Upgrade story v2110 (celeron 1.3 512mb => pentium-m 1.5 1024mb)

I work in a staples, so I see deals regarding laptops every once in a while. Last day, I've seen a compaq v2110ca, which had a celeron 1300mhz, 512mb ddr, 40gb, cdrw/dvd, 14" brightview for 700$cdn (=600$us). It was the last one. The unit was not damaged, but it was open box. I started to check if it was possible to replace the celeron with a better pentium-m.

The CPU was socketed, so I bought the computer. I had an averatec 6130, which I've upgraded to 1024mb of ram in the past. I took this gig of ram, and popped it in to the compaq. Took the 256mbX2 from the compaq and popped into the averatec, and sold it to someone. So I had a celeron 1300 (dothan) with 1024mb. I had a friend which had a dv4040, he has a dothan 1.73 inside, I tried it, it worked, but his cpu had a 533fsb, so it worked only a 1300mhz (supposed to be 13x133=1733, but it was 13x100=1300)!

I knew I had to find a pentium-m, with a 400fsb bus.

I looked in ebay, and I've found a banias 1300. I ordered it, for like 40$.

When the chip arrived, it booted fine, but crashed as soon as I've entered windows (programs were closing by themselves). Soon or later, the whole thing crashed. In safe mode, no problem.

Weird

After some posting in forums and poking around. I figured out that banias chips require MORE voltage than dothan (newer), so the motherboard didn't supply enough voltage when speedstep kicked in.

Bummer.

Seller accepted return.

Now I had to find a 400fsb, but a dothan one!

I did buy a 1500 pentium-m dothan chip. It worked fine.

FYI,

celeron-m 1300mhz
1024mb
40gb
14"

2h00 wifi-on+screen maxed
2h30 wifi-off+screen lowered

--

pentium-m 1500mhz
1024mb
40gb
14"
(same specs actually, but with pentium-m)

3h00 wifi-on+screen maxed
4h30 wifi-off+screen lowered



The only thing that changed is the cpu. For a mere 80$ on ebay.

That's a nice machine, knowing I sold the averatec for 1000$, and got this computer for 700$ plus the 80$ cpu upgrade. I actually gained some money ..

Image the 12 cell ... I am considering it.

Math


(FYI, all $ are cdn, except where noted)

 

Obviously you are not affraid of voiding your warranty....
Nice upgrade, really nice. Maybe I can try something similar and change the ML-34 with MT-3X after a few months.

 

There isn't any obvious sign that the laptop was opened, unless they check the original specs of the laptop with the model # ... Which I don't think they're going to do honestly. I know how these guys work, they do it as fast as possible!

 

I've done some modding in the past to machines...including a couple of complete rebuilds of laptops. After completing the mod I use the setup for a month or two until I get bored with it....then ebay it off modded. The person who purchases it gets a better setup than factory and all the machines are well out of warranty anyway so why not, if it makes it better.