Getting going...

Not a day goes by that I don't learn something new. Sometimes it isn't that significant, but some days can be eye-opening.

I decided a bit ago to begin making notes of the interesting things I learn each day. Sometimes, it is something technical, and will require explanation - other times, it may be insights into personalities, or just something that I find neat.

Of course, I may learn things that everyone else already knows - and that's okay. I figure there are going to be others that may need the clue I only just found!

In any case, that's the introduction. On to the thing I learned.

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I was concerned that there was something wrong with my laptop, because while sitting at my desk all day, the system would get quite warm. There is a direct correlation between heat and reduction in an electronic component's lifespan (as well as a corresponding increase in my power bill), so I felt it important to determine why my laptop was running hot.

Most heat in a computer system is created by the stationary electronic components - mainly the processors (GPU or CPU). This laptop is a Dell Inspiron 8600, with a 1.6GHz Pentium-M processor - a CPU well known for low power consumption.

In troubleshooting this, I discovered that Windows XP gives you the ability to adjust the CPU's SpeedStep configuration. SpeedStep allows the CPU to drop to a lower-power mode in order to minimize power consumption (maximize battery life, reduce system heat). Drivers for this have been available for all versions of Windows since Windows 95. Windows XP integrated the driver, so it functions without any notification to the user that it is there.

To change the SpeedStep mode, go to the Power Options, and adjust the "Power Scheme". There is a good amount of info at Bay Wolf's Support Site.

Addendum 30 September 2007 - One of the fellows who developed SpeedStep documents its behavior in XP in greater detail.