Switching to AMD Dual Core CPU without re-installing Windows

[snowmman]

Hi Guys,
thanks for this thread. Solved my problem.
I'll post my experience in case it's helpful to others.

I had a single core system. Updated the motherboard to MSI K9N Neo V3, CPU to dual core X2 5000+, along with graphics and dram change. Even added a SATA disk (not boot). Basically just kept old boot (IDE) drive, and PSU and case.

Slipstreamed a XP SP3 disk with SATA drivers (although I'm not sure the SATA drivers worked). with nlite.
I didn't want to do a full reinstall. Nothing happened when I first tried to boot, so I went with a refresh install.
Did a refresh install of XP. I think I went wrong went I didn't understand the APIC/MPS stuff in the BIOS and disabled it.

So I got windows up, didn't have to download that much from Windows Update. Thought I was good to go.

I used the CD that came with the MSI mobo to install the rest of the drivers. downloaded the Nvidia graphics card driver. Windows update updated the SATA driver. Formatted the new sata disk with the Western Digital Lifeguard CD. And then everything seemed cool.

But then I noticed that AMD Power Monitor told me only one core was enabled.

I was "Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC" and needed to switch to "ACPI Multiprocessor PC".

I suspect it was because I disabled the APIC/MPS selection (neither v1.1 nor v1.4 MPS) before I did the refresh install, so it didn't detect the correct HAL.

In any case, this thread saved me from another install attempt.

While running windows xp, I just did start; run; cmd, and in the dos window typed: (note i had sp3.cab not sp2.cab because of the windows xp sp3 slipstream I did.)

cd c:\windows\system32
ren ntkrnlpa.exe ntkrnlpa.old
ren ntoskrnl.exe ntoskrnl.old
ren hal.dll hal.old                                 /* backup hal too, gona replace it also */
cd "c:\windows\driver cache\i386"
expand sp3.cab -F:halmacpi.dll c:\windows\system32
expand sp3.cab -F:ntkrpamp.exe c:\windows\system32
expand sp3.cab -F:ntkrnlmp.exe c:\windows\system32
cd c:\windows\system32
ren halmacpi.dll hal.dll
ren ntkrpamp.exe ntkrnlpa.exe
ren ntkrnlmp.exe ntoskrnl.exe

Then I rebooted.
It detected new ACPI hw and did some stuff (when I got into Windows). I made sure in the bios the APCI/MPS stuff was enabled before I did the above.

Then it asked me to reboot.

When I did I got the APCI Multiprocessor PC and the Amd Power Monitor shows both cores.
So I'm good. Happy. Thanks.

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Here's an additional note, that I just discovered, in case maybe a refresh install just NEVER gets the right Hal, (don't know if it might be MSI specific?) .....that microsoft has a note about how to force the hal it uses, while doing a refresh install

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299340/
This article describes how to force in a system Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) during an upgrade or an installation of Microsoft Windows XP.


   1. During the Text-mode phase of the Setup program, when you receive the following message across the bottom of the screen, press F5:
      Press F6 if you have to install a third-party SCSI or RAID driver.
      Note If you press F7, the Standard PC HAL loads and the ACPI compliance check is bypassed.
   2. You receive the following list of computer types. A brief description of each HAL is included here:
          * ACPI Multiprocessor PC
            Applies to a multiple-processor ACPI computer.
          * ACPI Uniprocessor PC
            Applies to an ACPI multiple-processor board but with a single processor installed.
          * Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC
            Applies to a single processor motherboard with single processor.
          * Compaq SystemPro Multiprocessor or 100% Compatible
            Applies to a Compaq SystemPro computer.
          * MPS Uniprocessor PC
            Applies to non-ACPI computers dual processor motherboard with a single processor installed.
          * MPS Multiprocessor PC
            Applies to non-ACPI computers with a dual processor running.
          * Standard PC
            Applies to any Standard PC, non-ACPI, or non-MPS. The CPU may be a 386, a 486, a Pentium, a Pentium II, or a Pentium III.
          * Standard PC with C-Step i486
          * Other

Note The screen displays only two computer types at a time. To scroll up or down to view the complete list, use the arrow keys.

[snowmman]

I maybe should have read a little more, but in any case:

I hadn't quite understood how to try changing the driver in Device Manager.
I just looked at it again, and notice I have 4 choices, so maybe I could have switched it manually there.

open device manager
right click on the ACPI thing under Computer, select Update Driver.

say No, not this time for connecting to Windows Update in the next window. Hit Next
Select Install from a list or specific location, Hit Next
Select Don't search. I will choose the driver to install. Hit Next

Then you get the PC choices.
I have
ACPI Multiprocessor PC
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC
MPS Multiprocessor PC
Standard PC

("Show compatible hardware" is checked)

So I don't know if I had all the choices before and could have selected the ACPI Multiprocessor PC.

But whatever. Just reporting this in case it's helpful.
Whatever the reason, I didn't get the right thing auto-magically. The rename stuff in my last post is what got me the right thing, although I guess there may be multiple ways.