Change drivers from 1 to 2 processors

J

Jack B. Pollack

Guest
We have several identical computers (Dell Dimension 3100 XP Pro SP3). I just

noticed that one of them was only detecting a single processor in Task

Manager, environment variable, Virtual PC etc. even though Device Manager

was correctly detecting both processors.



When I looked under "Computer" in Device Manager I noticed that Windows was

using the uni processor

driver (ACPI Uniprocessor PC). From the Recovery Console I replaces hal.dll,

ntoskrnl.exe, ntkrnlpa.exe with files from one of the other PC (the multi

processor version).



When I rebooted the computer correctly saw the second CPU.





I notice MS has a HotFix for this problem and I assume that it will install

under SP3

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896256. They talk about timing issues that

could be a possible side effect.



Now my question:

I'm not clear if the timing issues are a side effect of the HotFix or

switching a uniprocessor PC to a multi processor PC.



Since this computer never detected the multi processors (as the other

identical PCs did), will these computer lack certain registry entries that

correct this problem, or would applying the HotFix correct this issue.



In a nutshell, now that I am detecting the processors correctly should I

apply the HotFix or will it cause problems (in the 10 min I have been using

the PC I have not had any problems yet)



Thanks
 
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