Replacing nonfunctional CPU on a Pavilion dv6-2120sf

[Monsieur Z]

A friend recently gave me his old HP notebook (Pavilion dv6-2120sf running the factory Windows 7 Home Premium x64) and told me it "was dead" and that if I wanted to take it I could since he was planning to dump it anyways.

He said it's been dead for 2 years, but didn't know what was the problem. So I turned it on, and then the fans started turning, the power LED and the volume button turned on too but the screen was black. The NumLock or CapsLock keys didn't do anything, and plugging in an external monitor didn't show anything. I restarted the machine multiple times and I noticed that every time the NumLock and CapsLock LEDs would quickly turn up and on (only once per boot). I found out on HP website that the problem came from the CPU (an AMD Turion II M520).

I completely disassembled the laptop and took the CPU to check no pin was bent, and I put it back. Still not working.
As I am bored and have time to spare, I would like to replace that CPU.

Some questions:

• 
  ■How can I be certain that the problem come from the CPU and not from the motherboard?
  ■As I am going to replace the CPU, is it possible to put a "better" CPU in? (I haven't been able to find any motherboard information on HP website so I can't tell.)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rogue Leader]

"I found out on HP website that the problem came from the CPU (an AMD Turion II M520)."

where did you find this info? I ask because CPU failure is EXTREMELY rare, failure rates are like 0.5% Unless it got overheated to heck the chance of it failing is unlikely.

Working on the assumption it is, 7 year old laptop processors are rare, and the only upgrades that system could support is if you can find what possible processors it could have come with and get one of those (if there was a better one). Laptop bioses are finicky when it comes to processors. Point being I wouldn't spend $50 on it, and its likely best used as a door jam.

 

[COLGeek]

It would be quite unusual for the CPU to actually die. More likely is that some component of the motherboard is the problem and the only recourse is to swap a functional motherboard into the system. Given its age and relative minimal performance (by current standards), unless you find a free motherboard, I would spend no money on this system.

 

[Monsieur Z]

"I found out on HP website that the problem came from the CPU (an AMD Turion II M520)."

where did you find this info? I ask because CPU failure is EXTREMELY rare, failure rates are like 0.5% Unless it got overheated to heck the chance of it failing is unlikely.

Working on the assumption it is, 7 year old laptop processors are rare, and the only upgrades that system could support is if you can find what possible processors it could have come with and get one of those (if there was a better one). Laptop bioses are finicky when it comes to processors. Point being I wouldn't spend $50 on it, and its likely best used as a door jam.

Well I noticed that when powering on the laptop, the caps lock and num lock leds would blink (1 time) for a precise duration. I saw on HP website that 1 blink means CPU failure (the document is here, look at "BIOS flashing light error codes for computers released between 2011 and January 2015"). There are different blink codes for other problems, for example 2 means BIOS failure and 3 means RAM failure.

 

[Rogue Leader]

"I found out on HP website that the problem came from the CPU (an AMD Turion II M520)."

where did you find this info? I ask because CPU failure is EXTREMELY rare, failure rates are like 0.5% Unless it got overheated to heck the chance of it failing is unlikely.

Working on the assumption it is, 7 year old laptop processors are rare, and the only upgrades that system could support is if you can find what possible processors it could have come with and get one of those (if there was a better one). Laptop bioses are finicky when it comes to processors. Point being I wouldn't spend $50 on it, and its likely best used as a door jam.

Well I noticed that when powering on the laptop, the caps lock and num lock leds would blink (1 time) for a precise duration. I saw on HP website that 1 blink means CPU failure (the document is here, look at "BIOS flashing light error codes for computers released between 2011 and January 2015"). There are different blink codes for other problems, for example 2 means BIOS failure and 3 means RAM failure.

OK makes sense. We get many people here who come in and say "the CPU is bad" not knowing how to diagnose it as such. If you're getting blink codes i'd tend to believe them and somehow the CPU failed.

I stand by trying to dig up a replacement is a waste of money, try ebay. As for better there wasn't anything better available on that system

https/support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-dv6-2100-entertainment-notebook-pc-series/4041735/model/4106837/document/c01967129

So therefore its safe to say, no upgrades