We have several identical computers (Dell Dimension 3100 XP Pro SP3). I just
noticed that one of them was only detecting a single processor in Task
Manager, environment variable, Virtual PC etc. even though Device Manager
was correctly detecting both processors.
When I looked under "Computer" in Device Manager I noticed that Windows was
using the uni processor
driver (ACPI Uniprocessor PC). From the Recovery Console I replaces hal.dll,
ntoskrnl.exe, ntkrnlpa.exe with files from one of the other PC (the multi
processor version).
When I rebooted the computer correctly saw the second CPU.
I notice MS has a HotFix for this problem and I assume that it will install
under SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896256. They talk about timing issues that
could be a possible side effect.
Now my question:
I'm not clear if the timing issues are a side effect of the HotFix or
switching a uniprocessor PC to a multi processor PC.
Since this computer never detected the multi processors (as the other
identical PCs did), will these computer lack certain registry entries that
correct this problem, or would applying the HotFix correct this issue.
In a nutshell, now that I am detecting the processors correctly should I
apply the HotFix or will it cause problems (in the 10 min I have been using
the PC I have not had any problems yet)
Thanks
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