Help with troubleshooting a cpu upgrade?

[kylesful]

I recently attempted to upgrade the cpu for my hp pavilion m8100. I switched out my Amd Athlon 64 x2 2.8 ghz 5600+ for an Amd Phenom II x4 3.0 ghz. When i turned the computer on, the fans started, but nothing else happened. I waited and waited. I tried turning off and on again. When i switch back to my amd athlon processor, my computer works fine. I called the pc store and they said that my bios needs updated. There is no bios update listed for windows 7 for my HP MCP61PM-HM (Nettle2) motherboard. I found a (Modded BIOS) that claimed it has support for a Phenom II processor here. https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-HP-MCP61PM-HM-Nettle2-5-27-With-Unlocked-Overclocking-Options?page=4 I installed the bios correctly, however i still have the same problem of my computer turning on but not showing any signal or making any noises. only fans. I've been messing around trying to fix my computer for hours now, and i'm about to give up.

 

[fidelio]

The AMD Phenom II requires an AM3 socket. Your AMD Athlon 64 is running an AM2. Sorry but your new CPU will not run on your current motherboard.

 

[kylesful]

it says am2+/am3 so i assumed that it would work 🙁

 

[kylesful]

and if you search on google "what's the best amd am2 socket processor" a Phenom II is the first answer lol

 

[Darkbreeze]

Doesn't matter. Fact is that from AM2/2+ to AM3/3+, different memory architectures are supported and lack of one can eliminate compatibility of the other. Case in point.

AMD confirmed that there is an upgrade path from Socket AM2+ to AM3:

AM3 processors work on AM2+ motherboards due to the presence of both the DDR2 and DDR3 memory controllers on the processor
AM2+ processors do not work on AM3 motherboards due to the processor's lack of a DDR3 memory controller

The pin configuration of the AM2+ socket (940 pins)[2] is mechanically different from the AM3 socket (941 pins)[2]

Further, and more importantly, is WHAT does the BIOS support? If the bios for the board in question never had a release from whoever manufactured it, ie. ASUS, or sold it, ie. Dell, it may NOT work despite the fact that had it been GIVEN support, it COULD have. Case in point.

AMD confirmed that AM2 processors will work on AM2+ motherboards and AM2+ processors will work on AM2 motherboards. However, the operation of AM2+ processors on AM2 motherboards will be limited to the specifications of Socket AM2 (1 GHz HyperTransport 2.0, and one power plane for both cores and the IMC). AM2 processors do not benefit from the faster HyperTransport 3.0 and separate power planes on AM2+ motherboards. As with AM2 components, AM2+ CPUs and motherboards are designed to use DDR2 RAM exclusively.

Many manufacturers, such as Dell in the case of their Inspiron 531, have yet to (and may choose not to) release BIOS updates that would enable this compatibility. As a result, some consumers are unable to upgrade their PCs with AM2+ CPUs despite this being technically possible, and instead would have to buy a new motherboard to upgrade the processor. MSI has simply stated that their AM2 motherboards are not compatible with AM2+ processors.

Generally, aftermarket motherboard manufacturers are pretty good in most cases when it comes to making sure they support their motherboards with ongoing bios firmware in order to maintain compatibility with hardware released after the motherboard. Up to a point anyhow. At some point they will usually stop doing so because there is little demand for it.

OEM manufacturers like Dell and HP however present a different argument in that most of their systems are REALLY not intended to be upgraded with ANY hardware other than what it came with aside from potentially replacement graphics cards, so they are rather hit and miss about offering bios updates and tend to discontinue offering updated bios long before an aftermarket board partner would do so.

 

[kylesful]

 

[Darkbreeze]

Does the system still boot with the old CPU installed, AFTER you installed the modded BIOS version?

Did you try completely unplugging the machine from the wall, removing the CMOS battery for three to five minutes, putting it back in and then trying to boot?

 

[rgd1101]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from kylesful : "I bought a phenom II and need help!"

I bought an Amd phenom II off of Amazon a little bit ago. My friend told me that it was compatible with my nettle 2 motherboard, but it doesn’t seem to be working. I don’t know if it’s my bios, or what. When I install the cpu and turn my computer on, the fans start, but nothing else happens. Now people are telling me that it’s not compatible with a nettle 2 board, which is scary. There has to be some way to get it to work. I’m up for bios mods and stuff, but I don’t know where to start!

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01077676
Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:
Athlon 64 X2 with Dual Core technology up to 5600+ (up to 89 watt)
Athlon 64 less than 4000+
Sempron less than 3800+