Ok... so this Dual Core malarkey...

[tiggerai]

... yes i know, i'm a bit late...

BUT I've finally got my first Dual Core PC up and running (after a borked stick of RAM and a BIOS flash later)

So, I can't see the 2 cores in Task manager, is that right?

What Monitoring software is good these days? (Temps are important on the GFX and CPU as this beast *ahem* will be Folding...)

I'll be asking lots of silly questions I'm sure, but I know you guys will help a damsel in distress

[SiM]

you should see 2 cores in the task manager... 2 mini cpu usage graphs...

core temp for cpu temp and everest for everything else

[TAKTAK]

Everest.

if your on vista then there is a sidebar gadget for everest aswell
but you should have 2 graphs

[tiggerai]

Vista? PAH!

Hmm... Bios now knows it's a x2, so it's just windows that doesn't (did the BIOS flash after the install, so would that have made a difference?)

[Fraz]

Is it the classic problem of not having the SMP kernal installed?

[TAKTAK]

In task manager if you go to the 'Performance' tab, from there if you go to View > CPU Histroy > One Graph Per CPU and i think that should sort it

[TAKTAK]

Failing the above, you may need to re-install XP

taken from elder geek:

When XP is first installed it tries to determine what type of BIOS is available on the computer. Newer systems have what is known as Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) capability. Unfortunately, XP doesn't always recognize a computer BIOS is ACPI capable and doesn't install the support for ACPI. Even more unfortunate is the fact that if ACPI support isn't determined at the initial install it's virtually impossible to correct this at a later time short of reinstalling XP over the top of the previous XP installation. To do so requires changing the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL). The chances of successfully changing a HAL after XP has been installed is pretty close to zilch.

Once you drop the CD in the tray and fire up the computer to install XP, the first thing you'll see at the bottom of the screen is the option to press F6 if you need to install a SCSI or RAID controller. Don't press F6. Press F5 instead. This will take you to a separate menu of Hardware Abstraction Layer's where you can choose an appropriate HAL that supports ACPI. The choices will be:

ACPI Multiprocessor PC

ACPI Uniprocessor PC

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC

Compaq SystemPro Multiprocessor or 100% Compatible PC

MPS Uniprocessor PC

MPS Multiprocessor PC

Standard PC

Standard PC with C-Step i486

Other

In the majority of installations the 'Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC' HAL is the one you will want to use. A few cautions are also in order:

Obtain and install the latest BIOS for your motherboard before you begin the XP installation.

Equally as important as using the proper HAL on ACPI capable systems, is NOT using it on systems that are not ACPI compatible. The install may complete but the system will almost surely fail to start when it reboots.

There are situations where it is definitely not desirable to use an ACPI HAL even if it is supported by the BIOS. This predominately applies to servers, but to ensure that an ACPI HAL will not be used or automatically detected and used, press F7 instead of F5 as discussed previously.

Considering the number of problems that users have with systems not shutting down completely I wonder why this feature is not prominently mentioned and documented. It could save many headaches, but now you know. A good piece of knowledge to have tucked away for your next XP install.

As a final note, to determine if your computer was detected as being ACPI enabled:

Right click My Computer then click Properties > Hardware > Device Manager.
Expand the entry called Computer.

If the entry is 'Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC' you're all set. If it says 'Standard PC' the computer BIOS was not detected as being ACPI capable.

the original page is HERE

[tiggerai]

ok, well it definitely installed an ACPI somethingorother yesterday after I updated the BIOS, maybe I'll give it another check tonight.

[Fraz]

Or see the thread I posted in on the same HAL SMP kernal problem here:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...rried-now.html

[tiggerai]

AH HA(L)!

thanks Fraz, I'll give that a go tonight.

[s_kinton]

Once the above is sorted. Make sure you've installed the AMD dual core package from MS:

Game performance may be poor on a Windows XP-based computer that is using a dual-core processor

[tiggerai]

Yay!

I knew you boys would come up with the goods. Thanks all.

Now to find a couple of choice games to give it a workout...

[aidanjt]

You should (technically speaking) be able to change your HAL model from ACPI Uniprocessor to ACPI Multiprocessor without resorting to a full reinstall of the OS. However, theory and Microsoft rarely get along, but it's worth a shot, worse case scenario is having to nuke your install, which you'd have to do anyway.

[tiggerai]

and I only reinstalled yesterday anyway, so no biggy if I do...

[Fraz]

Ignore me....