Toshiba Satellite A500: CPU update

I bought Toshiba Satellite A500-025 PSAM3C 025017. Unfortunately, I didn't check carefully processor features and just later realized that this laptop's CPU (T6500) didn't support VT. Nowadays it is serious limitation, I suppose.
Is it technically possible to upgrade T6500 to any other CPU with virtualisation support?
Would somebody likes to see details of this device, I attach to this message ZCPU protocol.

 

You have the GM45 express chipset, any intel socket P CPU (not quad core versions though) should work.

All of these will work:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5366183&postcount=6

 

But how about BIOS update? Is it necessary ? Now there is no vt switch.

 

Sometimes when you upgrade the CPU, the option just appears in the BIOS.

A BIOS update is a good idea though.

 

My question is, why do you consider lack of virtualization such a serious limitation? The majority of notebooks of the same era as the A500 did not come with processors that had support for virtualization anyway. Anyway, do you even use virtual mode?

 

Prohibits the use of XP Mode in Windows 7 would be the main reason that I can think of. That's normally the reason the people posting on the Toshiba Support Forums have for asking about this.

 

Yes, I use it for development. For some reason I have to use free VM (Virtual PC, Virtual Box). Both require VT on. For VB I found temporary solution, but it still very inconvinient. You may say that I should by more expensive professional model, and you will be right. Though...

In my case this is QNX Neutrino

BTW, I did exactly what you said: came to Toshiba Support Forum. And was re-addressed here

 

I know that. Who do you think referred you here?

 

You?! Silly me

 

Alright then. As Moral Hazard said, a BIOS update would be good, if possible, but not necessarily required if you get the option with the new processor.

The best "bang for your buck" processor at the moment would probably have to be pretty much anything in the T9xxx series, particularly the T9600.

Also, OP, if you could try to refrain from multiposting too much, that would be good. The Edit button is there for that reason.

 

T96xx has different FSB. Is it still possible to use?

 

Yes, your chipset supports 667, 800 and 1066mhz FSB CPUs.

 

GM45 chipset isn't limited unlike GL40 so 1066MHz FSB processors are supported.... Like Shadow said , i'd get T9600 or P9600... The best u can upgrade to is T9900 but that's expensive... T9600 should already be a great update over T6500...

 

And it's more than likely that a T9600 would work because a few models of the A500 came with the T9600 as stock.

 

So what is the sequence of steps (stupid question but I never upgraded CPU)? Or more precisely, if laptop doesn't boot after replacement, I think that I should try to upgrade BIOS. How to do it having dead box?

 

Upgrade the BIOS before you change the CPU, there is nothing wrong with having the latest BIOS.

If you get a black screen when you try to turn it on, do this:
1. Take out the battery and power cord.
2. Hold the power button for 1 min.
3. Put the battery and power cord back and try to boot.

Also you can try re-seating the RAM and also try getting into the BIOS without a HDD installed.

It should work though.

 

Go to the Toshiba Support Site to download your bios file. DO NOT update the bios from within Windows. Don't do it, don't even think about doing it if you want to use your computer again and do NOT allow anyone to convince you different. When you double click on the download you will be presented with the choice of creating a CD to flash the bios from. USE THIS METHOD. You can use a CD-RW so you don't waste a blank, but even the cost of a regular blank CD is cheap compared to the $100 that most places will charge you to fix a botched bios flash. Be sure to burn the CD at the slowest possible speed to ensure the best possible quality. Make sure that your battery is fully charged, installed, and the AC Adapter is plugged in just in case.

And don't forget to go into the bios and hit the F9 key to load Bios/Setup Defaults then F10 to exit and save just prior to and immediately after updating the bios.

 

I have updated many toshiba notebook BIOSs all from windows since '99, never had a problem.

I say just run it from windows.

 

Have you or anybody else used to buy from this seller?
http://www.impactcomputers.com/
I like the prices, but I have some doubts. For example
http://www.impactcomputers.com/506024-001.html
Does HP means something, or this is just regular T9600?

 

It's a regular T9600.

 

OK, I bought T9600 prepared all tools and thermal compound. I even read several times on www.irisvista.com the article which described how to disassemble A500, and how to unmount and mount back CPU. However, I stuck trying to find optimal way to get access to hotsink assembly and CPU. Does anybody knows better method than just completely disassemble device? In the last case I'm afraid that road back could be much more difficult

 

Toshiba notebooks are like that, you need to take them apart fully.

 

You will have to completely take it apart. Most Toshiba notebooks are like that, you have to remove the motherboard to access the CPU socket. You can do it, just be careful, and put all the like screws in piles, to make sure they go back in the right place when you put it back together. It might be easier if you labeled to groups of screws as well.

 

OK, need help online. I stuck trying to remove the top. There are several twisted cables (I guess for indicators) which I have to disconnect, but I don't know how. Any Idea? I don't want to pull them or apply extensive power

 

Not sure, maybe take the keyboard off and see if the connectors are there?

 

I solved this problem. But almost at the finish I got 1 1/2 more. See my post:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=462470