Hello I would like to see if anyone dealt with installing Linux on a Panasonic Toughbook cf-29?
There is so many os out there I could use some guidance. Linux Mint 9 LTS and Linux mint 10 main edition where suggested.

My Toughbook has:
1.2 ghz processor, 33 gb hard drive, 760 mgb total phicical memory, 2.0 total vertual memory,bios pheonix, one usb port, floppy drive, ntfs, non touch screen, Windows xp prof.

I have downloaded Ubuntu successfully with wubi, After reboot no option in boot menu to choose. I do think I am going to go with another os. this one takes up too much memory. Hd is sufficient but nothing extra, I do think i might dump windows to free up resources. The system does not have a usb boot option in the boot menu and no cd/dvd. This limits my options. I love this laptop and think it will be great to mess with. if all goes good i plan to replace the floppy with a second HD and a usb optical unit. Does anyone have a step by step to put a working os, add usb to boot menu, what os is best,
when booting the choices and windows and restore only.

for starters you might want to use the CURRENT version of Mint
http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

Mint 13 and use the xfce version 32 bit
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=113
no current operating system supports a floppy "out of the box" any more
you will need to manually use "modeprobe floppy" to be able to use it

that WILL be a problem

if possible find a MUCH newer laptop
this is ready to become a bookend or doorstop

you might want to see the FAQ from panasonic

http://www.panasonic.com/business/to...rt-faqs-29.asp

you HAVE hit f2 during the early stages of boot to bring up the bios

find a usb1 compatible usb dvd drive
or
install the dvd iso to a usb thumb drive
but the USB1 on that old toughbook is going to be DEAD SLOW

1 members found this post helpful.

With low-end/older hardware like that I'd go with Xubuntu 32-bit and use the latest version (12.04 as of this writing).

For best performance run it dual-boot if you're keeping WinXP. Running it under Windows soaks your system resources.

Xubuntu is Xfce. Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for UNIX-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly.

You can also try the Xfce version of Mint 13. But don't use obsolete distribution versions, like Mint 10. Support for them is dead.

1 members found this post helpful.

I have a CF-18 MK1 with a 900 mhz processor. Definitely older than the CF-29 and it does not show a USB boot option in the bios. But, I tried anyway and it boots up fine off of a USB. I suspect the CF-29 will do the same.

Thanks for the info, it helped alot.

Yes i have tried but winxp still boots. I think i am going to partition my hd to see if i have better luck. Thanks, I am keeping my cf-29 for nostalgic purposes. You are probably too.

Thanks all for the help. I am running ubuntu on my old desk top. I am going to get comfortable with using lunix. I love what i tried so far. Is it hard to learn code for lunix? I am in college and thought of taking some classes in that direction.