Recently picked up one of these refurbished for a good price. While I know it may have been changed, I’m curious if anyone can decode the original configuration since the configurator on Panasonic no longer works. When I google it I get hits mostly from Australia it seems, and they don’t all have same config. Most of what I can find for decoding ends at MK5 or so. I have figured out “Z” is a Mark 8.
Not much there... Figured out it has one of those custom non-updatable BIOS, seller said it is “Military” but don’t know who. Not a big deal to me, it’ll do what I want it to do which is run DynoJet, Scremin’ Eagle, Holley and Ross-Tech software. In addition to legitimate OE copies of 7Pro and 8.1 pro it came with I have it running a Clean install of Win 10 Pro x 64. Pesky 3rd Gen Core Processor Thermal Subsystem driver needs work though ... saw a thread here on that need to find again...
Technically the bios CAN be upgraded(changed). It will require a new chip or used one flashed with the newer/ better bios image. Cut the old ones legs off, clean the pads and solder the new chip in place. Not for the faint of heart though. The hard part is finding the entire bios image to flash onto the replacement chip. The update downloads are not the full image.
We do custom bioses. If you can send me a picture of the main bios screen or post a pic can tell you if it even matters. Steve
That sounds ummmm... extreme... But point taken, anything can be upgraded. Sent via PM (note it now has more memory) Got the thermal frame work working using an individual driver of .jp site named dptf_d20154278.exe When it gave me a warning that there was already a newer driver I pressed the button for "that newer driver doesn’t work worth beans and yes I’d really appreciate it if you would do me the honors of replacing that garbage with this one” (Note this button hides behind an alias of “YES”.... ) We will see if microsoft tries to break it if I ever let windows run an update.
You should be fine. I replied. This link explains what the M bios means. https://customrugged.com/m-bios-panasonic-toughbook/ Steve