Gateway M465-E Processor Upgrade won't work, WHY?

[Simuri]

I have an Gateway M465-E w/ an Intel T2300E Core Duo processor and a 64mb ATI X1400. I want to upgrade this to an Intel T7200 Core 2 Duo that I have. I know there are models of the M465-E that were even SOLD with this processor as an option. I've upgraded the BIOS to version 71.12 (the latest I can find). I am using the original 1GB DDR2-533 ram.

When I install the T7200 the laptop will not boot. It goes through the boot process, spinning up the drives and flashing lights normally, then it just shuts down. Works find after reinstalling the T2300E chip but it wont boot with the T7200 chip.

Why isn't this working?

The i945PM chipset supports this processor. The M465-E has versions sold with this processor as an upgrade option.

Also, does anyone know if this can take 4GB of ram? Gateways spec says only 2GB, but the i945PM chipset should be able to take 4GB.

[Simuri]

I currently have 4 working M465-E laptops. All of them work with the T7200 chip I picked up. All of them use motherboard model # 31MA6MB0049; It's a 64MB X1400 ATI version of the M465-E. These all have different BIOS versions - 71.04, 71.06, 71.12, 71.15 (still don't know where to download that one). No problems recognizing the T7200 with any of them.

The one motherboard that would not work I stripped out and used the parts. I still don't know what is wrong with it. It has some odd power issues so maybe it just couldn't handle the extra load.

The T7200 is idling at 55C-60C and jumps to 85C after being under full load for about an hour (prime95). I'm hoping that will go down once the thermal paste sets. I used Arctic Silver Ceramique compound for the first time, we'll see how that does; I may switch to Artic Silver 5 if my temps don't go down after a few days.

I still don't know whether these can use 4GB of ram but I don't want to spend the money on it right now anyway. Maybe I'll figure it out later.