The speed stays at 3.06Ghz and does not step down to 1.6 when on battery optimised mode. Dell support got me to install Intel Speedstepping driver but that didnt work. That driver is only for pre WinXP , as XP includes it automatically. Now they want me to flash to A36 but the release notes for that version dont mention any fix of any type for speedstepping issues.
Sligobob: Under Windows XP SpeedStep is implemented in the energy schemes - if you are using "Desktop" your 5150 will run at 3,06 Ghz - under "Laptop" it will go down to 1,5 Ghz or even lower, depending on what you are doing with your machine. The recommendation from DELL also proves again that their support is not always very good but misleading - even with A23 the above mechanism works. And telling you to install Intel SpeedStep was totally wrong! And do not upgrade to A36 - this release is not bug-free, but so far nobody from DELL commented on this (see the other thread). One last remark: Make sure you have the latest release of Chip Set and System Software drivers from DELL - both are important for a smooth running XP on your DELL notebook.
No other software is really needed to control the speed of your machine.
If you're working with Dell, you may want to go with A36 but keep A35 handy once they are done. Support personnel are not always as 'flexible' as we would like, and are often trained to support only the latest release. You may want to download i8KfanGUI and let it control your fans if A36 causes a problem for you.
I agree with the others regarding things you should try yourself, but if there is indeed a hardware problem, then you should dance along with the Dell support people to facilitate warranty repair.
If you recently reinstalled your XP, you really need two drivers. Get the Microsoft and Intel Support Chipset drivers. They're in the Dell download section. i got mine working after installing both of the chipset support drivers. Good luck..
p.s. Dell show max battery life of 254 minutes for the 5150 but when running at 1.59Ghz on full battery the battery meter only shows about 180 minutes.
95 WH. Processor is at 1.6 G (lightly loaded). Battery has been stored in refrigerator (Ziploc bag to minimize moisture) for approx 1-yr and recently rotated with original battery (which is now in storage).
Yes. When I bought the backup battery, I did a web search on proper storage of same, and several sites (including battery manufacturers) recommend discharge to 40-50% before storage and store at approx 40-deg F to maximize life. Sites recommend periodic recharge (rotation in my case), as the battries will slowly discharge in storage. Seems to have worked, but I'm not an expert here.
bacillus
2 Intern
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14.4K Posts
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August 19th, 2004 08:00
sligobob
14 Posts
0
August 19th, 2004 10:00
This is the thread on the BIOS A36 problem
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_bios&message.id=26952&highlight=a36+bios#M26952
sligobob
14 Posts
0
August 19th, 2004 10:00
The speed stays at 3.06Ghz and does not step down to 1.6 when on battery optimised mode. Dell support got me to install Intel Speedstepping driver but that didnt work. That driver is only for pre WinXP , as XP includes it automatically. Now they want me to flash to A36 but the release notes for that version dont mention any fix of any type for speedstepping issues.
bacillus
2 Intern
•
14.4K Posts
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August 19th, 2004 14:00
cademetz
2 Intern
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1.3K Posts
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August 19th, 2004 16:00
eddpani
16 Posts
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August 19th, 2004 18:00
Bacillus - that is exactly the right question!!!
Sligobob: Under Windows XP SpeedStep is implemented in the energy schemes - if you are using "Desktop" your 5150 will run at 3,06 Ghz - under "Laptop" it will go down to 1,5 Ghz or even lower, depending on what you are doing with your machine. The recommendation from DELL also proves again that their support is not always very good but misleading - even with A23 the above mechanism works. And telling you to install Intel SpeedStep was totally wrong! And do not upgrade to A36 - this release is not bug-free, but so far nobody from DELL commented on this (see the other thread). One last remark: Make sure you have the latest release of Chip Set and System Software drivers from DELL - both are important for a smooth running XP on your DELL notebook.
No other software is really needed to control the speed of your machine.
Message Edited by eddpani on 08-19-2004 09:19 PM
dspman
306 Posts
0
August 20th, 2004 02:00
sligobob:
If you're working with Dell, you may want to go with A36 but keep A35 handy once they are done. Support personnel are not always as 'flexible' as we would like, and are often trained to support only the latest release. You may want to download i8KfanGUI and let it control your fans if A36 causes a problem for you.
I agree with the others regarding things you should try yourself, but if there is indeed a hardware problem, then you should dance along with the Dell support people to facilitate warranty repair.
Message Edited by dspman on 08-19-2004 08:34 PM
ksiow02
158 Posts
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August 23rd, 2004 18:00
sligobob
14 Posts
0
August 24th, 2004 07:00
sligobob
14 Posts
0
August 24th, 2004 07:00
Thanks guys for all the help.
I decided NOT to flash to A36. A35 is good enough.
I ran a repair of WinXP with sp2 and set the power scheme to "Desktop" - I know its a laptop but wait!
When the AC adapter is plugged in it runs at 3.06, when on battery it runs at 1.59.
Everything seems to be fine now, dont really know what the problem was originally.
ksiow02, you mentioned Microsoft AND Intel chipset drivers????, i got the Intel driver from the Dell site but what is the MS driver for?
dspman
306 Posts
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August 24th, 2004 14:00
dspman
306 Posts
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August 24th, 2004 14:00
sligobob
14 Posts
0
August 24th, 2004 14:00
Mine is a 65Wh battery which would explain the difference - as soon as I had ordered I knew I should have gone for the longer lasting battery.
Are you serious about putting the battery in the fridge?????
sligobob
14 Posts
0
August 24th, 2004 14:00
Is yours a 65Wh or 95Wh battery?
What about your processor speed, is 3.06?
dspman
306 Posts
0
August 24th, 2004 15:00
Message Edited by dspman on 08-24-2004 09:29 AM