i5-2410m stuck at 0.78GHz

[Stringy]

My Dell n5110's i5 2410 is stuck at 0.78GHz. Looking in monitoring apps the temps are not an issue so it shouldn't be a throttling issue, yet the multiplier won't go above 8. Disabling speedstep forces the speed to 2.29GHz (multi of 23) but obviously that's not a long term solution (looking to sell Laptop). BIOS is latest version (and the laptop doesn't allow going back to old versions...) and all drivers are up to date. Googling the issue brings up lots of people with speedstep issues but no definitive answers.

Anyone have any ideas? Even the Intel CPU test passes the frequency test despite it never going above 0.78GHz!

 

[Stringy]

Set to high performance, the laptop is plugged in and the processor performance management is set to 'plugged in: min 100% max 100%'
Temp currently 38deg
Performance tab in task manager reports 2.29GHz where before it state 0.78GHz - however, CPU-Z still shows 0.78GHz despite speedstep being disabled...?

Passmark has also just given me the same rubbish CPUMark score despite the speed Windows is claiming.

V. confused!

 

[Stringy]

Correct rated adapter powering the laptop?

...just disconnected the charger and it's that causing the throttling. It's the official charger that came with it, in windows it is also claiming to not be charging the laptop!

Anyone got any ideas? I'd rather not splash out on a new charger to discover that doesn't fix it.

 

[Stringy]

You know that trick you all learned growing up when games consoles had cartridges? You know, to blow into the cartridge to clear dust? Apparently that nonsense works with Dell charger/AC ports.

Dell chargers are stupid.