Upgrading my HP DV6000US laptop's BIOS and CPU

[DishaPreet]

Hello Experts

I'm trying to upgrade my HP Pavilion DV6450US (DV6000 series) laptop from 2008 with latest and greatest BIOS that is available and best CPU it can accommodate. I'm trying to re-purpose it for my son to use it during the summer break. The school claimed back the laptops from everyone as the school year is coming to a close. Probably will hand it back when the school starts back in Sept. I know this is a 10+ years laptop but it runs as comparable to the laptop that was given from the school. If I'm able to upgrade then it will be something for my son to keep learning during the summer break. The issues is I'm not able to find the BIOS/drivers for this laptop in the HP.com site. Hoping the Experts here will help me find the suitable BIOS/drivers for this machine. 

Laptop details:

Model: HP Pavilion DV6000 (GA374UA#ABA)

Specific model (from sticker): DV6450US

BIOS version: F.27 (don't remember upgrading it ever; should have update it along time ago.... arrgghh!)

System board id: 30BB

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 (2 core/2 thread @ 1.73 GHz)

RAM: 4GB PC2 5300 (came with 2 and I upgraded to 4gb)

HDD: HP S700 512GB SSD (still have the original 200GB HDD with Vista on it)

OS: currently running Ubuntu but can switch to Windows 8/10

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-DV6450US-Laptop-Processor-Premium/dp/B000RNC4CM

I did some research and found out that I can go with an Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 (@ 2GHz) or one of theseT8100, T8300, T9300 or a T9500 (@ 2.6GHz if I'm able to update it to BIOS version F.52/F.58 (from https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebooks-Archive-Read-Only/HP-Pavillion-DV6000-processor-upgrade-ques...). I'm not sure if these processors for F.45 are supported for my exact model but found it for the DV6000 series. I know I have to update my BIOS under Vista which I'm fine to do since I have the original HDD. The problem however is there is no BIOS upgrade that I can find on the HP site. The only BIOS info I could find was from the below link for version F.2E (not sure if this is a correct and upgraded version to what I have F.27). I prefer t have either F.52 or F.58 which others have successfully upgraded. I also see that the RAM can be upgraded to 8GB which I could do if someone can confirm  if this series supports it.

BIOS/Drivers link : http://hpnotebookdrivers.com/model/hp-pavilion-dv6450us-notebook-pc-drivers/

Reading up on the forum, I found the support pages for the older laptops have been deactivated and have been moved to repository that only HP support team can access. Appreciate if someone can help me with the latest BIOS and can also update on the latest processor/memory that I can upgrade without running into any issues.

Please let know if there is any information that I missed in my post here. I'll get that updated to this post as soon as I find it.

Thank you!

Disha

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Disha:

Your notebook has the older Intel 945 chipset and the best processor you can install in your notebook is the T7200.

The others you mentioned will not work because they run at 800 MHz and your notebook's chipset only supports 667 MHz processors.  The T7700 etc., are for the dv6500 and newer models in the series with the Intel 965 chipset.

Here are the info and exe files for the last BIOS update HP released for your notebook.

Since the files were written to be run on WXP or Vista, I have no idea what will happen if you try updating the BIOS in W7 or newer Windows operating systems.

You can only flash the BIOS in Windows, not Ubuntu.

Info: F.2E

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp48001-48500/sp48121.html

Exe file:

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp48001-48500/sp48121.exe

[DishaPreet]

Hi Paul

Thanks for the quick response. Was super impressed on how quickly you were able to send the link. I was able to update the BIOS by using a Vista installation and everything went smooth. The BIOS now shows F.2E as the version. Thanks for pointing out about the 945 chipset. I was not able to find that info online. Like the T7200 you suggested, T7400 and  T7600 processors supports 667MHz BUS. Does the socket type differ between T5300 (current CPU)/T7200 and T7400/T7600 that makes it incompatible? Would be nice if you can confirm if I could upgrade to an 8GB memory or if I'll have to stick to the current 4GB one? Could you let know which motherboard that this specific model DV6450US has? That would help me get to know my motherboard better.

Another question, would I be able to upgrade the motherboard/processor altogether? I see old motherboards for like 30-40 bucks in ebay. Was thinking if the laptop frame and display would be compatible with a better motherboard (that can support better processors and memory) than I could try that out instead of sticking with the current one. Appreciate your help and truly value the information these forum provides. Have a great day!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Theoretically the chipset should support the T7600 but the service manual indicates the maximum supported processor is the T7200.

Maintenance and Service Guide (hp.com)

The max memory supported by the motherboard is 2 x 2 GB.

Unfortunately, I would not be able to help you with any non-standard upgrades.

I would have no idea if the motherboard from a dv6500t model series or newer would fit/line up with the holes in the existing case, or if all of the connectors are the same such as the display cable and whatnot.

Also if you change the motherboard, the existing wifi card would most likely no longer work, since there is a BIOS whitelist which prevents any wireless card that did not come with the model motherboard you may plan to install, from working.

You have a great day too!

[DishaPreet]

Appreciate your valuable inputs Paul. I'll just stick to the T7200 upgrade to juice a little more out of my laptop and then upgrade it to the latest model by next year.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.