W7 Pro on T43p, high temps related to SP1? Share your experiences

[ajkula66]

I've been playing with W7 (mostly Pro) on both standard and SATA-modded T43p systems for years now. Created my own image for these machines based on Lenovo's recovery media for one of the later ThinkPad models. What I have been noticing is that once the SP1 is applied through Windows Update, the idle temps rise for about 10 degrees C on both CPU and GPU. I can't wrap my head around this one at all.

Given the "forcefed" updates that MS has been dumping on us for quite some time now, I'm really not concerned about not having SP1 installed since all of my machines have been locked and updates disabled entirely to begin with, but the curiosity is still torturing this old cat...hence the following questions:

1) Has anyone else experienced this issue or something similar to it?

2) If they have, do they have any idea on what *exactly* in SP1 is causing it?

TIA for any/all wisdom offered.

[danikayser84]

Does this happen only on T43p or standard T43 as well (also Intel graphics T43s vs ATI T43/p)? What about other 915-based ThinkPads like Z60m/t, R52 or X41? (Also wonder if such behavior also occurs in Windows 8.x or 10?)

One logical explanation is it could be a similar situation to the Windows 2000 on dual-cores (such as T60/p, T61/p) where a bug is introduced after an update that can be fixed via a registry patch; I no longer run 7 on any of my T43s but did not notice it (however I only used a regular 14" T43 and not a T43p for Windows 7 SP1)

[ajkula66]

Does this happen only on T43p or standard T43 as well (also Intel graphics T43s vs ATI T43/p)? What about other 915-based ThinkPads like Z60m/t, R52 or X41? (Also wonder if such behavior also occurs in Windows 8.x or 10?)

I haven't played with any other machines from this era recently enough to say much of anything. As for W8.x and subsequent MS releases, I've got less-than-zero interest in running any of them.

One logical explanation is it could be a similar situation to the Windows 2000 on dual-cores (such as T60/p, T61/p) where a bug is introduced after an update that can be fixed via a registry patch; I no longer run 7 on any of my T43s but did not notice it (however I only used a regular 14" T43 and not a T43p for Windows 7 SP1)

Interesting take. Duly noted.

[shawross]

Yes Windows 7 Updates are very problematic. Whether this is a tactical business decision by Microsoft we can only speculate.

Obviously SP1 triggers some activity. I suppose the Winsxs folder grows after this update is applied. I personally had 12GB of data in the Winsxs folder and managed to reduce it to 9.6GB.

A before and after SP1 size comparison of Winsxs would be interesting.

The problem obviously for a single core computer like the T43 is that it can't afford to lose 30 - 50% CPU use doing whatever.

[ajkula66]

Yes Windows 7 Updates are very problematic. Whether this is a tactical business decision by Microsoft we can only speculate.

Indeed...my trust in them - which was never all that great to begin with - has completely disappeared over the last couple of years.

A before and after SP1 size comparison of Winsxs would be interesting.

I haven't thought about that one. Thanks for the idea.

The problem obviously for a single core computer like the T43 is that it can't afford to lose 30 - 50% CPU use doing whatever.

Very true. I just wasn't able to pinpoint who the culprit is, and how to go about it...not that I'm losing sleep over it by any means.

FWIW, when I tested W10 on a T601 FrankenPad with Intel graphics, temps went up 10 degrees C when compared to W7...that wasn't the only reason for me ditching the OS in question - far from it - but would've been a significant concern had I decided to stick with it...

[danikayser84]

We might also have to investigate individual pre-SP1 updates to see which one (integrated in SP1) is the culprit, and isolate it as necessary (I have a Z60m handy so I'll probably try a Windows 7 install on it to see if that is affected as well, I don't have my R52 or X41 anymore though)

[ajkula66]

We might also have to investigate individual pre-SP1 updates to see which one (integrated in SP1) is the culprit, and isolate it as necessary (I have a Z60m handy so I'll probably try a Windows 7 install on it to see if that is affected as well, I don't have my R52 or X41 anymore though)

If your Z60m has ATi graphics that would make for an interesting experiment, especially if you were to use Lenovo-sourced media...