After trying everything in my knowledge to run the CPU on max during battery power I called Sony Technical support. I explained when I startind my T250 unplugged (battery power only) and then right clicked on my computer I saw I was running at 595 Mhz even though I used every possible option in control panel/performance & maintenance/power options and Vaio Control Center to keep the CPU running at max 1.2 Ghz speed. The tech says in so many words that I cannot alter this behavior; the laptop must conserve power with the battery running and must slow CPU speed for max battery life. I say I do not need max battery life in some cases. This is not good news after buying a $2300 computer and finding that Windows XP has taken away my right to choose how fast I can run my computer CPU. I have never heard of such a thing. :shock:

Does anyone know a way to run the CPU at max using only the battery?

Interesting to note however, that after booting on AC, I can disconnect AC power and it still shows max CPU speed. When I close the lid and the laptop goes into hibernation, then open it, the CPU still shows max speed.
So perhaps if I always use hibernation instead of shutdown I can keep the CPU speed at max, unless I am getting a false reading from My Computer/Properties. I also downloaded and installed speedswitch, but they do not explain the difference between a Windows reading and the real time reading of CPU speed in their software, both of them at times giving different readings. Maybe I should just install W2k…

Lo,

I could be wrong, but when you look in the system properties for the Mhz of the CPU according to Windows, that its a pack of lies…

ie. Its not accurate :wink:

Ta

Properties on My Computer are notoriously bad.  If you’re dying to know for sure, there are plenty of benchmarking software available that you could run to determine your current CPU rating…SISANDRA being the best of breed IMO. 

Also, intel’s site had a SpeedStep fix that would help fix your problem; though i don’t know if it applies to your specific centrino chip.  I would check it out.

I had similar problem before, it’s been discussed already on an S series, since both are Centrino you might want to read the thread..

http://www.siliconpopculture.com/sonytr/viewtopic.php?t=3983

:idea:

Thanks for all the replies!