AMD64 to AMD64 X2 - w/o OS Reinstall??

[Margaret]

Hello,

I've been a computer/network pro for 20+ years, but I've been out of the
"biz" for a couple years or so now. I am currently running WinXP Pro
XP2 and a single-core socket 939 AMD64 3800+ on my main PC (1GB RAM dual
channel), and although I'm not ready to install Vista on my main machine
yet, I'd really like to upgrade to a dual-core CPU. (I understand that
even XP can benefit from that extra core, and if I do this upgrade, I
will also add another gig of RAM.)

In the past, however, I recall that adding additional processor(s)
required updating the HAL in the OS, and I'm not wanting to
reinstall/reconfig WinXP right now. (Did it a few months ago with
RyanVM's slipstream packs.)

Anyway, I vaguely remember reading something that WinXP can handle
adding a second core w/o an OS reinstall. Can anyone tell me
definitively if this is true, and if so, what actions I must take to
make the CPU upgrade go as smoothly as poss? I have to replace a
heatsink/fan on the mainboard pretty soon, so if I'm going to replace
the CPU, now's the time to do it.

BTW, I'm running an Epox 9NPA+Ultra mainboard with the latest BIOS and
latest nVidia unified drivers (6.86), along w/ latest nVidia video
drivers for my GeForce 6600. Also have *lots* of SATAII disk space.
The system is running very well but could use a little more "oomph" if
you know what I mean. Am not a gamer, but I'm as much a power user
as I can be out of the field.

Further, I've done some googling on this issue but haven't found a
consensus. Any thoughts and pointers gratefully accepted.

Thx and Regards,

Margaret, the old MCSE

 

[philo]

Hello,

I've been a computer/network pro for 20+ years, but I've been out of the
"biz" for a couple years or so now. I am currently running WinXP Pro
XP2 and a single-core socket 939 AMD64 3800+ on my main PC (1GB RAM dual
channel), and although I'm not ready to install Vista on my main machine
yet, I'd really like to upgrade to a dual-core CPU. (I understand that
even XP can benefit from that extra core, and if I do this upgrade, I
will also add another gig of RAM.)

In the past, however, I recall that adding additional processor(s)
required updating the HAL in the OS, and I'm not wanting to
reinstall/reconfig WinXP right now. (Did it a few months ago with
RyanVM's slipstream packs.)

Anyway, I vaguely remember reading something that WinXP can handle
adding a second core w/o an OS reinstall. Can anyone tell me
definitively if this is true, and if so, what actions I must take to
make the CPU upgrade go as smoothly as poss? I have to replace a
heatsink/fan on the mainboard pretty soon, so if I'm going to replace
the CPU, now's the time to do it.

BTW, I'm running an Epox 9NPA+Ultra mainboard with the latest BIOS and
latest nVidia unified drivers (6.86), along w/ latest nVidia video
drivers for my GeForce 6600. Also have *lots* of SATAII disk space.
The system is running very well but could use a little more "oomph" if
you know what I mean. Am not a gamer, but I'm as much a power user
as I can be out of the field.

If you are going to be using the same hardware and just replacing the CPU on
your mobo with a dual processor type..
it *should* be possible

just go into device manager and under "computer"
you'll probably see a listing such as "ACPI pc"

right click and go to properties, driver....update driver


....display a list....
....show all hardware....

then select ACPI multiprocessor

 

[Margaret]

If you are going to be using the same hardware and just replacing the CPU on
your mobo with a dual processor type..
it *should* be possible

just go into device manager and under "computer"
you'll probably see a listing such as "ACPI pc"

right click and go to properties, driver....update driver


...display a list....
...show all hardware....

then select ACPI multiprocessor

Thx Philo! I was hoping it was that simple. I finally did find a few
KB articles which imply that at worst a repair/in place upgrade might be
necessary. That I'm willing to do, but if I can update the driver, that
would be fantastic. X2 CPU and extra RAM have been ordered, so I'm on
my way. Will post back and let you know how it goes.

Regards,

Margaret

 

[philo]

Thx Philo! I was hoping it was that simple. I finally did find a few
KB articles which imply that at worst a repair/in place upgrade might be
necessary. That I'm willing to do, but if I can update the driver, that
would be fantastic. X2 CPU and extra RAM have been ordered, so I'm on
my way. Will post back and let you know how it goes.

Regards,

Margaret

Ok please do post back...
I've seen quite a bit of advice suggesting the "repair" installation is
needed...
but I recently upgraded a couple of win2k servers to dual cpu and it was
just as simple
as any other hardware upgrade...all done through the control panel

 

[Guest]

I'm about to do the same Athlon to X2 upgrade. Follow up question on order
of change:
1) can you change to the multi-cpu hal before installing the new X2 dual
core or only after? If before, can windows ever run after changing to
multicore HAL or do you immediately need to shutdown and then install X2?
2) If you change to the multi-cpu HAL after install of new X2 cpu,
presumably system boots OK on X2 with the uniproc HAL?
3) Will the multi-proc HAL show up in the list automatically or only if
pointed to the installation CD?

 

[philo]

I'm about to do the same Athlon to X2 upgrade. Follow up question on order
of change:
1) can you change to the multi-cpu hal before installing the new X2 dual
core or only after? If before, can windows ever run after changing to
multicore HAL or do you immediately need to shutdown and then install X2?
2) If you change to the multi-cpu HAL after install of new X2 cpu,
presumably system boots OK on X2 with the uniproc HAL?
3) Will the multi-proc HAL show up in the list automatically or only if
pointed to the installation CD?

I've only done it twice...so I am hardly and expert...
however I'd say *not* to change the OS to multi-core until after the CPU is
changed.

The insertion of a cd is not necessary though...it should turn up in the
choices.

 

[Margaret]

Ok please do post back...
I've seen quite a bit of advice suggesting the "repair" installation is
needed...
but I recently upgraded a couple of win2k servers to dual cpu and it was
just as simple
as any other hardware upgrade...all done through the control panel

Upgrade accomplished, I had to do the "inplace upgrade," which replaced
the HAL for me. Attempting to simply change the driver resulted in a
message that I was running the correct one. (I was running the ACPI PC
HAL.) After the "upgrade," setup installed the ACPI Multiprocessor
HAL.) CPU Mark went from ~180 w/ old CPU (AMD64 3800 Venice), new CPU
(AMD64X2 4200 Toledo) and old HAL 212, new CPU and new HAL 250!

I also added another GIG of RAM so I'm ready for Vista ... assuming this
machine is still around by the time the new OS is stable enough and has
sufficient driver support that I can run it on my main machine!

Thx and Regards,

Margaret

 

[Margaret]

You must change the HAL *after* the new hardware is installed. That's
assuming you are able to (1) simply change the driver (have to be
running certain HALs for that) or (2) do an "inplace upgrade" to let
setup change the HAL.

http://tinyurl.com/2ntsu8

http://tinyurl.com/ch2d4

http://tinyurl.com/36r2oq

Regards,

Margaret