[HELP] Asus A42JK CPU upgrade

[Nuclear Boy]

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.

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
Photos and CPU-Z shots: HERE

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

Oh and before you guys ask... Yes, it does work with the i5-520M which came with the laptop even after flashing my modified BIOS. That's why I suspect the iGPU is the culprit, since i5 has it and the i7 doesn't. Thanks!

 

[86technie]

The issue is not the BIOS but rather the TDP of the i7 that is why
cannot support.
35Watt to 45 Watt unless the motherboard can support you can install
if not just stick to i5.

Even if it works, risk of frying the motherboard is even higher.
No way you can bypass or mod it to work 45 watt TDP CPU
unless you are a Asus tech engineer.

 

[Nuclear Boy]

Not sure if it'd help but I found schematic diagrams for a couple of, what I think are, related products of Asus.

A/K42Jr (same chipset and CPU offerings, but with HD5470 instead of HD5145): HERE
K72JK (same specs as my A42JK, but with 17.3" screen): HERE

Hopefully someone here on the forums can inform me on whether the LVDS actually goes through the iGPU of the Core i3/i5 of this series. Since if that's how it works, the i7 would definitely not work as it doesn't have an integrated GPU.

Thanks.

 

[mubz96]

How much it does it cost you to acquire the i7 cpu?

 

[Nuclear Boy]

How much it does it cost you to acquire the i7 cpu?

Not really sure now. Bought it last year. Around $100?