[Request] Compaq Presario F500 BIOS

[BillC]

Hi Guys...

I hope that this is the correct forum for this post.

Thanks for such an informative site. A little bewildering, but give me time and I'll be up to speed with all your info - I hope.

I have a Compaq Presario F500 running Vista 32-bit.

My current BIOS Version is F.03:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=2093&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=3316440#N749

HP's latest 'current' BIOS is F.20: (Which I have not installed):
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-90174-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&os=2093&product=3316440&sw_lang=

The machine has been repaired - (GPU reballing & fan speed mod) and is working fine. The fan now runs at full speed - continuously. It is driving me to distraction - making the laptop almost unusable.

I have installed Afterburner and Speedfan. The Afterburner readout is great, Speedfan has no effect. The fan speed cannot be adjusted, and is greyed out.

The laptop will be used on a firm surface - and I will be monitoring the GPU temp carefully. (It currently idles at about 51-55 degs). I would like to edit the BIOS - I presume that the BIOS has been 'modded' by HP to run the fan at max - to slowly reduce the fan to a reasonable level.

I am aware of the Nvidia Go 6100 heat problems & I'm willing to risk the slower fan speed. Can anyone advise please ? Has anyone been successful at reducing the fan speed via the BIOS ? I am presuming that the fan speed is controlled within the BIOS after all the complaints with this model unseating the GPU.

If all else fails I could even wire in an external fan supply - or tap from the board using a zener - with a sensor on the board just for the fan, but I'd like to try the BIOS edit first. If necessary I can cut open the base to increase air flow. The machine is intended as a music server and will be on a firm surface to ensure a reasonable air flow.

I've flashed BIOSes before (not on this laptop), and have had no problems. I've even tried searching for a BIOS prior to this HP 'Fan Speed' mod without success. Is anyone here aware of a site that keeps a laptop's BIOS 'history' ?

Thanks.
Bill