*HP 2510p Owners Lounge*

[nando4]

Welcome to the 2510P Owner's Lounge! A place to liase with other owners and share useful tips/tricks/mods to get the most satisfying user experience. A running summary is below: Release Date: 27 June 2007 (pre-GFC build quality)

Alert about HP's newer and faster replacement ZIF HDDs

If your factory-delivered slow 60GB/80GB/120GB 2-platter Toshiba ZIF HDD has bad sectors then HP replace it under warranty with a higher-density thinner (5mm versus 8mm) single-platter drive. Eg: HP replaced my 80GB MK8009GAL with a MK8025GAL. It's still 4200rpm but my Win7 WEI disk increase from 3.9 to 4.4. It's faster and consumes slightly less power. The reason for this 'upgrade?' Toshiba no longer make those dual-platter models.

Examples of modified 12" HP 2510P systems ordered by approx additional expense spent

Benchmark	Storage			Other Mods
	1.8" ZIF bay^1	PATA optical bay/2.5" caddy used	External
akwxc87	hdd: 80GB-5400rpm	DVD	-	L7700@2.3
rangeroverhse8	hdd: stock	DVD	-	modded_bios, L7700@2.0
chris32303	hdd: 120GB MK1214GAH	DVD	-	modded_bios, U7600@1.6 >>2540P
mike60	hdd: 100GB Toshiba	DVD	-	modded_bios, 6200AGN.wifi, F3507G.wwan webcam
losdrivare	none	pata-hdd: 160GB HM160HC/ebay	usb_DVD	U7600@1.5, quiet_fan, >>2530P
sfsilicon	none	sata-ssd: 60GB OCZ Vertex/ebay	-	U7600@1.4, quiet_fan, +others
hammadurb	none	sata-ssd: 96GB Kingston V+100/ebay	-	6250AGN.wifi +2USB
Crx7	ssd: 60GB SuperTalent ZT2	DVD	-	modded_bios, 5200AGN.wifi, 4GB RAM webcam
m.fessler	none	sata-ssd: 128GB Crucial M4/ebay	-
Khalaris	none	pata-ssd: 128GB Transcend/newm
zerGus	ssd: 64GB ProIV	DVD	-	hw_undervolt
e&i	ssd: 60GB MX-Nano	sata-hdd: some HDD/newmodeus	usb_DVD+f..	modded_bios
Jay2k1	ssd: 32GB Mtron^2	DVD	e-sata	U7600@1.5
tudorlaptop	ssd: 64GB ProIV	pata-hdd: 160GB HM160HC/newm	usb_DVD	quiet_fan, >>x201
w0lla	hdd: 80GB Toshiba	sata-ssd: 80GB Intel X25MG2/newm	-	??
Ayori	ssd: 64GB K3VLAR	DVD	ZIFhdd_USB	modded_bios, 4GB_RAM
Borh	ssd: 64GB ProIV	DVD	-	93Whr_9cell
pocket_geek	ssd: 64GB Samsung	pata-hdd: 320GB WD3200BEVE/newm	-	HS2300.wwan, >>2530P
withanee67	ssd: 120GB MX-Nano	DVD	-	modded_bios, 4GB_RAM
rr3636	hdd: 120GB Toshiba	sata-ssd: 80GB Intel X25M.G2/ebay+newm	-	4GB_RAM
nando4 &	ssd: 60GB K3VLAR-E	sata-hdd: 500GB MJA2500BH/newm^3	ZIFhdd_USB	modded_bios, U7600@1.6, quiet_fan, GTX470 eGPU, pc2-6400, MC8780.wwan

RED - highest performance setup | GREEN - lowest power consumption drive setup (2.5" SSD see here).
^1 - can sell HP supplied ZIF PATA HDD to recoup storage upgrade costs | ^2 - only available as 32GB or smaller
^3 - hotswap on demand as otherwise adds 0.8W power consumption overhead

US$180 12" HP 2510P 60GB SSD_____ : US$150 2510P + US$90 60GB 2.5" SF1222 + US$20 ODDcaddy - US$80 ZIF HDD+DVD sold@ebay
US$225 12" HP 2510P 60GB SSD+DVD : US$150 2510P + US$125 60GB 1.8" Supertalent ZT2 ZIF SSD - US$50 ZIF HDD sold@ebay.

Ensure has minimal cosmetic issues, remaining balance of 3yr onsite warranty and a decent battery. I recommend a 2530P over a 2510P due to it's stronger build, SATA storage subsystem, longer battery life and superior performance.

OS, drivers and disassembly

Drivers, Manuals, Maintenance And Service Guide, Media Services Library with disassembly videos.
Replacing a damaged LCD: one-gen older nc2400 shown with identical process.
Popular HP Notebook Software Collection : one-stop location for the latest versions of popular HP notebook sw.
Win7 OEM sources : the additional HP installation contents added to a Win7 CD.
HP/Compaq Desktop Wallpapers : A compilation of stock wallpapers from the HP and Compaq notebook range

Touchpad/quicklaunch
Two-finger scrolling touchpad driver
Win7 Quicklaunch buttons support

Video
Win7/32: Modded X3100 video driver. Increases desktop WEI by 10%.
XP: downgraded X3100 video driver to correct high CPU utilisation at idle after a few mins of usage

BIOS/DMI modifications

modded_bios: Win7/SLIC 2.1, no whitelist, dual-IDA overclock, quiet_fan, pcie-ASPMs.
HP Flash BIOS Emergency Recovery: in case have a bios flash go wrong.
HP DMIFIT 2C10 Utility: change DMI details, eg: model number, serial, password.
Disabling AMT and TPM (serial/IDE in Device Manager) permanently
BIOS whitelisting mods. To add non-HP WWAN/wifi or external pci-e cards. Obsoleted by no-whitelist modded_bios.
Resetting a forgotten admin bios password - requires a systemboard swap, or boot-to-bios with a non-protected flash eeprom (near the 1.8" HDD bay), hotswap the protected eeprom and change the password OR flash a new eeprom with an unprotected password using a 4MB bios image.
Flashing bios in Linux using flashrom: partial read success only

Overclocking

2510P Performance Toolkit 1.0c to provide overclocked AC and undervolted DC profile switching.
setfsb/Throttlestop. Includes Win7 WEI+wprime benchmarking, PLL pinmod, ram timings.
200Mhz_bclk: run a U7500/U7600/u7700 as 200x6 instead of 133x8/x9/x10 for faster X3100 and RAM.
Using Linux's grub2 bootloader. Useful too for non-Windows operating systems.

Improving battery life

Extending Battery Life. Includes power consumption measurement tools.
hw_undervolt: undervolt by up to 0.135V (-16%) via VID3, VID2, VID0 pins.
93Whr_9cell: Install the 2540P 93Whr 9-cell battery for 12%/69% longer battery life than the 2510P's 9/6cell.

Software tweaks

quiet_fan: Almost silent fan using a custom ACPI dsdt table.
Enabling third-button mouse click scrolling with touchstyk
Increasing touchstyk speed under Linux/Ubuntu

Storage related

Undo the slave PATA 30MB/s sequential write speed capping
Manually setting ZIF/IDE transfer mode and standby timeout
Solution to 30 second bios hang when using a caddy
Disabling power saving to increase SSD write performance
SSD tweaks for Win7

Storage mods

1.8" ZIF compartment noting a 240GB ZIF HDD is not compatible with the 2510P as explained.

1.8" ZIF PATA SSDs available

ZIFhdd_USB: Convert supplied 1.8" ZIF HDD to a tiny USB drive using a US$7-delivered enclosure
Jumpering the 1.8" Toshiba ZIF HDD as slave and here. eg: run ebay caddy with a 2.5" sata SSD as master.
Installing the ZIF cable and purchasing a replacement 2510P-specific ZIF cable
schematic snippet of the 2510P's 1.8" ZIF and optical drive schematics.

Optical bay compartment

2.5" SATA or PATA SSD or HDD using an optical bay caddy
Forcing master/slave on optical drive or caddy if there are no jumpers.
usb_DVD: Convert supplied 9.5mm internal DVD drive to an external USB unit using a US$15-delivered enclosure
usb_DVD+faceplate: Same as usb_DVD but swap ODD faceplate to have perfect appearance.

Others

PCMCIA e-sata and here
Add a mPCIe USB 3.0 port: to run faster internal/external storage
Add a mPCIe sata port - could thread internally to drive a non-bootable sata SSD/HDD in a caddy.
e-sata/usb cable or enclosure, useful for external e-sata storage
Enabling and connecting to the ICH8M native sata port. Anyone who can pull this off gets a prize

Other hardware mods/upgrades

4GB_RAM: 4GB memory upgrade + using extra 'inaccessible' RAM in a 32-bit OS as a ramdisk.
+2USB: add 2 extra USB ports via a US$10-delivered PCMCIA card
pc2-6400_RAM: Upgrade your stock 2GB 667MHz RAM to 800MHz for free.
wifi-in-WWAN slot : using a USB mPCIe wifi card in WWAN slot
MC8780/MC8781 WWAN: add US$30 internal 3G card using 2510P's WWAN and SIM card slots and antennas.
2530P_keyb:. Fit the more contemporary, less busy 2530P keyboard.
webcam &: successfully add a webcam by tapping internal docking connector USB pins. See schematic snippet.
Adding internal USB devices by tapping USB pins.
DIY eGPU. - desktop HD5750/GTX470-equipped 2510P for gaming/DVI/HDMI/S-Video accelerated graphics.
Systemboard swap: superLFM capable 800Mhz FSB L7700-1.8 CPU systemboard a direct swapout. A 2530P systemboard swap has been attempted.

Schematic 2510P-Quanta-OT2-schematic.pdf courtesy of laptopdesktopschematic. Block diagram in the spoiler:

Spoiler :

---

Mini 2510P Review

The 12.1" HP 2510p ultraportable has an impressive 5-6 hour battery life from the 10W TDP ULV U7x00 CPU and 6-cell battery. It is rather inexpensive too which I assume is because it is now older tech and the reviews highlight the bottleneck 23MB/s 4200 RPM 1.8" PATA drive, dreadfully slow against 50-60MB/s 2.5" drives. The 2510p is a far better user experience than cost competitors such as a netbook and pricier newer CULV systems (see comparative SU7300/SU9400 overclocked performance). It comes with 3yr global onsite warranty, a decent-sized keyboard with touchpad and touchstyk, 1280x800 LED backlit matte LCD, pcmcia slot, mini firewire port, DVD writer, internal modem, bluetooth, WWAN-ready with mPCIe slot+antenna+SIM slot, 2xUSB ports with the left one being powered. Weighs 1.46kg with the 6-cell battery, without the 180gram DVD and has optional accessories available: docking station with s-video port, 9-cell battery. Links: comparison to a netbook, a good review.


4 - docking station ports | 5 - the slow ZIF PATA harddisk in the 1.8" drive bay

There are negatives as well: only 2 USB ports, a mono speaker, no webcam (unless mod one in), no HDMI, 1 RAM slot means a pricier 4GB upgrade with x3100 graphics working 20-30% slower than a dual-channel setup, the WWAN/wifi slots are whitelisted as are on all HP Business systems, and the bottleneck with 4200rpm 1.8" PATA harddisk.

2510P, 2530P, 2540P, 2560P differences

Item/Owner's Lounge	2510P	2530P	2540P	2560P
unwhitelisted bios	yes	yes	no	no
PLL/overclocking	ICS9LPRS355/yes	ICS9LPRS397/yes	no	no
LED-backlit LCD	12.1" 1280x800	12.1" 1280x800	12.1" 1280x800	12.5" 1366x768
primary/optical bay	1.8" ZIF/pata	1.8" usata/sata	1.8" usata/sata	2.5" sata/sata
CPU/chipset	65nm Merom/965GM	45nm Penryn/GS45	32nm Arrandale/QM57	32nm Sandy Bridge/QM67
FSB Mhz	U7x00/L7700 533/800	U9x00/L9x00 800/1066	1066	1333
Graphics	x3100	4500MHD	Intel HD	HD3000
no of RAM slots	single channel (1)	dual channel (2)	dual channel (2)	dual channel (2)
RAM	DDR2-667	DDR2-800	DDR3-1333@1066	DDR3-1333
Wifi	4965AGN	5100AGN	6200AGN	6205AGN
expansion slot	PCMCIA+mPCIe	expresscard 1.0+mPCIe	expresscard 1.0+mPCIe	expresscard 2.0+mPCIe
WWAN-ready	yes	yes	yes	yes
webcam and nightlight	no, consider mod	yes - on some models	yes	yes
Displayport/HDMI	no	no, consider DIY eGPU	yes/no	yes/no
USB ports (+ODD caddy)	2	2+1	3+1	3
native e-sata	no	no	no	yes
keyboard	traditional	traditional	semi-chiclet	island
Bootable SD card?	no	yes	yes	yes
Weight with 6-cell+ODD	1.63kgs/3.59lbs	1.70kgs/3.75lbs	1.81kgs/3.99lbs	1.92/4.24lbs

2510P/2530P/2540P HP Accessory List shows shareable accessories between 25xxP units.

COL=undersirable features of the series.

The sum total of the features, and mod possibilities, when combined with a low buy-in price on ebay make the 2510P a bargain. So then how does one go about extending the functionality of the 2510P in a cost effective manner? Read on..

Acknowledgements: a cast of many 2510P and other NBR users contributing to this thread. Many thank yous.

[Jay2k1]

Hi,

I own a 2510p as well and the very limiting factor indeed seems to be the 4200rpm PATA hard drive.

In my 2510p, there's an 80GB model inside (Toshiba MK8009GAH) and right now I'm asking myself what to do. The usual price comparison sites tell me that, as a simple replacement, there's a 100GB and a 120GB model of that hard drive series available (MK1011GAH and MK1214GAH), both with 8MB cache and 4200rpm.
Assuming PATA is the only way to go, one could consider buying the Mtron Mobi MSD 3000 32GB, 1.8", ZIF (MSD-PATA3018-032). It costs 170 EUR here in Germany - that's pretty OK imo - but tbh, 32GB isn't really much.
So I am very very interested in this thread. I have also seen the unused connector and am wondering what it might be for.

Also, did you notice the letters 'SSD' marked on the little metal clamp that is used to hold the hard disk in place? Any idea why they put it there? Waking hope?

Another interesting thing: According to the HP partsurfer, there is a 120GB hard drive w/ 5400 rpm available (part number 467847-001). I'd go for that too, unfortunately I couldn't find out what HDD model it is yet.

Edit: I just found out that Toshiba will start shipping the MK2431GAH drive (1.8", 4200rpm, 240GB (!)) on March 1st, 2009. Now, as seek time remains 15ms, I'm curious nevertheless for benchmarks, because with two platters à 120GB, it will have a record breaking data density which should increase at least sequential read and write performance.

Edit2: Oh, and I wonder what happened to this one o.O

[Jay2k1]

Good god, dude. Stop talking about soldering on the mobo, it makes my head hurt

I would never go that far. I think the possibilities are as follows:

1. some manufacturer makes a decent 1.8" ZIF hdd
2. we go for the 32GB MTRON ssd
3. the unused port turns out to be some kind of sata connector which somehow can be enabled and used

I just flashed my BIOS to the newest version last evening, I was three versions behind before, and neither of the two BIOS versions had any options related to SATA. The only HDD related option I recall is the translation logic (bit-shift vs. LBA).

At this time, I am only one click away from buying the 32GB MTRON SSD :S
The sad thing is, there was a press release from MTRON saying they would release a 64GB version of their 1.8" ZIF SSD, but apparently they never did. Makes me

[Jay2k1]

Man, I'd love being able to go for that one, that's for sure.

Say, could you provide hi-res photos of the system board of the 2510p? So we could see what kind of ricoh controller chip there is.

[Jay2k1]

Well, at least when it comes to soldering on the mainboard you'll lose the warranty anyway, so I thought it wouldn't be a big deal for you

I've seen the device ID in the device manager as well, yeah, but maybe maybe there is some pcmcia driver for the ricoh controller other than the default xp driver.
Unfortunately I don't own such a cardbus SATA adapter card, otherwise I'd have tested with some linux distributions as well to make sure it's not the windows driver that causes the slow data rates.

Well, sadness. I've read this, so I think we can forget about using the cardbus slot, which narrows it down to either stick to the existing PATA connector or figuring out what the unused connector is good for, and how to enable it.
EDIT: Forget this, read page 4 of this thread!

[Jay2k1]

I think I won't buy such a controller card, because, as you correctly pointed out, we can see enough of the ricoh chip in the HP services media library picture to know it's a R5C847.

[Jay2k1]

Point taken. I found 6 or 7 different adapters still available here, most of whats on the marked nowadays is ExpressCard. Unfortunately, none of the cardbus adapters are the short "hide-inside" ones like what you linked. That won't affect the testing of course, but assuming I'm successful it won't be of much help. I don't want to have some stuff sticking out of the notebook, the battery that stands out of the back annoys me enough...

Besides I often copy photos from my compact flash card to the notebook using a 32-bit cardbus CF adapter, so I wouldn't want the slot to be blocked by the system disk. I think I'll get myself an MTRON 32GB SSD now.

[tselling]

Originally Posted by Jay2k1

Hi,

...Another interesting thing: According to the HP partsurfer, there is a 120GB hard drive w/ 5400 rpm available (part number 467847-001). I'd go for that too, unfortunately I couldn't find out what HDD model it is yet.

The 120GB 5400rpm zif drive is the Samsung HS122JC. I picked a couple of these off eBay a few months ago for my 2510p's.

[Jay2k1]

Originally Posted by tselling

The 120GB 5400rpm zif drive is the Samsung HS122JC. I picked a couple of these off eBay a few months ago for my 2510p's.

Could you please be so kind to do a benchmark using HD Tune or HDTach? I'd appreciate it very much.

Edit: Although I guess it wouldn't matter much because I can't seem to get my hands on one of those, neither in any shops nor at eBay

[Jay2k1]

Perhaps someone here wants to know.
The probably biggest MTRON reseller here in Germany says:

unfortunately, the production of the 64GB version of the 1.8" SSD
has not yet started. The necessary 32Gb NAND chips are hardly available at the market at this time.
So, at the moment, the 32 GB SSD is the biggest available 1.8" SSD by Mtron.

I also mailed with Toshiba concerning the MK2431GAH hard disk drive, which has 1.8" LIF 4.200rpm and 240GB on only 2 platters. I asked why it doesn't seem to be available in all the web shops (the 120GB version was all I could get). Toshiba Supervisor Technical Support, Danny Stahlfeld, says:

Because the MK2431GAH has a block size of 4KB and therefor is unsuitable for PC use, the hard drive is not ordered by the distributors, because there's no demand by the shops. This is the reason for the hard drive being hardly or not at all available in retail sales.

I did order the 32GB version of the MTRON 1.8" SSD now, atm the retailer is awaiting the shipping from Mtron, Korea, and I might hold it in my hands in the first days in March.
I'm curious though if there will be any useful stuff released on the CeBIT fair (3-8 March) (I'll be there most probably).