Triple core CPU showing ONE in task manager

[nate42nd]

My AMD triple core 8400 has been struggling lately. Performance is WAY down. I just tried to play an HD video and it just maxed out and kept buffering. It's NOT heat. That's the first thing I checked. In the device manager it still shows 3 CPUs.In the task manager, it has always shown all 3 cores. Now it only shows one. Has anyone seen this? What can I do to fix it.....or is my "cheap" CPU going downhill fast? Thanks for any help.

Also, I have Vista and Windows 7 on this box and they are both showing the same thing and acting sluggish. That's would point to a hardware problem. I have never heard of this before...Is this what a CPU would do if it "broke"

This has always shown 3 cores too...now just one. It's from SIW. I think my CPU is dying...... How about you.....any fix I can do?

 

[Brink]

Hi Nate,

You might see if this is the issue with a lower amount of cores selected.

Boot Advanced Options - Number of Processors - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Mark]

Another thing you might want to try (that has worked for me) in Msconfig is try selecting Detect HAL, reboot and see if it finds them, if it does then go back and disable detect HAL and it should be fine after that.

 

[nate42nd]

Thanks Brink. This was the second thing I checked after the heat issue. There is just one option now. I have always had the option to choose 1-2-3 in msconfig. Now there is just one option....1. I ran SIW to see if it still said I had 3 cores and it does not. I can't find anything searching the internet but I'm sure it's there. I hope it's not dead.....

 

[nate42nd]

Another thing you might want to try (that has worked for me) in Msconfig is try selecting Detect HAL, reboot and see if it finds them, if it does then go back and disable detect HAL and it should be fine after that.

Thanks for the info Mr GRiM. I cannot find this in the msconfig utility. Where is it? (detect HAL)

Do you mean to "uncheck" the option to use the # of processors? I think that's what you're saying.....

 

[Mark]

That is a good question, it was there in earlier builds but the option seems to have gone, it used to be here like in Vista.

 

[nate42nd]

Okay, I see. I only have two options:

PCI lock and Debug

I'm getting scared now....glad I just built a new computer.....

Anything else? CPUZ should also be showing X3 on all these numbers too...

 

[Mark]

Is your build info still correct, build 7229 x64, maybe try a newer build, When I had this problem I was using x86 but it's never happened when using x64, anyway I hope you find a solution.

 

[Brink]

Yep. Detect Hal is gone in Windows 7 RTM builds.




Nate,

You might also check to see if there is a newer BIOS and chipset version available that may address this issue.

 

[nate42nd]

Well, thanks guys. I am running the official RC on this machine. I am also running Vista Ultimate. Same situation in both OSs. There is no BIOS update (and it has been fine for a year) so it sounds like my CPU is dead. I only had a 90 day warranty. I guess it's new CPU time or junk it.

If you guys think of anything, please let me know. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Brink]

If you have a spare motherboard or friend that has one that uses the same type of CPU, then you might test it on it to see if it works properly.

 

[nate42nd]

If you have a spare motherboard or friend that has one that uses the same type of CPU, then you might test it on it to see if it works properly.

Good idea.....all I have are intel boards. I guess that's about all I have left.

The funny thing is my video card died just the other day. I just got it back and installed it. This is wgen I discovered this problem. I wonder if a power surge (or something) took out the card and CPU at the same time........

 

[Brink]

It's possible a surge can kill or damage like this. If you have overclocked it any, then that can shorten the life span as well. Might be worth a small investment in a good surge protector with line filtering built into it if you get a lot of power surges. For example, a UPS backup battery with those options.

 

[Dwarf]

Check your BIOS. Some (but not all) BIOSes have a setting which can disable all but one core of a multi-core CPU for debugging and testing purposes.

 

[nate42nd]

It's possible a surge can kill or damage like this. If you have overclocked it any, then that can shorten the life span as well. Might be worth a small investment in a good surge protector with line filtering built into it if you get a lot of power surges. For example, a UPS backup battery with those options.

I have an older home Brink. I have surge protectors (good ones) that show if the outlet is grounded. Mine are NOT. I have never had any problem in 20 years with any electronics of any kind in this house.

It is a very good idea to look into a good UPS with the options you mentioned. I just can't believe the CPU of all things went out. Hopefully someone has seen this before and has an idea we haven't thought of.

 

[nate42nd]

Check your BIOS. Some (but not all) BIOSes have a setting which can disable all but one core of a multi-core CPU for debugging and testing purposes.

Thanks Dwarf, it's an HP BIOS and has no such option. I searched every work of it just now. I am pretty familiar with the BIOS in my machines. It does show the correct CPU and L2 cache 512 X 3 (which is right).....that is not showing in any Windows apps. That may be from an ID on the chip though......what do you think?

I think I may be paying for buying a $350 refurbished system.......

 

[Cyberwolf]

Well, thanks guys. I am running the official RC on this machine. I am also running Vista Ultimate. Same situation in both OSs. There is no BIOS update (and it has been fine for a year) so it sounds like my CPU is dead. I only had a 90 day warranty. I guess it's new CPU time or junk it.

If you guys think of anything, please let me know. Thanks for the suggestions.

I realize this isn't the suggestion you want to hear but....Ditch AMD

 

[SquonkSC]

I realize this isn't the suggestion you want to hear but....Ditch AMD

sorry but that is nonsense.

Been running AMD for 10 years and never failed me.

On the other hand, the triple core is known to be a piece a garbage.

Intel had it's share of garbage CPU's also in the past, with failing floating point units, overheating problems etc.

I think both manufacturers have their ups and downs.


But I think in this case there could have been a heat issue.

Now the two cores have died, the heat issue is gone because the one core won't produce that much heat.

Could be the quality of the triple core, but we don't know. Might as well have been not enough airflow in the case, or failing CPU cooler.

 

[Mark]

Have you tried uninstalling the CPU drivers and restarting it to see if it finds them all again.



I think you at least need to try a different Windows 7 build before you give up on it.

 

[nate42nd]

sorry but that is nonsense.

Been running AMD for 10 years and never failed me.

On the other hand, the triple core is known to be a piece a garbage.

Intel had it's share of garbage CPU's also in the past, with failing floating point units, overheating problems etc.

I think both manufacturers have their ups and downs.


But I think in this case there could have been a heat issue.

Now the two cores have died, the heat issue is gone because the one core won't produce that much heat.

Could be the quality of the triple core, but we don't know. Might as well have been not enough airflow in the case, or failing CPU cooler.

That is all true...I knew this CPU was a discontinued piece of crap when I purchased it. I just needed a faster system to last 6 months, I got about a year out of it. It still has the stock heatsink and fan and runs at 36C. I can still run Prime95 and heat it up. (I tried it fo a few minutes) and it still works. Just slowly.....

Have you tried uninstalling the CPU drivers and restarting it to see if it finds them all again.

View attachment 20891

I think you at least need to try a different Windows 7 build before you give up on it.

MrGRiM, I have Vista Ultimate on the SAME machine and it's the same if I start Vista...That leads me to believe it's not worth trying a new OS. Am I correct????

Also, for that reason, I have not tried the driver fix. If it's the same in Vista I see no point.