Need help upgrading my Pentium II chip

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

I have a Pentium II-233 chip in my computer and have found an inexpensive Pentium II-333 chip and would like to install it tonight. According to the markings on my motherboard, it should accept a 333 chip. I think I'll have to move some of those little "breakers" or whatever they're called inside, to accomodate the 333 chip. Other than that is there anything I need to know? Just unplug from the wall, discharge any static built up, and pull out the old one and plug in the new one, reset the breakers and reboot up?

Appreciate any advice before I really mess things up!
Thx,
jc

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Dig out the manual to your motherboard.

Read it thoroughly.

Make sure that the chip you have is like the one you're gonna take out. You can't replace a Socket 1 with a Socket A (i.e. card edge type with a FC-PGA) Gotta either be Socket 1 or FC_PGA.

If you have trouble with these designators go to the Intel website and look up the package types. You can also gain insight into package types at the MCM Electronics website.

Also, check to see if you have any jumper settings on your motherboard for clock speed, multiplier, and Front Side Bus Speed. May be set automatically in BIOS when you start the computer but you never know. Look to see if any clock speed information appears on the monitor when you first start the PC

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Thank you Ray. I believe I understood some of the words in your post.

As for a manual for my motherboard... well, I don't believe when I bought the computer (already assembled) that they provided me with such a manual... not sure where I'd find one.

I know some things about what kind of chip the new one is: Slot 1, 512K, 333 MHz. The package also says on it: Pentium II-333-030, 333, SL2S5, Intel, 80523PX333512, S/P.

How do I tell if it's comparable to the old one? Will it be printed on the old one when I take it out? What info. should I look for?
Thanks,
The Dunce

Michael Holland · From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Jim,

The Slot 1 design is easy to spot; they look kind of like miniature video tapes. If your new chip is the same size and shape as the one in the PC you're good to go. You may need a new heat sink/cooling fan for the new chip. If I remember correctly the Slot 1 uses adhesive to attach the heat sink so you may not be able to reuse the old one. Or it may use clips.

When you boot up after switching out the processor, go into the CMOS settings (usually a keystroke or keystroke combo - you should see a message during the boot sequence telling you which keys enter the setup). In the CMOS settings you should see the type of processor detected.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Thanks, Michael, though I guess IF I can boot up after switching out the processor, maybe I won't care anymore what kind it is, since it must be the "right" kind? True/false?

Now, if I can NOT boot up after switching the processor, do ya think it's simple to just put the old one back in and reset the jumpers and reboot and forget this whole mess?

Michael Holland · From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Are there jumpers on the board to select the processor speed? See if you can set them for the new processor.

Most boards will accept a specific range of processor models and the type should be detected on boot up. If the system doesn't boot, you can just put the old one back in and it should be just like it was before. Remember to always ground yourself before touching any PC card, ram strip or processor.

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Jim, 80523PX333512 means it has 512K cache on board.

If you can find any identifying (incriminating) marks on the mobo you might be able to tell the mfgr then do a web search (Yahoo/Google) on the number or name and locate on-line motherboard info that way. Works for MicroStar & Biostar (newer) edition boards.

There are lots of things that can go haywire here, make sure the Slot-1 connector on the mobo can handle the Slot-1 (newer) cpu you have. Again, the Intel website can help. If the one you are taking out looks IDENTICAL to the one you are replacing there should be no mechanical issues.

PS: FC-PGA means Flip Chip-Pin Grid Array, that's the package with 478 pins sticking out one side of a flat square slab about 2" square with a big black dot in the middle (the actual piece of silicon doing the work). How'd you like the job of attaching 478 wires from that little slab to each of the 478 pins? And you think Bud's Bounce is tough?

Also, make sure the heat sink fan works when you turn the PC on. It wont take very long to fry the chip if it aint being cooled. A 333mHz chip gives more room for error than a 1.8 gHz cpu, but not much if the cpu cooling fan aint spinnin'.

hope this helps & regards...

[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 20 January 2004 at 08:19 PM.]

[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 20 January 2004 at 08:23 PM.]

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

New Chip: Slot 1, 512K, 333 MHz. The package also says on it: Pentium II-333-030, 333, SL2S5, Intel, 80523PX333512, S/P.

Old/original chip says: 80522PX233512 SL2HD
also says: R7480498-077

The new one like exactly the same size and shape as the old one and it looks like the heat sink has clips on it to reattach it to the new one.

Also, yes I have jumpers and a little chart on the motherboard telling me the jumper settings when using a 333 chip.

Now, from the numbers above, does it appear that the new one should work? Is it compatible?

Also, where would I find the make and model of the motherboard? I don't see it in there...

thanks again,
JC

Lem Smith · From: Long Beach, MS

Jim,
It sounds like it should work fine. To find out what kind of mobo you have, click on "start", then "programs", then "accessories" then "system tools" then look for "system information. This is the way to find it on XP Home, and I think Win98/Me was the same.

Hope this helps,
Lem

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Thanks, Lem. I got all the way to "system information" but I guess I didn't see where to find the mobo information. What does it look like, or how is it labeled? Is it supposed to be in the "System Summary"?

Lem Smith · From: Long Beach, MS

Jim,
Yes, in System Summary, my mobo is shown as a MS-6378 under the "System Model". I know this is correct, because I know my particular mobo is a MicroStar model 6378.

What brand of computer do you have? Knowing that, I might be able to help you find out about the mobo.

Lem

Also, I'll keep an eye out here for a while, to make sure I don't miss a response, or you may feel free to email me as well.

[This message was edited by Lem Smith on 21 January 2004 at 09:48 PM.]

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Thanks, Lem, I'll email ya. Don't think this is of general interest to others anymore...

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Look on the top side (component side) of the motherboard in between the PCI connectors for legend/words/names/numbers silkscreened onto the motherboard. This is a starting point. Not all mobo mfgrs do this but some do.

Sounds like it oughta work though. Lots o'luck!

Mark Ardito · From: Chicago, IL, USA

Jim,

Changing the Chip on your Motherboard should be very straight forward. Just remove the HeatSink then remove the chip, then put in the new chip and then put the NEW heatsink on the new chip. Just make sure the heatsink provided with the new chip will fit on your MotherBoard. More than likely it is attached by clips.

There should be NO issues of compatibility for this new chip. However, I must tell you that you will not be able to detect ANY differece from a 233 MHz and a 333 MHz chip. The difference is so minimal that it is only readable for a diagnostics view point. I am not sure I would go through the hassle of up grading the chip for just 100 MHz more.

Just my $.02

Mark Ardito

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Thanks guys. Mark, the main reason I'm doing this is because after I upgraded from Win98 to Win2000, my digital camera software refused to work anymore, saying that, when using Win2000, the chip speed had to be at least 300 MHz, and I only had 233. So, even if I can't detect the difference, I'm hoping my camera software can!! I really don't want to buy a whole new computer right now...

About the heat sink, the new chip didn't come with one, so I'm hoping I can just unclip the old chip and clip the heat sink back onto the new chip. Yes?

[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 22 January 2004 at 10:33 AM.]

Mark Ardito · From: Chicago, IL, USA

Jim,

You bet you can just unclip the old one and put it on the new one.

I think the camera software will work just fine after this upgrade.

Mark

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Hey guys,
I steeled myself up (no pun intended) for the task of swapping out my chip tonight... but I can't seem to get the old one out!! I pushed back the two aluminum clips that hold it to the heat sink, and I pressed down on the two black tabs (one each at top and bottom of chip) that control the little protuberances that stick out and latch into holes to hold it in place at top and bottom, but... it still didn't wiggle free. Do you know what I'm doing wrong, or not doing? Am I supposed to be removing the heat sink at the same time, attaching it to the new chip and then putting sink and chip back in together, or can the sink stay in place, but I just unlatch the chip from it, slide the chip out, slide the new one in, and clip the old sink to it? What else might I need to know?
Thanks,
Jim

George Rozak · From: Braidwood, Illinois USA

Jim...

Look at the bottom of the slot that the CPU is plugged into & check for a horizontal piece of black plastic about the length of the CPU slipped over two plastic pegs near the bottom of the slot. Carefully push this horizontal piece of plastic off of the two pegs and the CPU should pop out.

Hope this helps...

George

------------------
Sho-Bud: Professional & Fingertip

Les Pierce · From: Shreveport, LA

Jim,

Here is a interesting site for Slot I upgrading:
http://www.zen26266.zen.co.uk/Slot1up1.htm

Take care,

Les

[This message was edited by Les Pierce on 23 January 2004 at 10:27 PM.]

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Hey Jimbeaux ! I too am upgrading my Pentium II Chip..

I'm going to Best Buy and getting a whole new system ! Probably an Athalon XP media system...with DVD write...and a ton of memory..

I've been fighting some very weird stuff and
at the same time want to add some media stuff that the 'ole PII just will not be able to handle...( efficiently that is )

I changed Mother bds on my system last week, and after all sorts of Boot up dealies..and holding my breath with my hand on my heart...I went back to the original Mother bd and Processor..

good luck with the new boot up !

I'm giving in..and handing over the cash..
t

oh..I should tell ya that we have 3 other PC's in the house that are P4's and they are flyin' beasts..hands down they make my main old P-II PC look like a Vega trying to out run a Viper ...2 of the P4's are my daughters and 1 is my business Laptop..none of which I use for this Internet stuff .

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Use the Drag and Drop method.
Drag it outside and dropit in the dumpster.

Seriously, if you have a P2 it's time to upgrade.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Thanks for your advice, Joey. HOWEVER, consider this: I have lots of software on my computer that I've downloaded, taking many hours over a 56K modem, and which I do not have the discs to reinstall. My computer currently does everything I need it to do except talk to my digital camera. Why on earth would I want to drop several more hundred dollars now to upgrade it when I'm otherwise satisfied? Computer guys always think you need the latest and greatest, but I say get what you need and keep it unless and until you need something different. What reasonable person could argue with that? Huh, Joey, huh?

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

I respect your right to be wrong, Jim.

Someday you'll see the light.

I only retired my P-166 (Pentium ONE) last year.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

LOL! And, in case you were wondering, I only paid $5.95 for the PII-333 chip, so it's a WHOLE lot cheaper than buying a new computer if I can get away with this swap.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

Jim, if the camera software is only nesessaary for downloading the pictures via a cable, I would consider getting the appropriate card reader for your computer and ditching the software altogether. You can use any photo editing program once the files are in the computer. A card reader is cheap and will transfer the photos very quickly.

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