Acer Upgrades

Gierke · 14th September 2006, 5:07 PM

Howdy

Finances have gone to shit so i won't be able to get my new laptop so i'm going to upgrade my current one.

Specs: Here

I am looking to swap the hdd for a 60-80gb 5400 drive, most likely a Seagate or Samsung...Opinions either way would be great.

I am going to pull both 256mb Ram sticks and replace them with 2x 512mb sticks. The first slot is easy to get to, under a little cover on the bottom but i don't no where the other slot is?

And i get shithouse battery life so i want to swap the cpu for a mobile pentium 4. This one in perticular. I'm pretty confident it will work. Am i right?

Cheers

-=Alfonzo=- · 14th September 2006, 5:14 PM

If you can only access one memory slot underneath then I'm willing to bet the second one is inside the computer, requiring the keyboard to be lifted up.

SLATYE · 14th September 2006, 5:25 PM

The other RAM slot is probably under the keyboard. That's where Dell puts them.

That seems to have a Celeron-D CPU in it, and they'd run very hot. Replacing it with a Mobile P4 Northwood would probably help a lot. The P4 you listed should be fine, although it might perform worse than your current Celeron (lower clock speed and only 400Mhz FSB).

Gierke · 14th September 2006, 5:43 PM

Ok, thanks for the help.

Now getting it apart...

Now the big highlited bit is where the cpu is. I am hoping it is not soldered here, cos if it is, my idea is rooted. I think its just the socket 'cos there is stuff soldered in the centre.

I have highlited all the screws on the base, so would i just take them all out and pull? I'm not too sure how to the keybord out...

edit:fuck, got sniped

MrSmith · 14th September 2006, 6:37 PM

I've got a funny feeling it's going to be soldered there.

Gierke · 14th September 2006, 6:42 PM

Oh Christ.

Shortly i will try and pull it apart and see if it really is.

edit: ive just been told by someone who works on acers that the metal part in the top left is where the cpu hides. Hopefully it will be easier to get out than i thought.

edit2: woot, i can see the cpu, and it aint soldered

now all i need to know is how to get to the second ram slot.

MrSmith · 14th September 2006, 7:43 PM

Cool, The pentium will be a much better option

-=Alfonzo=- · 14th September 2006, 8:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gierke

edit: ive just been told by someone who works on acers that the metal part in the top left is where the cpu hides. Hopefully it will be easier to get out than i thought.

Yeah, was just about to say that. (And I work on Acers too

)

As for your keyboard, none of those screws really look to line up across the centre of the computer, so it might be attached from the front. Besides, if none of them match up to your keyboard then all you're doing is removing the screws that hold the whole damn computer together. Only remove what you need to.

Now, there's two different styles of front-attaching keyboards I've seen Acer use.
One is a retention clip style, two clips between the Esc + F1 and the Ins + Del keys. Then there may be a semi hidden clip somewhere slightly off centre above the Function row.

The second method which they use has a strip cover across the absolute top of the keyboard, that typically runs right across the back of the keyboard and over the LCD hinges. A little bit of manouvering on either side of that black plastic section and it should start to lift up (though don't go yanking it off mad-man style, they're small plastic clips). Then underneath there's probably two or three small screws that attach the keyboard down onto the top cover assembly.

I should point out at this stage I take no responsibility for any damage caused by the above instructions, but there are two methods I do know that Acer uses. See if you can find a schematic of your model somewhere online if you want to double check.

[edit]Just found a FRU for your model here. Your notebook uses the strip cover method I mentioned above.[/edit]

Gierke · 14th September 2006, 10:22 PM

Hmmmmmkay. I put some new AS5 on the cpu, cos it might be a week or two till i get a p4. There was atleast 3mm of fluff caked on the heatsinks. This might have contributed to the heat.

No matter how i tried, i could not get that strip off, above the keyboard. I don't want to force it and break it.

Maybe i should either get 1x 512mb or 1x 1gb stick, so i don't have to take it apart any further.

MrSmith · 15th September 2006, 8:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gierke

Hmmmmmkay. I put some new AS5 on the cpu, cos it might be a week or two till i get a p4. There was atleast 3mm of fluff caked on the heatsinks. This might have contributed to the heat.

No matter how i tried, i could not get that strip off, above the keyboard. I don't want to force it and break it.

Maybe i should either get 1x 512mb or 1x 1gb stick, so i don't have to take it apart any further.

You could just get a 1gb one, I guess.. but it'd be cheaper to get to the other one.. Keep trying! BTW, What type of ram is it?

Gierke · 15th September 2006, 3:37 PM

It's just basic DDR333, pc2700.

I think ill just get a 512mb stick. It'll be cheaper and it will be a big step up from the original 256mb.

MrSmith · 15th September 2006, 5:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gierke

It's just basic DDR333, pc2700.

I think ill just get a 512mb stick. It'll be cheaper and it will be a big step up from the original 256mb.

So, the other slot doesn't have any ram in it atm?

If you're only using the one slot, I'd get a 1gb stick, 1gb in a laptop proves such an improvement over 256 and 512.

Gierke · 15th September 2006, 6:04 PM

Nah, i think im confusing you poeple.

When i bought it, it had 256 in the slot under the keyboard. Then about 6 months i put another 256 in the second slot that is easily accesible. So now ideally i would like to put 512 sticks in each. But i might just put a single 512 stick in the 'easy' slot to avoid ripping it all apart. 768mb will be better than 512.

MrSmith · 15th September 2006, 6:28 PM

AAh ok, I get you now. Dunno if you'll notice a huge difference from 512-756

djkai · 15th September 2006, 7:04 PM

Yeah i use to work for Acer technical support a few months back. Umm if you take off all the appropriate screws on the bottom and any clips on the back you should be able to lift it up.

and yeah the ram is usually under the touchpad so yeh... I'll see if i can get the service manual for you!

14th September 2006, 5:07 PM	#1
Gierke Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Barossa Valley Posts: 1,562	Acer Upgrades Howdy Finances have gone to shit so i won't be able to get my new laptop so i'm going to upgrade my current one. Specs: Here I am looking to swap the hdd for a 60-80gb 5400 drive, most likely a Seagate or Samsung...Opinions either way would be great. I am going to pull both 256mb Ram sticks and replace them with 2x 512mb sticks. The first slot is easy to get to, under a little cover on the bottom but i don't no where the other slot is? And i get shithouse battery life so i want to swap the cpu for a mobile pentium 4. This one in perticular. I'm pretty confident it will work. Am i right? Cheers __________________ \| AMD X4 955 \| 4GB DDR2 \| 8800GTS 512MB \| WD 320GB AAKS \| Lian Li A03B \|

14th September 2006, 5:14 PM	#2
-=Alfonzo=- Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Redland Bay, BrisVegas Posts: 7,191	If you can only access one memory slot underneath then I'm willing to bet the second one is inside the computer, requiring the keyboard to be lifted up. __________________ successful trades \| car

14th September 2006, 5:25 PM	#3
SLATYE SLATYE, not SLAYTE Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canberra Posts: 21,040	The other RAM slot is probably under the keyboard. That's where Dell puts them. That seems to have a Celeron-D CPU in it, and they'd run very hot. Replacing it with a Mobile P4 Northwood would probably help a lot. The P4 you listed should be fine, although it might perform worse than your current Celeron (lower clock speed and only 400Mhz FSB). __________________ Main system: Pentium-D 805 \| 1GB (2x 512MB) PQI DDR400 \| Gigabyte 8I865GMK-775 \| Xtreama Radeon 9800Pro with Zalman ZM-80HP-D \| 320GB WD SATA HDD \| Antec SmartPower 2.0 500w Laptop: Compal EL80 \| C2D T7200 \| 320GB Fujistu HDD \| 2GB DDR2-667 \| GF Go 7600

14th September 2006, 5:43 PM	#4
Gierke Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Barossa Valley Posts: 1,562	Ok, thanks for the help. Now getting it apart... Now the big highlited bit is where the cpu is. I am hoping it is not soldered here, cos if it is, my idea is rooted. I think its just the socket 'cos there is stuff soldered in the centre. I have highlited all the screws on the base, so would i just take them all out and pull? I'm not too sure how to the keybord out... edit:fuck, got sniped __________________ \| AMD X4 955 \| 4GB DDR2 \| 8800GTS 512MB \| WD 320GB AAKS \| Lian Li A03B \|

14th September 2006, 6:37 PM	#5
MrSmith Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: nor perth Posts: 2,393	I've got a funny feeling it's going to be soldered there. __________________ [X2 4200+, Asus 8600GT Silent, 1gb, modded Antec Plusview2] [Dell i6400/1.83Ghz C2D, 1gb ddr2, 256mb X1400] [Middlesbrough FC, Fremantle Dockers, Perth Glory] [Myspace, trades] \|\|Dr. Pepper Club Member #001\|\|

14th September 2006, 6:42 PM	#6
Gierke Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Barossa Valley Posts: 1,562	Oh Christ. Shortly i will try and pull it apart and see if it really is. edit: ive just been told by someone who works on acers that the metal part in the top left is where the cpu hides. Hopefully it will be easier to get out than i thought. edit2: woot, i can see the cpu, and it aint soldered now all i need to know is how to get to the second ram slot. __________________ \| AMD X4 955 \| 4GB DDR2 \| 8800GTS 512MB \| WD 320GB AAKS \| Lian Li A03B \| Last edited by Gierke; 14th September 2006 at 7:28 PM.

14th September 2006, 7:43 PM	#7
MrSmith Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: nor perth Posts: 2,393	Cool, The pentium will be a much better option __________________ [X2 4200+, Asus 8600GT Silent, 1gb, modded Antec Plusview2] [Dell i6400/1.83Ghz C2D, 1gb ddr2, 256mb X1400] [Middlesbrough FC, Fremantle Dockers, Perth Glory] [Myspace, trades] \|\|Dr. Pepper Club Member #001\|\|

14th September 2006, 10:22 PM	#9
Gierke Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Barossa Valley Posts: 1,562	Hmmmmmkay. I put some new AS5 on the cpu, cos it might be a week or two till i get a p4. There was atleast 3mm of fluff caked on the heatsinks. This might have contributed to the heat. No matter how i tried, i could not get that strip off, above the keyboard. I don't want to force it and break it. Maybe i should either get 1x 512mb or 1x 1gb stick, so i don't have to take it apart any further. __________________ \| AMD X4 955 \| 4GB DDR2 \| 8800GTS 512MB \| WD 320GB AAKS \| Lian Li A03B \|

15th September 2006, 3:37 PM	#11
Gierke Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Barossa Valley Posts: 1,562	It's just basic DDR333, pc2700. I think ill just get a 512mb stick. It'll be cheaper and it will be a big step up from the original 256mb. __________________ \| AMD X4 955 \| 4GB DDR2 \| 8800GTS 512MB \| WD 320GB AAKS \| Lian Li A03B \|

15th September 2006, 6:04 PM	#13
Gierke Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Barossa Valley Posts: 1,562	Nah, i think im confusing you poeple. When i bought it, it had 256 in the slot under the keyboard. Then about 6 months i put another 256 in the second slot that is easily accesible. So now ideally i would like to put 512 sticks in each. But i might just put a single 512 stick in the 'easy' slot to avoid ripping it all apart. 768mb will be better than 512. __________________ \| AMD X4 955 \| 4GB DDR2 \| 8800GTS 512MB \| WD 320GB AAKS \| Lian Li A03B \|

15th September 2006, 6:28 PM	#14
MrSmith Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: nor perth Posts: 2,393	AAh ok, I get you now. Dunno if you'll notice a huge difference from 512-756 __________________ [X2 4200+, Asus 8600GT Silent, 1gb, modded Antec Plusview2] [Dell i6400/1.83Ghz C2D, 1gb ddr2, 256mb X1400] [Middlesbrough FC, Fremantle Dockers, Perth Glory] [Myspace, trades] \|\|Dr. Pepper Club Member #001\|\|

15th September 2006, 7:04 PM	#15
djkai Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 45	Yeah i use to work for Acer technical support a few months back. Umm if you take off all the appropriate screws on the bottom and any clips on the back you should be able to lift it up. and yeah the ram is usually under the touchpad so yeh... I'll see if i can get the service manual for you!