Re: Changing CPU Speed while running Linux

[Magnus Sandberg]

Hi,

I have a brand new Dell Inspiron 8000, laptop. It can run in 700 MHz or
850 MHz. The manual says that the machine/BIOS switches speed dependent on 
CPU load. I have not installed Linux yet, but it works with Win2000.

It is also possible to force the BIOS to one speed if the OS don't like 
speed changes.

Would Linux accept sudden changes of CPU clock rate or is it only the the OS 
initiate the change of speed it is accepted?

I agree with you that it should be a generic thing. I guess that more and 
more laptops will get dual-speed CPUs.

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 ----- On 13th of June 2001 Arjan van de Ven wrote; -----

Geggus wrote:
> 
> Hi there,
> 
> on my Elan410 based System it is very easy to change the CPU clock speed
> by means od two outb commands.
> 
> I was wondering, if it does some harm to the Kernel if the CPU is
> reprogrammed using a different CPU clock speed, while the system is up and
> running.

I have a module for the K6 PowerNow which allows you to do

echo 450 > /proc/sys/cpu/0/frequency

and does the right thing wrt udelay / bogomips etc..
I can dig it out if you want.. sounds like this should be a more generic
thing.

Greetings,
  Arjan van de Ven