IBM ThinkPad Users' Group

[yukita]

I seem to be having a problem with the Intel SpeedStep setting with my x201!

When I enable Intel SpeedStep in the BIOS and set AC Mode to High Performance, even when I am connected to the adaptor, my CPU clock speed will only go up to 1.33GHz. When it is idle, it will be stuck at 1.2GHz (i.e. the processor will only go into these two clock states - 1.2GHz and 1.33GHz). This is in spite of the fact that the Power Manager settings are set to Maximum Speed for the processor setting.

If I disable Intel SpeedStep in the BIOS, my CPU clock speed will be stuck at 2.53GHz no matter what setting I enter into the Power Manager (e.g. adaptive, low speed).

Wondering if anyone has faced this problem and how do I rectify it? Or is there something wrong with the hardware? Thanks!

not sure. but have you tried to update to latest bios instead?

 

[coloumbiaGames]

Which Thinkpad model should I get?

Need something light weight or good battery performance
Will be carrying it around.
Thanks

 

[ahtea]

I seem to be having a problem with the Intel SpeedStep setting with my x201!

When I enable Intel SpeedStep in the BIOS and set AC Mode to High Performance, even when I am connected to the adaptor, my CPU clock speed will only go up to 1.33GHz. When it is idle, it will be stuck at 1.2GHz (i.e. the processor will only go into these two clock states - 1.2GHz and 1.33GHz). This is in spite of the fact that the Power Manager settings are set to Maximum Speed for the processor setting.

If I disable Intel SpeedStep in the BIOS, my CPU clock speed will be stuck at 2.53GHz no matter what setting I enter into the Power Manager (e.g. adaptive, low speed).

Wondering if anyone has faced this problem and how do I rectify it? Or is there something wrong with the hardware? Thanks!

Did you have the battery inserted? I was told that without the battery inserted, there might be situations where such behavior occurs. I might be wrong on this.

 

[ahtea]

Which Thinkpad model should I get?

Need something light weight or good battery performance
Will be carrying it around.
Thanks

Thinkpad X220 should be a good choice for you.

 

[Warlock86]

Dear people, my present old T400 laptop has a weird problem. When I open the laptop, the screen will remain black but when I close it to a certain angle. The LCD screen appears to be fine. The warranty has ran out... Any expert repair bro that can repair this old buddy of mine.

Thanks

 

[acetylcholine]

not sure. but have you tried to update to latest bios instead?

Yes I did...the problem is still there.

 

[acetylcholine]

Did you have the battery inserted? I was told that without the battery inserted, there might be situations where such behavior occurs. I might be wrong on this.

I see. Yes I do use my laptop without the battery connected...will go try later with the battery in and see whether the problem is resolved.

 

[ahtea]

Dear people, my present old T400 laptop has a weird problem. When I open the laptop, the screen will remain black but when I close it to a certain angle. The LCD screen appears to be fine. The warranty has ran out... Any expert repair bro that can repair this old buddy of mine.

Thanks

I think there is probably some bad contact with the LCD cable/ribbon.

 

[ahtea]

I see. Yes I do use my laptop without the battery connected...will go try later with the battery in and see whether the problem is resolved.

Do report back to see if the problem was resolved.

 

[acetylcholine]

Do report back to see if the problem was resolved.

Yes I think you may be spot on. When I ran my laptop off the battery directly, any change made to the Power Settings (e.g. Highest, Adaptive, Lowest) resulted in a change in the processor speed immediately, even when Intel SpeedStep is enabled in the BIOS.

I left my power adapter in the office and I will try with the following combinations tomorrow morning:

1) AC and battery plugged in
2) AC without battery plugged in.

So far, I am quite sure (2) results in the problem I have mentioned (i.e. processor speed being stuck insofar as Intel SpeedStep is enabled). But I am not sure if the problem will be resolved in (1). Will update tomorrow when I get back to office...thanks for the help!

 

[Warlock86]

I think there is probably some bad contact with the LCD cable/ribbon.

It would be too ex to go to changi to get it repaired

 

[acetylcholine]

Do report back to see if the problem was resolved.

Yes I just tried it with the AC adapter and the battery plugged in and it works fine now. In fact, this is the first time I saw the turbo boost actually kicking into action when the processor is on load. Any idea how to rectify the problem when I am running on the adapter without the battery plugged in? I usually use my laptop without the battery connected when I am at home. Don't wish to be stuck at 1.33GHz when my battery is not connected...

 

[ahtea]

It would be too ex to go to changi to get it repaired

Yes, it would be. I think upfront you already need to pay $70+ for the diagnostics etc.

You can try some reputable repair shops which deals with thinkpad repairs in SLS/Funan (can do a search in HWZ, they have a user account here).

 

[ahtea]

Yes I just tried it with the AC adapter and the battery plugged in and it works fine now. In fact, this is the first time I saw the turbo boost actually kicking into action when the processor is on load. Any idea how to rectify the problem when I am running on the adapter without the battery plugged in? I usually use my laptop without the battery connected when I am at home. Don't wish to be stuck at 1.33GHz when my battery is not connected...

Glad that your problem was resolved.

I dont think there is a way to resolve that issue. Actually, I don't quite like to run the laptop solely on AC source. Thinkpad's Power Manager should be able to effectively prevent overcharging of the battery and you should not need to remove the battery when you are using AC and battery is at 100%.

 

[Azrielsc]

Here's a post: Hi, R60 running slow without battery/on AC power o... - Lenovo Community

Lenovos are meant to be used with both battery + AC power.

 

[Solidus_GZ]

Any one got any experiences with their own site services?
Any good feedback?
since i got my 1st thinkpad since 2010, never really called them for major issue yet.
i wonder will the own site service entice we to get from consumer (with more freebies) instead of from our IT vendor, as our IT vendor wont service equipment that doesn't buy from them.

 

[Gloom me]

Here's a post: Hi, R60 running slow without battery/on AC power o... - Lenovo Community

Lenovos are meant to be used with both battery + AC power.

[FONT=comic sans ms,sans-serif]What you're experiencing is perfectly normal. Your laptop was not designed to run at full power/speed without battery.[/FONT]

Does that mean I need to insert the battery although AC power source is available?? And I just tweak from Power Manager?

 

[ahtea]

Any one got any experiences with their own site services?
Any good feedback?
since i got my 1st thinkpad since 2010, never really called them for major issue yet.
i wonder will the own site service entice we to get from consumer (with more freebies) instead of from our IT vendor, as our IT vendor wont service equipment that doesn't buy from them.

You mean on-site service of Lenovo?

 

[Solidus_GZ]

yep on site service, whether they attended promptly, didn't ask you to own self diagnose the prob like HP's

 

[ahtea]

yep on site service, whether they attended promptly, didn't ask you to own self diagnose the prob like HP's

My friend call before. Got ask for some simple diagnosis.

When they arrive, they will come with the affected parts and do a replacement for him on the spot. Hassle free.

For their carry in warranty, wait time is approx. 48 hours. But usually, they will fix it within a day.