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Archived This topic has been archived. Information and links in this thread may no longer be available or relevant. If you have a question create a new topic by clicking here and select the appropriate board.
HP Recommended

I don't know if you need any of this information, but it never hurts to put it down, anyway:

 

HP Compaq Presario C700 Notebook (don't know if it's a specific type of C700 because I've seen more than one type)

Windows Vista Home Basic 32-bit OS

Intel Pentium Dual CPU - T2310 @1.46GHz (being upgraded to the 2.1Ghz T8100 after BIOS update)

Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family

2GB DDR2 PC2-5300 RAM (1x1) - I've heard it can support 3GB if you put a 2GB stick in and possibly 4GB if you go 0x4

Windows Experience Index: 3.2 overall, 4.6 - processor, 4.4 - RAM, 3.2 - graphics, 3.3 - gaming graphics, 4.9 - primary hard disk

BIOS Version/Date: Hewlett-Packard F.08, 9/13/2007

 

Miscellaneous: Took the computer apart to clean the fans and twice more to remove the old CPU and then put it back after a black screen popped up on startup after installing the T8100.

 

Anyway, I'm in need of a BIOS update and I was told this support forum was the way to go. Also, a "noob" rundown of why the BIOS needs updating and why it doesn't do it automatically would be greatly appreciated. Might as well learn about software since I'm doing this.

25 REPLIES 25
HP Recommended

Turns out to be a C700T CTO.

 

I'm hesitant to give out my product number on here, but I don't know if you'll need that for an update...

HP Recommended

Hi,

 

There is no issue posting your Model No. or Part No.  However you should not post your Serial No. as this is specific to your notebook.

 

Do I understand correctly, that when you have the new processor installed, the notebook will not start?  Are you certain that the processor you wish to install is compatible with your notebook?

 

Regards,

 

DP-K

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Windows Insider MVP

HP Recommended

Hi:

 

Here is the support and driver page for your notebook:  Windows Vista.

 

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=2093&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=3632...

 

You will find the BIOS download there.

 

I recommend if you flash the BIOS you do it in Windows safe mode or uninstall or disable your antivirus. You don't want that running or it may think a virus is attacking your BIOS, interrupt the flash, and render your notebook quite useless when you go to restart it.

 

If you flash the BIOS, will the T8100 then be supported?  It should with the Mobile Intel 965 chipset, but I don't know about your particular notebook.

 

The reason I ask is because I have an HP Compaq 6910p with the same chipset (T7300 processor), but I have 8 GB of PC-6400 memory in mine (2 x 4 GB).  My specs stated it could only take a max of 4 GB (2 x 2 GB). Folks say that is because no 4 GB memory modules were available at the time. I read on the internet that someone installed 8 GB in his so, I went ahead and installed it in mine too. The thing flies. Of course you need a 64 bit OS and capable 64 bit processor to enjoy the extra RAM.

 

According to the specs, yours can only take a max of 2 GB of memory, so I am wondering if they did something in your BIOS to limit the memory and processor you can install.

 

Sounds like you've done some homework on it. That BIOS revision is quite a jump from what you currently have.

 

Paul

HP Recommended

"If you flash the BIOS, will the T8100 then be supported?  It should with the Mobile Intel 965 chipset, but I don't know about your particular notebook.

 

The reason I ask is because I have an HP Compaq 6910p with the same chipset (T7300 processor), but I have 8 GB of PC-6400 memory in mine (2 x 4 GB).  My specs stated it could only take a max of 4 GB (2 x 2 GB). Folks say that is because no 4 GB memory modules were available at the time. I read on the internet that someone installed 8 GB in his so, I went ahead and installed it in mine too. The thing flies. Of course you need a 64 bit OS and capable 64 bit processor to enjoy the extra RAM.

 

According to the specs, yours can only take a max of 2 GB of memory, so I am wondering if they did something in your BIOS to limit the memory and processor you can install.

 

Sounds like you've done some homework on it. That BIOS revision is quite a jump from what you currently have."

 

Eh, I wanted to build a desktop a few months back and didn't have the funds for it.  Learned quite a lot in that time.  Might as well stick with it since I'm shipping off to college soon.  Anyway, I forgot about the antivirus, thanks for that. And I was recommended to update the BIOS, but I don't know much about it and it appears out of date (F8 to F35 seems a tad out of date to me). As for the RAM, I don't know the difference between your RAM type and mine, if any such differences exist. Someone on a laptop forum said his dad has the C700 and was able to fit 3GB in there since Vista is a memory hog.  I'll try it if I have the money or if someone I know has the memory stick.  My main concern lies with the new CPU.  I don't know if I can update BIOS straight to F35 (I'm assuming I can), but when I update it I'll see what happens from there.

 

"Do I understand correctly, that when you have the new processor installed, the notebook will not start?  Are you certain that the processor you wish to install is compatible with your notebook?"
The notebook starts, but the screen goes completely black and the only thing it seems I can do is remove the battery to shut it off.  I even checked the manual and it's compatible.
HP Recommended

"Flashed" the BIOS. Typed "msinfo32" into the Start menu and it recognized the update to F35. I'll see if this will affect the CPU swap, but I honestly might just search around the internet to see if it's something specifically in the BIOS I can change.

 

Any input before I make a stupid decision will be greatly appreciated, haha.

HP Recommended

Hi:

 

A lot of times a BIOS update is needed to support a higher processor. So, it is not unusual if you put a processor in and the BIOS doesn't support it that you get an issue. Normally you get a microcode error or unsupported processor error but I guess you can get nothing too.

 

So, hopefully the latest BIOS flash will solve that. You can read the release notes of the older versions or the one you just installed if they have release notes and see what the BIOS update does or fixes.

 

If you say the manual says you can put in a T8100 in that computer then it should work. I just don't get the lousy 2 GB of memory part. If you do get memory, I bet you can put in PC2-6400 so the memory runs at 800 MHz if that is the same speed as the processor, which a T8100 runs at.

 

There is nothing in the BIOS you can change that I know of. The processor will either work or it won't. Are you sure the processor is OK?

 

Paul

HP Recommended

"If you say the manual says you can put in a T8100 in that computer then it should work. I just don't get the lousy 2 GB of memory part. If you do get memory, I bet you can put in PC2-6400 so the memory runs at 800 MHz if that is the same speed as the processor, which a T8100 runs at."

 

 

Oh, I thought the BIOS was something you can mess around with in terms of settings. Goes to show what I know, haha. As for the CPU, I bought it used off of Ebay and it had the "guarenteed to work"  banner going for it. There were others that didn't look as promising like the same CPU for $10; definitely wasn't worth the risk. As far as the memory goes, what difference is there between what I have and the PC2-6400? I've seen "more RAM > faster RAM" so I assume it's just a speed differential.

 

Anyway, thanks for the help, it's been useful beyond all belief.

HP Recommended

UPDATE: After a successful BIOS update I opened my eyes to find a fully functional Presario C700 with a brand new T8100 under the hood :OpenSmile: I'll put in the forgotten screws later, haha.

 

I'd just like to thank you guys for contributing. I pretty much learned something new with every sentence so for that I thank you, as well.

HP Recommended

Cool!   :generic:

 

Now you can install a 64 bit OS, and maybe you can experiment with memory if you can get some to try out for free somewhere. I would be interested in if it will run PC2-6400 at the 800 MHz speed and how much you can pack in there. The PC2-6400 runs faster than a comparable PC2-5300 chip of the same size.

 

The BIOS does have settings you can change, but none that would make a processor that wasn't working, work.

 

Like I said, my machine has the same chipset and runs 8 GB of memory when the HP specs state max is only 4 GB.

 

Paul

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