Laptop problem..

[Tool Man]

I just bought my first laptop, and already I have a problem . It's an Acer Ferrari 3000MLi. Anyway, the CPU seems to be running a lot slower than it should be.
It's a mobile AthlonXP 2500+, which is meant to run @1.81Ghz, but, windows shows it at 969Mhz...? I realized this when I ran 3D Mark 2001, and got a lowly score of 3310.
Now, this machine has a 2500+ CPU, Radeon 9200 128Mb, and 512Mb of RAM. Surely I should score more than 3310?(3D Mark's system info also shows 969Mhz).
I havn't altered anything, it was all pre-loaded, all I did was put my name to it.
Anyone have any clue what the problem might be?

Thanks.

[jeex]

its probably some kind of power saving business. the cpu will drop itself down to a lower speed to save battery life.. thats why its called a mobile athlon, and not just a regular athlon.. look in your manual on how to adjust the settings.

[Tool Man]

Yeah, thats what I thought. I assume it has AMD's PowerNow feature, but I thought that when I ran off the mains, there would be no need for that. And I can't find how to turn it off. It's annoying, because the manual says nothing about it.
And last time I looked, it was running @637Mhz....getting slower

[808smokey]

And I can't find how to turn it off. It's annoying, because the manual says nothing about it.
And last time I looked, it was running @637Mhz....getting slower

Assuming you have WIndows XP home/pro, Try this:

Start
Settings
Control Panel
Power Options
Change "Portable/Laptop" to..."Home/Office Desk" or "ALWAYS ON"
That should do the trick

Also Right Click "My Computer"
Does it show the correct processor in that window??
If not your BIOS/CMOS might be set up incorrectly

[Tool Man]

Thanks smokey, I tried that, and the CPU 'accelerated' to 1.3Ghz, still short of it's 1.81 rating. I don't understand why a 'power saving' feature is kicking in when I'm running of the mains.

[flaninacupboard]

Well by underclocking a CPU when it's not needed you save not only power, but unwanted heat from being produced. that's why most mboile untisa the fan runs intermittently, while their desktop counterparts require a constant fan.

[redwudz]

Good tip, 808smokey. My laptop is a HP ZE4101 with a XP1500 CPU. Never noticed, but the speed was 649MHZ. I switched to 'Always on' and it went to 1.3GHZ. I run 98% of the time from the 'mains' anyway. I guess I should have paid more attention. Don't remember any mention of it in the manual. Thanks.

EDIT: I'll check to see how much more the fan runs.

[gmatov]

Flan,

Sorry, off topic, but see that most of the Brits "run off the mains", and a few 'Murricans start talking like you.

One world language, soon. Should I "whinge" here? (That's from an old thread.)

Cheers,

George

[flaninacupboard]

One world language, soon. Should I "whinge" here? (That's from an old thread.)

Yeah, i remember - feels like just yesterday!

So how would you describe it then? just as running from the wall socket, or do you lot have an equally silly expression?

[808smokey]

One world language, soon. Should I "whinge" here? (That's from an old thread.)

Yeah, i remember - feels like just yesterday!

So how would you describe it then? just as running from the wall socket, or do you lot have an equally silly expression?

"1.21 jigga watts of electricty!!!" :P "Just running on AC"

[flaninacupboard]

now, when doc says jigawatts, is that meant to be gigawatts? had me wondering if in america you call them jigabytes?

[808smokey]

now, when doc says jigawatts, is that meant to be gigawatts? had me wondering if in america you call them jigabytes?

Ya it's gigawatts Just thought that was funny how he says it "A bolt of LIGHTNING!!!"