me.
I chose to NOT be organized.
-------------------------------------------------------------------[/color]
http://toughbooktalk.com/
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/
I chose to NOT be organized.
-------------------------------------------------------------------[/color]
http://toughbooktalk.com/
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/
Re: CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
Yes, I talking about the the RS232 serial ports.
Re: CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
Just an update on the problem using two comm ports: Turned out I had a printer installed and had configured it to use COM1. When the system booted it grabbed COM1 for the printer. Once I deleted the printer com1 became available and I was able to use both ports.... DUMB! You'd think I hadn't been doing computer stuff for 40 years!
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, -john-
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, -john-
Re: CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
How do I install the EC software?
I'm want to up grade the BIOS but am told I must also upgrade the EC software and have no idea if it a Windows app or if it is something like the BIOS and must be install using a floppy. Any guidiance appreciated...
thanks, -john-
I'm want to up grade the BIOS but am told I must also upgrade the EC software and have no idea if it a Windows app or if it is something like the BIOS and must be install using a floppy. Any guidiance appreciated...
thanks, -john-
- MasterBlaster2039
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:28 pm
Re: CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
I did some bios updates on toughbooks some years ago, but since my last ultimate fail (I bricked a CF-M34 mk2 thanks to a bad version of the bios update), i didnt try again.
Anyhow, if my memory still works good, the EC update works the same way as the bios update.
What i did was this:
take a spare harddrive (the smaller the better, example 2 or 3 gigs)
format on another computer with MS-DOS 6.2 or so.
put both the EC update and BIOS update in 2 seperate directories (to make sure you do NOT mix them up)
insert harddrive in your CF-17
go to the directory of the EC-update, run the ec-update (its a .BAT or .COM .EXE file.....)
i think, after the update the CF-17 reboots.
then run the BIOS update.
....
Maybe some other members of this forum know more about this .
Update: I found this information that is the solution for your problem:
http://toughbook.wikispaces.com/message ... 4/32850336
of course you have to use the EC and BIOS update for your CF-17 and not for the CF-M34.
Anyhow, if my memory still works good, the EC update works the same way as the bios update.
What i did was this:
take a spare harddrive (the smaller the better, example 2 or 3 gigs)
format on another computer with MS-DOS 6.2 or so.
put both the EC update and BIOS update in 2 seperate directories (to make sure you do NOT mix them up)
insert harddrive in your CF-17
go to the directory of the EC-update, run the ec-update (its a .BAT or .COM .EXE file.....)
i think, after the update the CF-17 reboots.
then run the BIOS update.
....
Maybe some other members of this forum know more about this .
Update: I found this information that is the solution for your problem:
http://toughbook.wikispaces.com/message ... 4/32850336
of course you have to use the EC and BIOS update for your CF-17 and not for the CF-M34.
Re: CF-17 BIOS upgrades and two COM ports.
Thanks, so much, for taking the time to respond. Can you tell me what the 'EC' is? thanks,
thanks, -john-
thanks, -john-