Inspiron 9400 - XP doesn't detect Core Duo processors

Question

Drive failed on 60-day old Inspiron 9400 last night, and found replacement drive on doorstep this morning.  (Excellent job, Dell!)  The drive even came pre-imaged with XP SP2.  Nice.   Problem, however, is that Task Manager only shows one CPU, even though I've got dual core support enabled in BIOS.  How do I get XP to recognize that second core?   Thanks!   Len

msreardon4 · Answer

the task manager doesn't show that data here is how you can check to see if you have a problem with windows right click my computer-click properties-click hardware tab-click device manager-then find processors on the list and double click it and if it shows 2 processors you are fine

Bay Wolf · Answer

msreardon4 wrote: the task manager doesn't show that data here is how you can check to see if you have a problem with windows right click my computer-click properties-click hardware tab-click device manager-then find processors on the list and double click it and if it shows 2 processors you are fine In the Task Manager, you can see both processors if you have View > CPU History > One Graph per CPU.  Here is a picture of mine showing both processors.

msreardon4 · Answer

mine doesnt  do that i have a t2300 intel core duo processor i have show one graph per processor and it is only one screen and my core 2 home built is the same way

Bobmitmen · Answer

I was searching around one day and came upon this...I think you might find it VERY helpful.  Make sure that everything is set up properly on your machine   http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=60416   Bob

_len_ · Answer

Thanks Bob.  I tried that, and I still have the same issue: one graph, two CPUs.   Is it possible that the imaged drive I got had the single processor version of the OS kernel installed?  I know, for example, that there's a difference between Ntoskrnlmp.exe and Ntoskrnl.exe.  Is there a check I can run to see whether the OS is configured correctly?   BTW, I've submitted a ticket into Dell for this.  They've asked to verify that dual core support is enabled in the BIOS, and it is.   Len

msreardon4 · Answer

same here only one graph let me know what dell tells you thanks

Bay Wolf · Answer

Maybe this is the issue:   Multi-processor support - Windows XP Pro supports up to two microprocessors, while Home Edition supports only one.

msreardon4 · Answer

I am using XP Media Center Edition 2005 which i believe is xp pro with mce added on correct me if i am wrong

in my device manager it shows 2 processors

Message Edited by msreardon4 on 02-03-2007 12:34 AM

msreardon4 · Answer

yeah my HD failed last week and i just got my hard drive also keep me updated on what to do i really want to know how to fix it

thanks

my system is running on the ntoskrnl.exe

Message Edited by msreardon4 on 02-03-2007 07:54 PM

_len_ · Answer

I seem to recall that when I got the machine in November, Task manager actually showed two CPU charts.  And it gave me a warm tingle-y happy feeling in the base of my brain, so I'm pretty sure I'm remembering correctly.   I do notice that the version of ntoskrnl.exe installed is not the multi-processor version for XP (the filesizes are different).  If I had to bet right now, I'd say the problem is that the re-imaged replacement drive I got wasn't correct.   Last email from Dell tech support asked me to do hardare diagnostics from boot menu.  Everything passed.  Not heard back from them yet.   Len

_len_ · Answer

I've not heard back from Dell tech support in almost 48 hours.   In the meantime, I went ahead and re-installed Windows XP, and both processors now appear.  I have a minor problem now with the laptop occasionally dropping and re-acquiring its Wi-Fi connection (a new issue), but other than that, things are back to normal.   I was told that a repair of Win XP might also have fixed this issue, if that helps.   Len

_len_ · Answer

Finally heard back from Dell, and their recommendation was to do a clean re-install of XP as well.  So that seems to be the resolution for this issue.

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