Upgrading and old laptop

andy_mk3 · 11 Nov 2011 at 11:57

This was my first ever laptop back in 2001/02 I think, it's a Packard Bell iGo 4451 (Or NEC Versa E400).

I've taken it to bits as it wasn't charging properly, you had to put pressure on the connector for it to work, anyway I found a broken solder joint. But I thought while it's apart it could do with an upgrade. It's still in daily use for internet browsing but the 1.5GHz Celeron and 384mb ram are struggling a bit now.

It has an SiS 650 chipset, which I have found out can support a Pentium 4 2.2Ghz processor. But the memory is confusing me a little. It has 128mb built into the mainboard, and a 256mb chip fitted. Websites listing specs for the iGo 4451 say that 384mb is the maximum it can take, however sites for the Versa E400 say 640mb. They're almost identical laptops so I don't see how this is?

Any real way of finding out what the maximum capacity is, is it a chipset limitation?

I know this old thing is never going to set the world alight but at 10 years old with daily use since new, and never once gone wrong until now, I think I owe it a little treat and see how long it goes on for. Cost about £1100 when new

beermonster · 11 Nov 2011 at 19:59

I have a stick of 512 ddr sodimm and some old cpu's might be able to dig one out, is yours the type with the big heat spreader or does it have the exposed core?

andy_mk3 · 13 Nov 2011 at 13:41

It has the exposed core. I was on ebay late last night and scored a P4 2.2Ghz CPU and 512mb of DDR for about £8 so I'll see how it goes I guess!

andy_mk3 · 21 Nov 2011 at 20:23

Just an update, the CPU finally came today as the first order was cancelled due to them not having them in stock!

All fitted and working

Every single website says this laptop will not support more than 384mb RAM, but it's running on the 640mb perfectly well, and the P4 CPU works lovely too.

Certainly a cheap way to refresh a 11/12 year old laptop that's for sure

Mother is very pleased

Simonw2014 · 16 Feb 2014 at 14:59

I just got this Laptop for £10 from my uncle as he totally clogged it up and didnt really know how too start cleaning it. Battery doesnt hold charge but AC works so im gonna have too get the solder joint looked at. Does the Sis650 Chipset support the P4 2.2GHz CPU as the highest it will? Or will it do more? Also after i reinstalled OS sound no longer works - RealTek Ac'97 Codec but windows also picks up SoundMax Digital Audio. Sound was fine when i got it. Any original drivers for this?

Thanks

Simonw2014 · 22 Feb 2014 at 11:04

I managed too resolve the sound issue by downloading an Ac`97 Vinyl Combo Audio Driver - Anyone have any ideas on Max Cpu Support and Max Ram Support - Chipset Limitations please... Any answers much appreciated in advance..

andy_mk3 · 22 Feb 2014 at 11:08

I don't know if the limits really, although anything more you're not going to notice a difference really I don't think.

Simonw2014 · 22 Feb 2014 at 13:27

Hi Andy, I was having a quick look and read as it is a Socket 478 it could take up too a 2.8Ghz p4 any thoughts on this? Also is 640mmb ram really the max - no way too over clock or trick the board or is it just the max of the chipset.. Cheers for your help

firewallblocked · 25 Feb 2014 at 15:56

Shame you didn't have a 1GB ddr to try, I would have thought it would accept it. Fixed a Pentium m laptop for a mate and it now runs windows 7 with 1.5gb ddr. Graphics and sound driver were a nightmare to get working. NEVER again! :eek:

It's not the fastest machine I have used.

andy_mk3 · 25 Feb 2014 at 19:16

I wouldn't bother with anything over XP. There's nothing W7 can do that XP can't with this spec of machine, it's an internet browser at best lol.