SpeedStep Problem

Hey, I already searched SpeedStep and read through all the threads, but I couldn't find one that matched my problem.

I have a Dell Inspiron 600m and have been having a problem with SpeedStep for months. Their customer service department has replaced my motherboard, fan, and heatsink though neither fixed the problem. Since my first service call I've linked the problem specifically to SpeedStep. So here it is..

Any application (usually gaming) that is CPU intensive, while I have SpeedStep enabled in BIOS, will run fine for a while. CPU-Z will report my cored speed at its proper 2 GHZ. However, after bieng under load for a while, SpeedStep seems to activate and force the core speed down to 600 MHz. As you can imagine this kills my gaming until 1.) time passes 2.) the application/load stops.

I've tried various power schemes. One thing that stopped this problem was disabling SpeedStep, but then my core speed is a constant 600 MHz--the core speed reduction doesn't happen while the game is going and thus is playable. Obviously this is all happening while I'm running on AC power too.

So in summary my questions are:
1.) Why is SpeedStep pushing down my core speed while the CPU is under load?
2.) How can I stop it? I'd prefer my CPU run at a constant 2 GHz so I could actually game.. forget about the CPU's life. It's under warranty!

[Edit]

3.) Is there a way I can run with SpeedStep disabled and get a core speed higher than 600 MHz? I don't understand why, with SpeedStep off, my processor won't run at 2 GHz.

 

Remove any dell power drivers or software, remove it all, they all use windows behind the scenes usually anyhow. Update to your latest bios which can be found on the dell support website.

Although you may have tried this..try it again. Plug the AC in, goto Control Panel -> power options and select "home office desk". Reboot, look at your cpu speed, which can also be done my right clicking on my computer and selecting properties.

if this doesnt work try this program
Notebook Hardware Control

If you are still having problems have them replace the cpu? (maybe they only replaced your motherboard and not it). One important thing to, does it happen with a fresh install of xp?

Good Luck

 

Yeah, I've done a complete fresh installation of XP. That's how I concluded it had to be a hardware/firmware problem somewhere. I have the latest BIOS and have no power controls from Dell installed.

I just put on NHC and it did one thing at least. It says it stopped the CPU Clock from going down to 600 MHz, but the problem still happened where the Load maxed out to 100.

I don't know temperatures very well, but it's reporting my CPU temperature at 61 degrees Celsius. Now I've had the notebook cleaned of dust by the technician, a new motherboard replaced, a new heatsink, and a new fan. I do know that I didn't get a new CPU and I'm wondering if the thermal compound was replaced when I got a new heatsink. I'll be talking with Dell tomorrow and trying to get them to replace the CPU.

 

I've taken out all of Dell's power drivers, done a fresh install of XP before, used that power setting, and NHC.

NHC, at least, says it kept the CPU Speed at 2.0 GHz, but the Load still maxes to 100% occassionally.

 

Looks like its working fine now. What do you use to monitor the load? When I do certain tasks on a single core cpu I max it out ocassionaly.

 

NHC is telling me the load and so is SpeedSwitchXP. While the clock may remain at 2.0 GHz, the CPU Load maxes and the problem is no different than before other than the CPU Clock saying it's running faster.

Definitely isn't "working fine."

 

=\, btw take speedswitch xp off, that could be your problem. I tried and it's not good imo. I wonder if something else could be your problem then. At this point hard to help without the laptop here. Have them replace the thing entirely. no more piecewise.

gl

 

I just had your problem happen to me and checked the task manager, some process took over and started consuming resources, my A/V scanner.

 

It's not process related all all. I've done a complete reinstall of XP, with no added programs at all (inluding A/V), and the problem still happens. There are no programs using resouces other than the one I'm running that places my CPU under load. Besides, it's not that there aren't enough resources, it's that Speedstep lowers my CPU speed, frequency, and voltage while it's under load, which it isn't supposed to do.

That aside... how do I push them for a new system?

 

Call them up and talk to a supervisor. They need to give you a replacement system after all you've gone through. They should be able to fulfill that request. BTW it happens on another laptop of mine, no process in task manager shows, it's like some hardware thing going on behind the scenes. Just makse sure you check with other 600m owners in case it's a problem this series has (shouldn't be but..). If you are still unhappy, time to sell.

 

Try this:

http://support.us.dell.com/support/...aseid=R56673&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=67673

Had a similar problem with my 500m. I didn't even realize SpeedStep wasn't working for the first year or so I had the comp. Installed that patch and there's been no problem since.

 

Nope, I'd already downloaded that and it doesn't work. My problem is that the CPU goes to a lower speed while it's under load, which it shouldn't. That fix is for when your CPU idles and then, when it needs to ramp up the speed, it can't.