T41-P displays incorrect processor clockspeed: "598mhz&

[Zakman3]

Hi all,

I'm the proud owner of a Thinkpad T-41p (2374-GGU).

Have owned this machine since August 2005- it's run beautifully. However, recently I came across a surprising issue, which may well have been on the laptop since I purchased this machine. I was running Microsoft's Vista Upgrade Adviser on this, and was shocked to discover that the clockspeed was downclocked to 598 mhz.

I have disabled all power saving features, and the issue remains when the machine is plugged in to the wall, so it's not Speedstep or any battery saving mechanism at work. Google seems to indicate that this issue may crop up with certain Pentium M models if the system board has been replaced. I bought this unit as a factory refurbished unit from an IBM Business Partner on Ebay, so the board may well have been replaced at some point.

The BIOS does say that the machine is at 1.7 Ghz. I have spoken to IBM Service, who want me to take the machine in to have it looked at- they don't seem to be familiar with the issue either.

If anyone here has any suggestions/help, I'd be most grateful. Thanks!

[agarza]

Have you tried using NHC to monitor, manage the voltages, and speed of your CPU? Try first setting your machine, under XP Control Panel, Power Management to Always On, and see if it helps.

[DennisGordon]

That's what my wife's T43 ran at, until I set the Power Settings to run at Maximum Performance. Now it runs at 2.0mhz spec. Of course, that decreases battery life...

[Zakman3]

Setting it to Always On fixes the problem

Thanks guys!

[Zakman3]

I take that back- the problem has recurred, and the CPU is staying at 598mhz no matter what the power settings are.

[tomh009]

And it stays at 600 MHz even if the CPU is maxed out for a prolonged period?

Did you try NHC as benottomex suggested?

[rssb]

check your processor performance settings in bios...

[Zakman3]

Tomh009- Yes, it stays at 598 Mhz.

Rssb- BIOS says it's at 1.7 Ghz. Windows System Information says it's a 1.7ghz processor, clocked down to 598 Mhz.

I've just found NHC and will give it a try tonight. It seems to be a monitor program- I imagine it will let me know if Windows is just messing things up.

[agarza]

It's more likely Windows or Thinkpad utility is messing with the CPU clock speed. Make NHC you default program, using it you can work with a undervoltaged CPU and reduce temperatures while working at full performance.