Does anybody knows how to force my computer to work harder.
Oldie but still going laptop Dell E6400 suppose to run at 2.6 GHz processing speeds but after few minutes
speed drops to 450 Mhz and any work is almost impossible ( reading SB including).

Only hard shut down could restore speed to 1.7 for a while.
I did play with BIOS performance settings without any change.



If he ( my laptop) thinks that is that smart, can get lazy and extend his overheated process life in our Aussie climate, may be wrong.
I am about to throw it through the closed window

Seems like an overheating issue.

if you haven't already, make sure the cooling system is clear of dust bunnies (You may need to pull it apart)
The thermal paste on the heatsinks might need refreshing?

There was a BIOS revision for that family to address the throttling.

Disable speedstep is another avenue (Was an issue on some Dells)

I imagine something that old would need a good clean up. 2008 model still running seems to me you have had a good run. Time for an upgrade

Select to expand quote

Ted the Kiwi said..
I imagine something that old would need a good clean up. 2008 model still running seems to me you have had a good run. Time for an upgrade

Right, I have new, the latest and the most powerful Dell laptop, but all programs , licences sick like old paint to old Dell.
Every time it think about reinstalling all programs, trouble with licences and ATO Australian Certificates for business I give up.
I hope one day Microsoft in Windows 30 for example come with nice easy procedure to transfer all you software environment from old computer to new one.
Sort of Android do already on all their smart phones.Beside that the old computer running even half speed - 1.6 instead of full 2.66 GHZ still do everything I want. the problem is when speed drops to 500Mhz and less.

I get my missus to work harder by threatening to upgrade to a newer model.
Might be the same for laptops(?)

Select to expand quote

Stuthepirate said..
I get my missus to work harder by threatening to upgrade to a newer model.
Might be the same for laptops(?)

Getting lazy or overheating ?

Select to expand quote

rod_bunny said..

There was a BIOS revision for that family to address the throttling.

Thanks for advice. Works the charm. Gone to Dell website to update BIOS and other drivers.
Easy and seems the problem resolved.


That advice may be then applicable to everyone of you then using laptop now. Upgrade your BIOS. I did the same on the latest DELL and the was already waiting new BIOS version ready to download and upgrade.

Select to expand quote

Macroscien said..
Does anybody knows how to force my computer to work harder.

Might be the power supply? take it off solar power and run it on mains?