How can I make a Pentium M based laptop not suck when on batteries?

[StageLeft]

1.7 ghz Dell Latitude D800. When I pull the power cable out I notice that the things speed drops through the floor, because an otherwise perfectly playable movie becomes choppy and stupid. Surely I can change this but I can't see any option for it. Thanks!

 

[bacillus]

you can either go to control panel>power options & temporarily set the scheme to always on or minimal power management.
alternatively depending on what videocard you have there may be a power option when running on batteries under advanced settings in display properties.

 

[sharkeeper]

My XPS does this and the processor is 3.4 NW which does not cock down. It must be the MR800 doing this as it is only noticeable when playing a game like Painkiller. It's annoying because I basically have to be tethered to shore power any time I want to play a game.

Yes I have "power play" disabled and power management set so it should NOT do this to no avail. It must be in the video card BIOS.

Speaking of painkiller...WTF are my percocets?

Cheers!