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3 Posts
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11651
September 10th, 2004 20:00
C400 Cannot disable SpeedStep
I have a C400 running WinXP and no matter what I've tried (disabling in BIOS, "Always On" in Control Panel, SpeedSwitchXP) the processor speeds fluctuates in a VERY wild manner. This causes problems when running a scientific digital camera through a FireWire CardBus adapter since the change in speeds causes hiccups in the data transfer between the camera and the laptop. Using SpeedSwitchXP, I have set everything to "Max Performance" and the histogram plots continue to spike despite these settings. The CPU Load is relatively constant as well, providing no reason for the processor to be changing speeds so wildly. What is MORE curious is the fact that when I plug a *USB* device into the port on the side (flash drive, mouse, printer, etc) the hiccups go away, but the spiking continues. Why the USB port affects FireWire communication on the CardBus bus is beyond me.
Is there a patch or update that would help solve this problem? I think if I can get the processor to work at one speed it will be the answer I need.
Many thanks to anyone who can assist in this issue.
Derek
Is there a patch or update that would help solve this problem? I think if I can get the processor to work at one speed it will be the answer I need.
Many thanks to anyone who can assist in this issue.
Derek
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karthikram
11 Posts
0
September 13th, 2004 01:00
Have you tried with the mains on. My guess is if you try to connect the mains while you work ,the speed might not drop.
Karthik
djyvr
3 Posts
0
September 13th, 2004 15:00
What do you mean by "the mains"?
Thanks,
DJ
fractalkid
1 Message
0
October 6th, 2004 06:00
What Karthik means is 'plugged into electricity' (I'm guessing 'mains' is not a commonly used term in American English). However, this probably isn't the cause of the problem..
Derek - did you manage to solve your problems?
I'm wondering if the problem is a BIOS issue - I've got a C400 and am very tempted to flash the BIOS up to A23 (currently A12) if that would solve the problem..
According to SpeedSwitchXP, my machine happily dances around at 1.2 GHz for a while (20 minutes after bootup), and then drops down to 200Mhz, never to jump beyond that speed (max performance set, smart CPU disabled in BIOS). I'm wondering if the processor is overheating and dropping down to its lower speed? It should be noted that whilst I can get it to work at the higher speed (for a time) it doesn't stay constant at the high speed (1.2GHz) despite the fact that I'm telling the laptop to run at max performance.
Does anyone know of a utility to check the temperature of the Latitude CPU? Sandra only reports back 'OK', which isn't very useful.
As a developer, it's very difficult for me to work on what's effectively a 200mhz laptop... grr :-( Any ideas appreciated!
:-)
Rich
karthikram
11 Posts
0
October 6th, 2004 13:00
Yeah fractalkid is right,I meant plugging your computer into the main power line. I guess he might be correct about it being a BIOS issue. If your laptop is overheating then that could also be a cause. I have never had this problem before. Usually when speedstep kicks in to save some power, it will reduce its speed and drop to lower levels. But it should go back again to the usual 1.2Ghz when required.
I have noticed a Problem with the 1150's with SP2 update. If you have installed it before try uninstalling if that helps.
Karthik
djyvr
3 Posts
0
October 6th, 2004 15:00
Plugging it in doesn't help. I'm running pre-SP2 on the system. Do any Dell reps actually read this board? I am curious to see if anyone else has similar problems and what the workaround (if any) exists.
D