old laptop

[Ghost]

i have this old laptop that doesnt get used. its slow and a bit laggy. i was wondering if i could swap out the CPU for a better one (the best it can handle from its time). im not a builder, dont really consider myself a modder (only done RAM on both laptop and desktop types, secondary OD in desktop, secondary HD in my current DV7), so with an unused laptop i thought this would a good way to get experience and try something different. whats there to lose, right? the laptop is a Toshiba Satellite A105-S1013, 1.6 Intel Celeron M 380, ATI (something something darkside), ill get pics of the CPU-Z info later to be sure.

[notallthere]

[Ghost]

i have hit the base of it once before that it turned off.

[havoc1482]

I generally find it cheaper to get a new laptop then to try and upgrade internals. Too much hassle lol. If you want advice on what to by ask me. I don't know much about laptop internals. I've built my own desktops.

[Ghost]

true, thats why i got my DV7. its only 2 years old. but since i have this old Toshiba sitting around, id thought id have a little fun and see what you builders see. obviously im not building it but it gives me an idea of it. and the CPU is only a few bucks. really nothing to lose. i jus dont know which is the best and works with the motherboard (possibly a Pentium). i didnt find an exact answer. maybe you could point me in the right direction.

[Ringo64]

I usually avoid laptop modding as a lot of the pieces, especially in older models are heavily put together, soddered, 1 expensive piece, etc... RAM is about as far as I go

Though if you want to try an old laptop with nothing to lose is good. Crucial.com can tell you a lot of what the max capacities are for you laptop and OS. Can post here and Havoc and I can help guide you.

[Ghost]

well thats the first step. with the info above, am i able to swap out the CPU? if yes, which is the best one i can use on it? and Crucial only shows RAM and HD, not CPU, unless i missed that section.

[havoc1482]

Weird, an Intel chipset with ATI GPU. You generally don't see them paired together.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ASSUMES YOU HAVE A SOCKETED CPU AND NOT A SURFACE MOUNT CPU

You'll need to find out that socket type and get a list of available CPUs that can even fit. For example, my desktop has an Nehalem microarchitecture based Intel i7 (Codename: Bloomfield). The socket type is LGA 1366. That means my motherboard HAS to have the 1366 socket and will ONLY take CPUs with that socket type.

Ghost, can you run a Direct X Diagnostic and post the results? Much of the information you posted will be the same as the diagnostic, but I have an easier time digesting those than CPU-Z. To run the diagnostic, go to your start menu and type in "dxdiag" and hit enter or click the program that will appear.

Also, save the info into a text file by clicking the "Save All Information..." button. Ringo, does FP allow attachment of files such as .txt? If not Ghost, you can email it to me at [email protected]

Also, bacon.

[Ringo64]

It should allow non-executable file types, so a txt file should be fine.

[Ghost]

DxDiag.txt

[havoc1482]

Ghost is looks like you won't be able to upgrade it. If I am correct, you have Socket 478 which supports processors that were replaced around 2004. They are all in "End of Life" status. You can't buy any new. You'd have to find one refurbished which would be absolutely not worth it. Unlike a desktop, you can't change the motherboard in your laptop, so you can't get a newer socket that will work with a newer CPU.

[Ghost]

ooh. not 479?

i might throw in some questions/issues in here about my DV7 since im having trouble with it. so if you guys could help on that, id greatly appreciate it.

[havoc1482]

ooh. not 479?

i might throw in some questions/issues in here about my DV7 since im having trouble with it. so if you guys could help on that, id greatly appreciate it.

Yeah that threw me off. I looked up the actual processor and cross referenced it to the available socket types for the Radeon Xpress 200 and 478 is the only one that matches.

I'd be glad to help with the DV7, and I'm sure Jimbo will be too.

[Ghost]

jus blue screened.

[havoc1482]

jus blue screened.

Time for a reformat!

[Ghost]

ok, DV7 time. i took a pic of the blue screen if its needed. anyways in October i had 3 freak out blue screens happen all within 4 hours. since then there have been probably 3 more. now that all this that has happened, youtube seems a bit laggy and now jus freezes with half video or starts with no video but has audio and all stops after a few seconds. other videos not on youtube dont have video at all then stops. ive PMd Woody for help and suggested id remove Flash and Silverlight then install. well any of the downloads including Windows Update download and Chrome, all download but then get stuck at 99% for a while then quits. also, after turning on the laptop and logging in, i noticed the black screen stays on longer when transitioning into Windows.

[havoc1482]

My desktop has given me blue screen issues with the same symptoms as yours in the past. Basically so much is going on in your computer that its head is starting to hurt. It just needs a fresh start.

Go into My Computer. Do you have a Recovery drive? You should be able to use that and do a factory reset. Just make sure to save all your personal files and anything else you don't want lost. If not you'll need a copy of your OS on a CD or thumbdrive to reinstall with. The process isn't very hard, I've done it a bunch of times. Its actually harder for me because I built my computer so I don't have a factory installed recovery drive.

I'm overdue for a system reset myself, but I'm too lazy to backup everything haha

[Ringo64]

Sounds like its choking and gasping for air . Reformatting it sounds like it will do it some justice as Mikey stated. As with the state of memory, just overwriting itself, it can do this and it needs a good slap in the back to stop choking (aka a reformat).

Could be something completely interfering with the drivers or the drivers compatibility, none-the-less the reformat will take care of that and make sure you have the latest drivers for sound and gfx cards.

[Ghost]

i kinda want to crack it open to remove potentially stuck on dust but i really dont want to open it cuz it might have to be really taken apart. so for the Recovery, should i remove the 2nd HD? i jus dont wanna lose the 1Tb of shows.

[havoc1482]

1TB????? Haha, well. You'd have to move those off your computer to an external harddrive. You don't remove any thing. Recovery (D:) is a partition of your harddrive.

I think there is also a way to access the factory reset before the computer boots. I think for you you hit F11 before it starts up.

[Ghost]

i guess ill be doing that on the weekend.

so for the Satellite, how about using another 478? your thoughts on ClockGen or other similar programs/ways? since its another aspect of you builders.

[havoc1482]

I don't OC any of my stuff. You might be able to squeeze a little out. If you can find another 478 then by all means, go for it.

[Ghost]

so a Pentium M 735, 745, 755 or 765 would be the top selection right? you didnt find if the Celeron M 380 is soldered on? oh, how is the BIOS updated?

[havoc1482]

Step 1: Identify your current BIOS version.

The easiest way to find your BIOS version is to open up the System Information app in Windows--just type msinfo32 into the search bar/runbox, and click System Summary; your BIOS version should now show up on the right under your processor speed. Record your version number (and the date that appears afterwards, if is there)

Step 2: Check your PC/motherboard manufacturer's Website for BIOS updates.

Most PC manufacturers handle BIOS updates based on your specific line and model, so go to your manufacturer's support page and check its listings for your PC, because if you download and install a BIOS intended for a different model, your PC probably won't work (although most BIOS updaters are smart enough to notice if you try to install them on the wrong hardware). If there is a BIOS update file available, grab it along with any documentation it comes with, because often warnings and specific instructions are contained in the ReadMe docs.

Step 3: Read the included documentation.

Your PC's BIOS handles a lot of the nuts and bolts.

The BIOS updater's Read Me file will most likely include a list of fixes and new functions, often to support new hardware. Make sure all drivers are up to date

Step 4: Update your BIOS.

Most newer PCs have a fairly easy BIOS update procedure: Just download the .exe file from your PC manufacturer's Website, quit all open programs, run the .exe, and let it handle the patch; then reboot. Make sure you don't run on the battery. Last thing you need is for it to die halfway through Ghosty

On some older PCs, however, might require you to set up your own bootable disk to update the BIOS yourself. You might still be able to download an app that configures a USB thumb drive or blank CD/DVD so that you can boot off of it to update the BIOS, or an ISO image file that can be used in your disc-burning app of choice. Like Daemon Tools, thats what I have.

I doubt you'll have to do the following method, its archaic haha, but I'll post it anyways

Other systems will have you copy a few files to your bootable disk, restart, and open up the BIOS during startup (by doing that F11 thingy), and change the boot order so your system looks for a bootable USB drive or CD before loading the OS from your hard drive. So basically, you adjust the boot order so that the drive you put the update on gets loaded first BEFORE the OS. I've actually had to do this before for a different reason. The BIOS menu is pretty straight forward.

[Ghost]

looks like the Satellite is still on the out-of-the-box 2nd version. jus skip to the last version? also, does it get installed to the HD? like if the HD is swapped out if the update would have to be done again. and i guess ill be taking both laptops apart. the Satellite for the CPU, cleaning and practice/experience and the DV7 for cleaning most likely new thermal paste (should i havoc?).