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    Bought a P9600 on Ebay, doesn't work in my W500

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Paul386, Mar 29, 2009.

  1. Paul386

    Paul386 Notebook Evangelist

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    I bought a P9600 Engineering Sample on ebay to replace my P9500. I installed the processor and I got no POST on the laptop. Going back to the P9500, everything is fine. Does anyone know if the laptop lacks compatibility with the P9600 or could there be a problem with the processor?
     
    Paul386, Mar 29, 2009
    #1
  2. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    Have you tried upgrading the BIOS to the latest version?
     
    ronnieb, Mar 29, 2009
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  3. Paul386

    Paul386 Notebook Evangelist

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    I have BIOS 1.20, which I believe is the lastest BIOS.
     
    Paul386, Mar 29, 2009
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  4. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Defective CPU? Got another laptop to test it on?
     
    sgogeta4, Mar 29, 2009
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  5. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    I don't think that would tell him anything, his question is really, "How do I get this running on my machine?"
     
    Renee, Mar 29, 2009
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  6. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    If it doesn't work in another computer then at least you eliminate the possibility of the defective CPU.
     
    sgogeta4, Mar 30, 2009
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  7. Sean S

    Sean S Notebook Consultant

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    no you haven't because the other computer may also lack compatibility with the processor.
     
    Sean S, Mar 30, 2009
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  8. Paul386

    Paul386 Notebook Evangelist

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    Does anyone know of a person who has successfully gotten a P9600 working on a W500. I don't see why the P9500 and T9600 would work on it and the P9600 not.
     
    Paul386, Mar 30, 2009
    #8
  9. antskip

    antskip Notebook Deity

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    In the USA the base model W500 Thinkpad W500 ( the 4058) can come with the P9600 installed. Maybe Lenovo tech support can help?
     
    antskip, Mar 31, 2009
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  10. Paul386

    Paul386 Notebook Evangelist

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    Really? I don't see this as a configurable option?
     
    Paul386, Mar 31, 2009
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  11. pacmandelight

    pacmandelight Notebook Deity

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    Perhaps that engineering sample has errata? Retail or OEM processors are much better than engineering samples.
     
    pacmandelight, Mar 31, 2009
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  12. Paul386

    Paul386 Notebook Evangelist

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    I disagree with that. ES processors that share retail manufacturing steppings are identical to what you would buy from Lenovo.
     
    Paul386, Mar 31, 2009
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  13. antskip

    antskip Notebook Deity

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    from the web site configurator:

    Processor 1 Help me decide Help me decide
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W [add $50.00]
    Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9400 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2) [add $150.00]
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P9500 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2) 25W [add $225.00] [Lenovo recommended]
    Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9600 (2.8GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2) [add $425.00]
    http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/.
     
    antskip, Mar 31, 2009
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  14. Paul386

    Paul386 Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't see a P9600 on that list?
     
    Paul386, Mar 31, 2009
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  15. antskip

    antskip Notebook Deity

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    oops! you are right. i misread. i assumed whatever system runs a P8600 and a T9600 would run a P9600. I may well be wrong. sorry!
     
    antskip, Mar 31, 2009
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  16. Paul386

    Paul386 Notebook Evangelist

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    Bump! Hoping I can get an answer.
     
    Paul386, Apr 6, 2009
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  17. philfna

    philfna Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    The P9600 is not coded for recognition with the W500.
     
    philfna, Apr 6, 2009
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  18. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'd be suprised if Lenovo coded to exclude models......
     
    Renee, Apr 6, 2009
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  19. philfna

    philfna Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    It isn't excluded it isn't INCLUDED is the issue. The BIOS dump shows that there is no coding for that processor.
     
    philfna, Apr 6, 2009
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  20. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    That's the way I thought it would work and its still an exclusion whether by non-inclusion or not.
     
    Renee, Apr 7, 2009
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  21. northwood

    northwood Notebook Guru

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    exactly...

    @pacmandelight: partially true, you'll never know...but saying that retails are much better than engineering samples - I don't think so...
     
    northwood, Apr 8, 2009
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  22. Paul386

    Paul386 Notebook Evangelist

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    I wonder what the chances are of getting a P9600 supporting BIOS?
     
    Paul386, Apr 8, 2009
    #22
  23. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    I can think of two variables that are relevant.

    1. Can you find the code/data to change? With or without an address?
    2. Will the computer handle the heat from the chips physically?

    -Renee
     
    Renee, Apr 8, 2009
    #23
  24. philfna

    philfna Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    The computer should handle the heat because other P series processors are supported, but I suspect there is some other issue that is making Lenovo not support the P9600. I am doubtful that at this point in the lifecycle we'll see support for the P9600.
     
    philfna, Apr 8, 2009
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  25. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yea but... the processor in question is the hottest of them all. If there is a reason for not including the processor, heat may be a consideration. Is the P series the more power conserving or the less? Since this is the hotest chip, that concern comes to the forefront. Since the other P-series chips are supported and this one isn't, heat is a good supposition.
     
    Renee, Apr 8, 2009
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  26. antskip

    antskip Notebook Deity

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    I can't see that heat can be the proble, because all the P's are rated 25W. The W500 is also configurable with options from the T series, which are all rated 35W - so all run hotter than the P9600.
     
    antskip, Apr 9, 2009
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  27. dawn

    dawn Notebook Consultant

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    No offence, but you guys are quite funny... numerous posts and debates speculating whether W500 does support P9600, even coming up with ample theories. Well, what about checking Google or Lenovo's support?

    System service parts - ThinkPad T500 and W500 (15.4 inch Widescreen)
    CPU assembly, Intel Core 2 Duo processor P9600
    FRU: 42W8198

    You may consult Hardware Maintenance Manual for W500 as well or any other source you like. There's even a TopSeller model with this processor sold in Europe.

    Code: 
    ThinkPad W500                            NRB3T##   4061     3TG
 (15.4-in WUXGA TFT (1920 x 1200),
 Mobile Intel GM45 Express chip set,
 ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 with 512 MB,
 Integrated Bluetooth wireless,
 Integrated fingerprint reader,
 Intel Core 2 Duo processor P9600,
 160 GB / 7200 rpm, DVD Recordable drive,
 ExpressCard slot, PC Card slot, 2 GB,
 Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5300 AGN (3 x 3),
 Genuine Windows Vista Business 32,
 6-cell Li-Ion battery)
    Strange, although not surprising given Lenovo's record of typos, is the wrong frequency of the chip, they're indicating in some of their documentation (2.80 GHz instead of 2.66 GHz). However, the list of supported processors in HMM is correct:

     
    dawn, Apr 9, 2009
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  28. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    Well I had a t61p which lenovo sold with a 2.9 ghz processor. Sold it then, sell it now. Why not?
     
    Renee, Apr 9, 2009
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  29. Paul386

    Paul386 Notebook Evangelist

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    Anyone know if the new 3.0 BIOS may support the P9600?
     
    Paul386, Jun 3, 2009
    #29