[REQUEST] Asus A42JK CPU upgrade

[cowboy36289]

Hello,

I attempted upgrading the processor in my A42JK from i5-520M to i7-840QM. The official (and latest) BIOS for this laptop doesn't support the i7 processor I want to install in. So, I upgraded the microcode for this CPUID (0x106E5) from the rev3 (which predates the i7 launch) to the latest available rev7 and flashed it over the official one. Still, I have met no success as the laptop turns on but screen doesn't display anything, neither is the backlight on. Soon after, the fan starts going full speed and I can feel warm air exhausting and the heatsink area getting warm.

I'm wondering if it is an issue of the BIOS not getting past the check for iGPU (which the existing i5 has; i7 doesn't) and hence not able to POST and/or display anything. Therefore, I am requesting help on whether I can bypass this check, if that's the issue. Or even simply that the socket/chipset does not support a higher TDP processor. Not sure of any other possible issues, but do please share with me too if you are aware.

I've attached the official and the modded BIOS which I did microcode update for CPUID 106E5 (plat. 13). I hope it helps and I do hope I can get some help on this. I really want to get it working and this is the second step towards it. I'm not giving up until I exhaust all possible means. Thanks.

Vital info
Processor: Intel Core i5-520M (35W TDP) [Upgrading to i7-840QM: 45W TDP, no iGPU; CPUID 0x106E5; SLBMP]
GPU: ATi Mobility Radeon HD 5145 (no switchable graphics)
Chipset: Intel HM55 (Socket G1)
Official BIOS vers: 218

Tools
MMTool 4.50.0.23
Intel microcode (dated 4th Nov 2016)
Intel microcode extract tool

[DeathBringer]

Can you boot with native i5-520M?

[cowboy36289]

Can you boot with native i5-520M?

Yes, that's why I have put that back in, just to POST, flash BIOS or boot to Windows. That's the primary reason why I'm inclined to think that it's stopped by an iGPU check during POST, since the microcode I've updated definitely will support the i7 I'm upgrading with.

[DeathBringer]

Post screenshots of first (CPU) & third (Mainboard) tabs of CPU-Z with current CPU.

[cowboy36289]

Post screenshots of first (CPU) & third (Mainboard) tabs of CPU-Z with current CPU.

HERE it is. Thanks.

[DeathBringer]

Everything seems OK, but I need fo find schematics.
Open memory's bay, remove all SODIMMs, and make photos of all stickers & labels on memory slots.

[cowboy36289]

Everything seems OK, but I need fo find schematics.
Open memory's bay, remove all SODIMMs, and make photos of all stickers & labels on memory slots.

I've updated the album I posted previously, adding the photos you requested.

[DeathBringer]

PT:N0AS1015MB0214613 69N0J1M10A05

I haven't found a schematics for this laptop. But I've found that HD 5145 isn't connected to LVDS directly. It use internal CPU graphics.
For example:

[cowboy36289]

I haven't found a schematics for this laptop. But I've found that HD 5145 isn't connected to LVDS directly. It use internal CPU graphics.

So basically what you meant is that the GPU stream is patched through the iGPU on the i5? Does that mean there's absolutely no way around this by software means (i.e. BIOS)?

Btw thanks for the find. I really have no idea it works that way nor how it works prior.

[DeathBringer]

I can't answer with a schematics. It's my suppose only.