Dual Core Problems

Question

I have an inspiron e1505, and i've had this suspicion for a while, but today a hardware survey confirmed it. i have a 1.83ghz core duo processor, but it is registering as one logical and one physical cpu. unless i'm mistaken, that would interfere with everything cpu related. my question is, is it a hardware failure, or some software issue. i first noticed it after i reinstalled windows after a failed ubuntu dual-boot attempt, the task manager only had 1 window for cpu usage instead of the 2 i was used to. Message Edited by cvitullo on 12-27-2007 03:01 PM

jcn77056 · Answer

Did you load the Notebook System Software and chipset drivers for the machine?  Check the Device Manager and make sure there are no question marks showing for the devices.   While you're in the Device Manager, expand the Processors item.  You should see two processors listed.  If you don't, I suspect either the drivers aren't loaded or there is a hardware issue.   Try running the Dell Diagnostics to see if they pass.

jcn77056 · Answer

NSS updates Windows to taylor it for the specific Dell hardware.  There's more to Windows than just drivers.   You should have loaded that first according to this.  I don't know if you run it now, if will hurt anything.  Create a restore point and try it.

cvitullo · Answer

everything passed, device manager says there are 2, and there are no question marks. and i updated the chipset.
what is notebook system software? i snooped around and it seems like that makes the usb ports work.

cvitullo · Answer

i ran it, and it didn't work. i found a cpu analyzer, CPU-Z, and it says 1 core. http://www.geocities.com/carelvi2low/Cpu.png

jcn77056 · Answer

Interesting...   First, check the event log and just make sure there are no errors in the system event log.    Try the Dell diagnostics and see if there are any hardware problems with the CPU or memory.  If not, it's a software issue.  You might try opening the Device Manager and updating the driver on the processor.  This may re-initialize the driver.   Another thing to try would be to burn Ubuntu to a CD, boot from it, and see what it shows as the hardware.  You don't have to install it, it will run from the CD.

cvitullo · Answer

It's saying that a better match for my hardware than I already have could not be found :( I haven't checked what ubuntu says (i installed it correctly the last time :P)

jcn77056 · Answer

When you ran the Notebook System Software, what failed?  Did it not install or just do nothing?   Try Ubuntu and see what it says.  If you haven't already, try the Dell Diagnostics too just in case they find something.   If Ubuntu sees both CPUs correctly, there's something wrong in Windows.  Beyond what I've already suggested, I'm stumped.  Maybe check in Safe Mode?  The only other thing is the order you've installed the software in.  You may have to install Windows again following the instructions here.  Others have seemed to indicate the order is important.

cvitullo · Answer

it installed, but it didn't fix the problem, that's what i meant.

jcn77056 · Answer

I'm still stumped.  Just remember the Four 'R's of Windows   Retry Reboot Reinstall   Red Hat Linux !!!  :smileyvery-happy:   Happy New Year

cvitullo · Answer

Thanks for the help and info, i'll keep perusing the tubes for something :/

cvitullo · Answer

bleh..... i got lots of movies and music.... and some games... not looking forward to that...

jcn77056 · Answer

Yup.  That's why I posted the four 'R's.   You're up to number 3.  Sounds like you need to torch your Windows install and do it again.  Pay careful attention to the installation order.  Follow the instructions for your model here.  Install  Windows, the NSS, chipset, and everything else last.   When you install Windows, delete everything but the diagnostic partition.  If you've got Media Direct, leave some space at the end of the drive for the MD partition.  See notes here on what to do with Media Direct.   You weren't doing anything tonight anyway, were you?

cvitullo · Answer

Hmm.... the plot thickens.... the ubuntu system manager registers both cores, it has two graphs for cpu usage... so it's definitely something wrong with windows.

DELL-Jimmy P · Answer

cvitullo    In device manager look at the computer entry, it should say something like ACPI Multiprocessor PC, if not you have the wrong HAL loaded and that's the problem.

cvitullo · Answer

yeah, it says it's a multiprocessor pc...

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