HP Pavilion dv9207us Upgrade

As it turns out, the HP Pavilion dv9207us (release year 2007) can support more memory than the manufacturer specified 2 GB.  I've successfully installed 4 GB of RAM.  However, because the CPU only supports a 32 bit operating system, I can only use 3 GB of RAM.

My next planned upgrade of the HP Pavilion dv9207us is a processor upgrade from the Intel Core Duo T2250 1.73 GHz processor to the Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33 GHz processor, the HP Pavilion dv9207us has an Intel i945PM chipset.  The Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 is a 64 bit processor so I'll be able to install an x64 Windows OS, so I'll be able to access all 4 GB of RAM.

I'm curious to see if the HP Pavilion dv9207us will take 8 GB of RAM given that the DDR2 PC2-5300 is available in 4 GB memory sticks (see here at crucial.com), but Intel i945PM chipset specifications shows a max memory of 4 GB.

2012-04-19 Update

I happened to open the HP Pavilion dv9207us recently and noticed that there is space for another mini PCIe socket.  The solder joints are there but no mini PCIe socket.

It's quite possible that this could just work similiar to the Samsung NC10 mod to add another mini PCIe socket.

2012-05-16 Update

Today I've received my Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33 GHz processor.  I purchased it here on eBay.  I'll have to find time to disassemble the HP Pavilion dv9207us for the 3rd time:

• 1st:  Repair CPU heatsink assembly, HDD, and keyboard
• 2nd:  Cooling mod with copper shims and Artic Silver thermal compound to properly cool CPU, nVidia GPU, and an additional chip with a gap between heatsink and chip (could be part of the chipset).  I know, I know.  No pictures and descriptions, but I was in a hurry!  I'll be sure to take pictures and post it this 3rd time around.

2012-05-18 Update

And here you have it, CONFIRMED, the Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33 GHz processor officially works in the HP Pavilion dv9207us.

I added a 1.5mm copper shim to fill in the gap between this chip and the heatsink, not sure what it is, but it's next to the CPU.

I also added a 0.5mm coppershim to the nVidia video card heatsink.

I removed all the heat pads and replaced it with copper shims and Artic Silver thermal compound.

The new Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33 GHz processor in the socket on the motherboard.  Note, that this picture shows the new processor without thermal compound.  Make sure you reapply the thermal compound before reassembling.  Also, if you've never removed a processor before, you must turn the screw like knob below the processor to release the processor from the socket.

Older Intel Core Duo T2250 1.73 GHz processor removed from the HP Pavilion dv9207us motherboard.

BIOS recognizes the Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33 GHz processor.

And Windows installs drivers for the Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33 GHz processor.

Previously, the Windows 7 rating was 4.2 and the lowest score was for the CPU, now CPU rating is 5.7.

I just blew about 2 hours of my day with this, so I'm going to tackle the 64 bit Windows install later.

2012-06-01 Update

Today, I finally got around to trying to install Windows 7 x64.  The good news is that x64 drivers can be found for all the system devices so no devices remain unknown.  The bad news is that although the BIOS shows 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 x64 can only use 3 GB RAM.

However, the touch control panel strip above the keyboard doesn't seem to work in Windows 7 x64, no volume control and CD/DVD controls.  This might be because the connectors at the end of teh ribbon cables are starting to pull up.  I'll have to purchase replacements and retry Windows 7 x64.

So far all devices on the HP Pavilion dv9207us are recognized by Windows 7 x64.

Unidentified Devices after Windows 7 x64 install:

• 3x Base System Device
• 1x Unknown Device

3x Base System Device - Ricoh 5-in-1 Card Reader Driver
Windows Update automatically installs 1 driver for the Ricoh 5-in-1 Card Reader Driver.
The HP Pavilion dv9207us Ricoh 5-in-1 Card Reader Driver is required to recognize all 3 of the Base System Devices.
Download the HP Pavilion dv9207us Windows Vista x64 drivers here.

Unknown Device - HP Quick Launch Buttons
Right click Unknown Device -> Click Update Driver Software
Windows 7 automatically installs the necessary drivers

Video Card
Download nVidia drivers for the nVidia GeForce Go 7600 here for Windows 7 x64.

Touchpad
Download the Synaptics drivers here directly from Synaptics.

2012-08-26 Update

Last time I pulled apart my HP Pavilion dv9207us, the connectors on the ends of the ribbon cable started to pull up.  When I reconnected the worn out ribbon cables, the touch-enabled buttons on the top panel stopped working.  I purchased these ribbon cables from eBay and all the touch-enabled buttons are back online:

• DV6000 - DV9000 E118077 AWM 2896 80C 250MM RIBBON CABLE
• HP DV6000 DV9000 POWER BUTTON RIBBON CABLE 6 INCH 150MM

Gotta love eBay.

2012-12-28 Update

Disaster struck when the left hinge on my HP Pavilion dv9207us snapped on the lower left hand corner of the hinge.  It took all the screw mounts with it on the back cover and the damaged the screw hole on the front lcd cover.

Before doing any research I bought an LCD back cover from eBay and found out too late that the LCD back cover on the dv9207us requires a SINGLE LAMP LCD back cover.  I had incorrectly purchased the dual lamp LCD back cover.

I initially tried to purchase my parts from impactcomputers.com.  It was more expensive than eBay, but I wanted to get my parts new and all at once instead of piecemealing them together.  impactcomputers.com ended up being a slight nuisance.  They showed all the parts I required as being in stock:

432957-001 - Back LCD    432957-001         1   94.95
Cover (Single Lamp) For
Hewlett-packard (HP)
Computers
432963-001 - Display     432963-001         1   24.95
Hinge Kit (Single Lamp,
Left and Right) For
Hewlett-packard (HP)
Computers
432955-001 - Display     432955-001         1   89.95
Bezel (Single Lamp with
WEB Camera) For
Hewlett-packard (HP)
Computers
But then I had to pay more for the LCD front case.

Due to the fluctuations in inventory quantities as well as market prices, the price of Impactcomputers.com
432955-001 - Display Bezel Single Lamp with WEB Camera has been correctly updated to meet the market value. The new price is $129.95.
I sent the money, and the next thing I know everything is out of stock except the hinge kit!  Talk about frustrating, so I got them to give me a refund for everything except the hinge kit.  The good news is that the hinges were new.  I used PayPal to pay for the parts, so at least I had some leverage.  I could complain to PayPal if things got fishy.

In the end, I got the CORRECT LCD back cover here from eBay and reused the original LCD front cover.  The LCD front cover was fine except the lower left hand corner screw hole edges were broken so the screw doesn't hold down the LCD front cover at that point anymore.

2012-12-28 Update 2

I finally put together my soldering kit and I got my hands on a mini PCIe slot to try and solder onto the empty mini PCIe slot on the dv9207us motherboard.  I purchased the mini PCIe slot here from newark.com.

Talk about being nervous.  There's a component really close to the empty slot and I didn't want to accidentally melt it off.  Good news is that everything worked out fine and I got the slot on nicely.  The only problem now is that I really can't test it because the connectors on ribbon cable between the wifi on/off switch and the motherboard is pulling up like the top panel control ribbon cable!  I've order one of those here from eBay and I'm waiting for it to arrive to get my wifi switch to work again.  I'm thinking that perhaps the wifi switch activates/deactivates both slots.

I'll update this post once I get my new ribbon cable and get it installed.  In the meantime, enjoy the pictures of my newly soldered mini PCIe slot.

2013-01-07 Update

I'm starting to not like these ribbon cables inside notebook computers.  The pins pull up from all the scrapping against the pins inside the ports.  The wireless switch stopped working after I put together the HP dv9207us after soldering the new mini PCIe port.  I disassembled the notebook again to find that the wireless switch ribbon cable pins started to peel off.  I ordered these ribbon cables from eBay.com:

• AWM 20798 80C 60V 0.50 mm picth 10 PIN 55 mm 5.5 cm

Replaced the damaged ribbon cable and now the wireless switch works again.  However, when I plug in a device into the newly soldered min PCIe slot, it still doesn't work.  I guess it's not enabled through hardware.  I'll have to figure out how to enable it.  I probably just have to bridge a connection on the board somewhere, but I don't know how to figure that stuff out yet.

2013-10-13 Update

I had a spare Crucial m4 256 GB SSD and I decided to give the HP Pavilion dv9207us an upgrade. I took out the Seagate Momentus 7200.3 80 GB HDD I put in and replaced it with the SSD.

Seagate Momentus 7200.3 80 GB HDD

Crucial m4 256 GB SSD CrystalDiskMark benchmark

2013-10-14 Update

I was just asked a question on how to know for sure what part to get and best answer for that is, take apart the part of your notebook that needs repair and get the part number off the part. The good thing about HP's and Lenovo's is that they have part numbers to EVERY part one of their components.

For example, when my LCD back panel broke, I got lazy and I guessed at the part number and I ended up with the wrong part because the dv9000 series has 2 different types of LCD back panels, a single lamp model and a dual lamp model. If had simply disassembled the part and gotten the part number my life would have been much easier.

For example, the HP Pavilion dv9207us LCD back panel model number is 432957-001. Take this number to the HP parts store here and you'll find the part description, for example, 432957-001. The description the HP website ends up being:

432957-001
Display panel back panel enclosure - For use with single lamp display panel

Generally, I have found that if you search eBay with the part number, you will get the right part.

This is the number you want.

Not sure what this number is. Perhaps it's a serial number?

As an aside, if you are interested in repairing your plastic components that break, give Mercury Adhesives M1100 thick viscosity glue a try. I scrapped together all the little plastic bits that broke off and I fixed my screw mounts using it. Don't know if you can tell from the photo, but the base of the screw mounts have glue around them. I haven't tested it, but I have a lot of luck with the glue in the past using it. I've kept my older LCD back panel as a backup in case the new one I've purchased breaks. GOOD LUCK!

2014-06-25 Update

I was asked about the HP xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base featured in the picture on top of this article. My personal feeling is that it's LARGE and BULKY. Basically, I don't like it a whole lot, but it does function as a dock. I like the HP Notebook QuickDock better because it's a simple port replicator.

Specifications for the HP xb3000 is available here at hp.com.

Compatibility:

• The xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base is compatible with all HP Pavilion dv2000, dv6000, dx6000, dv9000, tx1000, tx2000 and Compaq Presario V3000 and V6000 series notebooks.

Technical Specifications:

• Vertical docking station with adjustable height capability.
• Integrated Altec Lansing stereo speakers
• 6 USB ports (2 on the right side, 4 on the back)
• 1 RJ45 port
• 1 VGA port
• 1 S-Video port
• 1 Composite Video port
• 1 set of Component Video out ports
• 1 headphone jack (on the right side)
• 1 S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) port
• 1 stereo microphone port (on the right side)
• 1 65W/90W AC adapter power jack (supports the notebook's AC Adapter)
• 1 Kensington lock slot
• Integrated Consumer IR port (for optional remote control)
• on-board volume controls
• support for optional Hard Drive accessory kit (sold separately)

The HP xb3000 Notebook Expansion base has a slot for a 3.5 inch HDD on the left side, but you need a special caddy for the HDD, the HP xb3000 Hard Drive Kit Expansion Bay. It's currently out of production and I have found it here at impactcomputers.com. I have purchased products from impactcomputers.com. Service could be better, but they haven't ripped me off, so that's a plus. Generally, the problem was that they listed items as In Stock, charged me for the item, and then told me that the item was NOT In Stock and then refunded the cost to me.

The HP Notebook QuickDock support page is here at hp.com, but it's not very useful. It's got pretty much the same ports at the HP xb3000 minus the integrated speakers, volume control, and 3.5 inch HDD bay.

HP Part Number: 430326-001 or ES631AA#ABA

Agency Series: HSTNN-WX05

Technical Specifications:

• 6 USB ports (2 on the right side, 4 on the back)
• 1 RJ45 port
• 1 VGA port
• 1 S-Video port
• 1 Composite Video port
• 1 set of Component Video out ports
• 1 headphone jack (on the right side)
• 1 S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) port
• 1 stereo microphone port (on the right side)
• 1 65W/90W AC adapter power jack (supports the notebook's AC Adapter)
• 1 Kensington lock slot
• Integrated Consumer IR port (for optional remote control)