WARNING...the Compal (I)FL90/91, (I)FT00/01 and JFT00 DO NOT SUPPORT PENRYN no matter what BIOS they have...try it and fry it!

Guys,

The BIOS are password protected for a reason. Please contact your reseller tech service if you have problems with your laptop and see what they say.

A BIOS update should be used as a last resort since they can cause problems.

Also if anyone finds out the password for the zips, please DO NOT post it.

Thx for your cooperation.

-Kdawgca

 

So you want to tell us that ALL further Compal BIOS updates will be password protected? And what if i need to fix any bugs that described in changelog?

What?!!!
I MUST every time To call the retailer and wait?.........
And if he will be so kinde he will send me the BIOS?........
Or may not?.......
Depend on his decission?.........
And what if I some kinde of menthal disorded person and i want to broke my laptop by installing the new BIOS?......
Then what?...........
Last of all I paid money for it and I have rights to do what I want to do with my laptop.
And all this tortures: (Calling, Waiting, Being Depended on retailers mercy decission......And offcourse HAVING BUGs ON LAPTOP.....)
WHY?
The answer is simple:
Because Compal Don't want us to install new penryn processor on "OLD" IFL-90 ,instead of buying $$$$$$$ the *NEW* Compal JWFT......or whatever.
And what if I just want to fix BUGS?
I AM VERY ANGRY!!!!!!!!!

Interesting If other Computer brands like IBM, DELL, HP, Sony, Apple have the same BIOS update policy?

 

Please do NOT post anything that is password-protected on this forum, warnings have already been posted. This is the second time I have had to delete a post where such information was posted. I will start handing out infractions next time.

 

There is no need to flash IFL90s to 1.16 right now, and in some cases flashing to 1.16 has caused shell failures according to Compal and some other Compal OEMs.

Knowing this, if you want to flash it go ahead ...but know the risks associated with it. You can download it with out a password at http://www.bizcom-us.com/support/TechSupportDriversDownloadPage.htm#FL90 Just be sure that you NEED whatever fixes you see there...

 

Just keep in mind this is done for a reason.
So don't be but be happy, password protection can also mean still in testing fase or something other.

 

Tonight we released the PowerPro P 11:15 (Compal JFL92) and the PowerPro P 11:14 (Compal JFT02), both supporting the Penryn processor.

 

paladin44, can you take it apart and see if there are any visible differences in the MoBo circuits around the CPU?

By the way, the CPU thermal sensor is incorporated into the CPU itself, MoBo doesn't have to do anything with it accept to read measurements in already made digital signal through the correct pins.

 

That's explain the changes on the thermal table by the new BIOS 1.16.

 

Your mileage may vary, but I spoke with a customer tonight who attempted to flash his IFL90 BIOS to 1.16. He said that it seemed to be going fine, then halfway through the flash process the laptop simply powered off. He attempted the update two more times and each time it shut off on its own in mid-flash. Fortunately, he was able to return to BIOS version 1.13 with no apparent harm done, except that he had to manually re-enable AHCI in the Vista registry before he could turn it back on in the BIOS. So there's one possible outcome of doing the 1.16 upgrade to an IFL90.

 

Update from version 1.13 up to 1.16 can be the issue.
Update from 1.13 to 1.14 to 1.15 and then 1.16 if this works let me know.
Mine is update from version to version and I am running 1.16 now with no issue.

 

I upgraded from 1.10 to 1.16 and no problem.

 

I've updated from 1.13 to 1.16, everything gone as usual. The only improvement that I noticed is that CPU fan now blows more slowly in idle making the cooling down time longer but almost unnoticeable. The other thing that I'm not 100% certain is that it finally learned to look up to GPU temperatures. ^_^

 

................GPU temp.... What do you mean?

I also noticed the smoother fan operation. I'm also getting a no flickering (as before) screen when I press Crtl-Alt-Del to get access to the task manager.

 

Hi, i'm sorry for my english.

For your information Compal IFL90 bios 1.16, 15.4" WSXGA+, T8300 2.40Ghz
4GB RAM, 200GB 7200rpm 16Mb cache Seagate, BT, WiFi intel 4965agn, INtel Turbo memory 1Gb, Vista Home Basic, works fine and stable.

 

That's fine, my English is not any better, believe me. But what was your point regarding the GPU temperature, is it that you don't know how to interpret the results? Which application are you using to measure the GPU temperature?

 

I meant the situation when GPU is in the full load but the CPU remains almost in IDLE, then GPU becomes extremely hot and fan doesn't react to that. But I'm not 100% sure that it begun now.

 

What i don't get is this.
I bought a new Compal JFL92 yesterday.
When starting the notebook for the first time I straight checked BIOS.
The new version of the Compal is running BIOS version 1.13 with the new penryn CPU.
Could be the MOBO is changed or other design, but I am not sure.
I updated the BIOS from 1.13 to 1.14, 1.15 and then to 1.16.
I updated this because installing Windows Vista 64Bits version didn't detect the CPU correct.
After the final update to version 1.16 everything worked fine.

 

one of resselers in Poland
sell this notebook with penryn

http://www.allegro.pl/sklep/1960926_baq_komputery

 

Correct eh only change is the Mainboard, different type.

 

Have you compared the mobo's, between the IFL90 and the JFL92? Any remarkable difference?

 

No and thought about it but the new JFL isn't going to be opened.

 

According to Compal v115 and v116 are not specifically designed for the IFL90/91, so the v114 is the last secure and reliable bios version designed for the IFL90/91, am I right? Can you confirm?

 

I have an IFL90 working with a 1.16 and no problems so far, I actually experiencing some noticeable benefits (e.g. quiter fan, no flickering screen when pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del, etc.) . My best insight into the BIOS development is that it is a dynamic process, I don't think there is such a "final" or "secure" BIOS, there will always be a new one when a new problem arises. For example let's say I want to get a bigger hard drive, I install it but is not supported by the BIOS, then I will need an update. This could apply to any other perypheral upgrade. It could also be driven by a new OS, or other applications including games.

 

!!!!!!!NOTE!!!!!!!!!!

It's just the refresh with Mainboard change and CPU support.
The base of the notebook is still the FL90.

Check the picture it's from my new Compal JFL92 (BTO 15W26+)

 

Ok Wirelesseman, I agree with you about the fact that it is a "dynamic process", but I don't understand why although the bios were numbered sequentially Compal claims that the v115 and V116 are for JFTO2 or JFL92 ONLY. By "last secure and reliable" I wanted to mean the last legitimately approved bios by Compal for the IFL90/91 models, is it what I want to know. Someone can firmly confirm it?

 

My new notebook is be default delivered with BIOS version 1.13.
With the NEW notebook I am talking about the JFL92 i ordered and already got it.
The base is still FL90, and with the default BIOS 1.13 intalled the Penryn CPU T9500 i haven't got any issue.
I only requested to upgrade to version 1.16 because ot the new Penryn CPU support and power dynamic settings for the CPU to be correct.
Everything is working fine.

 

Ok, so if I well understood the news JFL92 are still labelled like the FL90 ones.

Just for curiousity what is the serial number on your JFL92? I think if we have a greater serial number on the FL90 than your, we have so a JFL92 version.

 

Did you take that picture under the laptop? I don't have such a lable

 

Can anybody with JFL92 tak a photo of mobo model and revision? It's just under the turbine.

 

Looks like it.

 

So the suspictions were right, they have not changed anything, they just pluged the Penryn in the same mobo!

 

For real i don't know, maybe i can contact my vendor and ask them to provide me with more details about the change regarding the mobo, cpu and BIOS story.

 

Don't waste your time, the vendor doesn't know more than us, Compal is the only one to know.

What application are you using to stress your new toy?

 

I don't get the point of you warning.
My new BTO 15W26+ (compal JFL92) is based on the Compal FL90 base.
My new notebook is running fine with an Intel Penryn CPU.
It's also running fine with BIOS version 1.13 so be more clear in giving the answer or the warning it isn't working.
I ordered my notebook last wk and the vendor informed me Penryn and the older Compal IFL90 isn't an issue.
The told me more about the new version and the old version but the comment is going to be so lang I will not place it here.

Something like an email from Compal...................

--------------something needs to be more cleary here-----------------

 

Don't get offended, I know that your laptop is working well, so is mine, this is what I meant; we were talking about getting details from the vendor about the changes on the mobo, so I said I don't think they know, only Compal knows and Compl will not talk to us.

I'm eager to see your review, but I would like to buy the faster Penryn.

 

Tell you what, this is just my speculation. Since some of you got your Penryn to work, I believe there are the low and high voltage Penryns.

Go to this page.
http://processorfinder.intel.com/List.aspx?ProcFam=2643&sSpec=&OrdCode=

Let's just pick these 2 models, T9300 & T9500. First field is the PN.
SLAQH 2.60 GHz T9500
SLAPW 2.60 GHz T9500
SLAQG 2.50 GHz T9300
SLAPV 2.50 GHz T9300

Now, looking at SLAQH & SLAQG VID Voltage Range: 1.062V-1.150V.
This qualifies to run with IFL90 with 1.16 BIOS update.
But, SLAPQ & SLAPV has range of 1.00V-1.250V.
So this might be why some Penryns need JFL92 to ensure the voltage requirement is met.

So users that have IFL90, make sure that you pick SLAQH & SLAQG with VID Voltage Range: 1.062V-1.150V.

We would love to get confirmations from users that already owns a Penryn, and post your Part Number here for us to refer to. Thanks.

 

Interesting! But don't forget to notice that the voltage is not the only difference between these CPU, there is the package type too, the Penryn which have the 1.00V-1.250V voltage range are micro FCBGA packaged (designed in order to be soldered on a motherboard), so we can forget about them (the micro FCBGA packaged ones). There is only one VID voltage range for the Penryn which are likely to be mounted on the FL90, and it is the 1.062V-1.150V one.

Look at this for further information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro-FCBGA

 

Is it possible to undervolt one of the higher voltage Penryn's to let it run on a IFL90? This way, you will let the max voltage in SpeedStep be 1.150V, and the minimum to be 1.062V. Running that, won't the laptop be fine, or will the lower voltages make it unstable?

 

One more interesting thing, I just grabbed my CPU BOX and looked at the white sticker.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7700, Requires Skt P
Performance Mode: 2.4GHz (1.25V max)
Battery Optimized Mode: 1GHz (1.075V max)

All T7x00 series can run at 1.30V max according to the spec.

My PN is SLA43
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLA43

Since Penryns are 45nm processors, there's no reason for them to run at higher voltage than 65nm processors. So why would we have troubles using them?

 

True.
By the way my meron operates on 0.9V from SuperLFM till 7x and 0.9125V on 8x and 1.075V on max 11x (while 1.250V is the default for him). Unfortunately I can't set voltage lower without pinmod and as I expect there is some potential. 0.800V in SuperLFM seems to be reachable. So in full load it uses equal or less energy than Pernyn CPU with standard vids, thought pernyn would probably let to lower them even further.

 

Correct my response wasn't ment to be like it, so sorry.

 

Check this for more info to the Penryn CPU and check this link: http://processorfinder.intel.com/List.aspx?ProcFam=2643&sSpec=&OrdCode=

 

According to this X9000 and T9500 are equal in SuperPI test.

 

This is my version and this is running fine with my new BTO 15W26+ (Compal JFL92) with BIOS version 1.13.

 

Just in order to ask them more details about it, who are these "others" who had tried it? Where is the thread in which they reported their experiences?

 

There are several threads in the Compal forum discussing this.

At the main Compal page click on "Search this Forum" and then enter "Penryn" and leave the radio button at the default "Show Threads". You will find several threads covering this discussion.

 

Thank you, I have done what you have saying to me to do.

I have found several threads covering the Penryn compatibility discussion, lot of speculation, and research, but NO ONE who have reported a dead FL90 by using a Penryn, on the other hand I have found some ones who have the Penryn working with the FL90 without any problem like enricosax or notebookguru_de.

 

I beg to differ...I have personally reported cases of dead IFL90's.

Please remember that our universe of users is much larger than those reporting in this forum.

Also, please read the post that started this thread and notice that what I have quoted comes directly from Compal...it does not come from me so please quit trying to shoot the messenger.

It amazes me that so many people want to fly in the face of the Compal warning, but with that warning if you still want to try it that is certainly up to you.

 

I'm sorry if it sounds like it shoot the messenger, it's not what I wanted.

It seems just very strange that the JFL92 is still labelled like a FL90, and that the warning concerns just the v115 and v116 bios while that the v113 bios still adds the ucode support for CPU ID 10674.

 

I have a question! Compal FL90 Bios 1.12

If I put in a T9300 cpu in this notebook should I update the bios or leave it alone, I only read about upgrades with above bios working !

I also read here in the forums about some upgrading the bios from lower to higher gradually , is this really true or should the higest and newest only be upgraded ?

I hope these questions aren't out of line in this thread

Thanks in advance