laptop Laptop Processor Speed Problem

[Necrovarius]

Hey Everyone,

Long time viewer of LTT, first time poster, because I have reached my wits end!

 

I own a small computer repair shop in MN. I am an MCT (Micro Computer Technician)

So I have a fair bit of knowledge when it comes to the inner-workings of computers.

However, this one is stumping me, and I have an idea of what it might be, but doubt myself.

 

Here is the situation:

I have a Dell Inspiron 15 3000 series laptop. With an i3 5th gen. U processor that is dual core 2.1Ghz.

It was brought to me as it was slow and not responding as it should. So I took a look and ran some Windows updates (1903).

That didn't fix the issue, and the responsiveness was all over the place. So I fired up Open Hardware Monitor and found that the Processor was stuck at 499Mhz.

 

Here is what I tried to solve the issue:

Thermal Paste is new.

Bios Flash

Messed with C-states

Reg edit something that I cannot remember that controls usage of cores and speed.

Changed to high performance profile under power management.

 

Nothing has worked. Now here is another thing, it runs off battery with the same issues. However, it will not take a charge anymore from the wall.

i have replaced the AC plug inside the machine once already like 6 months ago, but its loose again. So my thought is that the processor is starving for power, but then, the laptop has the same issue if its running on battery power.

 

So I am stumped what could be causing it to hold at 499Mhz no matter what I throw at it?

[Skiiwee29]

Sounds like a windows problem.. what happens if you throw a fresh windows install on it?

[Necrovarius]

That is the one thing i have not tried. I wanted to exhaust everything else before going that route. Since it is a clients laptop, I would have to do a full backup and fresh install, which frankly, takes a bit.

 

Besides, what within windows would change such a thing?

[xAcid9]

Try force the clockspeed with ThrottleStop by UncleWebb. If it able to hold the speed underload then it's not power delivery related imo.

[Skiiwee29]

1 minute ago, Necrovarius said:

That is the one thing i have not tried. I wanted to exhaust everything else before going that route. Since it is a clients laptop, I would have to do a full backup and fresh install, which frankly, takes a bit.

 

Besides, what within windows would change such a thing?

Do you have a spare drive laying around? I would use that first to avoid that need first. Test it that way and see if it responds with the fresh install before going through the pain of backing up and doing it without it being the cause. 

[doomsriker]

2 minutes ago, Necrovarius said:

That is the one thing i have not tried. I wanted to exhaust everything else before going that route. Since it is a clients laptop, I would have to do a full backup and fresh install, which frankly, takes a bit.

 

Besides, what within windows would change such a thing?

just throw in another drive with windows on it. no need to touch the client's also I think the motherboard may be on its last legs and that is the reason for this issue and the charging issue. 

[Necrovarius]

I will check out ThrottleStop, is it easy to use and understand. Anything I should know about it before I get started. If that doesn't work i will do a fresh install. 

That would be easier than doing a full teardown/repair if its not needed.

 

Honestly thinking about it, I will probably have to do a teardown anyways because the charger isnt charging.

[Necrovarius]

25 minutes ago, doomsriker said:

just throw in another drive with windows on it. no need to touch the client's also I think the motherboard may be on its last legs and that is the reason for this issue and the charging issue. 

I was initially thinking the motherboard, but I have been fooled before in the past. Power can do the strangest things. After I use ThrottleStop, I will try doing a fresh boot on spare drive I have lying around. If that doesnt work, I don't think it would be worth replacing the motherboard, and parts. I would then just tell her to buy a new laptop. 

[doomsriker]

1 minute ago, Necrovarius said:

I was initially thinking the motherboard, but I have been fooled before in the past. Power can do the strangest things. After I use ThrottleStop, I will try doing a fresh boot on spare drive I have lying around. If that doesnt work, I don't think it would be worth replacing the motherboard, and parts. I would then just tell her to buy a new laptop. 

agreed not worth it if the board has died/ is on its last legs

[Nord]

3 hours ago, Necrovarius said:

I will check out ThrottleStop, is it easy to use and understand. Anything I should know about it before I get started. If that doesn't work i will do a fresh install. 

That would be easier than doing a full teardown/repair if its not needed.

 

Honestly thinking about it, I will probably have to do a teardown anyways because the charger isnt charging.

For testing purposes intel XTU is probably easier to get into. Throttle stop is better overall, but has a way worse UI and is harder to get used to.

 

Dell laptops are cunts when it comes to power delivery.
The problem you are looking at can be caused by the charger, charging port, battery or simply a somewhat loose cable somewhere.
It's most likely that the battery isn't plugged in properly or just broke.

[Necrovarius]

UPDATE:

 

I went back to the laptop today, went into the bios to make sure it was recognizing the CPU properly, cause I forgot I didnt do that. I reset the bios to default setting (Just in case, now it is running at the proper 2.1Ghz (For now) Still got 100% disk usage, but I think I can deal with that.

[Necrovarius]

One more further update:

 

Windows Update took forever once again, resulting in 100% disk usage for like 3 hours. This really concerns me, because it really wasn't using the disk to full potential, only  a few MB/s. 

After a while of sitting, it calmed down and I got decent performance out of it.

I was able to pull up candy crush (As that is what got my client to call me in the first place) and that loaded fine (albeit slow).

The system works but it just feels unstable. Like a Mr. Hyde feeling (for anyone that gets that reference). 

It boots fine, and the battery is once again charging which means it is a faulty power port (for the 3rd time) 

 

Any other suggestions to help alleviate this feeling? Is there something you do on your repairs that is standard that I might not do?