AMD 64bit Athlon NOT working in 64bit?

[tmoore55]

Hey all. I'm a long time troller of these forums, but I've never had to post... until now.

I have an AMD Athlon 5600+ 64 X2 processor that just won't run in 64bit mode. I have tried installing various versions of linux, and most recently attempted a Vista Ultimate x64 installation... all with complete failure. The linux installations never even begin, because the system freezes. Windows Vista installs fine, but when it goes to boot up the first time, it goes BSOD on me. I have had the 32bit (x86) version of just about everything installed perfectly with no performance issues or BSOD's. I also have tried updating my BIOS to the latest rev, and that does nothing to solve the problem.

I was wondering if anyone has heard of this before. Can a processor be bad like this? I mean, why would it operate in 32bit "dual core" mode just fine, but not in 64 bit?

Here are my system specs:

System board: ASUS Crosshair
CPU: AMD Athlon 5600+ 64 X2
RAM: 4GB OCZ
Video: NVIDIA 8800GTS 640MB (512MB O/C)
Sound: Creative SB X-Fi Extreme Gamer

I have tried pulling most of the memory and the sound card, thinking there might be a conflict somewhere, but still I get the same results.

Any tips / help you all could provide would be greatly appreciated. I have an RMA ready to go with AMD, but i'd like to see if there is something I am missing before I go and swap CPU's.

 

[NXIL]

Dear T,

BIOS setting? See this thread:

http://forums.opensuse.org/arc...d-64-x2-processor.html

It may be the BIOS memory settings:
"The BIOS does have an optional setting to remap hardware addresses outside of the 4GB memory space when running the x64 OS. This setting is Off by default for 32-bit OSs, but for optimum memory allocation when running a 64-bit OS, the BIOS setting should be changed to remap the hardware addresses." from a HP machine FAQ.

I'd look there...

"Let's have a look how is the 64bit extension to x86 is achieved. Basically, it is done by adding a new mode called long mode. Is is enabled by a global control bit called LMA (for Long Mode Active). When LMA is disabled, the processor operates as a standard x86 processor, and is compatible with all existing 16 and 32bit operating systems and applications. Long mode consists of two sub-modes, 64-bit mode and compatibility mode. Both compatibility and legacy modes are meant to run old 16 and 32bit applications, compatibility long mode requires 64bit OS and does not support insanities such as x86 real mode or virtual-8086 mode (if you really want is, you have to use legacy mode and do without 64bit support)."

Hmm, I scanned through manual, did not find an easy to spot memory setting that might help....

http://www.manualnguide.com/dl/9368/

Since you have more than 3gb of RAM:

http://support.microsoft.com/d...t.aspx/kb/929777/en-us

"Remove 2 GB of RAM, and then restart the installation process. After
Windows Vista is installed, reinstall the RAM."

But, you said it is a problem on linux too....

Here is some more reading: your graphics card?

http://forums.slizone.com/index.php?showtopic=5800

Anyway, not sure if the answer is in there, HTH

NXIL

 

[tmoore55]

Awesome info NXIL, thanks so much. I'll dig into this more tonight.

I really appreciate the effort you put in. Great stuff!

-T