Processor x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 1 GenuineIntel ~249 Mhz upgrade

well first things first...you say its supposed to be a 500mhz system...

head over to intel and download their cpuid utility and it will tell you what the proc really is...

waffle

You could also use CPU-Z from www.cpuid.com
What Windows is showing you could be due to "SpeedStep" being enabled on the machine (but I don't recall a P-III mobile with a speedstep that went down so far as 250MHz).  You can download SpeedStep software from Intel I believe (or it might have to come from Acer directly, but their download page for your model at http://www.acersupport.com/notebook/html/tm340_dl.html doesn't list SpeedStep.) There is a "Notebook Manager" software that you might use to control the CPU speed.  There are probably several different sub-models of the TravelMate 340 with various CPU speeds (the slowest P3m was 450MHz I believe...).  What is the precise model number of the system (probably on the bottom label, ie. Travelmate 341T, etc)?

Generally, its not really worth upgrading the CPU in a notebook, as the CPUs are more expensive than a normal desktop CPU of the same speed, also they're harder to find, plus the benefit gained is fairly minimal.  In general (again) more benefit will be gained from adding more memory to the system.  See here:
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Acer%2BTravelMate&mfr=Acer&cat=RAM&model=TravelMate+340T&submit=Go
You could add 128MB for ~$50.  Check how many open slots you have though first, if you just have the stock memory configuration, you should have 1 slot open still (it only has 2 slots)

-dog*

The CPUID util waffle mentioned is here:
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Detail_Desc.asp?agr=N&ProductID=55&DwnldID=3088

-dog*

BIOS update may help correct this also:
http://www.acersupport.com/library/ti_note/340bios.exe

-dog*

Some laptops which pre-dated SpeedStep used their own mechanisms to run the processor at different speeds, but these were usually extremely primitive--e.g. they'd run the CPU at half speed when on batteries, but full speed when running off AC power. This might explain the strange processor speed reading.

As far as upgrade alot of lap tops do not give you any options for upgrading.  You will have to check with have to figure out what mainboard your laptop has and then look it up on the web to see if it is upgradeable.

your laptop would probably overheat with a faster processor.

phir:
Anything else we can explain or advise you about??

-dog*

I ran cpu z software and this is what it says -

Intel Pentium III E 500 Mhz
Family = 6
Model = 8
Stepping =1
Core Speed = 249.5
Multiplier = 5.0
FSB = 49.9
Bus = 49.9

Main Board Ali Alladin Pro

I don't know what this means. PLease can some one explain.

what it is telling you is that you need to head into the bios and see if you can change the fsb(front side bus) speed from 50 to 100

your cpu is a 500 mhx and is made to run at a multiplier of
5

so if you say 5x50=250~
it should be 5x100=500~

It means that your computer is a intel pentium 500.  That it has a muliplier of 5 and a front side bus of 50.  The bus and fsb are how fast the computer can talk to itself basicaly.  That is how fast information can move back and forth over the motherbard to the memory to the chipsets and to the processor.  The model and family are just numbers intel assigns.  Your core speed must be how fast the core of your processor runs.  That bit i am less sure on.

how you change fsb = 100 and what about bus speed. Is it safe to do that.

You only want to go upto 100 I doubt it goes any higher, but it would be unstable if it did.  

You enter your bios, and there will be a FSB option, it will be set on 50, change it to 100.  It will be with the processor information.

Well, I've never seen a FSB setting on a laptop...sounds to me like "SpeedStep" is running to keep the CPU cool.  Check the BIOS for an option "Smart CPU mode" or something similar, or anything regarding Speedstep.  Set it to Disabled or Maximum Performance, etc...

-dog*

Hi,
    I cannot find FSB setting in my bios setting. Looks like it is disabled or that option does not exist. Is there any other way I can update the fsb setting.

THanks,

phir

Yeah, so:
Comment from dogztar  Date: 05/15/2003 10:59PM CST  
Well, I've never seen a FSB setting on a laptop...sounds to me like "SpeedStep" is running to keep the CPU cool.  Check the BIOS for an option "Smart CPU mode" or something similar, or anything regarding Speedstep.  Set it to Disabled or Maximum Performance, etc...
----------------------
Also did you check for "CPU energy savings" or something similar?  Did you download the "Notebook Manager" software for your Windows version from the page I linked to above? (http://www.acersupport.com/notebook/html/tm340_dl.html)?  Maybe it will allow you to adjust the powermode there.

-dog*  

Yeah, so:
Comment from dogztar  Date: 05/15/2003 10:59PM CST  
Well, I've never seen a FSB setting on a laptop...sounds to me like "SpeedStep" is running to keep the CPU cool.  Check the BIOS for an option "Smart CPU mode" or something similar, or anything regarding Speedstep.  Set it to Disabled or Maximum Performance, etc...
----------------------
Also did you check for "CPU energy savings" or something similar?  Did you download the "Notebook Manager" software for your Windows version from the page I linked to above? (http://www.acersupport.com/notebook/html/tm340_dl.html)?  Maybe it will allow you to adjust the powermode there.

-dog*  

Yeah, so:
Comment from dogztar  Date: 05/15/2003 10:59PM CST  
Well, I've never seen a FSB setting on a laptop...sounds to me like "SpeedStep" is running to keep the CPU cool.  Check the BIOS for an option "Smart CPU mode" or something similar, or anything regarding Speedstep.  Set it to Disabled or Maximum Performance, etc...
----------------------
Also did you check for "CPU energy savings" or something similar?  Did you download the "Notebook Manager" software for your Windows version from the page I linked to above? (http://www.acersupport.com/notebook/html/tm340_dl.html)?  Maybe it will allow you to adjust the powermode there.

-dog*  

I have installed the win2k version of notebook manaer but no help.

Well, just installing it won't do anything...I'm not familiar with that program (no Acer laptop) but check its configuration for any settings for Power Savings, or Battery Life, etc.

-dog*

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waffleironhead
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