Notebook (Laptop) Upgrade FAQ

[erico]

Hi jpdoc,

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jpdoc wrote:

You might try determining the chipset your system uses, then checking their website.  Intel have spec sheets for all their chipsets online e.g.

http://www.intel.com/Products/Notebook/Chipsets/945PM/945PM-overview.htm

which is the chipset on the nw9440 mobile workstation.  Not always completely reliable but it might help . . .

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The biggest issue with laptops is the severe limitations placed on the chipset by a custom BIOS.

Just because one knows which chipset is installed doesn't help very much if the CPU or memory module that one wants to install to effect an upgrade is not supported by the BIOS ROM file.

One can purchase a processor or CPU of the correct socket type appropriate to a laptop, but it still may not be supported by the BIOS. It all depends on whether one is willing to take a gamble ($$$) or not. BIOS support is all important in the upgrade process.

 

[cpq-new]

Thanks to Both, and yes chipset will direct to posibilities, which will be limited by BIOS. I wish the systemboard was in fact an asus XY.?? etc, so one could refer to those specs etc for upgrades & subsequent BIOS updates...How does one go about getting an update request into HP to accomodate the bios updates we need? I have been involved with CPQ and HP for years (onsite warr. technician etc... for Cpq & Hp) and know updates of this sort do occur. The newest 45nm proc with a quad is the same socket & fsb as well, and if i'm upgrading this model thats where i'd like to go. I bought this as a cheap do everything mobile device ($400 bucks) and find it to be sufficient for the current needs. I also am about to use the free windows 7 upgrade path and if am doing upgrades(s) then would like those in place b4...no new question just looking at questions posted...thanks for the help! (64bit should always accomodate mor ram)

[erico]

Hi,

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cpq-new wrote:
Thanks to Both, and yes chipset will direct to posibilities, which will be limited by BIOS. I wish the systemboard was in fact an asus XY.?? etc, so one could refer to those specs etc for upgrades & subsequent BIOS updates...How does one go about getting an update request into HP to accomodate the bios updates we need? I have been involved with CPQ and HP for years (onsite warr. technician etc... for Cpq & Hp) and know updates of this sort do occur. The newest 45nm proc with a quad is the same socket & fsb as well, and if i'm upgrading this model thats where i'd like to go. I bought this as a cheap do everything mobile device ($400 bucks) and find it to be sufficient for the current needs. I also am about to use the free windows 7 upgrade path and if am doing upgrades(s) then would like those in place b4...no new question just looking at questions posted...thanks for the help! (64bit should always accomodate mor ram)

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As far as a BIOS update request goes...when there are enough problems in hardware for particular laptops that there must be something  done...that is when we see the updates.

Some of the motherboards are ASUS. Those are ok. The motherboards that are Pegatron or Wistron as not so great.  

When you get ready to do the Windows 7 upgrade...take a look and make sure that the drivers are available. AFAIK all laptop Windows 7 drivers have not been made available as Windows 7 just ''hit the street". 

regards,

erico 

[Laeadern]

I have a HP Pavilion DV7 3067cl and am trying to figure out if i can upgrade the DVD-ROM to a Blu-Ray drive. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01890529&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=4041781 is HP's only link to it.

[cpq-new]

This is probably not the place to post re. any upgrades...

2cents is Blu-ray needs a fairly specific highend range of graphics adaptors, and a decent proc as well...look at the specs page of the drive re the system reqs...

[Asela]

Erico,

Question again.  if i want to boost the speed of the notebook (Compaq CQ61-314TU) what type of CPUs should support? chipset is Intel GL40 and current CPU is Celeron T3000 dual core cpu.

[Elang_V]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for the wonderful thread. I have a question. Is it possible to replace an integrated Tv Tuner card (minicard) with another one.

Im currently owning HP HDX 13 1355ee notebook ( http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3982255& )  which has an integrated HP DVB-T TV Tuner. I wanted to upgrade it with a Hybrid card, preferrable internal one, as im not interested in external cards. Im unsure about the possiblilty. Please reply.

Also, is the Maintenance & Service Manual available for this mode? Ive bee searching for it without any luck!

Regards,

Elang

[erico]

Hi,

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Elang_V wrote:

Hi,

Thanks a lot for the wonderful thread. I have a question. Is it possible to replace an integrated Tv Tuner card (minicard) with another one.

Im currently owning HP HDX 13 1355ee notebook ( http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3982255& )  which has an integrated HP DVB-T TV Tuner. I wanted to upgrade it with a Hybrid card, preferrable internal one, as im not interested in external cards. Im unsure about the possiblilty. Please reply.

Also, is the Maintenance & Service Manual available for this mode? Ive bee searching for it without any luck!

Regards,

Elang

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What kind of hybrid card are you referring to?

The Maintenence & Service manual is here.

regards,

erico 

[Elang_V]

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erico wrote:

Hi,

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Elang_V wrote:

Hi,

Thanks a lot for the wonderful thread. I have a question. Is it possible to replace an integrated Tv Tuner card (minicard) with another one.

Im currently owning HP HDX 13 1355ee notebook ( http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3982255& )  which has an integrated HP DVB-T TV Tuner. I wanted to upgrade it with a Hybrid card, preferrable internal one, as im not interested in external cards. Im unsure about the possiblilty. Please reply.

Also, is the Maintenance & Service Manual available for this mode? Ive bee searching for it without any luck!

Regards,

Elang

---

What kind of hybrid card are you referring to?

The Maintenence & Service manual is here.

regards,

erico 

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Hi Erico,

Thanks a lot for the replying. And the link is wonderful It gives all the manuals which i was looking for!

TV Tuner which is in-built can receive only over the air digital signals. So, i want to replace it with hybrid tv tuner card which can receive both digital as well as analog signals. Im not getting a clear response from HP Support team regarding this.

Regards,

Elang

[Asela]

Hi Erico,

Is it possible to upgrade laptops screen to higher resolution screen (WUXGA 1080p full HD) have seen many people done that before. is there anything to consider beforehand?

Thanks,