Please help my 8600!

*Disclaimer: New to this site, hope this thread is in the right spot

Hi guys. I really hope you can help me. Bought my 8600 about 8 months ago and all I wanted it for was portability and gaming (and all the rest of that word processing nonsense). Little did I know it can't really handle the latter. I play City of Heroes (playable only online), and that's the only thing my laptop can't do (well) that I want it to do, and I shall not rest until it runs well!

Stats:
Dell Inspiron 8600
Processor: 1.6 GhZ Pentium M
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 9600
RAM: 2x512 MB (on 2 dimms).. so 1GB (recently upgraded)
HD: 100GB (not sure of the speed or model - factory HD from Dell)
Gaming: I play at 1900x1200 resolution (native resolution to the 8600)

I thought the memory upgrade would fix it. It does for a short amount of time, but after about 30-40 minutes, it starts to heat up and then sporadically lags, and as I keep playing, the lags spikes are worse and more frequent. I also tried lowering the resolution, but it doesn't really help much. Even when it's "good" its not "great!". So... my questions are:

1. Will an upgrade to a 2.0 GhZ Pentium M help me run this well ALL the time? (Specifically, will this work: http://processorfinder.intel.com/sc...cFam=942&PkgType=ALL&SysBusSpd=ALL&CorSpd=ALL) - I got it from Powerleap.com
2. Is this a fan issue, and if cooled properly would run well?
3. Is there a program to use to trim down what's running in the background? If I open task manager I don't know what processes I can/can't close.

I would appreciate ANY advice you can give me...I cannot be a hero if I (literally) die from lag!!

Thanks!!

-RM

-Also, my friend's old desktop runs the game fine, and my new laptop can't... just boggles my mind!

 

try looking at this thread for some ideas on how to optimize your notebook without buying hardware:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=5787

 

Wow that's a great link. Exactly the stuff I wanted to see for my 3rd question!! Much appreciated. I will try this ASAP!

-RM

EDIT: I wish doing these steps would fix the issue I'm having, but it seems too good to be true. Any recommendations on the hardware? Thanks!

Also, this is the cheapest I could find the 2.0 GHz.
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MPM-760JBX&src=fr

Any cheaper deals out there? Also, is this all inclusive, or will I need to get other parts to make this work right?

 

as for the temperature issue you should try fangui....
http://www.diefer.de/indexe.html

it help my old 8100 to stay cool

 

I doubt that a faster CPU would change anything, since you say that it runs ok, then gets slower, right? So the CPU is capable of handling it in the beginning. Maybe it really is a Heat-Problem, IIRC the Geforce throttles itself down if it gets too hot.

on another note: are you sure that it's not the network that's lagging, since it's a online-game?

 

It is, sometimes. I would say 10% of the time it is due to server, the rest of the time it's due to my CPU. It's pretty predictable (can almost clock it, with fan noises as well).

You mentioned the graphics card. One of my earlier attempts was the redo the ATI drivers and I believe I went with Omega drivers...does anyone have the latest & greatest suggestion for drivers for the ATI 9600 Mobility Radeon?

Even if Omega is the best, I would like to redo them while I am revamping the rest of the settings on my machine. Might as well go that extra mile.

-RM

 

OK I ran these tests as given in the first link and it's SO much better! But I still have some slowdown when it gets hot, I downloaded the fanGUI program but have some questions about it.

Info:
1. It gets up to about 65C when playing games and the CPU load shoots to 100% but the CPU Speed stays at 1400MHz but I have a 1600MHz available, why does it do this?

2. What should my temperature control options be set to? Does someone have a profile that works for an 8600? Regular use (internet searching, music listening, word processing it has no slow down at all, just game playing)

3. It goes up to 100% CPU load while gaming and says there, is this normal?

I hope the fanGUI can solve the slight remaining problems I still have.

Thanks!

RM

 

This is a good link but.. it says to disable system restore. Personally I would consider this a fatal mistake. This has saved my bacon more than once. I would only do this if you truely understand the consequences and like formats. jumping down off soapbox now and engaging shields .

 

Can I please get some help on this? I noticed when hot (62C) my CPU was running slow (load at 100%), but noticable lag in my game, and CPU speed was at 1200MHz. It kicked into 1400MHz and the lag went away (temp still hot however).

Is there anyway to get it to use 1600MHz and to not have any lag?

Is it normal for 100% CPU load ALL the time while gaming on a machine with my hardware specs?

Thanks

RM

 

Are you running on the battery only?

 

No. I am always on AC power. If I'm on battery I won't be gaming.

RM

 

Well, I think the power management features of the Pentium M are kicking in when they are not supposed to.
Go into control panel, click power options, and put it on Home office desk mode - that will make the CPU run at maximum speed when plugged in.

Also, I would try going to dells site and seeing if there are any updated drivers for your system, especially CPU drivers. I updated the CPU driver once on my old HP zv5000z, and it helped the CPU manage power better. Maybe there's something like that on the dell site?

And concerning your heat issue - I think the video card may be overheating, thats why it is studdering like that. Go and get yourself a notebook cooling pad for around $30, it will help matter drastically.

And, if its studdering, there isnt any way that something in the background might be working, like an instant messanger, right?

I'd get a cooling pad if I were you. I've heard of the heat issues concerning the Inspiron 8600 with the MR9600.

 

Interesting, thanks for the tips. It indeed was on the Portable/Notebook power setting.

I will also look into the Cooling pad. It looks like it simply props up the back of the laptop to induce airflow to underneath the machine. I use a docking station, will this interfere?

EDIT: Some seem JUST to be a stand to let air in, and some actually have fans on them that plug into USB. I found a bunch with fans for 10$ on ebay, something like that should work?

I'll also check into the drivers, thanks!

So....
anybody got a fanGUI configuration for 8600?

RM

 

I checked into the drivers, and found no "CPU" drivers. Here are my options:

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Applications
Dell Crash Analysis Tool
Dell Driver Reset Tool
Dell QuickSet
Jasc Paintshop Photo Album 4.0
Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.3.4
Sonic Solutions DigitalMedia v7
Sonic Solutions Record Now 7.0 (Dual Layer)
Sonic Solutions Sonic DMX 3.0


Audio Drivers
SIGMATEL STAC 9750 AC97


Chipset
Intel Mobile Chipset


Communication Drivers
Broadcom V.92 MDC Modem
Conexant D480 MDC V.92 Modem
Dell TrueMobile 5100 GPRS PC Card
PCTel MDC


Diagnostic Utilities
Dell 32 Bit Diagnostics (Graphical User Interface version)
Dell 32-bit Diagnostics Utility Partition Contents Upgrade Tool


Display Devices
Dell 1505FP
Dell 1703FPs
Dell 1704FPT
Dell 1704FPV
Dell 1801FP
Dell 1905FP
Dell 2001FP
Dell 2005FPW
Dell 2405FPW
Dell E151FPb
Dell E152FPb
Dell E153FP
Dell E172FPb
Dell E173FP
Dell E193FP
Dell M783p
Dell M992
Dell M993c
Dell M993s
Dell P1130
Dell P1230
Dell W1700 LCD TV
Dell W2300 LCD TV
Dell W2600 LCD TV
Dell W3000 LCD TV


Firmware
Dell Dock Bay/D-Bay FX2 firmware


FlashBIOS Updates
Dell Inspiron 8600 System BIOS


IDE and EIDE
HGST HTS548020M9AT00 (20gb) Mobile HDD
HGST HTS548040M9AT00 (40gb) Mobile HDD
HGST HTS548060M9AT00 (60gb) Mobile HDD
HGST HTS548080M9AT00 (80gb) Mobile HDD
HGST HTS726060M9AT00 (60gb) Mobile HDD


Input Device Drivers
Alps GlidePoint/StickPointer


Network Drivers
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
Dell _Wireless (Except US,Japan) WLAN Network Adapter Card
Dell _Wireless (Japan) WLAN Network Adapter Card
Dell _Wireless (US) WLAN Network Adapter Card
Dell TrueMobile 1300 b/g PCMCIA
Dell TrueMobile 1300 Internal b/g MPCI
Dell TrueMobile 1400 Internal Dual-band WLAN Card
Dell TrueMobile 300 Bluetooth Internal card
Dell Wireless 1350(b/g)WLAN miniPCI Card
Dell Wireless 1370 (b/g)WLAN MiniPCI Card
Dell Wireless 1450 (a/b/g) Dual-Band WLAN miniPCI Card
Dell Wireless 1470 (a/b/g) Dual-Band WLAN miniPCI card
Dell Wireless™ 1350 WLAN (b/g) PC Card
Intel (R) PRO/Wireless Network Connection
Intel (R) Pro/Wireless 2100 LAN miniPCI Adapter
Intel (R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
Intel (R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection


Patches and Fixes
Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.3.4


Printer Drivers
Dell 1600n Multifunction Laser
Dell Inkjet Printer 720
Dell Laser Printer 3000cn
Dell Laser Printer 3100cn
Dell Laser Printer 5100cn
Dell Personal Laser 1700/1700n
Dell Photo All-In-One Printer 922
Dell Photo All-In-One Printer 942
Dell Photo All-in-One Printer 962
Dell Photo Printer 540
Dell Workgroup Laser Printer W5300


Removable Media Storage Devices
Dell 128MB USB Memory Key
Dell 64MB USB Memory Key
HLDS GCC-4241N Slim 24/24/24X Combo Drive
HLDS GCC-4243N Slim CDRW/DVDROM 24X GBAS
HLDS Slim GWA-4040N 4X DVD+/-RW Japan Only
M-Systems HS 128M and 64M USB Memory Key
M-Systems HS 256M USB Memory Key
NEC ND-5100A slim 4X DVD+RW
NEC ND-6500A Slim 8X DVD+/-RW
Panasonic UJDA360 Slim 24X CDRW
Philips SDVD6004 2X Slim DVD+RW
QSI SBW 242 Slim 24X Combo
QSI SWB 242 U Slim 24/24/24X Combo
Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.3.4
Sony CRX830E 24/24/24X Slim Combo
Sony DW-D56A slim 8x DVD+/-RW
TEAC DV-28EC 8X Slim DVD
Toshiba SD-C2612 8X Slim DVD


System and Configuration Utilities
Dell Internet Explorer Scaling Utility
Dell Notebook System Software


Video Drivers
ATI Mobility Radeon 9000
ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Series
CyberLink PowerDVD 5
nVidia GeForce FX Go5200
nVidia GeForce FX Go5650
nVidia GeForce4 4200 Go

---
The only potential is the "Dell Notebook System Software", is this what you are referring to?

Also, I have Omega drivers, do I need the ATI drivers they provide?

RM

 

I had an Inspiron 5000 that would heat up and never cool down. So I made a "cheap" cooling pad. I put 2 pencils under the back feet of the notebook, then got a small electric fan, placed it next to the notebook, and turned it on. Cost me 50 cents (for the pencils)