Need help with getting Windows to use both cores of my Pentium D

[Chris]

Hi everyone!

I never tried to fix this before, but Windows (XP Pro w/ SP2 & all updates)
only shows one core from my Pentium D 805.

I checked Task Manager and have One CPU per graph, but only shows one graph.
Also, CPU-Z has the Processor Selection drop down grayed out. I also know
that I am only using one core because I use VMware and the virtual machines
only use one processor, but my physical processor can go up to 100% instead
of 50%.

I have the latest BIOS, ACPI is enabled, and POST shows "Count: 2" for my
CPU. Device Manager shows "ACPI Multiprocessor PC" and even shows 2
processors of "Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.66GHz"!

I have also tried to set NUMPROC=2 in boot.ini, but that didn't work. I also
tried to do a repair install, but I still only saw one core.

I've searched on the internet for a possible solution, but couldn't find
one. I appreciate any help! Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Have you installed the intel chipset installation utility...Also download the
processor identification utility from intel,thiers also a hotfix for running
multiple processors,kb896256

 

[Chris]

I have the VIA chipset drivers installed. Also, the Intel Processor
Identification Utility does show my two cores.

About the hotfix, how do I download that? Wouldn't it cost $35 to contact
Microsoft support?

Thanks

 

[Bob I]

Hotfix is free, don't ask for or about anything but the hotfix.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

As Bob I said, a hotfix is always free. When you contact Microsoft Support, simply reference the article that describes the hotfix and tell them that you are experiencing this exact behavior and want the hotfix that addresses the issue.

 

[Chris]

I installed hotfix.kb896256 on my OS and on a freshly installed OS with SP2
but I still only see one processor on both. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Bob Knowlden]

On my system (AMD A64 X2 dual core), device manager>system device/Microsoft
ACPI-Compliant System shows a location of "on ACPI Multiprocessor PC" when
it is opened. What's yours?

If you have a single-CPU HAL, you may be able to change it to a
multiprocessor one:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309283/en-us

"HAL options after Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 Setup"

I've never tried it myself. When I upgraded from a single-core A64 to an X2,
XP (Home) automatically detected the new CPU and changed ACPI HAL drivers.

Good luck.


Address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

 

[Chris]

Mine says the same thing. Also, I am using the multiprocessor ACPI HAL, so
thats not the problem. Thanks.

 

[Chris]

I got the problem solved. I had to enable Hyper Threading in my BIOS. I
didn't think of it because the Pentium D 805 doesn't have HT, but now
Windows sees and uses both cores. Thanks for everyone's help!