Do CPU upgrades void HP warranties?

I'd appreciate first hand experience or links to documentation. Assume, of course, that the upgraded processor is not the problem. Obviously HP isn't going to service parts that aren't theirs.

 

You won't void your warranty if you don't damage anything when taking apart your notebook. HP doesn't use seals and stickers on the heatsink like ASUS, so if you reinstall the original (OEM) CPU when sending in the notebook for service, you'll be fine.

 

Can you re-state this? I think I know what you are meaning, but it doesn't make sense. It reads to me like you are saying you have to break something for your warranty to remain in effect; and IF you leave aftermarket CPU in notebook when sending in for service, there will be no problems.

 

when you have installed the new CPU:

1. disassemble the notebook and install the old CPU again.

2. send the notebook to HP

 

Good enough ?

 

I believe it will technically void the warranty. That said there are no seals involved. If you need to send in the laptop/desktop for warranty work and put back the original CPU and send it in there is no way the manufacturer can tell.

 

LOL, yeah. You've got enough rep that I didn't think you would be pullin' someone's leg, but it kind of looked like it. I can also be quite dyslexic at times.

 

Meh! I'm usually Hi during these hours..

 

Yes it voids your warranty because its not a CRU part (customer repairable/replacable unit). Most HPs notebooks have CPU's which are pretty invasive to upgrade.

Though they cant really find out unless you damage something or make a mess.

What notebook are you trying to upgrade?

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm working on a Elitebook 8730w. As far as laptops go it's not too tough of an upgrade but not something I can see everyone doing.

I've upgraded the unit to a Q9100 and am having an ACPI problem. What it boils down to is that HP ships the lower end 8730w with a different motherboard than the ones that come with the quad by default. The motherboard I have boots the CPU and runs fine generally except for maxing out the "system" process on the first core. When I look inside the "system" process I see the ACPI string consuming all of the cycles.

I find this situation outrageous and want to call a tech to complain and see if they will do anything for me. The idea that HP would hamgstring their $2000+ flagship model with an inferior motherboard to save a few bucks (or differentiate products = angrier) is ridiculous. The service manual lists the Quad chips as configurable parts so they certainly don't make the motherboard issue obvious.

My concern is, if I call a tech and explain my situation, will he/she flag my machine as void and deny me warranty service some time in the future, even if I haven't caused damage through this upgrade?

Thanks!

 

So essentially you want HP to give you something for free that others are paying for because you've voided your warranty by upgrading your CPU? Seems a bit of a stretch to me. Perhaps the better board is significantly more expensive, which would increase the cost of your machine. New tech always costs more. It's the way the world works. I don't see that as HP's fault.

 

I'm not looking for anything free. I purchased the CPU myself, separately from the system. I'm frustrated that HP has limited the lower end models for no other reason than to force customers to pay almost $5000 to get a quad. Motherboard prices from the HP.com parts store...

Quad core board - $444.60
Dual core board - $427.50.

So HP saves $17.10 and I am stuck for the next three years with the inability to use Quad core CPUs. I'm not looking for handouts, I'm just feeling a little burned on my $2000 hangstrung Elitebook purchase. I wonder if there are any other 8730w buyers who had visions of upgrading to Quad in a few years?

 

The vast majority of people will never open their notebooks, though the perspective here is a little skewed. HP sold you a notebook at a certain price with certain components. You agreed to that sale. HP doesn't owe you anything. If it were that important to you to be able to run a quad core, you should have asked or done your homework. Perhaps they sell the quad core machine at higher prices because some people are willing to pay for it, which keeps the cost of the machine you bought lower. I know some for the first ThinkPad T60s, R60s and Z61s can't upgrade to the Core 2 Duos even though they are the same socket because the motherboard doesn't support it. Lenovo didn't do anything wrong either. It's just the way it is.

 

Those early lenovo machines can't be upgraded to Core2 because they are build around an older chipset. Intel's mobile CPUs have shared a physical socket for some time now. I wouldn't expect an older chipset to necessarily support a newer CPU but that isn't the issue here. The machine recognizes the CPU, boots to windows and runs fine besides maxing core1.

My argument isn't that HP is legally obligated to me but rather that as a customer paying for a high end notebook I find their use of motherboard revisions to enforce product tiers to be distasteful and offputting. It doesn't even help HP as the kind of person who is going to get a CPU from a 3rd party and upgrade their notebook probably isn't going to spend $5000 to get the quad equipped machine. This is the kind of thing that would point me to another vendor in the future. Most notebooks sell in the $500-$1000 range these days. I just expect more from a $2000 machine. I appreciate your comments though I find your arguments unconvincing. What companies are or aren't allowed to do legally isn't always the issue. Sometimes perception and customer satisfaction carry more weight. Obviously my argument isn't with you. I'll see what HP has to say and post my resolution...

 

HP sold you a notebook. They never claimed it could run a quad core. You've now discovered it cannot not. Where did HP cause you harm? If wanted a machine that could run a quad core then maybe you should have asked.

 

I think HP and some others would probably do all they could to save a few dollars here and there. It all adds up and makes their products price more competitive. Basically I guess it comes down to 'you get what you pay for' or maybe 'you don't get more than what you pay for' would be more correct.

Are there any differences in the system board because of power differences of the CPU? 45W vs 35/25W?

How about selling your board (maybe c/w dual core & H/S) on ebay for instance and buying the proper quad board + H/S from HP?

When you say "system" process do you mean the kernel? What do you mean by ACPI 'strings'? Which windows OS are you using?

 

So is there a way for new buyers to pick this Quad supported motherboard? Or do you HAVE to buy a Quad Core CPU in order to get it?

If you can't order it as an option then that REALLY sux.
I fully intended to buy a 2.8Ghz CPU now and then upgrade to a QuadCore later on down the road. I must admit for the sake of what.. $17 why would Hp not just stick to the 1 motherboard so everyone would have this option?

Si

 

Yes, it would appear that you actually have to buy a Quad Core CPU in order to get a Quad Core CPU.

Notebook CPU is NOT a CRU.