Newbie to laptops, mother board question!

[abefastcash]

I recently bought a compaq v5204NR (hey i was only 479 bucks at best buy and im just a college student). I was wondering if at all possible to upgrade the processor in the near future if needed to a faster processor, im new to laptop hardware so if anyone could help i could really appreciate it. Here are some specs:

Intel Celeron M 410 mobile processor 1.46ghz yonah
15.4" WXGA BrightView display
512MB DDR memory (upgrading to a gig)
40GB Serial ATA hard drive
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive
802.11b/g wireless

pretty basic and at the right price for what i need for college, but is there any way to upgrade the processor or is this motherboard meant for only the m410? May be silly but is there any support on this motherboard for a coreduo? or just a higher m processor?

 

[corkyg]

About all the user can upgrade is the RAM and the HDD.

 

[abefastcash]

so cd drives can't be swapped or processors? i kinda find that hard to believe!

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: corkyg
About all the user can upgrade is the RAM and the HDD.

...unless you're not shy of screwdrivers and small parts.

Aside from the rare notebook with a soldered-to-the-motherboard CPU, upgrading the processor should be a snap. Getting the laptop disassembled and reassembled can be the tricky part. And you'd be voiding your warranty.

In terms of upgradability, you lucked out - the Celeron M 410 shares a CPU socket with the "Merom" line of dual-core Pentium M's. I would try to get a dual-core 1.66ghz Pentium M ("Core Duo") processor when someone else upgrades; this way, you should get a substantial increase to performance without the risk of overtaxing your cooling system. I'm pretty sure that the V5200 line supports even more powerful processors, but I have yet to find the page on your laptop's BIOS and CPU compatibility.

 

[abefastcash]

are you talking about any of these? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...+1051723319&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=343

 

[pkme2]

I have another harddrive in my media bay and use an external DVD burner. I've upgraded my RAM and original HDD.

Don't try messing around inside unless you know what you're doing. I've worked on Dells, Toshibas, HPs and Thinkpads. The worse is Sony Vaios.

Get your "upgrades" before you buy your laptop.

 

[abefastcash]

well im talking about when it gets older, or when upgrades get cheaper than getting them when you bought your laptop

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: pkme2
I have another harddrive in my media bay and use an external DVD burner. I've upgraded my RAM and original HDD.

Don't try messing around inside unless you know what you're doing. I've worked on Dells, Toshibas, HPs and Thinkpads. The worse is Sony Vaios.

Get your "upgrades" before you buy your laptop.

This is correct. I, too, have worked on multiple varieties of laptops; almost all of them are very tricky to dissasemble, and attempting it must be done with extreme care. However, if you have experience with very small electronics and/or are willing to do your research, it can be worth it.

The T2300 and T2300e both look like they should work fine. The E variant is a less expensive, more power-efficient model, but it may be incompatible with your BIOS. The 2300 variant is more likely to be availible used.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: abefastcash
so cd drives can't be swapped or processors? i kinda find that hard to believe!

Of course they can - but not by the user without voiding the warranty. Common sense applies - one who asks such a question may not be qualified to do it.

Some CD/DVD drives are modular. Those are no problem. But most CPU changes require removal or lifting of the keyboard, and that can be tricky.

 

[Fraggable]

You will void the warranty if you do more than remove the panels on the bottom of the case.

However, laptops are not generally hard to upgrade. Dells are really easy, especially since the full service manuals are available on Dell's site, and they walk you through replacing any part step by step. I'm not sure if HP/Compaq does the same.

I've replaced laptop motherboards in 45 mins or less, it's really not that hard.

I would say go for it if you have a lot of time and patience. Work slow and pay attention to what you're removing and you'll be fine.

 

[abefastcash]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: abefastcash
so cd drives can't be swapped or processors? i kinda find that hard to believe!

Of course they can - but not by the user without voiding the warranty. Common sense applies - one who asks such a question may not be qualified to do it.

Some CD/DVD drives are modular. Those are no problem. But most CPU changes require removal or lifting of the keyboard, and that can be tricky.

im qualified, i was just trying to be sarcastic at the lack of answer he provided! lol i was just not sure what procesorr woudl work with my board, thank you guys for all of the feed back tho! this really helped!

 

[pkme2]

As you said, one must be qualified to work on laptops. AFAIK, working on laptops can be difficult and stressful.

 

[abefastcash]

in dealing with my laptop's BIOs, is there any sure fire way of knowing if it will be compatible?