Help needed modding Dell Inspiron 1720 BIOS

[ellnic]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is possible, but you don't know until you ask, so here we go.

I have a Dell Inspiron 1720 running BIOS rev A09 (attached) with the T7500 C2D. The CPU seems to get very hot. For example, after it's been on for a while it will reach 50-68c at idle and much higher under load. This is not a physical problem as i've had the whole machine apart and cleaned/replaced thermal paste etc. However, I did read somewhere that some manufacturers favour less fan speed for the T7500 but it leaves it running hot and that this could be altered in the BIOS or DSDT.

I currently run a dual boot config on this machine (Windows 7 and Mac OS X Lion) and both OS's report similar temperatures under similar conditions.

I have attached the DSDT that I use under OS X, I wonder if someone more knowledgeable than myself could take a look at the BIOS/DSDT and make some modifications so that it runs cooler?

Also, I have been running 6GB of RAM (2GB/4GB) in this machine for a while as I was informed that it would work. So far so good, and the BIOS reports the full 6GB but the 4GB DIMM reports as a 256MB DIMM under the OS, I was told that this is also a BIOS/DSDT fixable error and that many people have already petitioned Dell to make this an official update (or even up to 8GB).

Any help / input / modifications would be greatly appreciated.

Ellnic.

[ellnic]

Bump. No takers?

[petertha]

ellnic

I can't answer your question but have the same laptop (see below) and have noticed the heat issue. I attach a small external fan to the side vent and it lowers the cpu temp by more than 10 degrees. The fan I have is small and whisper quiet. I will try to locate a link and post it in another reply. Currently, I have win 7 with the A09 bios and it have been running fine.

On another topic, I am trying to install a hackintosh/Yosemite like you have done and need help with the dsdt. The link to your attachment is broken. Could you repost it. I am trying to install on a new fresh hard drive, not dual boot. As you know the 1720 can hold two hard drives and boot from either at will.

Thank you in advance.

*** Edit: ***
Here is a link to the side vent fan I use:
http://www.amazon.com/Vacuum-Extracting-Cooling-Cooler-Notebook/dp/B00813KIAA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_pc_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=06NR7P883W2AKBJY75ZY

It is not a perfect fit for the 1720 but it does attach and works pretty well. Unfortunately, it is not the elegant fix you asked about but it doesn't require advanced insight into pc mb bios patching/zapping and has no risk of bricking your useful and productive notebook.

I am continuing my search for a DSDT to get Yosemite running on my dell 1720 like you did.


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Dell Inspiron 1720 (Mid 2007) - System BIOS: A09 - CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.20GHz 4MB L2 and 800MHz fsb - SDRAM: 667MHz SoDIMM DDR2 4GB - Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT (128 bits) 256 MB - Screen: UltraSharp™ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 17" technology TrueLife - Hard Disk: Hitachi SATA 500GB 7200RPM - Opto Drive: TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-L632H ATA - LAN: Broadcom 440x - Wifi: Intel PRO Wireless 3945ABG - Bluetooth: Dell Truemobile 355 + EDR - Firewire: Ricoh 1394 OHCI - Audio: Intel HDA Azalia - Memory Card Reader: Ricoh R5C833