CPU speed seems backward with/without battery

[marcdw]

Some months ago I think I searched these forums for this topic but
don't remember if I found anything.

My T21 is 800MHz. I use it almost exclusively as a desktop at the
moment (actual desktops are sitting in storage ).

It's on AC power only as I heard keeping a battery in a machine
that is always on AC isn't a good idea.
Windows and all other utilities as well as Linux report the CPU speed
as 650MHz. If I put the battery in it becomes 800MHz.
Last year I went reading up on the SpeedStep stuff and some
forum messages but couldn't find an answer as to why it's reporting
faster with the battery.

Any ideas on this?
Thanks,
Marc

[nikki605]

Welcome to the forums!

I just tried to duplicate your issue on my T21, but could not. When I removed the battery while still connected to AC power, the CPU speed did not drop.

Do you have the Battery MaxiMiser Guage installed? The battery icon just to the left of the System Tray at the bottom of the screen? If so, you may want to check the Scheme Settings. Left click once on the battery icon to bring up the context menu.

Its possible to set a custom power scheme that is slowing the CPU. Maybe that is what has happened on your T21

I've got one of the predefined power schemes selected on mine - High Battery Performance. That setting will only slow the CPU when running on battery.

Good Luck!

[marcdw]

Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking here for quite some
time. You may have noticed I borrowed your tagline for a
template.


Anyway, nothing I did changed the behavior. I went through
every kind of power scheme, through software and CMOS, but it
is the same.
With the battery out the system reports 650MHz, battery in
I get 800MHz. Same in Linux.
One program, SpeedSwitchXP however, always reported the
system as 800MHz regardless of what anything else said.

The computer doesn't seem any slower or faster either way
so it doesn't really matter but I am confused over this oddity.

Marc

[RealBlackStuff]

One thing to consider, the CPU, when using Speedstep, will only run at a speed that is required to perform the task(s) at hand.
If there is no need for more horse-power, you won't get (or need) it.
To compare: you can drive 40MPH in 3rd or 4th or 5th gear, the speed (i.e. the end result 40MPH) will be the same, but running in 5th gear is more economical (i.e. in fuel use). Same applies to CPUs.

[nikki605]

I came across this SpeedStep FAQ that may help you. It discusses the various SpeedStep technologies and in question 14, talks about an Intel Frequency ID Utility to test the processor.

http://www.bay-wolf.com/speedstep.htm

Good luck and let us know if it resolves your issue.

[marcdw]

Ah, I forgot I had that Intel utility already installed.

Like SpeedSwitch XP it tells me that I'm running at 800MHz and
the expected frequency is 800MHz.

If that's really the case then maybe I'm just looking at some
sort of odd reporting mechanism. I'd rather see 800MHz on my
desktop than 650MHz (for vanity's sake )

BGInfo desktop shot:
http://www.geocities.com/wilmarcdw/bginfo_ss.png

Marc