Damn Computer

[sumx4182]

Whats up with this!?

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/7595/9565mg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/7337/1596rd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Look at the CPU speed! I have a 2.6 and it's running at either 1.6gHz or 956mHz! Why did I pay for a 2.6 if it doesnt run at 2.6?! I'm sure a 1.6 or a 956 would have been cheaper. Please let me know how to fix this. It's ridiculous!

[Sixstring]

It's either a BIOS setting or a jumper on the MB. (Maybe both) But if it varies each time you boot up, it could be a more serious problem. Even if it's set too slow, it should be consistent. Get the service tag # and e-mail Dell about the problem. They also have a good chat utility for talking to a tech live to figure it out. It's best to do the chatting on a different PC so you can work on it during the chat. Time saver tip- run the Dell utilities disc first- run full test and document results. That's the first thing they'll ask you to do.

[ZigZag]

Is this a laptop computer, some with P4's will lower their speed to save battery life.
Some info here http://www.bay-wolf.com/speedstep.htm#1

ZigZag

[zero]

yep ZigZag nailed it, when the notebook is idle the P4 will clock itself down to save battery life, then when you do something and put a load on the cpu it will speed up....nothing to worry about just normal

[sumx4182]

i know that the P4 clocks itself down...but 1) I'm on AC power 99% of the time, so I dont care about battery life. and 2) It doesnt seem to pick back up when I need it...Games stutter and stuff when they shouldnt, not like, detailed games, even stuff like N64 emulators...

[TheReal7]

i know that the P4 clocks itself down...but 1) I'm on AC power 99% of the time, so I dont care about battery life. and 2) It doesnt seem to pick back up when I need it...Games stutter and stuff when they shouldnt, not like, detailed games, even stuff like N64 emulators...

I do believe you can change this in the system BIOS settings ;)

[ZigZag]

Thats too bad, I thought I had an easy answer for you.
Like 7 said try disabling the feature, also how often do you do system maintanence like disc clean up and defrag, if left to long this can cause stuttering in games. Is your system running hot? When a P4 gets too hot it will declock itself to stay cool.
ZigZag

[TheReal7]

Thats too bad, I thought I had an easy answer for you.
Like 7 said try disabling the feature, also how often do you do system maintanence like disc clean up and defrag, if left to long this can cause stuttering in games. Is your system running hot? When a P4 gets too hot it will declock itself to stay cool.
ZigZag

good point bout running hot. When I had my laptop it was on AC power 99.99999999% of the time and never moved. I ran an exertnal monitor, keyboard and mouse off it. I bought a cooling base for it with 4 fans and was USB powered. I would strongly suggest getting one. They are cheap I think I paid $30 for it. It will keep the laptop cooler and increase its lifespan.

[sumx4182]

I defrag about once a month, i run other utilities about weekly or so...it's running at a normal temperature. I dont let it rest on the carpet or a pillow or n e thing so the fan isnt blocked. And when the laptop is booting, and i hit F2 for the bios, i can see where it says 2.66/1.59 but it wont let me scroll down to change it. So how do you change it?

[ZigZag]

In some bioses you have to enter key combinations to get to advanced bios features, on mine it is ctrl and f1.
ZigZag

[sumx4182]

i tried ctrl F1...that wasnt it, any way to tell what my combo is? i tried all the ctrl F# buttons...

[TheReal7]

try

F2 (only)

~scott

[sumx4182]

any other suggestions before I restart?

[TheReal7]

you tried F2?

[ZigZag]

So there is no confussion enter the key combinations when you are already in the bios. You might be able to get more info if you do a google on the subject, try entering the model of your computer followed by bios setting.

[sumx4182]

no i havent tried F2 yet...i just figured that I would see if there was anything else to try before I restarted the computer

[TheReal7]

I am pretty confident F2 is your answer ;)

[sumx4182]

lol, ok, lemme try

[sumx4182]

F2 wasnt it, lol, but i gotta be going to class soon. Feel free to come up with other ideas, I'll check em when i get back

[TheReal7]

hmmm it should be F2 or maybe DEL key....but you have to hit the key right aways. Also since you are on a laptop you may try Fn+F1 or you might have to quicky hit the Fkey lock to activate the F keys.

[sumx4182]

I'll have to try that stuff...I get into the BIOS fine, and the first page is all system info. and I dont see any option for "advanced BIOS settings"...I dont even know where to look up stuff like that. I have a Pheonix bios i believe, version A37...if that helps...

[stratman50th]

I'd try and help you out by going into their site, but my cert expired and I'm locked out. I can try and call our warranty guy and see if he can get in and check. I'll post again if I can get in touch with him.

[sumx4182]

ok, cool, thanks

[Sixstring]

If memory serves, getting to Dell BIOS is F10. It will tell you what to hit to enter setup on the first boot screen. Once in the BIOS, the controls vary from getting page to page. You need to read the screen. Sometimes it's the arrow keys, sometimes it's a combo of alt+ key. Honestly, if you don't know how to get to the BIOS, you probably have no business being in there. Take it to a tech.

[sumx4182]

No, i know how to get in the bios, i just dont know the keystroke to get to the advanced BIOS settings...it's not listed on the screen

[Sixstring]

I've been in lots of BIOS screens and I've never seen one that didn't have instructions. Keep looking. It's probably a combo like alt+P, ctrl+P, alt+U or something like that, if it's not the arrows.

[sumx4182]

i know the keystroke to move between pages...but the option i want is not located on those pages...i want to set it so that it consistantly runs at 2.66 or even at 2.0, but i dont like it running at 1.6 all the time...on the very first page, it says "Intel P4 2.66/1.60, Current CPU Speed 1.6" but the first page is just an info listing, its not editable

[Sixstring]

Then I refer you to my original reply- talk to Dell support. :)

[Keith]

Get a print screen of the BIOS options.. post them here.
Also, grab this app. that will diog your computer, and tell you what you have and what its running.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=311