Windows XP only detects 1 core with my amd 4400 dual-core system

[Slider821]

Hi. This is my first post, I hope this is the correct forum to post it in.

I just upgraded my computer with a new motherboard (Asus A8V-Deluxe) and CPU (AMD 400+ x2 dual core). I did a clean install of XP and then installed all the updates & patches, and I went to the AMD website and got their drivers for the x2 cpu's.

When I go into Control panel > System, it shows my processor as "AMD Athlon(tm) or AMD Opteron(tm) Processor-mo" It doesnt detect what Processor I actually have, and in task manager it only shows one cpu graph. I also can't right click on any processes and select "affinity" beacuse the option isnt avaliable becuase it doesn't detect my dual cores!

Screenshot of my comp's System and Task manager
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=360369

Screenshot of what my comp's System and Task manager SHOULD look like:
(Image pulled from google)
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=360358

Also related to this persons problem at experts-exchange, but i cant see the solution becuase I am not a paying member.
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Microchips/Q_21658622.html

Someone please help!

 

[RichUK]

Flash it with the latest BIOS.

for you

EDIT: lol i used to be a member of Experts Exchange, im gonna see if i can find my account, you only have to solve 10,000 points worth of answers under the free account until you can post as many questions as you like for free. You can do this with 5 answers answered correctly with a 500 point value with a grade of A given, quite easy I did it I cant remember how many points I accrued I remember it was quite a few though. Cool I forgot about this for a little while.

Just a note For anyone looking to build experience in a support role this is a good idea, since you get grades for different levels of points accrued in each of the sections. Also the employers can see your ability first hand. Ive moved on to a much higher level of support now, but it is a good start for showing evidence of you ability.

Hey thanks for the reminder of this site

 

[Slider821]

I did the asus easy update thingy that comes with the asus motherboard CD. It supposedly updates the bios the the new revision. After I did that it appeared that the bios was updated, although my cpu was still not revognized.

Do you suggest to flash with a floppy? To verify, I would put the revision on a floppy and insert it, reboot and in bios select boot from floppy, and then what do i do?

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[Diogenes2]

If the BIOS ( Boot Screen ) did not show dual core before you installed XP, you have to go to hardware device mgr and update the ' Computer ' driver to multi-CPU...

 

[evilharp]

Here are some steps to follow:

1) Flash to the latest bios for your motherboard. Verify that the flash worked (the bios version # usually appears during post).
2) Check the bios to see if you need to enable dual-core support. Some bios have the ability to switch a core on and off.
3) Install the X2 Driver for your OS. Reboot.
4) Verify that your OS (XP) is in "ACPI Multiprocessor" mode (listed under computer). See the Device Manager, under "My Computer" on the "Hardware" tab". The X2 driver should have enabled this for you.
5) Install the XP SP2 Dual Core Hotfix and enable it with the registry key (yes, despite the debate you must do this). Instructions are on the linked page.

Make sure that you have installed XP service pack 2 (SP2) before you install the hotfix.

 

[RichUK]

To be sure you should be able to check in the BIOS when it is POSTing what version or rev you are running, it should be rev 1015.

I would download Winflash HERE, and use this BIOS flash utility to flash to the latest BIOS. Information on how to use this BIOS flash utility can be found HERE. Its quite simple just open the downloaded BIOS file and flash it.

**WinFlash is easier as it can be used within Windows instead of having to boot with a floppy disk, just make sure after you have used Winflash and it after it auto reboots, to enter the BIOS and load optimised defaults (there should be an option in there somewhere), this will make sure the BIOS will take proper effect, or you can just clear the CMOS jumper after the flash**

All you need to do is download the latest BIOS from this page, more specifically this one BIOS 1015, which is the latest BIOS for that board.


EDIT: looks like BIOS 1017 is the latest BIOS for that board. Asus Also claim to have dual core support with BIOS rev 1013 for that specific mobo.

Also check this THREAD HERE over at XS, it explains all of the OS fixes, which ultimately make it run better "the good old affinity issues", it has nothing to do with detecting the second core, this is done at BIOS level, and reinstalling the OS makes sure that the correct HAL is loaded, and you have already done this.

 

[Slider821]

With WinFlash, I open it and it says "Onboard BIOS Not Award BIOS !"

Figuring this out at the moments...

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: Slider821
With WinFlash, I open it and it says "Onboard BIOS Not Award BIOS !"

Figuring this out at the moments...

Hmm thats odd i am positive it supports it, ill see what i can found out

 

[Slider821]

Ok, I found a new version of WinFlash on the website with the instructions on how to use it. I downloaded that, and when I launch the program it just crashes...

 

[RichUK]

I'll try and have a look into why Winflash is not working.

In the meantime you can try the floppy based method HERE are some instructions on how to use the floppy BIOS flash utility.

I think for the time being you are gonna have to use the floppy version of updating your BIOS. I am unsure why Winflahs is not working, i myself have never had any problems with it, its basically just easier to use, as you can do it within windows etc

EDIT: also it is a good idea to check when you PC is booting, the black screens at the beginning (when POSTing), if it states what version you are using.

 

[Slider821]

Yeah, I found another WinFlash v1.51 in a different format (first was an exe, secon was a .zip) but this one crashes also.

 

[Zebo]

That mobo will not work w/ dual cores sorry. you got wrong chipset.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/chipsets/display/20050603042038.html

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: Zebo
That mobo will not work w/ dual cores sorry. you got wrong chipset.

Ahh well if Zebo's says that it will not work then you can pretty much take his word for it. It kinda sucks really, i wasn't sure myself i just assumed they would work with dual cores, just like my Neo 2, old it might be but support it has, and they came from the same era. Just looked it up and your board uses a "VIA K8T800 PRO" chipset, where as mine uses an "nForce3" chipset. They say assumption is the worst thing

Sorry mate.

EDIT: Well theres the link from Zebo to confirm.. Well time to look for a new mobo

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: Zebo
That mobo will not work w/ dual cores sorry. you got wrong chipset.

Ahh well if Zebo's says that it will not work then you can pretty much take his word for it. It kinda sucks really, i wasn't sure myself i just assumed they would work with dual cores, just like my Neo 2, old it might be but support it has, and they came from the same era. Just looked it up and your board uses a "VIA K8T800 PRO" chipset, where as mine uses an "nForce3" chipset. They say assumption is the worst thing

Sorry mate.

EDIT: Well theres the link from Zebo to confirm.. Well time to look for a new mobo

Oh if he's using the K8T800 then it should work actually I thought he was using the A8V E Deluxe with the 890 chipset.. What color is your board?

 

[Slider821]

Naw, hes wrong. Or maybe I did something crazy, but here is how I fixed it.

I read a little bit more and used the AsusUpdate Utility to update the BIOS. Now what I did differently is I loaded up the AsusUpdate Utility and instead of searching for new bios from the Internet, rather I chose the ?update bios from File? I downloaded the 1017 file you suggested, and it ran through Flashing the BIOS. After it was done, it restarted and the BIOS knew what CPU I had. All is good now...the System shows the Correct CPU, the BIOS says I have the amd 4400 x2 dual core.

One more thing, the Task Manager still shows only one graph for CPU usage. I am pretty sure that one of my CPU's is turned off in the BIOS, and I will go figure this out now, but it recognizes it, so I am quite happy.

 

[Slider821]

Ohh, hehe, yah I have the ASUS A8V-Deluxe. I knew it would work, meticulously chose this asus board. Well, now off to figure out this graph dealy. Will post more updates and questions if I can't seem to get it.

 

[RichUK]

I'm glad to see that it has now worked, i remember i had problems before when using MSI's homemade BIOS utility (which i think uses traces of Winflash), and i ended up using the main Winflash utility which I provided. Oh well nice to see it is working.

With regards to task manager. If you open task manager then select the ?performance? tab, then go to ?view? at the top then select "cpu history", you should be able to change the individual graphs within there.

 

[Slider821]

I checked that first, the "One graph per CPU" is grayed out. Im going to restart to check if one of my CPU's is turned off.

 

[RichUK]

Also go to ?My Computer -> Properties -> Hardware -> Device manager -> Then click the + sign next to processors?, and you should two entries meaning that it recognises both the cores.

EDIT: and remember to go into the BIOS and load the optimised defaults, so to make sure it properly takes effect.

 

[Slider821]

Indeed it does, It has two identical entries under the Processors "+". It recognises them, I just can't see two graphs.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: Slider821
Indeed it does, It has two identical entries under the Processors "+". It recognises them, I just can't see two graphs.

hmm very odd .. try and open an application and see if you can set the affinity.

 

[Slider821]

Nope, can't select affinity. When I right click on a process, there is no Affinity menu.

 

[harobikes333]

do you have windows pro or home just wondering since i have home and I was going to transfer the OS over to the new rig i'm going to build that has a 3800 X2 also in it

 

[Slider821]

I have Windows XP Pro.

I also tried to download the drivers for the dual core from AMD.com but those did nothing.

 

[harobikes333]

but home will work, right..???? I costs more to upgrade to pro from home than to just buy pro!:?