Upgrading the AMD CPU on an Acer 5532 Laptop
To replace my 9″ netbook computer I bought a 15″ widescreen Acer laptop with 64 Bit Windows 7. The laptop comes with a 64 bit AMD TF-20 CPU which is single core running at 1.6Ghz. The real weakness of the laptop seems to be the CPU, so I’m buying an upgraded CPU on eBay for only $19!
** Here is an Acer user manual where you can find detailed instructions for this upgrade!
Aspire Service Manual_5517.pdf
The TF-20 CPU is a single 64 Bit core running at 1.6 Ghz, and from what I’ve been able to find online you can replace it with any of the TL-50 and maybe even TL-60 series CPU’s! You just need to make sure the new CPU uses the same voltage so that you don’t have a problem with too much heat from the CPU.
*** ATTENTION *** Many have stated in the comments of this post that they have problems getting a TL-58 to work properly. I highly suggest sticking with a TL-56; it should work no problem!!
ALSO: Many people want to upgrade their RAM from 3GB to 4GB to run dual-channel mode. Here are my recommendations for RAM upgrades:
I decided to get the TL-56 as it’s a dual core 64 Bit CPU at 1.8 Ghz with a 2x 512MB cache and it’s only $19… so how can you go wrong?
I’ve been repairing laptops, digital cameras and other electronics for years, but if you are a little nervous here are the steps required to switch out the CPU.
This repair took me less than 30 minutes to tear down and then rebuild. This is not a difficult repair, don’t get stressed out about it!
FIRST: Turn off the laptop and remove the battery. Now…
1. Remove the hard drive, memory, and the wireless network card.
2. Remove any screw you find at the bottom of laptop. You can now remove the DVD module, and it would also be a good idea to remove the LCD hinge covers (they pop out easily).
3. The next step is to remove the center strip (the strip where the power button is located). Open the LCD screen as far as it will go. Along the back edge of the center strip, at the recesses for the LCD screen hinges, you will notice there is a slight overhang. Using a small screwdriver, gently pry up on the overhang. The center strip, should begin to lift up. Once this happens, you can lift up the center strip along its length by hand and you should be able to remove the strip.
4. Remove the keyboard. There are no screws holding it in place and it should pop right out. Remove its ribbon cable from the motherboard.
5. Unplug the main connector for the LCD on the left. Next, pop all wires coming from the LCD out of their holders. You are now ready to remove the LCD. Remove the 4 screws holding the LCD in place. Once the screws are taken out lift the LCD out. You will be able to pull the wires through the hole and completely remove LCD.
6. On each side of laptop, there is a small two pin wire connector. The left side is black/white, the right side black/red. These are the speaker connectors. Unplug each connector.
7. Along the back edge of laptop, you will now see three recess that look like screw holes, but are the color of the laptop. These are screws, but each have an adhesive cover. Using a very small knife (an X-acto knife works best) gently pry off each cover and put off to the side to reuse. Remove these screws.
8. Now, under where the keyboard was , you should see 5 screws. Before removing the 5 screws, there are two ribbon cables (1 wide, 1 narrow) that come from the inside of the top of the case to the MB. It is best to disconnect these before removing the 5 screws. Also, besides those 5 screws underneath the keyboard, I failed to mention the sixth screw, underneath where the right LCD hinge would be. Remove these screws. Once done, you should now be able to separate the two halves of the case.
9. The bottom half of the case contains the motherboard. There is one screw holding it in place, on the bottom right. Remove this screw. The motherboard can now be removed and the laptop is now completely disassembled.
I hope this guide helps those of you trying to upgrade the processor. I just installed the TL-56 I bought and am in the process of assembling he laptop. I will post my thoughts on the TL-56 later today.
========
Observations:
I had some trouble with finding the 4 screws underneath the LCD between the hinges. They were covered with plastic stickers and it took me a while to figure out they were just stickers and I could peel them off. Just peel them off and stick them to the case beside their holes, then put them back on after you put the screw in.
Also, make sure you reconnect the touchpad cable properly or it will not work, and the keyboard cable goes “under” the locking tab though it may look to you like it should go “over” it. You will see what I mean when you have it open.
I hope this helps, I will let you know what I get figured out from my upgrade.
Related posts:
I ran into a little problem following this guide. I was able to get to the CPU and replace it to a TL-56, but thanks to a pesky screw i was unable to remove the cover from the bottom of the case…..
I pulled the mobo out anyway and switched the cpu, put it back in and reassembled. I tried to power it back on but the computer had no power whatsoever. I checked the connections again and I am embarrassed to say that I somehow pulled the power ribbon connector from the motherboard, explaining why I have no power. In the manual it is referred to as the Power/B Connector. It’s the one right above the keyboard connector.
Is there ANY way to replace this? I would rather not send in the computer to Acer just for a simple part, and i would hate to go to my local best buy and ask geek squad to fix it for 30 bucks. I assume that the only way I could fix this would be to re-solder it back onto the mobo (never soldered before). Can I just affix the connector back to the mobo in any other way? or maybe find a replacement part?
Thanks
I just upgraded to the TL-58 with absolutely no problem. Big, big difference in performance.
TL-60 not working. The computer simply won’t turn on. I’m going to try and switch RAM locations, but I just don’t see what that will do. I’m perplexed why some work and some don’t…seems like if it fits and uses the same voltage, it should work.
Switched RAM, still doesn’t work. Replaced the original CPU back in and computer still doesn’t work. I’m confused, seemed like a pretty simple process. I’m clueless why nothing turns on. I’ve checked everything and it all seems good.
Does anyone know what the clear ribbon below the keyboard ribbon is? That’s the only thing I can think of that I might have jostled.
I have successfully Upgraded to a Turion 64 X2 TL-60
Specs – 2000 MHz 2 × 512 KB 0.8-1.125 V 35 W Socket S1 90 nm
I got it for about 35 bucks and i got some thermal paste
My cpu heat right now is 53c
Step 1 – Follow this link to get bios 1.09
http://www.laptop-software.com/acer-software/acer-aspire-5532-windows-vista-7-drivers/ ( or type acer 5532 bios in google)
Step 2 – follow darntoothysam’s guide and follow these pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/25792168@N00/sets/72157622393042218/detail/
Now i know for sure that i can Easily upgrade to the
Turion 64 X2 TL-68 because the only thing that increases is the GHz
Thank you darntoothysam this guide is AWESOME
Using this guide, upgraded my CPU to the TL-52 that I got from a friend. runs well and have not had a single problem.
About a week ago, I updated my “Aspire 5532″ processor to a “AMD Turion 64 X2 MobileTL-60 2.0 GHZ S1 TMDTL60HAX5DM” chip. It has not had any issues yet (other then it getting a bit hotter.) Also, the battery life is still good. I am using it to type this message. Thank you very much for this guide.
Hey guys – my birhtday just ca e and went and i kmow this is probably fairly easy but i just dont want to go in comletely ignorant. The only problem io have is… what is the proper way to remove a ribbon cable from the mother board. does it involve some sort of lever like i have read online, or do you push up/down then an easy removal. Thanks guys.
I had to use two screw drivers. On both sides of the connector where the ribbon goes into the slot, there are two black pieces. Put your screw drivers on the back side of those and push or pull,depending on which way youre looking at it, towards the ribbon. They should both slide out and release the ribbon.
My upgrade to the TL-58 went flawlessly. The exact number for the CPU I used is TMDTL58HAX5DC. Purchased on e-bay, on-sale for $20. Running at 1.9ghz dual core. Thank god!
I’ve had the TL-56 in my laptop for a few months now, but it seems that every day, especially when something is really using the processor (Netflix…), it BSOD’s. Looking at the minidump, the debugger points at a hardware issue, specificly related to WHEA and the cache on the processor. Upon looking up the error, most people that have seen this were dealing with a processor upgrade that their motherboard needed an update to support.
As this laptop was never meant to have a processor upgrade, and I’m running the 1.10 BIOS (started with 1.09), I can only assume it’s an incompatibility. I also get the message that the RAM is running at 333Mhz.
Anything I can do?
Hello i am fairly good with computer but am very confused with the processor. i read all comments and people say they are haveing a lot of trouble with the TL-58. I am guessing you cant go any higher than that. Right?? also I updated my bios to 1.10. i heard its very good to do that cause it can handle new hardware and devices better. Is this a bad idea to update it cause someone in the comments sayed it cant handle new processor. please respond! anyone thanks! =)
Hi Miles
People have put faster CPUs than the 58 in, I just recommend against the 58 that is all. I am very happy with my 56, especially for $20!
I didn’t upgrade my BIOS, read the release notes and see what it says it changes, may not do anything.
Thomas
yea, i have upgraded to a tl-60 with no problems, but i’m alittle scared to mess with the bio thing. I got 1.09 now and am not sure if going with the 1.10 will help or harm me…..Anyone got any advice?
nevermind it apeared out of know where. wired
This was an amazing guide. I installed a TL-56 which I got from my old laptop, thanks toshiba. So far no issues. I recommend using the guide and the pictures. It was well worth the patience to do this upgrade. Thanks.
I upgraded my CPU to either a TL-64 or a TL-62…. can’t remember. Nonetheless, when I reinstalled everything and ran my computer, everything worked except the keyboard, and I’ve tried several times to try and reinstall the keyboard’s ribbon cable, and it still didn’t work. What am I doing wrong?
Zach,
Sounds like there is damage to the cable or the connector… look closely and make sure the cable is straight and all the way in.
Thomas
Thanks for posting these instructions. I found them easy to follow. The only additional advice to folks is that if they find something difficult to pop off, look for a screw that you might have missed.
I first upgraded the memory to 2GB x2 DDR2 6400 that I previously bought for an older laptop that eventually bought the farm. This was real easy and the laptop worked immediately much faster.
I decided to go for it and picked-up the following CPU:
Turion 64 X2 TL-66 2300 MHz 2 x 512 KB 800 MHz 11.5x 1.075/1.1/1.125 35 W Socket S1
The laptop has since worked flawlessly. The CPU runs about only 1C-2C hotter. Programs launch incredibly fast. A big bonus was that I am able to use a HD webcam (Logitech 9000). Before the memory and CPU upgrade, the single core 1.6 GHz process would stick at 100% and entirely gap.
Thanks again for posting these instructions.
Ron,
Happy to help! Glad you were able to upgrade your laptop easily. That’s a good tip about looking for a missed screw, thanks!
Thomas
Ron, how is you laptop holding up with the 66? I’m wanting to upgrade again from the tl-58
I read your article about upgrading the Acer 5532. Where did you buy the processor? Thanks, Dan
Hey Dan, I got mine for $20 on eBay and several people mention StarMicro though I’ve never bought from them before.
Thomas
Does anyone know the difference in the cpu’s ending with DC and DM. Just wanted to know which one to get. I’m looking at the TL-60 series.
Thanks a ton in advance for any info.
The short answer is: they are different steppings of the same core. You can find them all here: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/TYPE-Turion%2064%20X2%20Mobile%20technology.html
The long answer: they’re both Tyler core, but one is stepping G1 and the other is stepping G2. What that means usually is that some firmware bugs that were found after the first stepping was launched, were corrected and the result is sold as a separate stepping. In this case, the G2 stepping is the TMDTL60HAX5DM
hey thanks i just installed a TL-56. i never thought i could do something like this. thanks for posting. and im hopeing that a TL-60 or high will work on it correctly. thanks again.
I received my TL56 in 3 days from Bestspotdeals.com . It took around 1 hour to do the upgrade. I have never had a laptop open before, all went smooth. Windows CPU rating went from 3.2 to 4.6, while graphics score went from 3.1 to 2.9 ?? The computer seems to be more than twice as fast on the things I do most, FB, Farmville, and general surfing. No overheating, in fact the fan hardly ever comes on. Best $19.99 I ever spent. Thanks again Darntoothysam!
I just used your guide to upgrade my Acer 5532 from it’s feable TF-20 1.6ghz single core to the TL-56 X2 Dual Core and did everything successfully and within a half hour or so.
I did end up with the infamous extra screw, but I’ll take it apart later on and see where it goes, nowhere obvious upon initial inspection.
Core temp is running around 42-45C and the machine really does perform a LOT better. I used MX-2 thermal paste and it was a breeze.
At any rate, this is a great guide. I thank you for taking the time to publish this, since before I read this I didn’t even know my laptop WAS upgradeable. You’ve done a service for us all! Thanks a bunch!
i believe these infamous screws are usually the screw located under the white wire running across the top near the display. Seems like this one is easily forgotten to replace.
POINT: no biggie
thanks again all for such wonderful help.
I just installed the TL64 2.2Ghz. Things are running a little warmer though but not bad. This thing is lightning fast now!
I’ll be taking it for work this weekend so we’ll see how things hold up. I’ll keep you guys posted.
Todd, how is the TL-64 holding up for you? I upgraded to the TL-58 about 2 months ago and im wanting to push some more power out of this thing.
I recently upgraded the cpu to a TL-58 or 56, but when I put things back together the computer turns on, but not the monitor. I’ve taken it apart a full 3 more times, and checked everything. Its all in there. Is a cable broken? Or am I just missing something?
Try connecting the laptop to a monitor and see if you get a picture on that screen. If you do, then you have a problem with one of your cables or connections. Look for damage to your cables if you can get a display on an external monitor; that’s probably what’s wrong.
Thomas
So after several months I revisited the CPU upgrade… Using the TL-58 CPU that I had. I installed it, and upon starting Windows I would get the same blue screen with ACPI.SYS error. Same if I tried to boot the recovery CD.
However, Ubuntu booted and worked fine. Hmmm…
So I started playing around with settings in bios, nothing would work.
Then on a whim I removed one of the memory sticks. Lo and behold, Windows boots normally. Everything seems to work fine. I started experimenting with various memory combinations, and found the following:
With 1x1GB stick in either position – boots normally
With 2x1GB sticks (one in each slot) – boots normally.
With 1x2GB stick in either position – boots normally
With 1x1GB plus 1x2GB – laptop doesn’t POST; blank screen, no splash etc. Reversing the positions doesn’t help.
With 2x2GB – Ubuntu boots and works fine; Windows bluescreens while loading.
So it looks like I can only use 2GB of memory in a meaningful way, unless I decide to go 100% Linux. I have no explanation for this behavior.
I’ve just upgraded my acer5532 to a TL-60, and had the same problem and solution as Silviu. I’m wondering if anyone has a solution to make the 1gb stick work with the 2gb so I can run the stock 3gb? I’m asking my computer friends irl and will post if I get an answer.
Thanks for all the time spent on helping to make the processor upgrade. I have successfully converted to a TL-60 with no complications by following this web page and flickr.com.’s photos. You people make the world a better place.
Hi everyone,
I know I’m a little late to the party, but I found this blog post when I was searching for some help with my friend’s Aspire 5532. We attempted to mod the BIOS (to change the splash screen, stupid idea, I know. I really regret it), and now the computer won’t POST.
I’ve been reading all over about Insyde (the BIOS type) recovery, but I need to get a specific filename that the recovery block looks for on a USB flash drive when booting with FN and ESC held down. My problem is, I don’t know that filename.
From my research, it seems that I can get the board ID that helps make up the filename from someone else with the same computer. Since it seems everyone here has an Aspire 5532, and most people who upgrade their CPU’s know more than most do about computers, I feel that I may have just hit the jackpot.
It seems that I can get the information I need if you go into the BIOS menu, take pictures of any information in there, change “Quick Boot” to disabled, save changes, and then take pictures of the screen while it’s POST’ing.
If anyone reading this could *please* email me at drewcbuglione at gmail dot com, or even text me at 717-469-5298 (yeah, that’s my number… I really need this) that would be so helpful. Thanks to anyone who might respond. I truly hope to get this fixed.
If this is the procedure you’re aiming for:
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/13095-Undocumented-INSYDE-BIOS-recovery-method.
Try for the filename “HM50″ (or variations thereof)
Let us know if it worked.
Or else try “HM5070PU”
BTW if during your bios modding you find a way to unlock the CPU:DRAM divider, let me know… this is THE parameter that I’d like to control in bios, and can’t…
To anyone facing the same problem as I did, I uploaded a list of all the filenames I tried to PasteBin, and I know for a fact that one of them works to recover this thing. The link is: http://pastebin.com/WTNHxgC2
So, I swapped out my single core for a 1.8 dual core on my Aspire 5532 using these instructions and Silver112′s picture tutorial on flicker. Works great! no issues detected yet and the core hasn’t been overheating. Just feels much warmer than before.
Thanks for the guide!
Just a quick thought…I have a tl-60 and it’s Temp is usually 53-58C when surfing or typing, like now. Does anyone think this could become a problem down the road.
This may have already been posted, if so i apologize.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
I’ve got the TL-58 and I run between 60-67c on a load like watching an HD movie or playing a game. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I think above 85c is when you need to worry, but if the temp does get to high the computer should shut itself down automatically to prevent any damage. If you’re worried about over-heating, which I don’t think you should with those temp levels, you should invest in a laptop cooler to take away some of the heat. This is the on I have. http://www.amazon.com/Targus-AWE19US-Laptops-13-3-Inches-17-Inches/dp/B001V9LQ9I/ref=sr_1_32?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1281758017&sr=1-32 I picked it up at Best-Buy. It has 4 extra USB ports on the back of it as well. That’s helps considering the acers only come with two.
Scratch that link. This is the one I have http://www.amazon.com/Targus-AWE01US1-Laptops-13-3-Inches-17-Inches/dp/B001V9LQ98/ref=pd_sim_e_3 . That other one doesnt have the extra USB ports.
So here’s the latest on the TL-58…
There’s definitely something wrong with this CPU. Barely 2 weeks after the upgrade while using the laptop this afternoon, the screen went blank and it wouldn’t respond to any keys. I had to keep the power button pressed to turn it off. Then it wouldn’t turn on anymore, with any memory swap or amount of resting/cooldown – basically the farthest it got to was the grub bootloader screen, then blank.
So I opened it up, and for the last time I replaced the CPU back with the TL-50. I won’t open up this laptop again if it continues to work fine as it does now. Since I went back to the TL-50 it works with 4GB of memory again, so the memory problem definitely was related to the CPU. Maybe incompatible memory controller? Who knows.
Anyway, I’m afraid that if I open the case again it will start breaking up as it’s pretty flimsy and it shows some fatigue already. I almost destroyed the keyboard this time.
I have a question will the amd ql-60 work in the acer 5532?
Probably not. The QL60 is listed as a S1G2 CPU.
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/AMD-Athlon%2064%20X2%20QL-60%20-%20AMQL60DAM22GG.html
Another TL-56 90nm working great. Got it from starmicro for 18 bucks shipped. I original ordered a 65nm version but returned it for the 90nm not wanting to risk it not working. Following the guidr and service manual together made the swap very easy. Thanks DarntoothySam and all who posted.
I forgot my bios supervisor password and since I was going to open the laptop to clear the CMOS I decided to do the upgrade. I had a TL-56 from a laptop that had problems so I make the change and cleared the CMOS. It turned on well without problems. Then days later I checked for AMD-V capability and it said that AMD-V was not enabled in bios. I reboot to setup the bios and could not found any option to enable AMD-V. So I flashed the BIOS with the same newest version from file BIOS_Acer_1.10_A_A.zip it showed the same version but I decided to do it anyway. The process went ok, reboot, enter BIOS setup and not Virtualization option. And if I try to flash the BIOS again it will allow it. What is it wrong?
I have to take back what I said in my previous post. I got a TL-64 for free, and I just had to open it up and exchange the cpu again…
All went very smoothly. The laptop booted without any problem. Re-ran the performance assessment in win7, and all scores went up by about 0.2 points compared to the TL-50, except for the CPU score that went up to 5.1 from 4.1
My only concern is that CoreTemp reads different temperatures on the 2 cores of the CPU, core#0 at rest reads 40-42 deg and up to 51-53 under load, and core#1 reads around 49-50 at rest and up to 61C under load. I actually opened it up again and made sure the heatsink is applied correctly, and with a thin continuous layer of AS5. Everything looks OK installation-wise, but I still see this temperature differential between cores. Wonder if the temperature diode on one of the cores is bad.
According to the author of CoreTemp, some of the older AMD CPUs behave like this, it’s not unusual.
I have a dead compaq lying around, the power supply conked out. I was thinking of scavenging its tk55 cpu and upgrading my acer from its tf-36 to it.
im just wondering how feasible would this be, or should I just go for the tl-56?
I did this upgrade with the TL-56, it works perfectly so far. Big improvement in cpu power, no problems. Thanks!
I noticed the TDP on the TL-56 is alot higher than the TF-20, would this cause any significant issues?