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Dell Inspiron 8600 CPU Swap  

post #1 of 16
1/30/07 at 4:11am
Thread Starter 
Hi There,

I've swapped out my 1.6Ghz 1MB L2 Cache Pentium M with a 2GHz 2MB L2 Cache Pentium M chip.

Should it be as simple as a straight swap?

I've done the swap, pin configuration is identical, but the top bit (the die?) is a slightly different shape.

Went in no problems, but when I boot up now, I get a warning "Processor Microcode Update Failure" F1 to continue or F2 to go to setup.

If I continue it boots up normal and shows up as 2GHz in windows.....

I assume the MB doesn't have the driver for the CPU or something like that?

Am I running at full capacity of this new CPU? Or do I need to update my Motherboard BIOS?

ie, should I leave it as is and just hit F1 every time I boot up? or should I fix this problem, and if so, how?

Thanks guys,

Loz
post #2 of 16
1/30/07 at 6:00am
Hey Loz (are you on SSC forum by chance? Recognise the screen name).

Anyways, you should update to the latest system board BIOS which supports the Dothan series Pentium-M. Your motherboard/chipset certainly supports it so don't worry on that front. Download BIOS from following link:

http://supportapj.dell.com/support/d...3839&vercnt=14

Stu
post #3 of 16
1/30/07 at 7:38pm
Thread Starter 
Hey mate, thanks for that info!!! thats fantastic news!!!!!

I'll give it a go when i get home from work tonight!

Sorry, not sure what SSC is :P

Cheers,

edit: hey pretty cool, I can update the BIOS from inside windows? That should make things easier, but what are the chances of me still turning it into a paperweight?

Loz
post #4 of 16
1/30/07 at 7:57pm
There is always a chance of failure... but you are pretty safe generally. When you run the .exe just make sure you have shut down all other programs and let it do its thing.

Stu
post #5 of 16
1/31/07 at 10:32pm
Thread Starter 
Cool, thanks for the advice guys

Still haven't had a chance to do it yet but i'll let you know how it goes.

Oh and also, Is it ok to do it with my 2.0 Dothan in there? since I can still boot into windows no problems? OR should i swap back to the 1.6 Banias boot up normally then upgrade the bios THEN swap the CPU back to the new 2.0 Dothan?

Thanks guys!

Loz
post #6 of 16
2/1/07 at 5:08am
Since Windows and such is running smoothly with the new processor in, there is no need to swap it out before flashing. So leave it in. If you want to be really safe then you can swap them back, then flash, then re-install but it is probably not necessary.

Stu
post #7 of 16
2/2/07 at 9:11pm
Thread Starter 
excellent

I'm off to do it now, I'll let you know how it goes!!!
post #8 of 16
2/3/07 at 12:05am
Thread Starter 
success!!! thanks for all the help guys! absolutely brilliant!

I can play 64 player BF2 maps now!!! before the 1.6 couldn't cope!!! could only play on 32 players~!!

Loz
post #9 of 16
2/3/07 at 4:31am
Nice! Good to hear it all went to plan. Enjoy it!

Stu
post #10 of 16
2/12/07 at 6:26pm
Hi, I need some help. I have a dell8600 with the newer motherboard (just got it) and it originally had a 1.6 banias in it. but I just put an M60 Dothan 2ghz in, and I update the Bios to revision A14. The machine boots and runs ok... BUT the BIOS (and subsequently the OS) refuses to see the cpu as anything but a 1.6ghz cpu.... and there doesn't seem to be a way to change it, so i am stuck running at 1.6ghz when I just paid out the nose for a 2.ghz. Any ideas?
post #11 of 16
2/12/07 at 11:46pm
Make sure speedstep is turned on in the BIOS. Go into windows and run a CPU intensive task and then see if it is ramping up to full speed.

Another thing to check is that you got the right 2.0GHz Dothan. It originally shipped as a 400MHz FSB chip with 2MB cache labelled the Pentium-M 755, this is the one that you want. However... if you got the later Pentium-M 760 you have bought a 533MHz FSB chip using the same multiplier. Therefore when forced to run on a 400MHz bus as is the case with the Intel 855 chipset in the i8600, the speed is reduced (simply calculated; 2.0GHz/533 FSB= 0.00375; 0.00375*400FSB= ~1.5GHz).

If you have the right chip and have the up-to-date BIOS there is no reason why there should be any problem.

Stu
post #12 of 16
2/13/07 at 12:32am
well damn... I guess I'll be selling the M760 then *embarrassed at making that mistake* Thank you. Now if only I could get the ethernet on this thing to work....
post #13 of 16
2/16/07 at 7:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Salashin
well damn... I guess I'll be selling the M760 then *embarrassed at making that mistake* Thank you. Now if only I could get the ethernet on this thing to work....
Oh crap. I just did the same thing. I got an 8600 with the dothan 1.6 and just bought a P-M 2.0ghz/533fsb on ebay. I never thought they used different FSB's. I just knew that the 8600 MB supported up to a 2.0ghz processor. I guess i will be selling mine also(once it gets here).
post #14 of 16
2/16/07 at 8:07pm
well that sucks. I hope you didn't pay too much for yours, I'll be lucky to get my money back out of mine, the price in the last 3 days have dropped considerably, with the 7x5 series going UP in price. Guess lots of us have 8600s we want to upgrade lol! BTW you want to sell your 1.6? :P
post #15 of 16
2/16/07 at 9:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Salashin
well that sucks. I hope you didn't pay too much for yours, I'll be lucky to get my money back out of mine, the price in the last 3 days have dropped considerably, with the 7x5 series going UP in price. Guess lots of us have 8600s we want to upgrade lol! BTW you want to sell your 1.6? :P
Well, i probably will lose like 20-30 bucks, not that bad for me jumping the gun and buying something without researching it first. I will eventually sell the 1.6, but first i need to make sure i get a working 2.0 in there. I'll keep ya informed.
post #16 of 16
2/17/07 at 2:52am
Have to lock this guys. Selling/ Wanted posts must only be posted in the designated For Sale section of the forum or kept to personal messages. Thank-you.

Stu
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