[COLUG] Laptop processor upgrade MK-36 to TL-52: solved-How to

[charles morrison]

Feb 8, 2008

Yesterday, I sent a note to the COLUG list concerning this issue, but I 
used another e-mail account and it didn't post.  My question to the list 
was whether anyone knew that a TL-52 processor could be used in place of 
a MK-36 in a Acer 5100-3357 laptop. I was concerned that the processor 
voltage would need adjusting or that Linux would detect and adjust for 
the dual core rather than the single core.

After contacting Acer, I am wondering if I should buy any more Acers. 
They told me that there were no upgrades for a laptop (can't be done). I 
refuted that and they told me to go to the website (which I already 
did), or call customer service. I called customer service and they told 
me to go to the web site and check laptop specifications, which I was 
not able to find. Using Google, I found a lot of specs, but no info 
about particular laptop models of a series and their compatibility.

After about 5 hours of research, I decided to just go ahead and try it. 
Indications were from others is that it would work.

First I upgraded the BIOS which was interesting, itself. I had to get a 
program from HP to turn a 1 gig flash drive to a bootable DOS drive, 
then copy the BIOS upgrade stuff from ACER to it and boot my Linux 
computer under DOS. I ran the flash program without problems.

Then I checked to make sure it all worked, which it did. I then found a 
service manual on line for the Acer 5100 series laptops.

Just to make sure I didn't really blow something, I used the Kubuntu 
repositories and got lm-sensors and the KDE interface so I could monitor 
the core temperatures. It worked quite well and measured it at about 35 
C. I then disassembled the laptop and installed the TL-52 processor, 
using some nice processor heat sink thermal conductive grease. I put 
everything back and Kubuntu booted just like it used to. It detected 2 
processors and now KSensors shows the core temperatures at 35 C and 42 C.

Now if I were using Windows, I would still be reformatting my Hard drive.

Downside is that the processor runs at 1600 MHz instead of 2000 MHz with 
the MK-36. Not sure that's going to hurt much.

I really question whether Acer can help me if I have trouble with one of 
their products. The tech support, both online and by phone were a 
problem, in that they had generic answers like go look on the website or 
you can't do that. One part of their website actually has my IP address 
blocked. Consulting with XO Communications, I find the problem was 
Acer's web site.

Charlie Morrison

-- 
Charlie Morrison
American LED-gible, Inc
1776 Lone Eagle Street
Columbus, OH  43228  USA
614-851-1100
FAX  614-851-1121
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