How to underclock alienware laptop ?

bobert50 · 19 Apr 2007 at 17:13

I made a thread recently about an alienware laptop crashing. Ive been messing about with it and i'm pretty sure its overheating, might be the cpu paste or whatever but im trying to stabalise it and as i only use it for windows is there any software that i could use to underclock it so its running at much less speed? when i pull the power out of the back and use just the battery it doesnt crash (as its running much slower). There are no options to change in bios at all so i was wondering what software i can use to set the multiples much lower? its a 3.4 p4 intel and even at 2ghz it'd be fine for what its used for (browsing basically).

Thanks

semi-pro waster · 19 Apr 2007 at 17:45

Can't you send it back under warranty? It is a rather expensive machine to have to try and underclock for the purposes of browsing the internet (in fact it is way overkill for that to begin with).

Cupra · 19 Apr 2007 at 18:59

if its overheating chances are its clogged up so underclockign would probably not do a lot.. just take the bottom off and see if there is any dust.fluff

lokiguesty · 19 Apr 2007 at 19:09

would suggest ringing alienware first their customer services is supposed to be very good

Loki

eddie101 · 19 Apr 2007 at 20:57

No offence but my friend had a problem with his alienware, any they just tried to fob him off, but i suppose thats the service you get from a 'registered trademark of Dell' :rolleyes:

artaxerxes · 19 Apr 2007 at 21:10

I feel for you - a mate of mine wasted nearly 2 grand on one of their top end Laptops. Exactly the same issues - overheating and crashing. I think it is lying in a box somewhere.

bobert50 · 19 Apr 2007 at 23:00

Finally back home to reply! Nope there doesn't seem to be any enormous amount of dust anywhere. I'm wondering if it needs some more CPU paste adding or something simple like that? Alienware having good customer services / technical support is definately a myth!!

Any ideas about overclocking software that could also be used to underclock it? all the games i play are on my main pc these days which is much faster so i hardly need a fast laptop. Whats the best program for general diagnostics too?

basmic · 20 Apr 2007 at 08:30

Try ClockGen: http://www.cpuid.com/clockgen.php

bobert50 · 20 Apr 2007 at 12:37

Thanks

I got a feeling this'll do the trick

bobert50 · 20 Apr 2007 at 13:20

oh how frustrating!!!

Tried it on my main pc..came up great..4 options (clocks , pll control , pll setup and options) and i could alter them in the pll control. Then i try the same program on this alienware and it only gives me 2 options (clocks + options) so i can't change it!!! What i have found out is when the mains is in it runs @ 3.4ghz, when its running off battery (ie power lead pulled out) it runs @ 3.0ghz and seems 100% stable. Any other suggestions of similar programs? or maybe a way to make the options appear?

ANDARIAL · 20 Apr 2007 at 18:30

http://www.pbus-167.com/
have a look at this mate .it will work differently accoeding to your lappy/mobo specs
i.e. if your processor is speedstep compatible you can slow it down etc

Kyrne · 20 Apr 2007 at 19:01

If it still under warranty i'd send it back, I've got an A51m 7700 laptop whenever i needed anything I just phoned them and they sorted it out no problem.

bobert50 · 20 Apr 2007 at 19:15

nah unfortunately its not under warranty anymore.

Thanks ANDARIAL, i'll try this program out now.