Share via

Dual core CPU only being recognized as single core

Anonymous
2010-02-18T00:27:37+00:00

Okay, so basically it all started when I got Mass Effect 2 installed and tried to play it.  It froze on the load up screen several times so long story short its a problem the game has with single core cpu's.  I have a dual core (Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @3.00 GHz).  After a bit of tinkering into run->msconfig->boot->advanced options I realized that it only recognizes one core.  I rebooted with detect HAL checked and it didnt help.  I used a program called CPU-Z to look at my system specs and it also only detects one core.  Essentially, is my processor fried, is there a problem with my bios, or is there a problem with vista?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2010-02-19T04:09:56+00:00

    Hi,

    The problem could be motherboard, a power connection (rare), chipsets and other hardware

    issues besides the processor itself. A real computer shop can use other diagnostics and swap

    parts in and out to find and fix the issue. If you just buy a new processor you might get lucky

    or it could be worse and whatever caused the issue you have also destroys the new one.

    If the machine is worth fixing then I would do it properly. If not buy a new computer and salvage

    what you can from the old. An UPGRADED MOTHERBOARD if possible and a UPGRADED PROCESSOR

    might be a smart move depending on system age and condition.

    Smart money is on a good computer shop as sometimes these are simple fixes like a jumper

    however you can't really expect that.

    Hope you sort it out.

    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

    0 comments

13 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-02-18T05:17:38+00:00

    Look here:

    Vista by default shows one processor, at least mine did,,,then I went thru the same steps you did , and on advanced options,

    I change the number of processors to "2" moved the radio button from selective startup to normal startup and restarted, task manager shows

    two windows one each for each cpu,,,Cheers

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-02-18T07:35:05+00:00

    look here:

    If this behavior started when the game installed,,it could be a registry change that the game did to binary data of product policy or other instruction change,, setting the processor to 1, you should clean Install Vista and see if the dual core processor,, shows up , if it does it was a software problem if doesnt you have a hardware problem, that needs to be isolated,,,,cheers

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-18T06:05:28+00:00

    Hi,

    CTRL SHIFT ESC - Task Manager - Performance tab - are there two side by side graphs for the

    CPU usage History? Check VIEW - CPU History - One Graph per CPU.

    If not and you did the other settings you have either a BIOS, CPU, Chipset, Motherboard or other

    hardware issue. Could be software, maybe remove antivirus to see if it has any effect. Since it

    does not allow you to set 2 in MSCONFIG (which does not keep it from using two while running)

    the possibilities for software other than chipset drivers or BIOS are limited.

    You probably have hardware issues and need a good computer shop (not leeks and peeks at a

    Best Buy or big box store) or technical support from the System maker.

    Hope this helps.

    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-02-18T05:52:45+00:00

    Yeah, I tried that, but there is no option for 2.  I can only select 1.

    0 comments