Replacing CPU

[scranville]

Not having done this before; if I replace the CPU in an AM2 motherboard, will I have to reinstall XP?

I've been told that the MAC address that identifies the computer is linked to the motherboard, but is there anything in the processor that does a similar job?

Thanks for reading!

[Zod]

MAC address is the network controller. If you just replace the processor on an AM2 motherboard, you will not need to reinstall XP, unless you move from single core to dual core, in which case a repair install will change the HAL from single to dual processor.

[scranville]

Repair install? Will it prompt me for that?

[qube_TA]

If you swap the CPU but leave everything else as was XP will be fine and will not require fiddling with.

Matthew

[Zod]

qube_TA said:

If you swap the CPU but leave everything else as was XP will be fine and will not require fiddling with.

Matthew

not if going from single to dual core (unless you don't want to use the second core, but then what would be the point of the upgrade?).

FOr a repair install, just boot off the Windows CD/DVD, ignore the recovery console option and proceed to install Windows. It will eventually tell you it has found a Windows installation and offer you the option to repair it.

[puggit]

Don't do what I did though - upgraded the cpu on our desktop 3 days before our wedding and ended up frying the motherboard, rendering the desktop useless and precious little time to recover before the big day, with lots of wedding information stored on the computer!

Apparently the wedding was close to being called off!!!

[scranville]

How did you manage to do that? Did you put it in the wrong way round?

[Ballistic]

Zod said:

qube_TA said:

If you swap the CPU but leave everything else as was XP will be fine and will not require fiddling with.

Matthew

not if going from single to dual core (unless you don't want to use the second core, but then what would be the point of the upgrade?).

FOr a repair install, just boot off the Windows CD/DVD, ignore the recovery console option and proceed to install Windows. It will eventually tell you it has found a Windows installation and offer you the option to repair it.

I have an Asus A8N32 SLI deluxe m/b and have just upgraded from a AMD Athlon 64 3000+ to a AMD 64x2 dual core 4200+
Do I need to change the HAL from single to dual processor and what is the HAL?
I tried to repair my WXP Home Edition installation but it informed me that I have a later version already installed than on the original cd.

[jimmyjimjim]

HAL = hardware abstraction layer. Essentially its how windows tlaks to the hardware. There's a separate HAL for single and dual core cpus, and for differing power saving regimes. Back in the days of WinNT, the same was true for single and dual cpus.
There are various tricks to replacing the HAL; microsoft usually list a few:-

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/30928
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/29934

I've got the same to come; XP 4000+ to FX-60. I'll have a play with the above.

[jimmyjimjim]

And from the details of one of those links:-

4. 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. Plug and Play detects that the computer devnode's hardware ID list has changed and moves the devnode back through the "found new hardware" detection process. Therefore, when you add a second processor, the MP files (HAL and kernels) are automatically installed, and you do not have to manually update the driver in Device Manager.

Hurrah!

[Zod]

jimmyjimjim said:

And from the details of one of those links:-

4. 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. Plug and Play detects that the computer devnode's hardware ID list has changed and moves the devnode back through the "found new hardware" detection process. Therefore, when you add a second processor, the MP files (HAL and kernels) are automatically installed, and you do not have to manually update the driver in Device Manager.

Hurrah!

That's interesting. I did not know that. I've always been told you had to repair install to update the kernel.

[jimmyjimjim]

That was certainly the case with WinNT, when it was first required. There was also a rather nasty registry hack available.
And for Ballistic; remember to check whether your Bios needs updating....

[scranville]

Thanks for the replies; yours is particularly heartening jimmy, if it means I don't have to do anything software-side.

When you buy a processor, does it generally come with the fan and heatsink? I've got an FX-62 on the way and would be most disappointed if I couldn't play with it straight out of the box.

[Ballistic]

jimmyjimjim said:

That was certainly the case with WinNT, when it was first required. There was also a rather nasty registry hack available.
And for Ballistic; remember to check whether your Bios needs updating....

How do I check that?

[jimmyjimjim]

CPU with Fan? Depends if you bought a retail version or not. If you did, then yes. If not, it'll be a bare chip in a very little box. To be honest, most good aftermarket cpu coolers are quieter and more effective than the original. For socket 939, I can't rate the artic cooling freezer 64 pro enough - my oem fan used to reverberate the chassis terribly; can barely hear the pc with the freezer. I think it'll do socket AM2 (FX-62) as well, better check the arctic cooling website.
The freezer 64 was one hell of a sight easier to fit than the original cooler(broke the screwdirver tab off of that when removing it; calling it a tight fit would be putting it mildly).

BIOS - check the asus website:-

http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cp

For my A8N-Sli Deluxe, I have to be running the latest Beta BIOS for the FX-60. (!)
For the A8N32 Sli, as you've already got the cpu in and working (and presumably recognised as a 4200+ in the initial splash screen, or under device manager), you shouldn't need to do anything.
For the AM2 motherboard, you may need to update the BIOS; can't remember when the FX-62 came out, think it was one of the release chips, so a recent AM2 board should support it out of the box. If it refuses to boot...pull it out and check!

[that daddy]

cant say i have ever had to mess with the operating system with processor upgrades(win xp pro skt 939)cant see why it would be different for the later AM2 processor type,and yes i rate the artic cooler freezer,i have a pc at work running 24/7 for the last 9 months,no problems silent too.

Edited by that daddy on Tuesday 6th February 21:20

[scranville]

Nice one, cheers for the tip. The chip is a retail version but the Arctic Cooling option looks like a good one, so I'll be getting on to Scan this evening!

[panclan]

No need to repair or re-install XP, just follow this link, it works I did it myself 2 weeks ago www.overclock3d.net/articles.php?type=3&id=49&page=1&desc=how_to_install_the_amd_x2_hotfix_patch

[tank slapper]

jimmyjimjim said:

That was certainly the case with WinNT, when it was first required. There was also a rather nasty registry hack available.

NT4 needed a reinstall, though I think it would still run on one CPU. Since the introduction of plug and pray with Win2000 it isn't necessary.

[jimmyjimjim]

I distinctly remember using the registry hack on a customer NT4 server in a 24 hour call center, as we weren't allowed to bring the system down long enough to do a reinstall.
Mildly scary time, but worked.
You're right though; it would happily run on one cpu even though two were present.
I get to find out tonight how XP handles it.