Is SpeedStep On, or Off in the Bios? Do you have the very latest Bios? Which power scheme are you using?

Ok, sounds like you've got the basics covered. I'm assuming you also have the proper, and most recent chipset drivers from Dell, along with the newest Quickset uitlity.

 

Which utility, if I may ask, are you using to monitor CPU speed? CPU-Z? If so, which version?

 

 

Speedstep is most definitely on in the BIOS--turning it off causes it to run at its minimum CPU. I'm using the latest BIOS (A05) and have even tried downgrading and upgrading the BIOS. As for the power scheme I'm using it's Portable/Laptop which should be a dynamically switching power scheme.

Yeah, I've downloaded and installed both the latest version of the Intel Chipset Driver and Quickset utility from Dell. And, like you said, I'm also using CPU-Z to monitor the CPU speed--it's the latest version which is 1.39 (Feb 2007).

Ok. Try this:

 

Go to:

 

http://cpu.rightmark.org/products/rmclock.shtml

 

Download the Rmclock utility. There is an option in there to enable/disable cpu throttling. I think its called Enhanced Halt State. Play with it a little bit and post back.

 

 

Hmm... that program is similar to the Notebook Hardware Control program I found. Both can allow my CPU speed to dynamically change which is great. BUT ... there's another problem that occurs. When the CPU speed increases, the fans kick in. This is normal and I understand it's used to cool the laptop. The problem lies in the fact that when the CPU speed lowers and my temperatures reach a cool state, the fans remain on high no matter what I do. The only way to stop it is by rebooting.

 

I wonder if this is something temperature sensor related? That RM Clock program could not detect my CPU Core temperature, either.

Hmm. yeah. Maybe there's a problem with the thermal monitoring on the notebook.. Have you tried the CoreTemp program to monitor CPU temp? Very easy to google and download. As for the fan always being on "high speed", this is annoying, I agree. There are programs out there which can control fan speed (with compatible harware), but I don't recommend this unless you are absolutely sure there is nothing wrong with your CPU/cooling assembly. From what I understand, in your situation (CPU always stuck in low speed), I'm assuming something is wrong somewhere..