Thanks for the info - I actually forgot to mention that I disabled speedstep in the BIOS (so that the processor always runs at the lowest speed) and this did not affect the problem (games still ran at full speed, but stuttered).

How did you correct the problem? Or did you just live with it?

I don't recommend turning speedstep off.

There are some good tools for monitoring the cpu temp and speed.

I use speedwitchxp to control my power settings rather then the windows power setting because it offers more control and a graphical monitoring system.

and I8KFanGUI for monitoring the cpu temp and fanspeeds. This program was made specifically for the Inspiron 8K series but works with I5150. Great for monitoring cpu temp and load with a nice histogram graph.

Edit: Both programs are made by the same person and the website can be found easily by searching through google.

Message Edited by Rusty-Balse on 09-02-2004 03:00 PM

To resolve this problem I bought a coolpad laptop stand from roadtools to elevate my laptop so the air can flow easily through the fan intake (which happens to be on the bottom of the laptop.

I also have a floor fan set up blowing on high speed directly at my laptop all the time. The floor fan may not be needed but llowers my temperature by an extra 5-10 degrees.

Also I recommend a can of compressed air to blow through the laptop and remove any dust build up. Doing so will greatly decrease temp.

Sorry! Forgot specs:

Computer Model Inspiron 5150                   
BIOS Vendor Dell Computer Corporation
BIOS Version A36
BIOS Date 07/30/2004
Case Type Portable
Windows Version XP

Central Processor
    Manufacturer Intel
    Voltage 3.3 V
    External Clock Speed 133 MHz
    Maximum Clock Speed 3200 MHz
    Current Clock Speed 1600 MHz

System memory
    DIMM: 256 Mb 
    DIMM: 256 Mb 
 
Hardware (Built Into System)
Type Description Enabled
Video ATI Radeon 9000          Yes 
sound, video, and game controllers Sigmatel 9750 Yes 

Hardware (Added On To System)
Type Description Manufacturer
DVD/CD-ROM drives QSI CDRW/DVD SBW-242 (Standard CD-ROM drives)
disk drives FUJITSU MHT2060AT (Standard disk drives)
display adapters ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 ATI Technologies Inc.
IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers Intel(R) 82801DBM Ultra ATA Storage Controller - 24CA Intel
 Primary IDE Channel (Standard IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers)
 Secondary IDE Channel (Standard IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers)
keyboards Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard (Standard keyboards)
mice and other pointing devices Microsoft PS/2 Port Mouse (IntelliPoint) Microsoft
 Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 (IntelliPoint) Microsoft
monitors Default Monitor (Standard monitor types)
 Default Monitor (Standard monitor types)
 Digital Flat Panel (1600x1200) (Standard monitor types)
network adapters Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller Broadcom
 Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller - Packet Scheduler Miniport Microsoft
 1394 Net Adapter Microsoft
sound, video, and game controllers SigmaTel C-Major Audio SigmaTel

Disks
C:\ fixed 57176 Mb
D:\ CD ROM   

I had this same problem too.

Dell tech support was of no help on this issue so i used various tools to monitor my laptop to see what was wrong.

The intermittent lag is cause by your cpu getting too hot and stepping down.

Intels website states this perticular cpu can only handle a maximum of 71 degrees. My speed changes in games when the cpu reaches 71 degrees.

The reason there is lag is because the cpu reaches a temperature which is too high then changes to the lower speed (1.59GHz)to cool down. However in changing speeds the cool down is VERY quick (but only a few degrees). Almost instantly the cpu cools to around 68 degrees where it then switches back to 3.06GHz because the temp is within operating range. BUT when the cpu changes back to 3.06GHz it takes only a few seconds to get too hot again which starts the whole cycle again. You will notice that the lag you experience in games is at almost exact time intervals of anywhere from 5-10 seconds.

I had this problem for months before I finally figured it out. Odd how this never happened when the laptop was new.. I also had the video problem (which just started acting up again, now that my warrenty is void). Oh well. anyway, I found this program called SpeedswitchXP which allows you to see all kinda nifty cpu-related info. Run it, and make it run on A/C power under 'battery opt' mode, problem solved (at half the cpu speed - but oh well)

Enjoy-

A1c Kapitan

Nellis Airforce Base, NV

Oops, a URL might be handy.. here yas go: http://www.diefer.de/speedswitchxp/index.html

i have gone through this myself and has helped many people with this problem: the 51x0 series has the worst cooling ive ever seen, overheating problems are causing your slowdowns, ive written many replies to help those, but ill just post this link instead:

it contains everything you need to know, read it in detail if you want GREAT/FULL PERFORMANCE of your laptop back.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_video&message.id=120971

Guys thank you SO MUCH!!! I installed the programs you mentioned and set the settings the way you suggested and now I can play games smoothly again. I'll go get a can of compressed air today and try getting the dust out of there. I'm guessing I might need to open it up and take a look inside, because I've had this MB and processor for about 5 months now...

Anyway, thanks again! You've saved my gaming life!

I have to also give a big thanks.  I've been dealing with this problem for over a month, I've looked everywhere for an answer, even posted about it on HardOCP Forum with no luck. 

I should have looked here first.  I'm going to be addressing this in a week or so when I get some time to tear into the laptop. 

I have a few questions. 

I'm going to open the laptop up to get a better look at the cooling setup and try to figure a long term fix.  Is there anything I should be aware of or look out for when opening it up?
I've built my share of desktops, but never been into a mobile before, would like to know if there are any landmines to be wary of.

Any aftermarket solutions available?  Addon blockcoolers for mobiles?  Anything worthwhile?

Heck I'm even thinking about fabricating a low profile stand that I can slip a Blue Ice pack into directly under the fan intake on the bottom, maybe leave 1/8" to 1/4" clearance to force air over the block surface before being drawn in.  May have condensation issues tho..

Laptop's off warranty, so I'm not worried about going in, just would like some advice on proper way to get in.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks again.

I opened up my laptop today, and it was the first time on a portable for me too...

Basically, the best way I could find to get in to the laptop is by removing the keyboard. You do this by pulling up the blue hinge cover just above it - it's all detailed in the laptop manual. TIP: make sure the monitor is folded down as far as it'll go before trying this - i.e. 180 degrees from the keyboard. The cover won't come off unless you do this. Also, get hold of a good screwdriver that can undo the screws (they're the same as the ones on the bottom of the computer) - I had a flimsy little one and the 0.5cm diameter handle didn't give me anything like the leverage or grip I needed to undo some of the screws.

Once you've taken off the keyboard, there's a metal panel on the left that can also be removed by taking off one more screw. This uncovers the main fan, processor (although it has the heat sink on it) and some of the mobo.

I actually found that just giving a good spray of compressed air into the back vent of the laptop made the system run about 5-10 centigrade cooler. I had to look all over Oxford to find some compressed air - even the main hardware stores didn't have it, and certainly no computer shops. In the end I got it from Office World.

Anyway, hope that's some use. If you're still having problems, I'd definitely recommend using the programs that Durins_day and da rickster suggested earlier in this thread. It made all the difference for me!