I got a Panasonic Toughbook CF-71 off eBay for a reasonably cheep and cheerful price, and it does everything I bought it for just fine, but I have recently come up against a teensy weensy problem in that I've developed an unfortunate addiction to NHL Eastside Hockey Manager (think Premier manager for people who don't care about metatarsals). Anyway, the wife is now complaining about me using the home 'puter 5-6 hrs a day, and blocking her access, so I tried installing it onto my tiny toughbook.

OUCH

Right so I'm 64 Meg shy of the min RAM and 192 shy of the recommended, plus my processor is a P 2 364 (69 Mhz shy of min and and a whole generation and half gig shy of recommended). The game installed OK and started up, but as soon as I attempted to start playing, ie. once there was any multitasking demand on the system, it just said "Don't think so sonny-Jim" and told me to go buy a proper computer. As things stand, I would like to do some basic upgrades on the computer by getting a 2nd hand RAM and P3 processor (I figure about 30-40 quid all in) but I am on a strict budget and can't go buying stuff willy and indeed nilly. So my questions/problems are these:

1. What spec do I need to find out about my computer, and how do I do it, in order to know what to buy. PS. no internet connection, hence can't use your spiffy diagnostic thingy.

in fact... 2. no internet connection, I can't even see a cable port for phone or ethernet anywhere, although it does look like it originally had a docking station that I'm guessing did all that. How do I find out if there is any actual hardware/connecting ports so I can occasionally either network with our other machine, or hook up to the net for stuff like your diagnostic jobby.

and finally 3. What is your recommendation as far as upgrades are concerned, bearing in mind budgetary constraints....

oh and PS. 4. The machine is sans manual, so I have no Idea what half the machine is meant to do, at the moment it's just for word processing while I work. So If anybody's got access to a manual or knows the machine, can you help me out. For example there's this little hatch on the base that unscrews and reveals a couple of empty connectors and clips to hook something up onto what appears to be a corner of the mother board. There's two little labels:
KBC 1.38L17
PMC 1.10L21
and
DL3UP1030AAA
1 MAIN 9L

any ideas or help much appreciated... I've not had the whole back off it yet, as it's my first time ever mucking about....

Also, It came with Win XP Pro, but I've got a install disk for 2000 pro lying around from when I upgraded my very old machine from Me (I know ) the query is: would I be better off with he 2k, and if so, how do I "downgrade"?

Thanks you guys,

Jani

Panasonic actually still has downloads and documentation on that model:

http://tcc.toughbook.com/

I am amazed that you even were able to load XP on it:

SPECIFICATIONS:
Intel Pentium II/266 Mobile with 512Kb of cache, 32Mb of SDRAM, Intel 440BX chipset, 4Gb Fujitsu UltraDMA hard disk, 2Mb NeoMagic 128XD graphics, 12.1in SVGA TFT screen (18-bit colour), 16-bit FM Yamaha OPL3-SA audio, integral stereo speakers, lithium ion battery, Windows 95. Dimensions: 297 x 240 x 42mm (W x D x H). Weight: 3.1kg.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/1220/...book-cf71.html

As to downgrading the OS the only way to do this is by a format/clean install of 2K. This machine was built for '95.

That Panasonic sight also has accessories where you might find some info. You have to register to get the details is why I haven't looked further. I would guess you can upgrade RAM. I would doubt that the CPU can be changed although I am just educatedly guessing. Also that hard drive at 4GB is barely large enough to hold XP SP2. Not much room for anything else. Perhaps you can add a NIC card to go on-line but I doubt that you will ever play that game on it.

I would suggest you use it for the word applications it was designed for and save your monies for a new computer. Old parts are generally much more expensive than new machines.