upgrading an old XPS M1730

Hi,

I have an old XPS 1730 that I purchased in 2007. I'd like to upgrade it to be more current. So this post come with a couple of questions:

1) Is this possible?

2) I've found motherboards available but I have no clue as to what processor will work? Here are the two boards I've found
Dell XPS M1730 Laptop System MotherBoard 55.4Q601.001 - Notebookparts.com

Dell XPS M1730 Laptop Motherboard System Board Y012C FT342 F513C YU242 5704327866664 | eBay


I've done warranty work for Dell in the past but never on an XPS laptop and that was before I ever bought the 1730 in question. I'm also very familiar with dismantling my 1730 to replace other components (WLAN, Graphics cards) so this also is not a problem. I'm fairly certain that I can do this for less than a new one assuming it's possible.

Thanks in advance

 

So is the laptop dead or what first? GPU - you can get a 9800GTX SLI or 8800GTX SLI but those will cost from the 8700 that came with the system. Ram can go to 8gigs and CPU can upgrade to X9000. LCD should be 1980x1200 already. I have a M1730 with T8100 but will upgrade it to X9000 if can get one also will go 8gig. As for gaming well others will say not new enough but that is more then worth it for me I only play NWN and The Witcher so those are my types of game and maybe some Obilivion but I don't go WWW or LOTR or War Games that isn't for me. But that is up to each player to decide. For GPU you can go T8100, T8300, T9300, T9500, X7000, X9000 those are the processor you can go to but if you can get a X9000 that would be the best fit for the M1730. But if the laptop still works GPU and Memory upgrade is worth it but do get the Bluetooth module if you can I use my M$ bluetooth 5000 mouse. I done all so far only left is GPU and getting a X9000 not cheap for either but worth if in my usage. Also a plus those are limited computer that have collector quality that is hard to find nowdays and a Dell for those models was something of a exception from those days gone by. I fixed my board from eBay as you did as well and got my parts from there as well. So don't discount a M1730 just because it is old technologies/

 

It works just fine, I do have a problem with the fact that it won't recognize more than 4gigs even within the BIOS. So it's either a BIOS issue (which I've tried) or a hardware limitation, making the motherboard a priority. Under the assumption that replacing a motherboard in a laptop is not a problem then I need to know which CPU types will work in the new board.

 

Only use A10 Bios don't go higher or your GPU fan will scream at you. And another question in Explorer mode can you do a Ctrl-A and do a complete folder selection? Cause my keyboard is acting funny and making beeps at me when I try the function. As for Ram I am going to go 8gig DDR2 800 and see how that works but you should upgrade your BIOS to A10. Are you sure your memory chips are both working? What kinda memory are you using?

 

I should point out, the reason I'm wanting to upgrade is because this is on old World of Warcraft model XPS. I'm currently using the stock 2gig sticks that it came with. So Ram and Graphics? DDR2 800mhz. I'll see what I can do.

 

lol...ok...I don't WWW my cousins did that and not they are LoTR player now....but I think it should be able to hand WWW games. But I did upgrade to 4Gig without any problems next is going to go 8 gigs. Here a site from crucial about specs and upgrades...Also tell me when you do the Ctrl-A if the full select works or not ...otherwise my keyboard might be going bad.

Computer memory upgrades for Dell XPS M1730 Laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com

 

Any news back to my question?

 

Ok, I checked the BIOS and the CPU is clocking at 1.6 instead of the 2.5 it SHOULD be. Is there anyway I can tweak that for more throughput?

 

Did you try the Ctrl A to see if your keyboard allows that function to work? What processor do you have in there right now???

 

Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 is the processor. I'll try the Ctrl A thing when I get home.

 

So did it work???

 

Alas no it didn't

 

Ok that is odd I would've thought that combination in Windows Explorer should select all the file and folder. I might hookup a ext keyboard that came with the computer to test it again. It might be something keyboard limited on the laptop why that shouldn't not work I am still confused by it.

 

Another question when your XPS is plugged in and charging does the charger light blink while plugged in???

 

nope, it's solidly lit. sorry about the delay it's been a hectic month and a half.

 

no problem, I figure time won't hurt the reply just thought I ask and see how yours was doing. I got a matching non-brand dell battery but that blinking blue light is distracting and at nights and man that is annoying. I know in my other dell OEM battery they either solid blue or blinking blue charge but never flashing constantly blue as the manual says means but charging with two days of charging and it still blinking blue to me means poor quality battery and that makes it more annoying. I am in the process of looking for OEM battery new or used and trying it out again after returning my previous replacement due to this problem. But thanks for the feedback.

 

Addon to this I did get a Intel X9000 processor for my M1730 yes it did cost a bit but that is the most I will upgrade it to other then maybe a higher GPU for it is and most likely be the last hardware upgrade. I like to get to 8gig if I could but finding the ram might take some time.