Question for v2000z experts

Hi all,
I got a v2405 yesterday from local staples for < $500 I'd like to upgrade it a little. I plan to play around the hardware of this one a lot while waiting for the next gen architecture. After read through many threads, here is my list of questions...

1. Memory, it comes with 256MB PC2700, running around 159MHz according to CPU-z. I'm looking to upgrade it to 1GB (512MB x 2). Since this is a budget laptop, I probably won't go beyond that. The laptop is currently have BIOS F11.

a) According to my understanding, the mobo doesn't support dual channel, is this correct?

b) I believe it supports PC3200, right? What specific brand of memory proven to be compatible? I'm looking at more major brand like OCZ, Corsair, G.Skill, etc.

2. HDD, Looking to upgrade to a 5400rpm HDD. What do you think about Seagate 5400.2, cool and quiet? Palm rest is kinda hot now and lap area is slightly burning.

3. BIOS: I saw version F13 is out, is it recommended? BTW, how can I access BIOS option like desktop?

4. The laptop doesn't include productivity port, is there anywhere I can add it in? Where can I get spare part? I'm looking specifically for firewire port (I could use PCMCIA but I'd rather leave it for some cooling fan )

5. CPU upgrade: I believe all v2000z has the same mobo, so I should be able to upgrade to Turion MT in the future? I'm thinking of doing this in the next couple years after warranty expired. It currently has a Sempron 3000+ (25w? How can I tell).

6. Where can I download user manual for the laptop? HP site is very confusing.

BTW, the screen and speakers of this lappy are amazing!
Thanks in advance!

 

a) correct. it's socket 754, which is single channel

b) I believe HP doesn't officially support DDR400/PC3200.. However, it works for me. I have the Corsair ValueSelect DDR400.

2) Mine came with the Seagate 5400.2. Quiet, yes. Cool, nope, it's warm. However, there's this one time it became hot. Not really sure what triggered it. I think using the v2000z on a wood table seems to aggravate the harddrive temp. Can someone else who owns a v2000z test this?

3) Mine came with F13. so can't comment on older versions. Press F10 to access the BIOS.

4) I believe it will be impossible to just add the productivity port. Compaq maybe using a different mobo for those without productivity ports. Even if it's the same mobo, you would have to cut holes in your laptop plastic case, which will not look good.

5) I believe it's all a matter of BIOS support. MT and ML maybe physically the same, but without BIOS support, the MT processor won't be recognized.

 

From what I've heard, if you undervolt the ML processor, it will be very much like an MT one.

 

fill2k answered almost all your questions. I just reiterate.

a) According to my understanding, the mobo doesn't support dual channel, is this correct?

Right, No Dual channel( socket 745 does not support)

b) I believe it supports PC3200, right? What specific brand of memory proven to be compatible? I'm looking at more major brand like OCZ, Corsair, G.Skill, etc.

Yes, it does support DDR400 and give good boost overall with 10-12% improvement overall including Video performance. I am using Corsair DDR400, no problem. But this is CAS 3.0 not CAS 2.5 as advertized on NEWEGG and other sites. If you find some other CAS 2.5 at DDR400 may be that is good idea.

2. HDD, Looking to upgrade to a 5400rpm HDD. What do you think about Seagate 5400.2, cool and quiet? Palm rest is kinda hot now and lap area is slightly burning.

Yes, Seagate one of the best, but typically expensive too, next alternative is WD which is cooler and faster. But Seagate NEW 60GB model is really good with single platter design.
Yes, HDD gets kinda hot in these lappies, I use Antec Cooler at work.

Undervolting helps a lot for reducing fan cycling as well as heat.

3. BIOS: I saw version F13 is out, is it recommended? BTW, how can I access BIOS option like desktop?

Yes, I would suggest F13 as fan cycling reduced a lot( never turns on while using on battery). 58C turns on and 50 Turns off ( instead of 55 to 50 which keeps the fan cycling more)

4. The laptop doesn't include productivity port, is there anywhere I can add it in? Where can I get spare part? I'm looking specifically for firewire port (I could use PCMCIA but I'd rather leave it for some cooling fan )

In theory you could, but as fill2k mentioned above it is embedded in plastic housing, unless you cut some wholes in it and some mods which may look ugly and also may cause cracks to housing. I would stayaway from it.

5. CPU upgrade: I believe all v2000z has the same mobo, so I should be able to upgrade to Turion MT in the future? I'm thinking of doing this in the next couple years after warranty expired. It currently has a Sempron 3000+ (25w? How can I tell).

Yes, it is currently using 25Watts version( use CPUz to find processor details) for sure. Not doubts. This chasis can not take DTR chips.

Yes, you could potentially replace with MT chips, but no one did this on this model, but was done on NC6125 model which uses same chipset, but bios could be potentially different. So it is not 100% sure. ML should be no problem, and ML undervolts verygood( much better than MT) and potentially use same or less power than MT series.

6. Where can I download user manual for the laptop? HP site is very confusing.

I do not remember top my head. One of the Undervolting thread or memory conspiracy thread has link.

 

The software and drivers download page for this notebook at hp.com will have a Manuals link on the left-hand side. Hopefully it'll have the service guide too that will tell you how to upgrade the CPU when you're ready.

 

Thanks everyone for response
Socket 754 doesn't support dual channel? I believe the newer desktop boards do support. Anyway, save money not to buy them in pair
Has anyone try this OCZ PC3200? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227104
Regarding the manual, this is what I got from their site. Basically, cr@p.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...duct=1130607&os=228&lang=en&cc=us&man_lang=en

 

Here is the URL for Manual for this series (V2000, V2000z, and DV1000 I think).

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00444244.pdf

 

Works great in my v2000z, using a pair of them!