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    Upgrade problem (TM800)

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by Swiss, Jun 5, 2005.

  1. Swiss

    Swiss Newbie

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    Upgrade problem

    I’ve got an Acer TM800, has run fine for past year. I’d upgraded one DIMM to 512Mb when I got it, decided to go for a more serious upgrade, used upgrade utility at http://www.powerleap.com to spec and order two 1GB DIMMs and a 1.8Ghz CPU upgrade. Have copy of FSM (ordered for $10 via site in NJ), and have done numerous PC upgrades, so didn’t think this would be a big problem (and system is out of warrantee anyhow).

    Took it apart, installed new components, put it together, hit the power button and… nothing. Power goes on, fan runs for 5 sec or so (usual self test), hard drive light goes on briefly, CD light goes on briefly, then nothing. Never seems to get to POST, can’t get into BIOS. Screen is blank. I’ve connected an external monitor but same result (CRT monitor never comes out of power save mode).

    Removed new components and re-installed old ones. Same result (ie never seems to get to POST test).

    Questions:

    1) Anyone have any guess what’s wrong and how to fix it? Some sort of HW reset button/switch I failed to set (hoping desperately here)?
    2) Any guesses on diagnostics I could use?
    3) Would local Acer vendor/reseller be able to help? (I realize I might get charged quite a bit, but alternative is to buy new laptop…)
    4) Would local vendor/reseller have any sort of tools that can test DIMMs, CPUs and Motherboard to see if they’re still functional?

    Thanks in advance,

    Mark
     
    Swiss, Jun 5, 2005
    #1
  2. Swiss

    Swiss Newbie

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    Update:

    Computer repair shop was able to get RAM working, so now I have 2Gb RAM...
    Unfortunatly, no luck with the CPU. Current Bios is version 3A15, 01-Mar-03, most recent on ACER web site is 4A20 from 22 March 04.

    Chip vendor, www.powerleap.com, is suggesting I update the Bios and try again.

    Is the bios likely to make a difference? To me it seemed that it wasn't even able to get beyond the POST stage to get to the bios...

    Since it looks like the chip will be hard to return, I suppose I may as well try, but I'm just afraid of permanently messing up my system.

    Any thoughts or advice would be appriciated.


    -Mark
     
    Swiss, Jun 20, 2005
    #2
  3. danbrow

    danbrow Notebook Geek

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    BIOS will be most likely to solve your problem. Most updated bioses included updated microcodes and support for newer processors.

    Just make sure you get the right bios for your laptop. I recently flashed my laptop with the wrong bios and had a do a blind reflash, not easy and you need a laptop of same make to set up your hard drive for remote access. Doing a bios flash at 4am is not a great idea.
     
    danbrow, Jun 21, 2005
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  4. Swiss

    Swiss Newbie

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    Ok, I'll give it a try, but as you say, I'll wait until I have time to do it right (I'm on the road right now).

    Thanks,

    -Mark
     
    Swiss, Jun 21, 2005
    #4