Downgrading Laptop CPU?

[camelelf]

Hi guys.

I have a HP G6 1331SA which did have the A8-3500M in. The CPU decided to give up and I'm looking for alternatives. It's an FS1 socket and I've found an A4-3220M for sale within the UK for £19.

Is it as simple as swapping them or are their problems, apart from the downgrade in performance?

 

[COLGeek]

As long as the BIOS recognizes the CPU version, it should work. If that CPU was offered as an option in that product line, you should be fine.

What makes you think the CPU is the defective component? CPUs don't fail all that often.

 

[Shane501]

It could be that simple... but you probably need to get a bios update and hope that it provides compatibility for additional CPUs.

This tells you how to update the BIOS.
http/h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00042629&tmp_track_link=ot_faqs/top_issues/en_us/c00042629/loc:3&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=5211765

This will help you find the correct BIOS.
http/h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?swlinkmsg=100&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00042629&lc=en&product=5211765

 

[ABagOfFritos]

Most laptops have the CPU soldered to the motherboard. Before you buy anything, make sure the CPU in your laptop can actually be changed.

 

[camelelf]

As long as the BIOS recognizes the CPU version, it should work. If that CPU was offered as an option in that product line, you should be fine.

What makes you think the CPU is the defective component? CPUs don't fail all that often.

I'm just going off HP's blink codes diagnostics. My boss seems to think it's not the CPU due to the laptop actually powering on which I thought did seem strange. Could a defective CPU still power a laptop up? The fan runs 100% and there's just a black screen but the blinking caps lock shows it's a CPU fault.

I thought I'd buy a CPU from somewhere that accepts returns just in case.

 

[COLGeek]

The more likely problem is the motherboard itself. CPUs typically don't just fail.

Has the system been disassembled (taken apart) before? Like to change the thermal compound between the CPU and heatsink.

 

[camelelf]

The more likely problem is the motherboard itself. CPUs typically don't just fail.

Has the system been disassembled (taken apart) before? Like to change the thermal compound between the CPU and heatsink.

Not before it started playing up, no. I did give it a clean and new thermal paste after stripping it down just to see if anything would happen.

 

[COLGeek]

I suspect that swapping the CPU will not solve the issue. Will the system power up and let you access the BIOS at this time?

 

[camelelf]

I suspect that swapping the CPU will not solve the issue. Will the system power up and let you access the BIOS at this time?

Nope. Just a black screen and the loud fan. Could be anything but I thought I'd start with the CPU.

 

[COLGeek]

When you removed the heatsink, did you remove the CPU as well? Prior to applying new thermal compound, did the heatsink go to max like it does now?

I tend to think you have a motherboard problem.

 

[Shane501]

Nope. Just a black screen and the loud fan. Could be anything but I thought I'd start with the CPU.

That sounds like a CPU problem, when I tried to upgrade my CPU it did exactly that (though mine was probably a compatibility issue.)

 

[camelelf]

When you removed the heatsink, did you remove the CPU as well? Prior to applying new thermal compound, did the heatsink go to max like it does now?

I tend to think you have a motherboard problem.

No I didn't remove the CPU. The fans have always been at 100% which I thought would mean a motherboard issue. We have various G6 laptops at work which are in bits but I'm pretty sure most are Intel models so that doesn't really help.

 

[COLGeek]

Is the unit still under warranty?

 

[camelelf]

Nope. Just a black screen and the loud fan. Could be anything but I thought I'd start with the CPU.

That sounds like a CPU problem, when I tried to upgrade my CPU it did exactly that (though mine was probably a compatibility issue.)

That is what HP's website claims as it's blinking one light on the Caps Lock but It's not just ColGeek who thinks otherwise, I saw a thread on HP where the OP had the same problem (One blinking light) and replacing the CPU didn't work for him, but that's just one guy.

 

[COLGeek]

A faulty temp sensor can cause the fan to spin at 100%. A failing motherboard can do the same. The likelihood of this being the CPU is pretty low.

From the history presented, it seems that this problem has been going on for awhile. You can certainly try swapping the CPU as originally submitted. However, I wouldn't get my hopes up.

 

[camelelf]

A faulty temp sensor can cause the fan to spin at 100%. A failing motherboard can do the same. The likelihood of this being the CPU is pretty low.

From the history presented, it seems that this problem has been going on for awhile. You can certainly try swapping the CPU as originally submitted. However, I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Not worth replacing the motherboard if it is. I've never known a CPU fail so I do believe your right but it's worth a go.

Thanks for everyones help.
I'll be sure to post back if I do get it working for anyone who may stumble upon this.