[Solved] How can I tell if both cores are working

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs [Solved] How can I tell if both cores are working

Hello,
I have a pentium dual core e5300 cpu and I have noticed that in task manager, under the performance tab, there is only one cpu usage history. I used to have 2. What test can I use to determine that both cores are, working?

Reply to mb230kc

checking task manager is the best way to see if you have both cores
recognized by the OS

Did you reinstall Windows?

Reply to king smp

not since I rebuilt my pc back in sept of 2010

Reply to mb230kc

So you had two cores showing in task manager after the install in sept of '10?

Assuming yes
then run msconfig
(type in run box or search box of start menu)
go to boot
go to advanced options and see how many cores it shows there
let me know what it says

right click on My Computer
go to manager
go to device manager
look under processors and see if it shows one or two

then go to computer
and and tell me what it says
for example my Windows 7 64-bit with a Core2Duo says "ACPI X64-based PC"

Reply to king smp

forgot to say I am still using xp home sp3

Reply to mb230kc

that is good to know
the instructions I gave apply to XP also
just use run under start menu
and type in "msconfig"
as far as I remember the MSCONFIG menu has stayed basically the same
so just follow instructions in above post

going to device manager is the same also
right click my computer on desktop or on start menu
go to manager
go to device manager
check under processor
and check under computer
and tell me what they say

Reply to king smp

under advanced options in boot.ini after checking /numproc (which I take as the number of processors) 1 appears

right clicking on my computer I bring up systems properties and clicking on the hardware tab I click on the device manager, which lists dualcorxpb under which is a category titled computer which has underneath it 2 items. first is acpi multiprocessor pc and second standard pc. when I click on either of those items I get a windows labeled properties, but no listing as to the number of cores.

Reply to mb230kc

check under the properties for the acpi multiprocessor
and see if the device is working properly
do the same for standard pc

Reply to king smp

this is worth reading
http://forums.techarena.in/xp-hardware/827896.htm

same problem you are having

pay particular attention to this
(Dont do anything yet)
changing your HAL to the wrong HAL can make your XP unbootable
do a new install of XP if that is an option would probably load the right HAL

Start device manager.
In device manager expand 'Computer'
Under Computer you should see the currently installed 'HAL' information
"Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC" (as you indicated
below)
Right click the (ACPI)PC device and chose 'Update Driver'
Select the (Advance) radio button in the Hardware Update Wizard and click
next.
Select 'Don't search. I will choose the driver to install' and click next.
Make sure the "Show compatible hardware" check box is checked on the next
screen
Select the correct HAL for your system type and follow the instruction from
the wizard to complete the install.
(Caution) Installing an incompatible HAL could severely reduce you systems
performance and indeed force you to rebuild it. If â€˜ACPI Multiprocessor PCâ€™
is not a part of the choices then there might be a configuration in your BIOS
which is disabling the second core or you might need a BIOS update.

What I cant understand is why you are showing the multi and the standard
at the same time
If the multiprocessor says not working properly then I understand

it should just be the multiprocessor ACPI
unless you upgraded from a single core to dual core
when you installed your windows in Sept 10 did you have the same CPU?

Reply to king smp

under acpi multiprocessor pc properties device status it states "No drivers are installed for this device. ". under standard pc properties device status it states "This device is working properly."

Reply to mb230kc

well you can follow the instructions I posted above

EDIT - you want to update the driver on standard PC not the ACPI multiprocessor

"Start device manager.
In device manager expand 'Computer'
Under Computer you should see the currently installed 'HAL' information
"Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC" (as you indicated
below)
Right click the (ACPI)PC device and chose 'Update Driver'
Select the (Advance) radio button in the Hardware Update Wizard and click
next.
Select 'Don't search. I will choose the driver to install' and click next.
Make sure the "Show compatible hardware" check box is checked on the next
screen
Select the correct HAL for your system type and follow the instruction from
the wizard to complete the install"

you want to pick the ACPI Multiprocessor

go as far as show compatible hardware and post back
what it says

Message edited by king smp on 07-08-2011 at 05:02:48 AM

Reply to king smp

Again
WARNING!!!
What you are doing could possibly damage your XP installation to the
point you would have to re-install with the proper XP disc

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to king smp

king smp wrote :

Again
WARNING!!!
What you are doing could possibly damage your XP installation to the
point you would have to re-install with the proper XP disc

just went through the update driver process for the apci and found "ACPI Multiprocessor PC" which I selected and installed. I am now having to restart my pc so I will be back in a few. thanks

Reply to mb230kc

I really hope you come back after trying Task Manager
and find two CPU usage windows

It will make me happy

Reply to king smp

king smp wrote :

Again
WARNING!!!
What you are doing could possibly damage your XP installation to the
point you would have to re-install with the proper XP disc

I am back. I had to rework my nvidia control panel to get both monitors working, but I am now showing 2 cpu usage history screens. So thanks for the help.

mb230kc

Reply to mb230kc

Best answer

Awesome
I am glad it worked out good
If you liked my answer
then you can select me as Best Answer on the bottom of my post
Dont have to

Should be a big difference in how the computer runs
almost twice as fast

Reply to king smp

Best answer selected by mb230kc.

Reply to mb230kc

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