ok, thanks again! I've got to run off to do some more work in the 'real' world but will be back tonight...thanks again.
Bill
0
LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
edited January 2007
Bill, considering that we haven't found a malware culprit, I'm wondering if the slowdown is heat induced. It could be that your CPU is overheating and motherboard coding is reducing the output of the CPU (processor). How long have you had this computer and have you ever cleaned out the dust and lint?
^^Good thought^^ The other thing that can cripple your CPU is the power settings. Have you changed those lately? Last I knew Toshiba had their own power management utility, but many of them can throttle a CPU down to a third of their capacity...all in the name of saving power...even when the $#@! thing is plugged in!
Right click on My Computer, then left click on Properties...you'll see a window like the attachment. See the number circled in red? Its the same as the one above it which means my processor is running at full power. If yours is running significantly slower than the full speed of your CPU, you might try something like "Always On" in power settings to see what that does for you.
Well...sounds like a couple of good suggestions. Actually my ram was cooked last year by it overheating and I replaced 1/2 of it and that fixed that. So maybe I do have to clean it out...how do I go about doing that?
And I did check that window and it says this:4-M CPU 2.00GHZ
1.99GHZ, 1 GB of Ram.
And you're right about Toshiba having it's own power utility...I have it set to favor performance over battery life and I think I've followed the winxp guide for audio for that setting...
Anyway...I'd like to try the dust/lint thing...can you talk me through it?
Thanks,
Bill
ps...I've had the computer for about 4 years or so and realllllly used it, so I've got my money's worth...still, I'd like to get another year or three from it if I can
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LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
edited January 2007
Four years on a properly maintained, quality laptop should not incur performance slowdowns. The best way to clean out a laptop is to perform a partial or complete disassembly, depending on the machine. This I would NOT recommend unless you are very handy with computer hardware. In your case, first try blowing compressed air through all the intake and exhaust vents on the laptop's case. You can use a hose from an air compressor if you know the compressor's air output to contain no lubricating oil droplets. Some compressors air discharge will contain lubricating oil from the compressor's piston. But then, the easiest way is just to use a can of compressed air, found at hardware and computer stores.
If you think you have the necessary skills, or lacking the skills are willing to accept risk, you can disassemble the laptop down to the heatsink/fan unit that cools the CPU. Don't even think about this procedure if you don't have access to a service manual. Once you have access to that heatsink, blow out the fan and the heatsink vanes with air. You could also remove the heatsink, remove the old factory thermal interface material and apply new thermal material. I would not recommend this unless you are sure you know what you are doing.
One of our members here at Short-Media posted a number of Toshiba laptop disassembly guides. Do a search for "Toshiba" and you should be able to find them.
hmm. well i tried to do it but chickened out when the case didn't easily come off...i think i'll just take it in and pay the 35 pounds to have it serviced. i'll let you guys know the results when i get it back...thanks again for all your suggestions.
bill
0
PterocarpousRosie the Riveter Lives On in CA, USA!New
...Right click on My Computer, then left click on Properties...you'll see a window like the attachment. See the number circled in red? Its the same as the one above it which means my processor is running at full power. If yours is running significantly slower than the full speed of your CPU, you might try something like "Always On" in power settings to see what that does for you...
Hey mtrox. Is this a feature built into the OEM OS on most LTs these days? I looked @ my desktops and my own old IBM LT. Didn't see that 2nd speed indicator. 'Course the OEM build on my ol' IBM went bye bye eons ago... And the desktops I built myself - so no OEM builds at my disposal to check this out at the moment...
0
PterocarpousRosie the Riveter Lives On in CA, USA!New
...Actually my ram was cooked last year by it overheating and I replaced 1/2 of it and that fixed that. So maybe I do have to clean it out...how do I go about doing that?...I've had the computer for about 4 years or so and realllllly used it, so I've got my money's worth...still, I'd like to get another year or three from it if I can
Hey Bill,
The fact that you had an over-heating problem w/ this system in the past is telling.
Was the root cause of the over-heating ever sorted out?
IOW (in other words), did you find out what the source of the over-heating problem was? (e.g. dead fan(s), blocked vents due to dust and dirt, etc. as Leonardo has suggested...)
-OR-
Was the overheating caused by blocked vents due to mishandling that caused the vents to be blocked while the system was running? e.g. sitting the LT (laptop computer) on something soft - like a pillow or blankets on a bed for instance - This is a very common mistake made by LT owners and it can cause a melt down very quickly...
-OR-
Was it (and I've seen this, too) just poor engineering on the part of the manufacturer. IOW, the system just runs hot, period.
It might've been prudent to replace all of your system RAM (memory) at the time you replaced the other system RAM module that failed as a result of over-heating. Surely, the remaining RAM suffered damage as well. Even if your RAM does pass a memory check, it could be degraded...
As has been suggested, I'd follow the over-heating angle and investigate that closely. This does require disassembling your LT, however and powering it on (to check fan(s)) w/ pieces & parts removed. If you're not comfortable w/ this then, definetly let an expert do it for you. LTs can be a devil to deal w/ when trying to get at their innards.
EDIT://
While you or the shop techs are at it, I'd recommend you test the app.' (application) you're having difficulty running with your current system RAM removed and a new module installed instead. (Even if it does pass memory diagnostics.)
No problem. I tried but couldn't figure it out, so I had to ask.
I've had some (not always, that's for sure) success consulting these and other online references when presented w/ an acronym, term, expression, word, etc. I didn't understand. Acronym Finder, Urban Dictionary & the old standby Wikipedia.
I'll take all of those considerations in with me when I talk to my tech guys. I think they 'serviced' the lt when I took it in, cleaned all the filters, changed the 'grease' (I guess this is on the heatsink)...at a later date, I replaced a faulty fan as well...so I guess this is an issue on this lt. A google search reveals that toshiba lt's are notorious for heat problems...so, I'll ask them to crack it open, clean all the fans/heatsinks/vents and to swap out ALL of the ram and see if that makes a difference.
I do have new lt coming on Wednesday but I'd like to have this as my backup and it can't do that if it can only to web searches
Thanks for your help and I'll let you know when I get it back what the verdict is.
Talk to you soon,
Bill
0
PterocarpousRosie the Riveter Lives On in CA, USA!New
...cleaned all the filters, changed the 'grease' (I guess this is on the heatsink)...
The "grease" is "heatsink compound" a.k.a. "thermal paste". This compound/paste is applied to the CPU where the heat sink assembly will come into contact with it. It (the heat sink compound) has special thermal conductive properties that aid in the transfer of heat from the CPU to the heat sink. The cooling of your CPU occurs by the heat being "wicked" off of the CPU and onto the heat sink. In turn the heat sink is cooled by (usually) a fan. This sets up a cycle of cooling. This cycle can be interrupted by a failed or failing fan or poor heat transfer from the CPU to the heat sink (caused by no heat sink compound or poor contact between the CPU and the heat sink). The CPU cooling cycle can also be interrupted or degraded if the ambient temperature inside the computer's case is too high for it to be adequately effective. This can be caused by blocked vents, failure of another fan w/in the case or (in some cases) poor design.
...at a later date, I replaced a faulty fan as well...so I guess this is an issue on this lt. A google search reveals that toshiba lt's are notorious for heat problems...so, I'll ask them to crack it open, clean all the fans/heatsinks/vents and to swap out ALL of the ram and see if that makes a difference...
Because this is a system that experiences overheating problems, as a matter of preventative maintenance, I'd recommend you have them R&R (remove and replace) the heat sink assembly fan and add thermal paste regardless of their findings (or the apparent condition of the fan).
...Thanks for your help and I'll let you know when I get it back what the verdict is...Talk to you soon, Bill...
You're certainly welcome, Bill. Yes, definetly keep us apprised.
Good luck! :smiles:
0
PterocarpousRosie the Riveter Lives On in CA, USA!New
edited January 2007
With respect to addressing the apparent inherent over-heating issue w/ this system, I recommend you always operate the LT (laptop computer) w/ it lifted up two or more inches from the surface. IOW (in other words), providing ample space between the bottom of the LT and the surface for air to be able to circulate around and inside the unit.
You can actually purchase mounts exactly for this purpose. Some even have fans built in. (I'd recommend one w/ fans.)
The mount (I'm not sure what to call it) rests on the surface and, in turn, the LT is placed atop the mount.
EDIT://
You can find examples of what I am referring to HERE & HERE.
For more references/sources, just perform a search in your favorite search engine on LAPTOP COOLING.
Comments
Bill
Right click on My Computer, then left click on Properties...you'll see a window like the attachment. See the number circled in red? Its the same as the one above it which means my processor is running at full power. If yours is running significantly slower than the full speed of your CPU, you might try something like "Always On" in power settings to see what that does for you.
Well...sounds like a couple of good suggestions. Actually my ram was cooked last year by it overheating and I replaced 1/2 of it and that fixed that. So maybe I do have to clean it out...how do I go about doing that?
And I did check that window and it says this:4-M CPU 2.00GHZ
1.99GHZ, 1 GB of Ram.
And you're right about Toshiba having it's own power utility...I have it set to favor performance over battery life and I think I've followed the winxp guide for audio for that setting...
Anyway...I'd like to try the dust/lint thing...can you talk me through it?
Thanks,
Bill
ps...I've had the computer for about 4 years or so and realllllly used it, so I've got my money's worth...still, I'd like to get another year or three from it if I can
If you think you have the necessary skills, or lacking the skills are willing to accept risk, you can disassemble the laptop down to the heatsink/fan unit that cools the CPU. Don't even think about this procedure if you don't have access to a service manual. Once you have access to that heatsink, blow out the fan and the heatsink vanes with air. You could also remove the heatsink, remove the old factory thermal interface material and apply new thermal material. I would not recommend this unless you are sure you know what you are doing.
One of our members here at Short-Media posted a number of Toshiba laptop disassembly guides. Do a search for "Toshiba" and you should be able to find them.
bill
The fact that you had an over-heating problem w/ this system in the past is telling.
Was the root cause of the over-heating ever sorted out?
IOW (in other words), did you find out what the source of the over-heating problem was? (e.g. dead fan(s), blocked vents due to dust and dirt, etc. as Leonardo has suggested...)
-OR-
Was the overheating caused by blocked vents due to mishandling that caused the vents to be blocked while the system was running? e.g. sitting the LT (laptop computer) on something soft - like a pillow or blankets on a bed for instance - This is a very common mistake made by LT owners and it can cause a melt down very quickly...
-OR-
Was it (and I've seen this, too) just poor engineering on the part of the manufacturer. IOW, the system just runs hot, period.
It might've been prudent to replace all of your system RAM (memory) at the time you replaced the other system RAM module that failed as a result of over-heating. Surely, the remaining RAM suffered damage as well. Even if your RAM does pass a memory check, it could be degraded...
As has been suggested, I'd follow the over-heating angle and investigate that closely. This does require disassembling your LT, however and powering it on (to check fan(s)) w/ pieces & parts removed. If you're not comfortable w/ this then, definetly let an expert do it for you. LTs can be a devil to deal w/ when trying to get at their innards.
EDIT://
While you or the shop techs are at it, I'd recommend you test the app.' (application) you're having difficulty running with your current system RAM removed and a new module installed instead. (Even if it does pass memory diagnostics.)
Sorry 'bout the confusion...
I'll take all of those considerations in with me when I talk to my tech guys. I think they 'serviced' the lt when I took it in, cleaned all the filters, changed the 'grease' (I guess this is on the heatsink)...at a later date, I replaced a faulty fan as well...so I guess this is an issue on this lt. A google search reveals that toshiba lt's are notorious for heat problems...so, I'll ask them to crack it open, clean all the fans/heatsinks/vents and to swap out ALL of the ram and see if that makes a difference.
I do have new lt coming on Wednesday but I'd like to have this as my backup and it can't do that if it can only to web searches
Thanks for your help and I'll let you know when I get it back what the verdict is.
Talk to you soon,
Bill
Good luck! :smiles:
You can actually purchase mounts exactly for this purpose. Some even have fans built in. (I'd recommend one w/ fans.)
The mount (I'm not sure what to call it) rests on the surface and, in turn, the LT is placed atop the mount.
EDIT://
You can find examples of what I am referring to HERE & HERE.
For more references/sources, just perform a search in your favorite search engine on LAPTOP COOLING.