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!

Don't beat me! But all is not clear. Can you please avoid to use "it"? We can't always know to what these "it" are refering to (FL90 or Penryn?), it makes sometime the sentences difficult to understand. English is not my native langage and I'm not still comfortable with it.

Wow! have you really tested your Penryn CPU on your older notebook (BTO 15W25+)?

 

Yes is tested the Penryn in my older BTO 15W25+ (compla IFL90) notebook.
.... NOT working .........

 

If I have well understood on the latest FL90 badges (like the kofi's one) with a 1.14 bios a Penryn CPU will fry the mainboard, and with a 1.16 bios a Penryn CPU will work? And on the first FL90 badges a Penryn CPU will simply not BOOT?

Some elements are not very clear in this story.

 

Yep that's the story, so be carefull with the upgrade and bios flashes.

 

Anyway thank you for all the informations you have provided to us and for having tested the Penryn in your older notebook in order to know what happening exactly. Now we know that if the notebook is not supporting Penryn it will simply not boot.

 

No thanks, always willing to support the user with any question.

 

Nice new face RePaRaQu! Is it Penryn?

 

No I am searching for one at this time.

 

Are you planning to rework your older laptop?

 

What do you mean exactly?

 

You said that you put the Penryn and it didn't work, are you planning to do the necessary rework to make it work?

 

NO NO the notebook is still under warranty so no messing with any solder work for me.

 

Do you own share of BTO notebooks?

 

Say again, no but I might just be a little bit more in contact with them then others.

 

Hi, I'm interest in buying a compal fl90 barebone and assembling it myself.
My question is buying the rigth barebone that supports the new Penryn processors. Saying this, in my country the only compal barebones have the name CFL90965PM2. I am suspitious that the PM2 is the thing that distinguish the new mobo's, I know that are also PM1.

If you have any informations on this I would be greatful.

I have dismounted and mounted my old laptop, (a Compal cl56) but what advices do you have in barebones?

 

To save money the best is to buy one configured and installed buy th vendor.
The last is always the best regarding warranty and support.
What to do with Penryn is just to request it your barebone is a SRR or o complete new version the FL92 barebone also now as the JFL92 version.

 

Hi everybody, I am also interested in buying
COMPAL FL90 (15.4" WXGA (1440x900) Glare, NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 8600 GT 512MB, 2xDDR2 SO-DIMM, DVD±RW Super Multi, SATA HDD, F/M, LAN, Turbo memory support, Webcam 2Mpix, Santa Rosa Refresh, max 4GB RAM

And have some urgent questions.
1) How should i know if my compal is able to fit the new T9300 is it possible to know that in the shop, where should i look for such numbers 15W25+ where is it written? We have fl90 with such code: SET.CFL90965PM2.42 is it possible to know from it, if t9300 fits?
2)Unfortunately we have some fl90 with the same code and in one shop it is written that supports SRR, while in other it doesn't written but the code is the same....
So are there different fl90 or same?
...Sorry for my english, and thanks for your attention, looling forward to hearing from you soon...

 

Don't make your life complicated, just ask the vendor if it is a JFL92, this platform supports the Penryn CPU. The SRR is a temporary platform supporting the Penryn.

 

My roommate has just bought fl90 and if i am right it is older version with code: SET.CFL90965PM2.42 inspite this the vendor installed in it t9300 processor, tested it and it seems everything was ok. How could we chech if it is with santa rosa refresh? where to look for specific numbers indicating it? what programs should we run to exactly know if the processor works fine?

 

There are many applications out there to stress the laptop and verify its performance at different levels, including the CPU. I think the one you really want to check is the CPU temperature response because is there where besides the new technology, it display a different behavior. If the fl90 is not a SRR with a new thermal sensor the laptop may work for a while and die after, some people have reported that. Make sure that you have the appropriate BIOS version as well.

Get core temp 0.96 version or higher to monitor the CPU's temperatures.

 

Is it recomended to change BIOS to the 1,16version, what's the point doing it? should i do it steb by step first instal 1,14 then 1,15 ant lastly 1,16? Or how to do it?
Thank's for advices

 

I did it directly from 1.10, and everything is working well.

 

I am completely lost in bios vesrsions.

I have Sager2090(IFL90), the First Edition.

Last bios I put on is 1.13.

Now I have .14, .15, .16 to choose from.

15 an 16 are for JFL92 as far as I know, and do not do any good for previous model. Correct me if I am wrong.

So now I am turn between 14 vs 16 update, or just stay on 13.

Anybody got any recommendations?

P.S. I am not planning to upgrade to Penryn.

 

I don't no much about all the bios updates but when I update from 112 to 116 I was able to update my drivers for the video card and my specs went up in vista performance

 

Please read the text file which is inlcuded with the bios.
This will tell you more about changes and issue solved and or update's.
You can update to version 1.16 with no issue, but the line is simple.
Dont update if there is no problem, so keep in mind UPDATE ON YOUR OWN RISK.

 

It's like my new 2007 Jeep, it came with a no-touchscreen GPS, but the 2008 comes with a touchscreen one. Now they make it almost impossible for you just to order the new GPS to install it on your old Jeep, different size, perhaps different cabling, etc. It's all a question of charging premium and paving the road for the penetration of the new Penryn.

However I think there is one thing positive on this, it forces you to learn more about your mobo if you decide to work things out to use a Penryn on your IFL90. And for the most part I think we all like to do that, otherwise we would have bought a DELL and leave it alone.

In the same token Paladin has done a great job to warn us, "you play with it, don't complaint if breakes", thanks!

 

Same here, I went up to 4.8 from 4.5 WEI.

 

I did read the change log before I posted, and all changes I see is a new .rom file is used and updates are mostly for support of penryn. Also, if you look at 1.15 change log, it states that this bios is based on 1.12, so my question is why
not 1.13 or 1.14. My understanding of it is simple, because this bios is not modified for first version of ifl90(the one released in may2007 and started shipping in a mid july from xoticPC and powernotebooks and the one I own), but the bios 1.13 and 1.14 is for first release of ifl90.

Another thing, if you look at 1.14 and 1.16 change log, they have the same update for video card.

Unless somebody here have some better knowledge and understanding of this facts, I do not see any reason to upgrade to this bios for older compal.

Look at the name of the bios files names(IFXXX114.zip vs JFT02116.zip), clearly implies for ifl90 and jfl92 models.

It also looks that there to versions of IFL90, one from summer 2007 and other from early 2008(both have same main board model number), I have read it on some other post, I think BTO guy posted the findings. Both models will accept 1.16 bios, but only newer model will work with penryn. Also on newer model when 1.14 bios is used with penryn, main board is fried.

 

Correct both version are wrking fine with BIOS version 1.16.
Only the new version is working fine with the new Penryn CPU form Intel.
The older version will work with Penryn when the vendor can confirm the notebook version is sold as the SRR version.
I installed on both version bios version 1.12 to 1.16 step by step and discovered no issue.
The only problem is my old notebook will not work with the new Penryn CPU, even with BIOS version 1.16 installed.

 

BIOS update should be the resposibility of the ODM, they should keep track of the mobo model owned by a consumer and automatically either send an e-mail about the required BIOS update (like car recalls) or just have a way to flush it as Windows updates do it, automatically as the laptop is on , in the background, I know we are in 2008 and not in year 3000, but I think this getting out of control. Consumers should not care not even how a laptop works, they are users not designers.

Cell phones have been successful on this, users just care putting a call and using some features, but they are not supposed to debug the harware or the communication protocol.........

 

On the contrary, in most cases there is no reason for the User to be concerned with their BIOS version unless they are having a particular problem.

"If it ain't broke...don't fix it"

The BIOS should only be updated if a user is having a specific issue with their laptop that a particular BIOS update will fix. That is why BIOS updates usually require a request from the user to the OEM or dealer (not the ODM) stating the particular issue they have that a BIOS update might address. If there is such an update that is designed to fix that particular issue the OEM or dealer will then email it to the User with specific installation instructions.

The reason for this is updating the BIOS can be a dangerous act if not done properly so there is no reason to update your BIOS unless that update fixes a particular issue the User is having.

 

I had an Hypersonic laptop, I paid over $4,250 I believe, and after 14 months, it died. I sent it to hypersonic so they see what is the problem, but I'm almost sure that it fried.

Some problems are not gradual, and when it happens is just too late to do anything. If it was the BIOS, who is to be blamed?

 

If a User doesn't flash the BIOS correctly the result is instant, not gradual, and it is usually considered the User's fault. However the cure is to send it back to your OEM and usually the User only has to pay the shipping cost.

 

Notice that I haven't flushed anything, and the warranty is over by two months.

 

I still think the best is to keep track of BIOS changes and update's by the user him self.
Some update's are not needed for user, because they don't have or get the problems which are solved by BIOS changes or update's.
Sometimes update's solve issues both can give other problems.
Then again I must give Wireless man credit, because the vendor should post an update on the website or inform the user about the update/change or other.

 

How is BTO policy on this?

 

Well every notebook sold is delivered with the latest stable BIOS.
The test all the BIOS version before the put it online on the FTP site.
The will inform the user by putting some extra text fil in the download folder with the bios stating if it will work or not.
To be complete I can tell you more at after the 1 of May.

 

hello, i think i got a problem.

i bought my ifl90 today and assembled by myself, but the computer don't work - it stops working while booting from cd/dvd or even earlier. it looks like there is no more energy, but computer is with battery and plugged by wire. i'm not sure, is there assembling fault or something else, like cpu (t9300) or ram made by PQI (4gb) or hdd (segate 7200). could somebody help me to answer the question - whats wrong and how to fix it?

sorry about my english (i'm from eastern europe) and thank you

 

I you turn the notebook on (power on) and just leave it running is it going off after some seconds or minutes if os then something is overheating.
Please be advised the Penryn CPU is only support in IFL90 SRR models and in the new JFL92.
SRR is the name for Santa Rosa Refresh.
What version of BIOS is installed, this can be checked in the BIOS and you can find it on the first page.
Version 1.16 is the latest.

 

when i turn on the computer and leave it, it turns off in about 10-30 seconds...

the seller told, that there is santa rosa refresh and that it supports t9300...

anyway the bios meniu (by pressing f2) i can't access - shows "windows copying files" and then computer turns off.

i think that i'll go to the seller and let him to assemble and test the computer...i don't know what else to do...

 

When starting the notebook form cold start you can press F2 more tehn one time.
The BIOS must be version 1.16 to support the Penryn CPU.
Please make sure to check the BIOS version, if you have an not compatible mainboard and a new Penryn it's turning of because the CPU is overheating.

 

thanx, you're right! the bios ver 1.12 in the bios setup meniu...the seller lied me now i need only newest bios ver - i feel much better, thanx again

 

!!!!!!!!!Well you can update the BIOS but keep in mind it's on you won risk!!!!!!!!!!!
So far I know the BIOS version 1.12 is only delivered with the mainboard when it needs to support the Merom CPU.
The Penryn CPU needs to be supported by BIOS version 1.13/1.16.
Verify with the vendor he sold you the new maniboard named JFL92 or SRR.
I say return the mainboard tell them the sold you something incompatible and ask a refund.
The other option to let them, update the bios and verify the mainboard is working fine with the Penryn CPU, let them do an benchmark test or other..

 

hmmmm, I don't think is going to work, vendors don't like returns theses days so they price the product in a way that if you do want to return it then they will charge you a re-stocking fees, very high, sometimes 25%.

 

Yep but when the notebook is powering off after 10/15 sec something is overheating.
My guess is this is caused by the CPU.
When he said BIOS version 1.12 the vendor sold him and I say sold him an old version.
SO what's the best to do then ask them to get it working.

 

How long does he have the laptop?

 

well, what can I say...this was my first laptop, that I assembled by myself, and I made the most stupid mistake - haven't removed the piece of plastic from that thing, that is cooling the CPU (don't know how to say in english)...now the computer runs great, I have Vista Ultimate, everything is great by the way, the BIOS ver.1.12, but everything works

thank you all for information. IFL 90 supports Penryn, and I am alive prove

 

Heat sink, that is what is called. Congratulations!

Which Penryn did you install?

 

Great job, lucky you.
Be pleased you didn't broke any hardware.

 

I'm getting tempted to upgrade too.