Hp Spectre x360 (13-ac033nf) 2017 i5-7200 stuck at 0.38GHz

[Elebihan]

Hi.

A friend of mine just gave me this Spectre x360 to repair. It worked flawlessly duringthe last two years. 

But since a few months, it's slooooow. CPU stays at 0.38GHz instead of 2.7Ghz.

The charger is the original genuine one, and there's no hardware problem (heat / fan), because...

it works perfectly in Linux or in Windows 10 IF you boot in FAILSAFE mode : Cpu stays at 2.7Ghz and PC is fast.

Note that there's no difference running it on battery or using the charger. Windows Power management is correctly detecting the charger, report charging, and it stays at 0.38 on both case in standard mode (or 2.7Ghz in Failsafe mode).

My friend tried to fix it: upgrading Bios to latest (F.51), upgrade Management Engine, restoring from factory backup, complete windows 10 reinstall. Nope.

2.7Ghz in safe mode, 0.38 in standard mode.

Unable to fix it, he gave it to me as a challenge.

I also tried to change power management, test / upgrade  intel Dynamic Thermal Driver. Nope.

reset Bios to factory setup, reinstall latest version of bios. Nope.

Downloaded with HP Cloud restore the latest HP Image (1709) for that particular P/N & S/N.

Wipe out the SSD.

Reinstall from HP Latest image....It tooks age to reinstall (More than 4 hours). Fail. Still at 0.38Ghz.

Wipe out the SSD, reinstall image and do not allow to connect to Internet (ie no update).

Stock image -> 0.38GHz.

Any advice welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[The_Fossette]

@Elebihan

I reviewed your post and I understand that the CPU is throttling at 0.38Mhz when you boot to Windows normally.

Don’t worry, I assure you I will try my best to get this sorted.

I see that you already performed all the relevant steps. I recommend you run a system test on the computer to make sure whether it is a software or a hardware related issue.

Follow the steps in the below article to run the test.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03467259

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

P.S: Welcome to the HP Support Community 😊

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

Stay Home – Stay Safe

[Elebihan]

Hi.

Meanwhile, I had made a few more tests:

- I downloaded ThrottleStop. It show that the CPU is at 40°c on each core, and that PL1 is hit (RED).

I decided to run the embedded UEFI test, and windows installed a few updates on shutdown.

There was no problem / Error reported while testing. I made All Power Test battery, AC Adapter/charger tests and extensive test

I noticed that the battery is advertised as a bit more than 5000mAh and is now at about 3600mAh. (62%). But charged at 100% (3600/3600).

I was decided to downgrade the Bios to F50 (dec '19), so I downloaded the SP on another PC on a USB stick and I exited the UEFI test to allow Windows to boot and launch the bios upgrader.

To my surprise, it took less than 10s. spinning Dots were fast. And guess what ? Cpu at 3.07Ghz.

I let windows 10 finish install any updates (it was booting in 1903), then the 1909 upgrade.

tested it on battery, on charger, reboot. shutdown. 5x each and each time it worked.

I used OCCT to test stress the Thermal Platform and there  was no problem during the 1H run: Thermal package was lowered from 18W to 14W to get 75°c max on each core, fan spinning. And I soon as the test stopped, CPU was working at 3.07Ghz and temperature range was 40°c.

So basically it works. And I don't know why.

I'm worried because I do not know what happened, and HOW or what was corrected. 

Can it be because I made a successfull battery test in uefi ? Or one of HP drivers update Windows installed on shutdown / reboot ?

[The_Fossette]

@Elebihan

Perfect, I am really glad to hear that the issue is resolved.

Even I am not sure what fixed the issue. However, the good news is the computer is working fine.

If any other questions arise, please feel free to write back to me.

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

Stay Home – Stay Safe