November 26, 2001
Hello All,
Well I think we finally have a solution to the last problem plaguing our FX210/FX215 laptops. The problem I am referring to is the lack of PowerNow! support on the "mobile" Duron processor in our laptops.
A couple of weeks ago the idea was raised of possibly being able to replace our "Spitfire" core Duron processor with a "Morgan" core Duron processor. The idea behind this being that the "Morgan" core Duron supports PowerNow!. Then to add fuel to the fire an Individual joined the Yahoo forum and provided the group with the knowledge that it was possible to replace our "Spitfire" Duron with a mobile Athlon (Thanks "dosborne"). After a number of discussions on the Yahoo Forum a number of participants began trying to find a source for mobile Duron processors.
Well after a number of dead ends a source for Mobile processors has been found. iThinkComputers Inc. out of Florida has Mobile AMD processors and is willing to sell them to us ( A huge thanks to Jeff "gorra" for finding these guys). At the time I wrote this Jeremiah had purchased a mobile Athlon 1.0Ghz and installed it into his FX210. The processor was recognized correctly with the WXP01K5 bios. Furthermore, PowerNow! support is functioning with the processor declocking to 500Mhz when running on batteries.
At this time no one has had time to determine how much additional battery life PowerNow! support will add to these machines. It will be very interesting to see what kind of additional life people are able squeeze out of the FX210/FX215 with PowerNow! support.
Included below are part numbers and pricing information from iThinkComputers Inc for the Mobile CPUs.
DURON 900MHZ $125
Athlon 4 1.0GHZ - $205
Athlon 4 1.2GHZ -$299
There are photos available on the Yahoo Forum detailing the process required to disassemble the FX210/FX215 laptop and replace the processor.
I am very interested in hearing from people who take the plunge and replace their processors. Please feel free to e-mail me with your success stories or problems so that I can compile them for the benefit of others. I ordered a 900 MHZ Duron today (November 26) hopefully I will have it by Friday.
Through the diligence and hard work of a bunch of individuals we have been able to take an OK laptop missing some key features that should have been present initially from the manufacturer;
This group has been able to address and rectify all of the above issues. Congratulations to all of you who have contributed in some manner.
Shame on Sony for providing so little support, so many problems, and so many roadblocks.
Later,
Brad
