1 core out of four working on new cpu

[chuckdawobbly]

Hi, i'm new to these forums but have read quite a few threads. I have a problem that i will try and keep brief.

I upgraded my cpu today from a athlon x2 6000+ to a phenom II x4 925. Loaded up and had a look in the bios and saw it was recognised (w/ all its l2 cache) but couldn't get into windows (7 pro 32bit). After a solid 15 hours of utter frustration i changed the ioapic funtion to disabled in the bios. Now i can enter windows but with only 1 core.

Now i am in windows i see that ioapic function is important for multiprocessor support, hence the one core. Switching back means windows won't load again.

miniXP and the recovery is possible version of linux on hirens bootcd also show only one core regardless of what i have in the bios. So does cpuz , with only that cores l2 cache too

I swapped my old processor back in but after having the new one in i got no love and it didn't work either(this was before i managed to get into windows on the new processor). Kinda tells me that something has been changed that is affecting both chips.

Here is my mobo - MSI Global – Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

Note that i am running a am3 cpu in an am2 (no plus) socket motherboard. Could this be a cause of the problem?

I flashed my bios to version 1.2 like is required for the phenom II's a couple of weeks ago and the old 6000+ was running on it for a while too.

I also "upgraded" my psu but i suspect it is a pos. The guy had an i7 with crossfired radeons (series 6, not sure what model) running off the same model power supply though so i'm not sure. It is supposedly 1200w but the amps are only slightly above my old 450w psu. It is however blowing cold air out the back and the old one blew out toasty warm air.

Tried the 2 different ioapic versions the bios has available and neither worked. Hoping for a simple solution. Like i need a new and improved ioapic version, but i really am at a total loss so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'll also add that about 7 hours ago the whole machine nearly went in the river i was that frustrated.

Cheers

Ben

 

[Lunarpancake]

run am3 processor in am3 mobo. This is most certainly your issue



I wish you luck when you purchase an am3 board. I hope you have not damaged the processor in an unrepairable way.

 

[chuckdawobbly]

Well, that was quick! Wish msi didn't put the processors on their compatability list in that case! Oh well, thank you for the response i'll look into some ddr3 and a new motherboard

 

[Lunarpancake]

I just rechecked your motherboard specs and I am surprised so many processors are supported. I think there may be some underlying issues here that has to do with the mobo. I think the solution in your case is to replace the mobo as i said earlier. Not only should this ensure compatability (in case there is an error on the website) and also offer you the best performance for your processor.

 

[Lunarpancake]

Update: While searching the interwebs I have found that there is a BIOS update that should enable AM3 for your mobo. I cant seem to find the update anywhere however and I have no idea of the MSI naming scheme to tell if the current BIOS available on their website is newer than the version.


BIOS "beta" that will enable AM3 - "A7390NMS.128" im assuming the version is 1.28, MSI website says current BIOS available is 1.2

 

[Lunarpancake]

Found the BIOS update, i think. Make sure you enter the password or you wont be able to download it from MSI.


K9N SLI V2 AM3 BIOS - Kayako SupportSuite Help Desk Software

 

[chuckdawobbly]

Excellent! I have bios 1.2, which it says i need, but i had heard about this beta bios. I thought 1.2 may have been what i needed but i will try the beta bios. Another thing, somewhere said windows 7 uses hpet to detect multiple processors while xp uses apic. Found hpet and enabled it and it didn't work but this other forum also said that a fresh install of windows 7 is required before it actualy starts working. Would that be right?

Anyway i will try the beta bios but think will also look into a motherboard upgrade.

Thank you so much!

 

[Lunarpancake]

Excellent! I have bios 1.2, which it says i need, but i had heard about this beta bios. I thought 1.2 may have been what i needed but i will try the beta bios. Another thing, somewhere said windows 7 uses hpet to detect multiple processors while xp uses apic. Found hpet and enabled it and it didn't work but this other forum also said that a fresh install of windows 7 is required before it actualy starts working. Would that be right?

Anyway i will try the beta bios but think will also look into a motherboard upgrade.

Thank you so much!

I dont see a fresh install changing how many cores are detected by the BIOS. Try the Beta BIOS first and let me know what happens. We can take it from there.

 

[chuckdawobbly]

Well i had some issues flashing the bios with my floppy drive not working and decided i really can't be bothered anymore. Ordered an am3 board and some ddr3. I had a closer look at my board and it actually has "version 1" printed on it. This possibly changes the compatibility list, but it definitely has ms-7390 printed on it. Bit confusing. Anyway, at least now with the parts i've collected i can reassemble this machine for my mother without much effort and give her a pretty decent xmas present.

Thanks for your help mate, has been really appreciated.