QUESTION: WinXP install and HAL - ACPI Uniprocessor

Hi all,

I reinstalled WinXP SP2 and patched to SP3 on my notebook. Its an Vaio SZ90 which has an Intel Core Due T2600 inside it.

I noticed that in Device Manager the HAL is noted as ACPI Uniprocessor. However there are two cores. Task Manager seems to indicate one CPU when I had expected to see two CPUs. Have the notebook got the correct HAL installed, and if not then how can I go about
i) verifying that I have the best HAL, and then if not, then
ii) how to install the better HAL.
I have tried to Update Driver/Hardware (forgotten the exact text) and it said that it was all well.

Thoughts?

Regards, z

 

Change the view in task manager to show two CPU's.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309283

You need to change your HAL option to ACPI Multiprocessor PC by updating the driver via Device Manager. Detailed instructions are in the link above.

 

I looked at the same link before and noted 'On Windows XP and later versions, the ACPI Uniprocessor HAL and the MPS Uniprocessor HAL recognize the existence of more than one processor and report the MP ID. ' This seems not to be the case because it ought then to show two.

The HAL update instructions are incorrect because when I do an Update Driver it display any other HALs and states that the best one is there. This was noted in my initial post where I said that I had tried to do this.

@Coolguy: I tried to enable the view in the Task Manager to display two CPUs, but its not there because it thinks that there in only one, and this is why I posted the question... ^^

Stumped at this point.

 

I have found the way to do it. This URL has allowed me to install the ACPI Multiprocessor HAL:-

http://www.handaware.com/multiprocessor_XP.html

However, after rebooting twice as intructed by XP, and after checking that the ACPI Multipro HAL is installed in Device Manager, it still says that there is only one CPU. The One CPU per Graph tab in Task Manager is greyed out as before.

Of course, I suspect that readers will doubt that I actually have a dual core and I am crazy, but in Device Manager -> Processors it has two entries stating: Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2600 @ 2.16Ghz.

Is it possible that one core is damaged and has been deactivated by the O/S? Is there a way to verify this? Its possible because I know that Solaris can detect and deactivate CPUs and other hardware if these are broken. Does not mean the O/S dies. To check this I booted into Ubuntu 9.04, which has SMP installed by default. lshw lists two cores, but top only lists one CPU even when I toggle the display with characters: 1 and I

Off topic:
I am certain that when I reinstalled the PC I did install the Hotfix KB896256 v3 for multiprocessor support, which with hindsight might not have been a bright idea because the system had the wrong HAL installed at the time. I do not know whether the KB896256 does a HAL check afore installation and won't install if its a Uniprocessor HAL. Anyhow, I downloaded v4 of the patch but it would not install because it will only install on SP2 and mine has SP3. I hope that this means the patch is bundeled in SP3, but I do not know nor know how to verify this.

 

you happen to have vista around and are able to quickly install it to see if it behaves the same? afaik, vista doesn't even have single-core support in it's driver (it's always a multicore driver, even with just one core found).

interested if it works there...

 

No copy of Vista., but I don't think this would help because the WinXP has the ACPI Multiprocessor HAL loaded, and it still won't see the second CPU. The same is in Linux, which implies, to me, that one of the cores is dead. However, I have no idea how to prove or disprove this.

 

hm.. can you configure something in the bios? enable/disable some cores or so? no clue.. i haven't heard so far of a system where one core dies but the system stays alive

 

No chanegs made to the BIOS nor are there any settings there to {en}disable cores.

 

Update: I installed SANDRA from SIS and tried to benchmark the multicore and is said that there was only one CPU. Hmm . Broken core me thinks

 

Update: I installed SANDRA from SIS and tried to benchmark the multicore and is said that there was only one CPU. Here is the output from SANDRA. I notice that further down the section describing the motherboard is marked an non-multiprocessor. I have marked the section in Bold. Perhaps I have not installed the correct chipset modules, but this is strange because the same thing happens with Linux/SMP kernel.

SiSoftware Sandra

Processor
Manufacturer : Intel
Model : Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2600 @ 2.16GHz
Speed : 2.17GHz
Peak Processing Performance (PPP) : 3.25GFLOPS
Adjusted Peak Performance (APP) : 975WM
Cores per Processor : 2 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Mobile, Dual-Core
Bus : Intel AGTL+
Package : FC µPGA479M (Socket M)
Maximum Speed : 2.16GHz / 4x 167MHz (668MHz)
Multiplier : 13x
Minimum/Maximum/Turbo Multiplier : 6x - 13x
Generation : G8
Name : CD1Y (Yonah) Mobile Core Duo 65nm 1.5-2.6GHz 0.85-1.3V
Revision/Stepping : E / 8 (0)
Stepping Mask : C0
Microcode : MU060E083D
Core Voltage Rating : 1.263V
Min/Max Core Voltage : 0.713V - 1.263V
Maximum Power : 29.25W
Maximum Physical / Virtual Addressing : 32-bit / 32-bit
Native Page Size : 4kB
Part Number : N/A
Asset Tag : N/A
Serial Number : N/A

Co-Processor (FPU)
Speed : 2.17GHz
Type : Integrated
Revision/Stepping : E / 8 (0)

Cache Information
Integrated Data Cache : 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line size
Integrated Instruction Cache : 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Back, 8-way, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 8-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing
L2 Cache Multiplier : 1x

Upgradeability
Socket/Slot : N/A
Upgrade Interface : None
Supported Speed(s) : 2.17GHz

Processor Power Management
Processor Throttling Support : Yes
Throttle Range : 11% - 100%

Environment Monitor 1
Model : Intel Core CPU [P1, C2, T100]
Version : 14.08
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Power Rating(s)
CPU Core Power : 29.25W

Sensors
CPU Temperature : 38.00°C td

Power Management Features
DTSC - Digital Thermal Sensor Capability : Yes
IDA - Dynamic Acceleration Technology : No
HCFC - Hardware Coordination Feedback Capability : Yes


Advanced Settings
Fast Strings : No
PM - Performance Monitoring Support : Yes
PEBS - Precise Event Based Sampling Support : No
XE Operation Enabled : No
Hardware Prefetcher Enabled : Yes
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch Enabled : Yes
Data Cache Prefetcher Enabled : Yes
Instruction Prefetcher Enabled : Yes
TM2 - Thermal Monitor 2 : Yes
EIST - Enhanced SpeedStep Technology : Yes
Average Clock Speed : 98.76%


Here is the Motherboard information:

SiSoftware Sandra

Computer
Manufacturer : Sony
Model : VGN-SZ90PS
Version : J001G09L
Serial Number : 28240602-1002528
ID : 204E7FC7-D9113C5B-0100A685-1AEBF64A

Computer Chassis
Manufacturer : Sony
Type : Notebook
Can be locked : No
Version : N/A
Serial Number : J001G09L
Boot-up State : Safe
Power State : Safe
Thermal State : Safe
Security State : External Interface Locked-out

Mainboard
Platform Compliance : Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
Manufacturer : Sony
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : VAIO
Version : N/A
Serial Number : N/A
Asset Tag : N/A

Mainboard Properties
Removable : No
Replaceable : No
Hot Swap : No

Computer Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Number of Memory Slots : 2
Bank 0 - SODIMM1 : SO-DIMM DDR 1GB/32
Bank 1 - SODIMM2 : SO-DIMM DDR 1GB/32

Chipset
Model : Sony 955XM/945GM/PM/GMS/940GML Express Processor to DRAM Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 955XM/945GM/PM/GMS/940GML Express Processor to DRAM Controller
Revision : A4
Bus : Intel AGTL+
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 167MHz (668MHz)
Maximum FSB Speed : 4x 200MHz (800MHz)
Width : 64-bit
I/O Queue Depth : 12 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 5.22GB/s
Maximum Power : 7.00W

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : DMI (Direct Media Interface)
Version : 1.00
Number of Ports : 2
In/Out Width : 2-bit / 2-bit
Multiplier : 3x
Speed : 1x 100MHz (100MHz)

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 512MB DDR2 SO-DIMM 4-4-4-12 8-16-4-2 1T
Bank 1 : 512MB DDR2 SO-DIMM 4-4-4-12 8-16-4-2 1T
Bank 4 : 512MB DDR2 SO-DIMM 4-4-4-12 8-16-4-2 1T
Bank 5 : 512MB DDR2 SO-DIMM 4-4-4-12 8-16-4-2 1T
Supported Memory Types : DDR2 SO-DIMM
Channels : 2
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 267MHz (534MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 2x 167MHz (334MHz)
Multiplier : 8/5x
Width : 64-bit
Refresh Rate : 7.80µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 8.34GB/s

APIC 1
Version : 2.00
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : VS1GSDS533D2
Type : 1GB DDR2 SO-DIMM
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC2-4300U DDR2-534
Standard Timings : 4-4-4-12 2-15-4-2
Version : 1.02
Memory DC Line : 1.80V
Timing @ 267MHz : 4-4-4-12 2-15-4-2
Timing @ 200MHz : 3-3-3-9 2-11-3-2

Memory Module
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : VS1GSDS533D2
Type : 1GB DDR2 SO-DIMM
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC2-4300U DDR2-534
Standard Timings : 4-4-4-12 2-15-4-2
Version : 1.02
Memory DC Line : 1.80V
Timing @ 267MHz : 4-4-4-12 2-15-4-2
Timing @ 200MHz : 3-3-3-9 2-11-3-2

Environment Monitor 1
Model : Intel Core CPU [P1, C2, T100]
Version : 14.08
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Temperature Sensor(s)
CPU Temperature : 40.00°C td

System Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.30
System Bus 0 : PCI
System Bus 1 : PCIe 1.00 x16 2.5Gbps
System Bus 2 : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
System Bus 6 : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
System Bus 7 : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
System Bus 8 : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
System Bus 9 : PCI66
System Bus 10 : PCMCIA/CardBus

LPC Hub Controller 1
Model : Sony 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Controller
Revision : A3
ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes
Advanced TCO Mode Support : Yes
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
High Precision Timer Support : Yes
High Precision Timer Enabled : No
Delayed Transaction Enabled : Yes

LPC Legacy Controller 1
Type : T1 0B-00h
Version : 0.00
Number of Enabled Devices : 16

Disk Controller
Model : Sony 82801G (ICH7) Ultra ATA Storage Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801G (ICH7) Ultra ATA Storage Controller
Interface : ATA
Revision : A3
Maximum UDMA Mode : UltraDMA-5 / ATA100
Channels : 2
In Use Channels : 2
Port : UltraDMA-2 / ATA33
Port : UltraDMA-2 / ATA33

Disk Controller
Model : Sony 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7-M) Serial ATA Storage Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7-M) Serial ATA Storage Controller
Interface : SATA
Revision : A3
Maximum SATA Mode : G2 / SATA300
Mobile : Yes
Channels : 1
In Use Channels : 1
Port : G1 / SATA150

Audio Device
Model : Sony 82801G (ICH7) High Definition Audio
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801G (ICH7) High Definition Audio
Revision : A3
Type : HD (High-Definition) Audio
Version : 1.00
Number of In / Out / Bi-Directional Streams : 4 / 4 / 0
Number of Serial Data Streams : 1

Audio Codec
Model : Sigmatel 7661h
Revision : A2
Version : 1.00
Audio Channels : 12

Audio Codec
Model : Conexant HDAudio Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCP
Revision : A1
Version : 0.09

USB Controller 1
Model : Sony 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
Revision : A3
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 2
Model : Sony 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
Revision : A3
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 3
Model : Sony 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
Revision : A3
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 4
Model : Sony 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
Revision : A3
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 5
Model : Sony 82801G (ICH7) USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801G (ICH7) USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
Revision : A3
Version : 2.00
Specification : 1.00
Interface : EHCI
Channels : 8
Companion Controllers : 4
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) High (480Mbps)
Addressing Support : 64-bit
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

FireWire/1394 Controller 1
Model : Sony PCIxx12 OHCI IEEE 1394 Host Controller
OEM Device Name : TI PCIxx12 OHCI IEEE 1394 Host Controller
Revision : A1
Version : 1.10
Interface : OHCI
Enhanced Support : Yes
Channels : 64
Speed : 400MHz

CardBus/PCMCIA Controller 1
Model : 64768 PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller
OEM Device Name : TI PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller
Revision : A1

SMBus/i2c Controller 1
Model : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus
Version : 0.02
Specification : 2.00
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : Yes
Slave Device Enabled : Yes
PEC Support : Yes
Speed : 100kHz

Expansion Slot(s)
PCCARD1 (1h-0h) : PCMCIA/CardBus 32-bit +5V +3.3V PCMCIA CardBus ModemRing PME Hot-Plug Available

Performance Tips
Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Warning 2507 : Mainboard has too few memory slots. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Warning 2508 : All memory slots are full. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Warning 2542 : Memory bus speed exceeds Chipset rated speed. Reduce FSB/memory multiplier.

 

I have tried these O/Ses on the SZ90 and notice that all won't use the second core. I had a thought: I remember that this really happened a year or so ago, and that it is only recently that I got around to investigating it. I think that it happened after I flashed a new BIOS from Sony. Its the one refered to in this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=51506&page=3
The current BIOS is R0073N0.

There is a later BIOS R0083N0.

Question: Woudl someone else who has this BIOS R0073N0 installed on their SZ90 please confirm that they have both cores running in the O/S. I have a feeling that BIOS R0073N0 disabled the second core.

Attention: MODS: Please would you change the Thread title to:
QUESTION: WinXP install and HAL - ACPI Uniprocessor - Vaio SZ90PS
This is so that other SZ90 owners are alerted to this possible problem and can comment on it.

 

have you tried updating to the new 83N0 bios yet?

 

Not yet. I won't do this until I am certain that this is the problem. I read the release notes for 83N0 & there was no mention of this problem being recified.

 

i'd try it anyways. even while it might not be planned to fix the problem, it still might, as your bios might be buggy in some form..

what could possibly go wrong? (i updated once two identical laptops with the identical bios, one was bricked to death afterwards, and had to get a new mainboard )

 

I think you answered your question rather well

 

yes. still, i would do it

 

The answer is that your motherboard is not multiprocessor, just as Sandra says. They define a processor as a physical chip, rather than separate cores (note how the first thing you have bolded is Cores per Processor. That's a hint). Your machine is using both cores just as you'd expect it to. You just can't install two separate physical processor chips in your motherboard.