CPU running at 100% on LG F1

[maranello550]

Hi,
I have installed Windows 7 on an old LG F1 Express Dual. Now the CPU runs at 100% all the time, which causes the fan to do the same.
I've tried disabling SpeedStep in the BIOS, but then processor get stuck at 800MHz.
According to Windows Task Manager CPU usage is around 5% when running only the browser. Process Explorer shows the same info.
Cant see other processes steal anything either, but processor runs at 1.73 Ghz all the time.

Found a forum with updates for LG BIOS, thought maybe this could help since it looks like it's SpeedStep making the trouble, but have never tried to update the BIOS before, so it would be nice if anyone had tips for other solution.

 

[maranello550]

Checked my drivers in Driver Identifier - Free Drivers Download - New Version 3.9 as well now, updated the outdated ones - but still no difference...

 

[fseal]

Where is is saying the CPU is running 100% if Task Manager and Process Explorer only show 5%?

 

[maranello550]

I mean if i sort the processes in Task Manager with the heaviest process at top, i got the Chrome browser on top - but this is only using 5% of the CPU.
CPU-Z is telling me that my core speed is 1733,3 MHz, which is 100% for my processor.

 

[Britton30]

I gather what you mean it the CPU runs at full speed, not that it is 100% used. In BIOS set everything to auto, re-enable speed step. It may appear to "stick" at 800MHz but will speed up if the system needs it.

 

[maranello550]

You are right.
In BIOS i have set SpeedStep to default, wich is called auto - this is when it locks on 1.73 Ghz. When i had XP installed, SpeedStep adjusted the CPU after system need, but now its just stuck.
If i dissable it it will lock on 800Mhz

 

[Britton30]

I have requested help from some overclocking experts.
In the meantime try finding in BIOS a setting like "Load Optimized Defaults" and test.

 

[maranello550]

Thanks! Just tried loading optimized default, but no difference.

 

[GeneO]

I mean if i sort the processes in Task Manager with the heaviest process at top, i got the Chrome browser on top - but this is only using 5% of the CPU.
CPU-Z is telling me that my core speed is 1733,3 MHz, which is 100% for my processor.

Do you have show all processes from all users selected in task manager when you do this?

 

[maranello550]

Yes, there is only one user on the computer, wich is the admin-user as well.

 

[GeneO]

OK, rereading this, I don't quite understand what is going on. Your fan speed should be based on your CPU temperature, not its frequency. If it is running full time, that means your processor is running hot. Can you download CoreTemp and run it. That will tell you the CPU utilization and temperatures.

The only way the CPU should be that hot is thar some process or the kernel is putting a high load on the system, or you are idle, but the heat sink/fan is not seated properly or working well.

 

[maranello550]

If i start the computer when its been of for a day, the fan would not go on full speed before the CPU get hot. I hear the fan adjusting a bit when im using the computer as well, but the core speed stay stuck on 1,73Ghz...

Wouldn't the CPU get hot as long as its stuck on 1,73, even if no processes is using it?

Here is my screendump from CoreTemp after computer had been on idle for one hour, i dont know if this is hot or not for a CPU...:

http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=201041&stc=1&d=1330714963

 

[fseal]

"Wouldn't the CPU get hot as long as its stuck on 1,73, even if no processes is using it?"

Well it'll run a warmer than if it were clocked down to 1100 or something, but even at 1700, it wont be anywhere near as hot when the computer is idling as it would be if you were running prime95 or any other program that maxx3ed out the CPU.

But those "idle" temps are pretty high, but laptops almost all run hot these days . If you HAD been running prime95 for an hour it probably would have come close to or hit the max temp I'd bet.

Is that the program you are using to test the frequency? It may not be accurately telling you the actual frequency, just the BIOS setting. It's hard to tell sometimes... I use the "All CPU Meter" desktop gadget and I know that it does show the actual to the second CPU speed. Might try that one out. (Most Wanted Windows Gadgets - Windows Vista and Windows 7)

 

[Britton30]

No, running at 1.73 won't overheat the CPU. I have one at 3.4 and its temp is 32-36 at idle. Try blowing out all of the vents and intakes on the laptop. Is it setting on your lap or a soft surface which may block airflow?

 

[maranello550]

Tried the app you suggested fseal, shows me the same: CPU usage on idle around 5% and clock 1733MHz.
I have blowed the fans twice, even disassembled the cover to make sure its clean. The computer is on a wooden table, nothing blocking the vents.
What do you think about updating the BIOS then, couldn't it be SpeedStep that mess it up?

 

[fseal]

I believe that the responsibility for allowing/enabling the variable clock rates is up to the BIOS.

There may be some reason that the laptop manufacturer turn that off permanently, maybe some of the other hardware couldn't deal with it or the main board was unstable with a changing clock rate.

What would be interesting is to find out if someone else on the boards (or on the net anywhere) has the same exact model and if the clock down at idle feature works on theirs or not.

 

[GeneO]

Ah, I didn't catch this was a laptop

So go to
control panel -> power options

Is it on balanced or power saver plan? If not use one of those plans.

If it is on one of those plans, choose
change plan settings, then choose change advance power settings.

Scroll down to Processor Power management and select Minimum processor state under it.
What does it say?

 

[maranello550]

Did update my BIOS tonight, to A1034IC1 V.7.04 07/17/07. Did not help...

GeneO: Already looked after this setting, but seems like theres no such option for my processor.
I have some options, dont know what they are called in the English win-version (mine is in Norwegian) but somthing like:

System cooling policy:
On battery: Passive/Active
On power: Passive/Active

Both these settings are set to passive (reduce clock speed before fan speed up.)

Im running on the Balanced plan - reset to standard settings.

 

[maranello550]

No more ideas?
Thanks for the help so fra though

 

[fseal]

I can't think of anything else atm... Laptops can get locked down in weird ways :/ Though this very function is very laptop oriented to reduce heat and power usage...

The only thing I can think of now is to try to verify for sure that that laptop even supports it, and that may be a challenge. The manufacturers tech support is likely to be completely useless for something like that (though worth the futile try at least).

Finding someone somewhere on the net with the same exact notebook would be good, can see what theirs is doing compared to yours...