NEC Z1 CPU upgrade. - Tech Support Forums

viflyer · May 12th, 2006, 07:13 PM

OK, I have this antique Z1 All in one desktop that I really like. It is performing my basic needs and I have added memory to bring it up to 256 MB.

It is running on a Pentium III 450 processor and I have been thinking of doing an upgrade. The manual says the motherboard will take up to the Pentium III 550 processsor but that won't make much difference.

I do know that some guys have sucessfully upgraded to a Intel Celeron 1.1 GH processor. I corresponded briefly with a fellow who upgraded with a Slotket, 1.1GHz Celeron/ 100Mhz FSB. He says it runs cool and works fine.

So, I am a pretty good technical person. I have had the machine down several times and the Mother board and CPU are readily accessible. However, I don't understand the Slotket terminology above, and don't know how and where to get what I need. I am up for doing it so I was wondering if anyone here could help.

Norm

DanU · May 12th, 2006, 11:29 PM

"Slotket" is shorthand for slot-to-socket adapter. It enables you to use socket 370 CPUs in slot 1 motherboards. Since socket 370 and slot 1 is obsolete, you'll have to search for surplus new or used stock. Check ebay. It looks like there's plenty of slotkets available.

viflyer · May 13th, 2006, 09:43 AM

Thanks for the info. Since I posted, I have been checking things out AND went to Ebay at your suggestion. Looks like it can be done, and at a reasonable price. There may be a Bios issue and size constraints due to the small case, but I will check it all out. If I can do it for a small investment then that would be great.

Norm

tomatofamily · May 17th, 2006, 11:02 PM

Dear friends,

Can you tell me how to open the case of NEC Z1? I got one donated to our charity centre, and I cannot get it open to find out what the ethernet card is (I reinstalled the OS to win 98se); because I can't find the driver for it. Or maybe you can tell me what driver I should use for network card so I can connect to boardband.

Thanks.

Tomatofamily

viflyer · May 18th, 2006, 07:54 AM

REMOVE the power cord from the power supply and any connecting cables to the side of the machine.

Remove the LCD screen by sliding the top latch to the right and pulling up. Remove the plastic plate behind the screen by pressing in the middle two tabs and slide it up and off.

Remove the three retaining screws behind the plate that hold the plastic case in place.
Go to the back of the machine and remove the three screws that hold the plastic case.
Remove the plastic case by pulling it away from the top and then out from the bottom.

Remove the four retaining screws, two on either side, of the metal back cover. Remove the two fan screws on the back of the metal cover. NOTE: Two of the fan screws help retain the metal cover to the back of the power supply.
Remove the metal cover. You are in!

To remove the PS, dissconnect the harness, remove the retaining screw on the right side of the case ( from the back), slide the PS to the left and lift of the two retaining posts.

Not much room in there is there???

From the manual: D-link DFE 540TX 10/100 LAN card ( selected models) with all drivers etc. 10/100 Base T Ethernet Port ( RJ45 connector at the right lower side ). There are two PCI slots with the modem and the D-link card at the bottom of the board. VERY tight in there!

Good luck.

PS: If it turns out you can't use the machine, I could use it for spare parts, especially the power supply. I just can't part with my old friend!

tomatofamily · May 18th, 2006, 11:52 AM

Viflyer,

Thanks so much for the detailed instruction. I will try it out tomorrow in our time.

Tomatofamily.

viflyer · May 18th, 2006, 12:27 PM

Be careful re-installing the LCD screen. You may have to gently push the top in ( towards the back of the machine) to get the top tabs to go in and get the screen to drop into place. Do not force! You can damage the connector.

tomatofamily · May 19th, 2006, 12:15 AM

All right! I got the ethernet card working! Just fantastic. I just searched and searched for the information about the NEC z1; and none was helping. Not until when I found this Forum and attempted to write down my concern; and it was Viflyer who gave me response and patiently wrote down the instruction about open the case and the specification of the network card. So many thanks.

BTW, Viflyer, my success means that I cannot spare the parts for you.

Tomatofamily

viflyer · May 19th, 2006, 08:12 AM

Pleased I could help you out.

Norm

raytmercer · June 12th, 2006, 09:55 AM

Before NEC orphaned the Z1 there was talk about a HD upgrade module. "The Z1's hard drive can be upgraded by using an external upgrade module to link to the system's hard drive and replicate the original drive." Were these ever produced?