Install XP without DVD.

[lozcs]

Any geek advice please?

I've got a Panasonic CF-19 with a BIOS password and HD locked.

It's running Windows 7 but I need to put Windows XP on it.

It has no CD drive and is locked to boot from HDD. Not sure if it boots from USB but can't change the BIOS to check.

Tried to put HDD in another PC to start XP install there but immediatly promted for HD password.

It has a f12 boot from network option so I looked into Windows Deployment Services on an available server I have here but XP on WDS look like a nightmare to create necessary WMI and really haven't got the time just for one install.

Thought I'd check before this laptop sits on the shelf...

Any ideas?

 

[Davidc]

Not sure if it's quite like your problem, but I dealt with a locked down Win XP machine needing Win 2000 on it by copying the XP CD onto the hard drive and then installing XP from the HDD copy.

That was in about 2004 and might no longer be applicable. ( I bet disgruntled ex employees locking things before leaving are still around though).

 

[Arsen Gere]

Might have a backdoor password like this model http://www.ehow.com/how_7530118_unlock-toughbook-cf29-bios-password.html

Could you use an external CD/DVD drive ?

 

[MrJamie]

Why can't you change the BIOS settings? That seems your main hurdle, maybe you need to reset it so you can get into it and change boot settings.

 

[Arsen Gere]

If you disconnect the mains, main battery and the cmos battery it should loose the lot including the password. There is a picture of the cmos internal battery in the manual http://tim.id.au/laptops/panasonic/CF-19FHGAXxM.pdf , see coin battery in the diagram of the motherboard.

 

[lozcs]

Might have a backdoor password like this model http://www.ehow.com/how_7530118_unlock-toughbook-cf29-bios-password.html

Could you use an external CD/DVD drive ?

tried that password already - boot order set to HDD first so even if is able to boot from USB not able to set.

Why can't you change the BIOS settings? That seems your main hurdle, maybe you need to reset it so you can get into it and change boot settings.

I can't find any links to reset BIOS on CF-19

If you disconnect the mains, main battery and the cmos battery it should loose the lot including the password. There is a picture of the cmos internal battery in the manual http://tim.id.au/laptops/panasonic/CF-19FHGAXxM.pdf , see coin battery in the diagram of the motherboard.

I'll have a look thanks......

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I got round that a couple of years ago by using a password cracker on my then copy of Hiren's Boot CD. Maybe you know someone who can lend you a copy? There's tons of good stuff on it.


GC

 

[Mile195]

If the boot order is set to HDD first, you could format the hard disk, or delete everything in the root directory. It won't then be able to boot from it, and should theoretically move to the next drive on the list. Of course, if the boot order has been amended so there is no secondary boot drive this does mean that it'll render the laptop virtually useless.

 

[lozcs]

If the boot order is set to HDD first, you could format the hard disk, or delete everything in the root directory. It won't then be able to boot from it, and should theoretically move to the next drive on the list. Of course, if the boot order has been amended so there is no secondary boot drive this does mean that it'll render the laptop virtually useless.

Thought about trying that... But before I did I thought maybe there is a way to partition the drive and add setup files so next boot allows me to just run XP setup from command prompt..

 

[lozcs]

I got round that a couple of years ago by using a password cracker on my then copy of Hiren's Boot CD. Maybe you know someone who can lend you a copy? There's tons of good stuff on it.


GC

I've got a copy somewhere already but cannot boot from CD..

 

[lozcs]

Anyone know if there is a WIM file I can add to my WDS server that would allow me to boot laptop and run command prompt? Maybe then run setup direct from external USB drive?

 

[lozcs]

If the boot order is set to HDD first, you could format the hard disk, or delete everything in the root directory. It won't then be able to boot from it, and should theoretically move to the next drive on the list. Of course, if the boot order has been amended so there is no secondary boot drive this does mean that it'll render the laptop virtually useless.

If it doesn't work I could easily setup WDS server to put 7 back on - just seems like a whole load of hassle to setup WIM files for XP via WDS

 

[paul04]

Have a look here, somebody else was asking the similar question

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/560412-help-cf19-k-bios-problem.html


Instructions
1. Press "Power" to turn on your Panasonic Toughbook.

2. Press "F2" on your keyboard when you see the Panasonic logo appear on the screen. You will immediately be prompted to enter your Panasonic Toughbook Cf-29 BIOS password.

3. Type the word "Biostar" into the password prompt. This is your Panasonic Toughbook Cf-29 backdoor BIOS password. Press the "Enter" key to unlock your Panasonic Toughbook Cf-29 BIOS.


http://www.techstation.org/forum/topic/178065-panasonic-toughbook-help/

 

[lozcs]

Have a look here, somebody else was asking the similar question

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/560412-help-cf19-k-bios-problem.html


Instructions
1. Press "Power" to turn on your Panasonic Toughbook.

2. Press "F2" on your keyboard when you see the Panasonic logo appear on the screen. You will immediately be prompted to enter your Panasonic Toughbook Cf-29 BIOS password.

3. Type the word "Biostar" into the password prompt. This is your Panasonic Toughbook Cf-29 backdoor BIOS password. Press the "Enter" key to unlock your Panasonic Toughbook Cf-29 BIOS.


http://www.techstation.org/forum/topic/178065-panasonic-toughbook-help/

Thanks. I'd already tried that password - didn't work.. It's a c-19 so perhaps different...