Acer Aspire Idea 500 / 510 CPU upgrade

Factory image installed onto backup hard disk drive now and machine seems to be working okay. At this stage I think that it's a good idea to upgrade the CPU and RAM.

Preliminary checks:

1). Download CPU-Z and Core-Temp to take a screen-grab of the CPU 'as is'.
2). Gather together a T7200 Socket-M CPU, some Thermal Compound (such as IC Diamond for example) and some Akasa Tim-Clean.

Step 3). Save a copy of the existing BIOS and upgrade to the most current version (already covered here). The version of the upgraded BIOS as far as I'm aware should be R02-C2.

Screen-grabs (prior to CPU upgrade):

BIOS Upgrade confirmation

Operating parameters of T5500 CPU

Thankfully the CPU upgrade has been a success. Convinced that I'd tried to upgrade one of these machines previously unsuccessfully anyway screen-grabs are as follows:

Operating parameters of T7200 CPU

Step-by-step removal of T5500 CPU and fitting of T7200 CPU. 

1). Firstly ensure that the power has been unplugged from the machine you're working on however try to keep the power lead connected so that the machine is earthed. Periodically touch a bare metal part of the chassis so that any static build-up is sufficiently discharged so as to avoid damage due to static discharge - better still wear an earthed wrist-strap - these can be bought reasonably inexpensively from eBay and from Dabs.com

2). Remove all four screws that fix the CPU Heatsink & Fan to the CPU.

3). With the CPU Heatsink & Fan removed the Socket-M locking mechanism is undone (rotating the screw anti-clockwise).

4). Clean the underneath of the CPU Heatsink & Fan as thoroughly as possible using a cloth or paper-towel and Timclean. The surrounding cushioning-pad has also been removed here - Wanted to remove in its entirety as it was very difficult to remove the thermal compound without touching this as well.

 

4). Pop the T7200 CPU into the Socket-M CPU Socket (ensure it's orientated correctly), Once the CPU is in situ lock the CPU into position. Apply some Thermal Compound onto the CPU die and reattach the CPU Heatsink & Fan. 

5). Re-connect the power and boot-up your newly upgraded machine. Hopefully all is well and it boots without any issues. Failing that ensure the BIOS has been upgraded (you'll need to replace the T7200 CPU with the original in order to check this). Should your machine not boot check that there are no bent pins. With all of the latter checks having been made at a guess it's the CPU itself that is d.o.a. - In which case it'll need to be returned to where it was bought from.