i just recieved my new P4 processor. It is a 3.00ghz one. but after putting it in, my computer and other system information programs shows it running at 1.5ghz. even in BIOS it says 1.5Ghz

That's weird. Sounds like you've got 2 P4 Processors or something?

You might want to open it up and take a look at the processor, make sure everything's right. If you don't resolve the problem, contact the company you bought it from.

well i havent got 2 cpus running, and ive opened my computer up manys times.

i bought it from ebay cos i dont wanna pay over £100 for it when i got it for £80

The CPU might be 3.00 GHz but it's running at 1.5 GHz, check FSB, CPU Multiplier and voltages.

does this help?

Hmm, not that much into CPU related things. But I know somebody with a HT CPU that has that too.

Press CTRL+ALT+DEL and go to the Performance tab. Do you have two CPUs listed there? That's HT in action as far as I know... Windows sees it as two 1500MHz CPUs. Nothing wrong with your system .

ahh thanks. but before i enabled hyper threading in the BIOS settings, it was still like that and there was only one graph in the task manager
also the performance is not greatly different than my old processor and programs say im still running a 1.5ghz.
i got CPUCool to check my clock speed, and its around 1.5ghz.

I have a P4 HT 3 Ghz too, but my computer sees it as 2 processors running at 3 Ghz.

EDIT: Added an image



Maybe they sold you a 1.5 Ghz cpu instead of an 3 Ghz

I think your multiplier isn't set right.

ah ok. anyway to change it?
[Edit] i searched around, and it seems i have to do something with my mobo or the cpu itself, but i dont know what. and after more research, dell (the computer i have) computers cannot be overclocked. so is there anyway round increasing the FSB?

sorry to double post but i really want this problem sorted

i found a way to overclock dells but my PLL is not supported so the only way i can change the FSB is to flash my BIOS and put a new BIOS on. but how do i do this?

Find who the motherboard is manafactured by then hop on their website and download the updated bios and the flashing tool.
Are you sure your motherboard supports that processor?

yeh my mobo does support it.
i think my mobo is intel made becuase yhe chipset is 845PE. but on some system info programs it says my motherboard is Dell Dimension Desktop 4550

[Edit] i updated my BIOS from A01 to A08 but theres still no option to change the multplier or FSB.
could i get a bios flash from intel then use a new BIOS, such as Award?

There are four chipsets starting in 845PE:

Intel® Desktop Board D845PEBT2   
Intel® Desktop Board D845PECE   
Intel® Desktop Board D845PEMY   
Intel® Desktop Board D845PESV

If you tell me which one it is I can find you a link to the bios flash utility or you can look for yourself on http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Support_Intel.aspx. It's a Desktop Board.
Try CPU-Z: http://www.cpuid.com/download/cpu-z-131.zip.

im lookin inside my computer now, i cant see much telling me what my mobo is. i see MIC written on it and thats it. no other words telling me what it is
i ran CPU-Z, and heres what it showed for the mainboard tab:


[Edit] i looked on the Intel site, and the only motherboard with the 845PE chipet is D845PEMY
http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/d845pemy/index.htm

http://downloadfinder.intel.com....
Although it's a Dell board so installing an Intel bios for it might not be so good.

I have a quick question which depending on your answer my be a fix.

After installing the new CPU, did you install your OS from scratch?
If you install a new CPU and don't want to have to reformat, you'll have to install a new HAL. Have you tried reinstalling your OS? What was the speed of your system before you updated your CPU?

i didnt reinstall my OS becuase i thought there was no need. HAL? lol care to explain?
my old CPU was 1.8Ghz
but are the chances it will not work/go wrong high or is it really a 50/50 chance?
[Edit] tried one of the programs, it doesnt let me continue becuase its not an intel board

Did you update the CPU in a standard Dell PC? This may be the reason the multipliers are not set correctly.

i bought the comptuer from Dell themselves and and ive changed the CPU, is that what you mean?

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Originally posted by Reaper

i bought the comptuer from Dell themselves and and ive changed the CPU, is that what you mean?

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well the multipliers cant be changed within my BIOS and i tried a program called CPUFSB but my PLL isnt supported so thats why i think i need a change of BIOS

Before going and updating the BIOS, unless too late, I'd recommend reinstalling the OS. If that doesn't work, than look at updating your BIOS. It could just be the HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer).

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Originally posted by colddove
Before going and updating the BIOS, unless too late, I'd recommend reinstalling the OS. If that doesn't work, than look at updating your BIOS. It could just be the HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer).

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According to a note in my book here, it says "Windows XP installed on an ACPI system with the ACPI hardware abstraction layer (HAL) will not allow you to change the resource settings. It might appear to accept your changes, but it will revert to its prior settings, even if you attempt to change the settings using the system BIOS configuration tools. To permit manual configuration of device resource settings, you must have installed a Standard PC HAL during installation."

He means formatting or just overwriting the windows directory. Did you update the BIOS to the Intel one? The Dell BIOS probably has locked multipliers because you're not meant to attempt to overclock it or change the CPU.

so your saying i need to install the "Standard PC HAL"?

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Originally posted by Underlord
He means formatting or just overwriting the windows directory. Did you update the BIOS to the Intel one? The Dell BIOS probably has locked multiplyes because you're not meant to attempt to overclock it or change the CPU.

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Seeing as though, you earlier mentioned that you wanted to know what it was, I'd doubt that you installed a non-Standard PC HAL. It comes up right at the beginning of the install blue screen and you have to hit F5 to install anything but the Standard.

ok, so if i do this, i can do it without losing all my stuff on my HDD, so as Underlord said, ill be overwriting my Windows directory?

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Originally posted by Reaper
ok, so if i do this, i can do it without losing all my stuff on my HDD, so as Underlord said, ill be overwriting my Windows directory?

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I myself wouldn't recommend overwriting the Windows directory but if Underlord is confident enough, go with him. I would backup my data maybe to dvd, cd, another physical hard drive, etc... then reformat and then move the data back.

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Originally posted by colddove
I myself wouldn't recommend overwriting the Windows directory but if Underlord is confident enough, go with him. I would backup my data maybe to dvd, cd, another physical hard drive, etc... then reformat and then move the data back.

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Yeah, I didn't think you could just do that. Repairing the install would fix anything wrong with the OS but wouldn't change the HAL so if you really don't want to do it, you can force a non-ACPI HAL but I'm not too familiar with doing that so from my standpoint, the easiest way would be to just reformat.

ok, ill use colddove's method as a last resort, only if it guarenteed to work.
as with changing the BIOS, is there a way to remove the BIOS from the chip and install a totally different one?

Underlord is correct too. The multipliers being locked could be stopping you too. I would contact Dell Tech support and ask them if they have any updates that would allow it. The reformat is a quick fix check to see if it is the HAL. It could be either of the two. Sorry, I wasn't paying too much attention to the muliplier lock. Dell used to be popular for that. I didn't know they still were, but why not, from their standpoint.

You can't remove and change the BIOS chip unless you replace it with an identical one and then there wouldn't be a point to that. Try finding an BIOS update and if that doesn't work than try the reformat as a last resort.

You could just try the Intel one; though it would be at your own risk. I'm off to bed now. Hope you can work it out.

I have the same thing, one processor 2 appear, its because of HT.

Or you could only make a REPAIR of the WIndows Installation, the registry will still be OK, some registry entries would be overwritten, but the I think that might work, and the whole Windows directory wouldn't be replaced, just some files.

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Originally posted by YottabyteWIzard
Or you could only make a REPAIR of the WIndows Installation, the registry will still be OK, some registry entries would be overwritten, but the I think that might work, and the whole Windows directory wouldn't be replaced, just some files.

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umm i'm not sure about Intel, but with AMD you need to change the "jumpers" on your motherboard to determine the FSB that it runs at.

Read the manual of your CPU and see if you need to set these jumpers on your motherboard. I know for AMD that it is required, so you might need to do it for Intel as well. Whenever i build a computer i usually boot it up like you have and then realise i haven't increased the jumper settings. So nothing is wrong with your CPU is this is the case, read your motherboard info on jumpers for info on how to do it.

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Originally posted by Chestah
umm i'm not sure about Intel, but with AMD you need to change the "jumpers" on your motherboard to determine the FSB that it runs at.

Read the manual of your CPU and see if you need to set these jumpers on your motherboard. I know for AMD that it is required, so you might need to do it for Intel as well. Whenever i build a computer i usually boot it up like you have and then realise i haven't increased the jumper settings. So nothing is wrong with your CPU is this is the case, read your motherboard info on jumpers for info on how to do it.

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Originally posted by colddove
Underlord is correct too. The multipliers being locked could be stopping you too. I would contact Dell Tech support and ask them if they have any updates that would allow it. The reformat is a quick fix check to see if it is the HAL. It could be either of the two. Sorry, I wasn't paying too much attention to the muliplier lock. Dell used to be popular for that. I didn't know they still were, but why not, from their standpoint.

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Originally posted by damm-o
I have the same thing, one processor 2 appear, its because of HT.

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quote:

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Originally posted by YottabyteWIzard
Or you could only make a REPAIR of the WIndows Installation, the registry will still be OK, some registry entries would be overwritten, but the I think that might work, and the whole Windows directory wouldn't be replaced, just some files.

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Chestah hit the nail...

And he most likely also meant read the manual of your mobo too... He is right that in many cases when you change CPU, you also need to change some jumpers on the mobo (if possible at all, not all mobo's can be configured for whatever CPU and stuff). Doing this only in BIOS is rare.

Windows has got nothing to do with all this; Windows does not control how such hardware as your mobo is configured; it simply runs on top whatever it has (this also means there is no need at all to reinstall, repair, whatever, after such a hardware update)

I always emphasize on having a specific manual of your mobo, especially when upgrading. It is very mandatory (especially when upgrading CPU's)!

Though many mobo's also have tables and definitions printed on their board, it is often extremely small and very crypted and short. Manuals most likely also contain more additional info and stuff.

Never buy a mobo without the manual or a mobo of which you aren't sure you can find a manual for it on the net...

well all i got is the computer manual which came with my dell. dell dont include the manuals for the parts they use AFAIK. but i saw a mobo layout in it so ill locate the jumpers. where would i found out what position/order i need to put the jumpers in
[Edit] looking in my computer manual, all i can see is the "Password jumper". would that be it?

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Originally posted by Reaper
[Edit] looking in my computer manual, all i can see is the "Password jumper". would that be it?

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oh i see. are they usally located near something or do they appear anywhere on the mobo?
[Edit] after careful inspection of my mobo, there is only the one jumper, which consists of 3 pins. my motherboard seems to be a modified version of the intel D845PEMY. i looked at the documentation on their site, but its not relevant to my board
also could it be becuase the mobo only support a max of 533Mhz data rate?

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Originally posted by Reaper
also could it be becuase the mobo only support a max of 533Mhz data rate?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Chestah
umm i'm not sure about Intel, but with AMD you need to change the "jumpers" on your motherboard to determine the FSB that it runs at.

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Yeah true lizard.boy, i assumed though that his computer would be using an older motherboard. Eg my computers relatively new (and its an asus) and it still has jumpers.

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Originally posted by Chris Boulton
Bad news? Dell lock the FSB and multiplier.

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well i called up dell. they cant do nothing about it. so looks like im gonna have to buy a new motherboard which supports 800Mhz FSB
thanx for your help tho
heres the mobo im getting:
Mobo
im also getting a new case because my dell case wont support the mobo. does it matter what wattage i get?

At least 300W, to make sure you will come nothing short in the far future, make it 400W...

Also read the following thread (entirly), it contains a massive amount of very usefull info if you go shopping for one:

new power supply, help

cheers cookie, also can someone explain what ATX is all about. i know that at the moment i dont have an ATX PSU.

ATX is a form factor.
Just as AT and BTX are other form factors

AT is the old form factor for PC's...
ATX is the current widespread used form factor for PC's...
BTX will be the new form factor of the future...

(all have sub form factors, like babyAT, microATX, microBTX, etc)

A form factor defines how and where things are placed and what the dimensions are. It describes the general shape, what sorts of cases and power supplies it can use, its physical organization, etc. Thus so component A would fit in/on component B.

For example, a company can make two motherboards that have basically the same functionality but that use a different form factor, and the only real differences will be the physical layout of the board, the position of the components...

eg: a power supply with form factor ATX would not fit in a case with form factor AT or BTX. So make sure you buy the correct PSU with the correct form factor for your case and motherboard. This would mean an ATX one, unless you still have a stone-age PC or a ultra-super-modern PC.

http://www.formfactors.org/formfactor.asp

hmm, well my mate was buying me a case, and he got me one with a 500W psu. its way too much i know, but will it affect my components?

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Originally posted by Reaper
hmm, well my mate was buying me a case, and he got me one with a 500W psu. its way too much i know, but will it affect my components?

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If you are getting a cheapy case, I wouldn't trust the PSU that comes with it, if one does. If you are getting a case from a reputable manufacturer (eg Antec), then the PSU should be good. If getting a no brand case, I get rid fo the PSU that case with it and buy a quality PSU.

Like CookieRevised said, 300 W will be enough, unless you want to run some crazy lighting off it to show off your SLI PCI-E video cards , but if a yumcha PSU says that it can output 300 W, it might not be able to.

Summary
If buying a case from a trusted manufacturer, the PSU will probably be 300 W or more, and you'll be set. If buying a dodgy brand case, the rating that is given for the PSU is probably false, so don't pay attention to what rating is given, or whether there is a PSU at all, and buy a quality PSU to use instead.

well i dont know much about case manufacturers, but the case is:
I-Cute 0408XL-BS Black ATX Case With 500 WATT PSU
cost is £50

I dunno....
£50 would be just enough to buy a decent 500W PSU... let alone a decent case together with a decent 500W PSU...  and since that case is a special "designers/modding" case I personally would not buy that as I think the PSU must be a very cheap one for that price.


I-Cute 0408XL-BS

The prices I've seen for that case alone, range from £30 to £60... let alone that you can have a decent 500W PSU for the rest of the money...

I wonder what you're going to do with 500W anyways though

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Originally posted by Reaper
well i dont know much about case manufacturers, but the case is:
I-Cute 0408XL-BS Black ATX Case With 500 WATT PSU
cost is £50

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