A31 only running with slow CPU clock (1.2GHz instead 2.2Ghz)

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bgawert · #1 Post by **bgawert** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:05 pm

I have an IBM A31 (2652) with P4-M 2.2GHz CPU and 1GB RAM running WinXP Pro. Some time ago I wondered why my notebook became very slow, and I realized that despite having set the IBM power management utility to "max performance" my CPU is running only at 1.2GHz instead of 2.2GHz. Even under heavy load the CPU stays at 1.2GHz (which is the only clock-down mode the P4-M can do)

Assuming a software problem I tried different power management settings in Windows - no change. I also set the power settings in the BIOS to max performance - no change. I took a spare HD and installed a plain Windows on it - no change, CPU running at 1.2GHz only. Tried it with SppedswitchXP and the latest IBM tools - no change. I installd Linux on the spare drive, which also showed me 1.2GHz only. I applied the latest BIOS/Embedded Controller update - no change. I also tested the A31 with a different processor (P4-M 1.4GHz) - no change, the Thinkpad still ran at 1.2GHz.

The CPU is recognised in the BIOS correctly as P4-M 2.2GHz. RightMark CPU Clock Utility also says I have a 2.2GHz processor running at 1.2GHz, as do other benchmark tools.

IBM Thinkpad diags show that everything is ok.

It looks like my Thinkpad doesn't change the CPU Multiplier back from 12x (1.2GHz) to 22x (2.2GHz) as it should. It's definitely no software/driver problem or a defective CPU.

I heard from various sources that other Thinkpad owners reported the same problem with their P4-M units (staying at 1.2Ghz and not going up again). But I found no solution.

Anyone has an idea?

Ben

a31pguy · #2 Post by **a31pguy** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 3:23 pm

Several others have reported similar problems. One thing suspected was a bad battery, currupted registry, or corrupted ACPI settings? But i havene't heard back about the status of the other problem.

bgawert · #3 Post by **bgawert** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:28 pm

Well, it's definitely not a corrupted registry or a software problem. That's for sure.

As to the battery: I don't use any. My battery died about 1.5yrs ago, so since then I used the A31 without battery. I didn't buy a replacement because my using profile would lead to a dead battery again very soon (mostly AC operation). The system ran fine without battery since then, except that for ~4 month now it's running with 1.2Ghz only.

I suspect that somehow some setting in the NVRAM on the system board got corrupted. Sadly, a reset to BIOS defaults didn't help, but from what I know there is an area in the Thinkpads NVRAM where power management parameters are set and altered by the BIOS. If this got corrupted somehow, the CPU might run at slow speed only.

Maybe I should try to get my hands on an old Mobile Celeron and put that in. This thing doesn't clock down, and probably would lead the BIOS to re-initialize these settings.

Benjamin

a31pguy · #4 Post by **a31pguy** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:18 pm

James posted this in response to the other question:

Both the A31 and the T30 will only run at full speed with both the AC and battery connected!

IBM says it's a feature, not a flaw. There were innumerable discussions about this in the old Forums.

Regards,

bgawert · #5 Post by **bgawert** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:44 pm

Then maybe he also can explain why my IBM A31 and the dozens of A31 and A31p at work have been running at full speed no matter if running on battery or on AC with or without battery. Because that's what my A31 did (until recently) and also what the ~60 A31(p) at work did...

Hell, I have been playing Battlefield 1942 and other games on this A31 on battery power (which lasted only around 45min when using full speed) and on AC without battery. The system definitely ran with full 2.2Ghz.

Sorry, but what he says is BS, at least in case of the A31.

Ben

a31pguy · #6 Post by **a31pguy** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 5:07 pm

see below

a31pguy · #7 Post by **a31pguy** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 5:48 pm

a31pguy wrote:
bgawert wrote:Then maybe he also can explain why my IBM A31 and the dozens of A31 and A31p at work have been running at full speed no matter if running on battery or on AC with or without battery. Because that's what my A31 did (until recently) and also what the ~60 A31(p) at work did...

Hell, I have been playing Battlefield 1942 and other games on this A31 on battery power (which lasted only around 45min when using full speed) and on AC without battery. The system definitely ran with full 2.2Ghz.

Sorry, but what he says is BS, at least in case of the A31.

Ben

My BIOS is 1.12 and EC is 1.04 A31p 2653 2.4 GHz

I just verified your problem on mine. No battery = 1.2 ghz. Battery = 2.4 Ghz. EVEN ON AC POWER.

Seems like your solution is to get a battery. Which explains the other guy's a31p problem as well.

I think James meant the same: a working battery in the battery compartment. The other user seemed to have a faulty battery. They are wear items - I just had to replace mine too.

a31pguy · #8 Post by **a31pguy** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 6:08 pm

see above

jack NYC · #9 Post by **jack NYC** » Tue May 03, 2005 10:19 am

I'm a bit of a newbie on certain things. How can i verify how fast my processor is running?
Also as a newbie, does anyone have a group of links or resources for a hungry A31p user. I'm doing mostly video editing and Digital Image processing. Is Ebay the best place for parts etc.?
Thanks so much
Jack

a31pguy · #10 Post by **a31pguy** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:51 pm

jack NYC wrote:I'm a bit of a newbie on certain things. How can i verify how fast my processor is running?
Also as a newbie, does anyone have a group of links or resources for a hungry A31p user. I'm doing mostly video editing and Digital Image processing. Is Ebay the best place for parts etc.?
Thanks so much
Jack

Try speedswitch XP to check your current settings.

ksaisjja · #11 Post by **ksaisjja** » Sun May 08, 2005 2:56 pm

I downloaded the processor ID util from Intel.com to be sure since XP misreports CPU speed.

I also like speedswitch for power management.

--Henry

A31 only running with slow CPU clock (1.2GHz instead 2.2Ghz)

A31 only running with slow CPU clock (1.2GHz instead 2.2Ghz)

hmmm

Perhaps we have an answer then.

Basic Speed question

Re: Basic Speed question

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