Incorrect ACPI Advanced Computer Power Interface and HAL Hardware Abstraction Layer

neoglow · 31 May 2011 at 17:45

Hey up all,

I just ran CPU-Z in Windows XP 32bit on a Multicore processor PC and noticed it said 1 Core and 1 Thread at the bottom.

The CPU is a Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 so it should be showing 2 Cores surely?

Did some poking around on the net and checked the 'Computer' configuration in Device Manager and its listed as an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC.

Am I right in thinking it should be showing as a ACPI Multiprocessor PC or MPS Multiprocessor PC?

Task Manager is also only showing 1 CPU Usage History and not 2.

Does this mean the wrong HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) has been implemented into the XP install?

Ive read that you shouldnt/cant change the ACPI in Device Manager without running into problems and its best to do a fresh install of XP.

My question is this thou, even thou XP and indeed CPU-Z are reporting the CPU as only having 1 core when there is infact 2 as per the BIOS settings, does this mean XP is only utilising 1 core and not 2?

AKA, is this computers CPU performance in effect halved as only 1 core is being used?

Thanks for reading and any help would be much appreciated.

neoglow · 1 Jun 2011 at 11:41

Anyone?

neoglow · 2 Jun 2011 at 13:51

Lol, no one. Bump!

anything I don't mind · 2 Jun 2011 at 14:00

Might do better reposting this in the hardware sections. Sounds like you might have a something disabled in the bios. Try reset the bios to default (factory settings) from within the bios. This will reset all settings so if you are not sure about it, save the bios settings, if you can. Or just remember them or take pic of each screen.

Deleted member 77746 · 2 Jun 2011 at 14:31

You may need to upgrade the HAL from uni to multi HAL.

In Task Manager > Performance

Do you see one core or two cores there?

neoglow · 2 Jun 2011 at 17:07

iDroid84 said:
You may need to upgrade the HAL from uni to multi HAL.

In Task Manager > Performance

Do you see one core or two cores there?

I only see 1 core and this is the problem. Can you force a new HAL or is a fresh install of XP required?

I dont want to try and force a new HAL in device manager only to reset and get a BSOD.

Deleted member 77746 · 2 Jun 2011 at 17:12

neoglow said:
I only see 1 core and this is the problem. Can you force a new HAL or is a fresh install of XP required?

I dont want to try and force a new HAL in device manager only to reset and get a BSOD.

Thats the thing, you won't get a BSOD. You can force a new HAL it's just an update. Find your latest processor drivers then do an update.

neoglow · 2 Jun 2011 at 17:46

iDroid84 said:
Thats the thing, you won't get a BSOD. You can force a new HAL it's just an update. Find your latest processor drivers then do an update.

OK, cool, I'll give it a shot. Fingers crossed.