Topic by Michael H

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Topic: SpeedSwitchXP users?

Has anyone here tried SpeedSwitchXP while running Pianoteq, and other applications, on an Windows XP laptop when battery operated?

I've had success with it so far by using the 'maximum performance' setting thereby keeping the processor running at full speed, and avoiding the glitches that would otherwise be caused. I am a little bit concerned however whether or not this is a wise thing to do, and whether I should do something about fan speed too.

Any users of this app, and any recommendations?

Reply by skip

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

I've used it, and it worked fine.  For a reason that I can't quite remember, though, I'm just using the standard power profiles at the moment.
On my Dell E6500, the "Always On" profile disables processor throttling in exactly the same manner as SpeedSwitchXP - even when running on battery power.  This can be verified by using the POWERCFG /Q command at the command window prompt. (the throttling should display as "NONE")

The Intel Processor ID Utility can be used to check the current CPU frequency if desired.

Greg.

Last edited by skip (19-04-2010 02:14)

Reply by julien

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

On Windows and Linux, since version 3.6, Pianoteq also displays the real-time CPU frequency in its options/perf panel, so it is quite easy to check if the CPU is running or not at full speed all the time.

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Reply by Michael H

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

Thanks Greg, I tried 'always on' and it works fine. I don't know why, but for some reason I thought Windows XP had no setting to disable throttling.

Thanks Julien for that information, and for giving us all such a fine, expressive instrument.

Michael

Reply by olepro

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

Wow !
Pianoteq just rescued me from a problem i've had for some time now.
My laptop has been weak on some of my projects and i could not understand why.
Pianoteq showed me that my processor was running on half speed !!  Somehow it was on another energy profile only running at 900 mhz instead of 1.8 ghz !!
I just got my good old laptop back   Why didn't i think about that energy preserving thing and when did it change ??

Thanks a-lot for that and thanks again for a great instrument ! :-)

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Reply by mooks

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

Windows XP didn't have SpeedStep control built in until service pack 2, which is why we needed that SpeedSwitchXP early on.

Reply by Michael H

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

Thanks mooks, that explains my faulty assumption!

Reply by skip

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

I think I remember the reason why I stopped using SpeedswitchXP - I lost other features of power saving, most importantly the ability to switch the monitor off after a certain amount of time.  Is there a way to have SpeedswitchXP do this? I imagine there would be other utilities to do this, however I then lose the "one click" convenience which I like about SpeedswitchXP - if I'm going to have to use a seperate utility, I may as well just use the standard Windows power schemes.

What might be the best solution for me is to find a utility that allows me to very quickly switch between standard Windows power schemes, rather than have to drill down in the settings. Any suggestions?

What I want is for the screen to stay on when I have it configured for high performance mode (for use with audio), but for the screen to turn off when inactive when I switch it back to general purpose use.

Greg.

Reply by mooks

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

skip wrote:

What might be the best solution for me is to find a utility that allows me to very quickly switch between standard Windows power schemes, rather than have to drill down in the settings. Any suggestions?

Drag the Power Options icon to the desktop to make a shortcut. Apply a keyboard shortcut (right click -> properties) if you want.

Reply by skip

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

Thanks - that's actually very good! I have never used the Power Options icon before - I didn't know it existed. I have always right-clicked on the Desktop, gone into Screen Saver, and then Power Options.  What a ninny.

Greg.

Reply by Michael H

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

skip wrote:

Thanks - that's actually very good! I have never used the Power Options icon before - I didn't know it existed. I have always right-clicked on the Desktop, gone into Screen Saver, and then Power Options.  What a ninny.

Greg.

Hey Greg,

Me too. Where IS the power options icon?

Michael

Reply by skip

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

In the Control Panel.

Greg.

Reply by Michael H

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Re: SpeedSwitchXP users?

Thanks Greg,

This stuff is simple WHEN you know how..