slower processor speeds with dell laptop 250n with P4

jasmith · 12-21-2004, 08:43 PM

This is one of those laptops with a desktop processor. The cpu heats up too hot and then powers down. I heard that cpufreq does not work on "non-mobile" cpus.
Does anyone know how I can keep my laptop from shutting down every fiver minutes?
Thanks.
P.S. I am an intermediate beginner-intermediate linux user but I am a complete noob when it comes to hardware.

guzzi · 12-22-2004, 10:04 PM

hello jasmith

This text is being entered on a SONY GRZ530 laptop which has a 2.4Ghz desktop cpu. Running Slackware 10 with ACPI enabled. The speed of the CPU on this system will drop through a few steps when I compile the kernel. The cooling fan goes into high speed when this happens. A regular make bzImage operation takes about 5 minutes, and generates lots of heat.

Your post dosn't indicate your distro, but if you are running Slackware, you should be able to configure your system so that it behaves properly.

jasmith · 12-29-2004, 01:21 AM

Hey, thanks for the reply. Just got back from Christmas with the family.
I am running a debian sid/knoppix/kanotix distrobution. Do you know of a way that can slow the speed of the cpu also since the fan is already running very high already?
Thanks

guzzi · 12-29-2004, 08:16 PM

Don't know about your distos, but I have read something here at Linux Questions about cpu throttling existing in Mandrake. It may well be in other distros, but I don't know.

Also, I recall that using some screen savers would cause my laptops fan to really spin-up. Ever since noticing that, I have had the screen go blank after periods of inactivity.

Your question, if it isn't picked up on by some casual reader, may require you posting it as another thread.