HP Pavilion dv6700 laptop CPU upgrade

[jaws2222]

I plan on upgrading my CPU to a T9300.  I currently have a T2330 and my laptop has the F.33 BIOS.  I am currently running a Linux Mint 13 64-Bit OS, I had no problem upgrading it to 8GB of RAM.  I'm not sure if I'll need to flash the BIOS to a newer version or not since I am not running Windows. (It originally came with Windows Vista Home Premium 32-BIT.)  I know there are tons of versions of this laptop but I can tell you it has the PM965 Chipset and this is the info on the service tag:

Product: HP Pavilion dv6700

s/n: {Removed for privacy}

p/n: GT812AV

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

[banhien]

Hi,

There are few more BIOS versions after F.33. You can upgrade/update BIOS on your machine using them from the following link:

   http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=2093&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=3636...

all drivers for Vista are in there too.

The following manual may help you in the process to rebuild your machine.

   http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01295877.pdf

Regards.

[jaws2222]

So do I definitely need to update the BIOS even if I am not running Windows?   Does the F.33 BIOS not cover the T9300? Will I have to reinstall my current OS?  

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You have to have BIOS v.F.45 or newer in your notebook in order to install a T9300.

Here are the release notes from F.45.

File name:		[1/1, 3.08M]
System requirements:		No additional prerequisites
Released:		2008-02-22
Version:		F.45
Compatibility:		Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise (32-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Business (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
Fix/Enhancement:		Adds support for Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile Processors T8100, T8300, T9300, and T9500. Fixes issue where the 1394 port may not work after resuming from Standby mode.

Important note:  You can only flash the BIOS while running Windows Vista. Any attempt to flash the BIOS using any other operating system will render the notebook useless except for parts.

Paul

[banhien]

Hi,

Please check the manual if you need to upgrade. Normally even not running Windows we still upgdare BIOS.

Hope this makes sense.

[jaws2222]

Thanks guys.  I wasn't sure since I was told there was no way my dv6700 would see 8GB of RAM and it does. I guess I can put the new BIOS on a flash drive or CD since I am not running Windows.  I don't really know anybody running Vista so that's not going to work.  

I do have XP in Virtualbox on this machine but I doubt I could flash it that way.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

That is a little known secret you can install 8 GB of memory in any dv6000/dv9000 model with the 965 chipset.

Make your own Vista installation disk.

Since I assume you don't plan on retaining Vista on your notebook, if you can't read the product key, just skip that part and you have 30 days to update your BIOS before Vista forces you to activate the installation or goes dormant.

Here's how...

If you're up to a slight but rewarding challenge you can make your own if you can read your 25 character Vista product key on the PC.

Just download the 3 files you need at the link below, and read all of the instructions to create a bootable DVD installation disk using imageburn.

Disregard the part of the text under the first screen shot about "extract the files to the Vista folder."

The files were already extracted to that folder when you ran the X14.exe file by reading the text on top of the first screen shot.

The other thing I noticed is on the 4th screen shot, where it shows Developer ID Microsoft Corporation. I had to type Microsoft Corporation in myself, and then the other codes automatically populated.

When I went to compile the ISO file, ImageBurn gave a message that about a WIM file and ISO, and if I wanted to burn it in a different format.

I selected No, make the ISO file.

It was not that hard to do. I burned both the 64 bit disk and the 32 bit disk in case I ever need them.

I tested both of them an my hp dc7100 CMT desktop PC, they worked perfectly.

When you enter the product key, it knows what version of Vista you have.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/3317.2-3-microsoft-windows-v....

After you successfully install Vista, you can then install the drivers from your PC's support and driver page.

Paul

[jaws2222]

You read mt mind!  I actually have an old 2.5 inch 80GB sata drive lying around so I think that is the way to go.  Would you suggest getting the latest (F.58, I believe) or just get F.45?  Also I assume when I get the new CPU installed and put my Linux MInt OS SSD back in it will not work forcing me to reinstall, correct?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Yes, I would go to the BIOS latest version and be done with it.

There won't be any more BIOS versions released for your PC.

Once you flash the BIOS, and install the new processor, I would think your SSD will be plug and play.

I've never had an OS flake out on me because I installed a different processor.  Worst case scenario is it installs a couple drivers and asks to reboot and that is only if you are making some major switches like going from a non-hyperthreading Pentium 4 processor to a hyperthreading Pentium 4 processor for example.

Please post back and let us know how it all goes.

Paul

[jaws2222]

Thanks a lot!  You guys are Kings!