BIOS Recognizing Processor

Can anyone list some characteristic traits of a BIOS not recognizing a processor? I recently upgraded and I'm not sure if the BIOS supports the processor. The BIOS correctly lists 4 cores and an Intel Q9100. After boot, Intel Processor ID Utility says 4 cores exist. CPU-Z says Q9100 but only 2 cores, and Windows sees only 2 cores (even after reinstall).

What is at fault here? The processor (its an ES) or my computer/BIOS?

 

Can you post a screenshot of CPUZ?

 

can you see all four cores in the device manager? if not or if the device manage still lists your old CPU (the one before upgrade), uninstall the the old CPU and restart windows.

If your CPU was not supported by the bios, your PC would have refused to boot, or you would have got a message after the boot screen saying that the Q9100 is not supported.

I think your problem is software related

 

As naton mentioned above, an unsupported CPU would result in the computer being unable to boot; the BIOS would likely display an error or otherwise emit a series of beeps that, according to manufacturer specs, would explain the error.

 

I will post a CPUZ shot in about 45 mins. Can't right now.
I should add that the computer doesn't always start. Most times, when I hit the power button, the computer comes on, but the screen doesn't turn on. Then it shuts off and turns on the caps and scroll LEDs and blinks the numlock one. That happens 4/5 times. When I do manage to get to the BIOS (seems to be random) it works. That code is identified in The BIOS log as "CPU". Nothing more.

In addition, what software are we talking? I reinstalled Vista and I dual boot with Mac OSX. It also recognizes only 2 cores.
For Naton, Windows Device Manager shows 2 of "Intel Core 2 Extreme CPU @ 2.26GHz. So Windows sees just 2 cores as well.

 

If the OS sees only two and you re-installed vista + you have boot problems I would say that your bios need to be updated.

The laptop we are discussing here is the Latitude E6400 isn't it?

 

The is a link for the latest bios dated 19th of Feb. 2009. unfortunately it doesn't say if support for newer processors have been added.
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=LAT_E6400&os=WLH&osl=en&catid=&impid=
Try it and see.

 

I have that BIOS already. I even reinstalled it, but that doesn't help. The CPUZ screenshot is attached.

 

Well, is that CPU a QGMU? Yours seems to be a ES not QS version, but still with E0 Stepping...

 

I could be wrong but I think that Dell's latest bios for your laptop doesn't support quad cores

 

I had a chat with Dell and was tald the they offer only one Quad Core CPU (the QX9300) with their Precision M6400 and M4400. the first one is 17" and the second one 15"

That said:
1- As the Quad core used by Dell in the above listed systems is the QX9300, this means that at present I don't think that any of their systems or Bios(es) support th Q9100.
2- The chassi of the E6400 is two small, and the amount of heat generated by a Quad Core is relatively important (44-45w instead of 35w). So at present I don't think that Dell will fit a quad core in a 14.1" chassi at least not with the present generation of Quad Processors.

 

Ok so it will not work on yours then.

 

There is a fine line between what is officially supported by Dell and what can work. While the QX9300 is the only one offered, if it works the the Q9100 and Q9000 will both work.
And I know heat will be an issue, but the E6400 deals with heat very well.
I'm trying to get advice so I can narrow the problem down.

 

This is supposed to be a QS, but it's a QAVK.

 

that's right but the bios file used in the 14.1" laptops such as yours and in the 15.4" and 17" models are not the same.

That said maybe the CPU is supported by the bios but you have a conflict with the ram or something. this could explain why the laptops boots sometimes but not always.

 

I know that the BIOS files are not the same. Can you blame for being optimistic though?
I can't see the CPU having issues with anything else. I don't really have any other components to test it with, and I am fairly sure that Dell tries to standardize components across the line with their computers.
Anyway, thanks for the help, but I'm sending it back for a X9100 (which I know will work).

 

You're wasting money if replacing the T9600 with the X9100 for such a small performance gain.

 

The name of the Processor is where it says " Specification " Thats what window's uses. I had a t7100 ES it said what was in the specification not the " Name " section.