CPU speed

[VNMZ]

I have the 200A but whenever I boot,
It identifies the CPU as Intel M 2.0 Ghz
CPU speed is only 1200 Mhz. I'd like to max out my speed if possible.

[flecrone]

The profiles in the power settings under the Control Panel determine how the CPU speed is handled. It is probably set to "Portable/Laptop", which allows for dynamic switching when running on both AC and DC power. Whenever the computer is performing minor tasks, such as displaying system information in the My Computer properties window, the CPU drops back to the slower speed. But the computer will still switch to 2.0GHz when a demand is placed on the CPU, and the switching is done quickly and you may never notice a difference. Selecting the "Always On" profile will keep the CPU at 2.0 all this time, but you'll find that the computer runs much hotter and you may notice little difference in performance. Likewise, the setting to maximize battery life will lock the CPU at 1.2GHz when running on battery power. This will give you a little longer battery life, but you may really notice a difference in the performance of some applications.

[VNMZ]

Thank You. Makes sense now because my profile is on Portable/Laptop.
Just one more thing, why does it show 1200 MHZ at the boot screen? I thought the OS doesn't have control until I boot into it.

[flecrone]

Yeah, that is a bit odd. I just checked mine, and even with the BIOS power setting at "Battery", the boot screen still shows 2.0 GHz. You might check you BIOS power setting just to see what it's at, and to see if changing it to "Performance" or "Automatic" makes any difference.

Of course, what is important is what the CPU is doing under Windows. You can use the SpeedswitchXP freeware (http://www.diefer.de/speedswitchxp/) to monitor CPU speed in real time. If it never goes to 2.0, you may have a problem.

[VNMZ]

It switches when I am running a heavy load. Thank you very much. My adapter is dead now, this machine is so delicate.

[flecrone]

That sucks. Some people have had really bad luck with these computers. I use mine as my primary work computer (which means it gets a lot of use), it's been camping and has traveled to five countries with me, but has had none of the problems people have described in the forum, and still looks great. Hopefully you won't have trouble getting the adapter replaced. There are some models of HP adapters that also work with the 200A5, but are not much cheaper than the adapter from VPR. APC also makes a universal power supply and case system that is great if you travel.

Good luck!

[VNMZ]

I fixed the adapter. After taking it apart and testing for continuity. I found that the insulation between the wires broke and it was shorting. Anyways, there's an electrial tape section on it now and everything is okay again. Yippie.

Problems fixed so far.
LCD buzz
Adapter short

Problems still left.
One USB slot broken.