MS X2 Hotfix Necessary?

[GTaudiophile]

I will be helping someone build an Epox 9NPA+ULTRA/X2 3800+ system tomorrow. I will be following this order of operations:

PRE-BIOS-UPDATE TESTS:

1) Memtest
2) HDD test

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION:

1) BIOS Update
2) Windows XP
3) SP2
4) Windows Update
5) nVidia Chipset Driver (NO IDE, audio, Firewall, etc.)
6) AMD Driver
7) MS Hotfix w/ Registry Fix
8) Install GPU driver
9) All remaining drivers.

Is step 7 necessary? If so, can someone link me to the appropriate MS web page? TIA!

 

[Serch]

Sorry to ask instead of answer, but I'll be constructing a system in two days. I would like to know if the utility you use to check HDD "pre bios update" is scandisk or which?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Serch
Sorry to ask instead of answer, but I'll be constructing a system in two days. I would like to know if the utility you use to check HDD "pre bios update" is scandisk or which?

Usually a utility from the manufacturers's web site...

http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp?cxml=n&pid=15&swid=2

 

[Serch]

The diagnostic ones?

 

[Serch]

maybe this helps..

http://blogs.pcworld.com/tipsandtweaks/archives/001073.html

 

[grooge]

The idea about patches is, if your don't need them, you don't install them. Build the system, see if it run good and that's all you have to know ..

 

[jasonlclei]

I have a x2 3800+ and I haven't installed the hotfix yet; my system is running stable. But the AMD driver is a must, at least for me.

However, I am interested in getting the hotfix... Could you give me a link plez?

Thanks.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I will be helping someone build an Epox 9NPA+ULTRA/X2 3800+ system tomorrow. I will be following this order of operations:

PRE-BIOS-UPDATE TESTS:

1) Memtest
2) HDD test

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION:

1) BIOS Update
2) Windows XP
3) SP2
4) Windows Update
5) nVidia Chipset Driver (NO IDE, audio, Firewall, etc.)
6) AMD Driver
7) MS Hotfix w/ Registry Fix
8) Install GPU driver
9) All remaining drivers.

Is step 7 necessary? If so, can someone link me to the appropriate MS web page? TIA!

I thought you only had to go into the registry for the X2 hotfix, is if you wanted to REVERSE the entries made by the X2 hotfix?? At least that is from the instructions on the Microsoft site..

 

[Mem]

HOTFIX is not necessary,only thing you should really install from AMD is the X2 driver.


All my games work great without the hotfix which is only needed for those that still have problems which are far and few,my mate just got his Epox 9NPA +ultra board and only installed the x2 driver like me and is one happy gamer,0 problems.


Btw I read Microsoft are going to bring out a proper fix later in an update for XP ,so the hotfix is only temporary until then.

 

[evilharp]

Originally posted by: Mem
HOTFIX is not necessary,only thing you should really install from AMD is the X2 driver.


All my games work great without the hotfix which is only needed for those that still have problems which are far and few,my mate just got his Epox 9NPA +ultra board and only installed the x2 driver like me and is one happy gamer,0 problems.


Btw I read Microsoft are going to bring out a proper fix later in an update for XP ,so the hotfix is only temporary until then.

Incorrect, the Hotfix is neccessary.

I have an X2, and I had lots of problems with some (i.e. older) applications. Initially, I had to work around the problems by forcing affinity for a given applcation to a specific core. The hotfix (with the registry key set to a value of "1") resolved all the problems for me. Note: some forum members indicate that the Madden games are still pooched, so get ready for some affinity issues.

GTaudiophile: Follow the steps, and enjoy your X2. With your bios setup (step 1), look for switches to enable/disable multi-core. Some motherboards have them apparently, and some default to single-core.

 

[Mem]

Incorrect, the Hotfix is neccessary.

It is not,they recommend you only install it if you still get problems and can't fix your issue by any other means,FYI I game a lot and have yet to run into any gaming problems,infact I know a lot of gamers that don't have the hotfix installed in their PC ,and it is running fine with their X2 CPU without it.

There are people like you that still have problems so need the hotfix but are in the minority compared to those that don't need the hotfix.
AMD X2 driver seems to work and fix problems for most people,however there will always be exceptions like in your case.


One more thing if you do install the hotfix follow it to the letter .Disabling Cool and Quiet in BIOS too solves a lot of problems.

Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix..

 

[Mem]

There is a very good guide and info at HARDOCP forumslink on info for hotfix,X2 driver install etc .

One or combination of those 4 methods should fix all your gaming solutions.

 

[CpuDesigner]

Mem, thanks fo the link to the HARDOCP forum thread.

Here is a link to Microsoft Support's problem report (Article ID 896256): Computers that are running Windows XP Service Pack 2 and that are equipped with multiple processors that support processor power management features may experience decreased performance

FYI: While it appears there are two versions of AMD's Processor "drivers": one for the Athlon X2, the other for Opterons; they both point to the same executible.