AMD A64 X2 Dual core strange behaviour in Win XP

[Valis]

Just installed a fresh copy of Win XP 32 SP2 on a Fujitsu Siemens computer with Athlon 64 X2 4000+ on ASUS M2R-FVM OEM mobo with ATI 482/SB600 chipset.

In idle mode Windows task manager shows that the 2nd core is constantly at 40-60% CPU load. I've never seen anything like it.

I've only installed ATI SB, Catalyst, Realtek HD audio and drivers for the RTL8100 Nic.

The CPU load is normal or low in Linux if I check it with top.

Anyone that has seen this behaviour or has any ideas?

Thanks for any answer.

 

[Sylvanas]

Make sure you install the AMD Dual Core Optimizer which helps the two cores keep sync in some applications- best to install SP3 aswell as I think it comes with it by default.

 

[Valis]

I tried both SP3 and the dual core optimizer, same situation.

I'm going to try something else.

This a screen dump from the taskmanager.

Task Manager Win XP SP3 32-bits

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: Valis
I tried both SP3 and the dual core optimizer, same situation.

I'm going to try something else.

This a screen dump from the taskmanager.

Task Manager Win XP SP3 32-bits

X2 CPUs you should install the AMD X2 drivers first,reboot after then the optimizer(reboot again after).

AMD Processor Driver Version 1.3.2.0053 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 (x86 and x64) - Allows the system to automatically adjust the CPU speed, voltage and power combination to match the instantaneous user performance need. This package is a user friendly localized software installation of the driver designed for end-users. This driver supports AMD processors on Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP2 x86 and x64 Editions.

Download link.

Vista users don't need to install anything since Vista has full native dual core support.

 

[thegorx]

yes, definitely get the amd drivers whether or not that's the problem that you're seeing I don't know but there are problems without those downloads from AMD in XP.

If you still have those problems I'd your other devices

 

[Valis]

Hmm, I'd like to change to another motherboard.

Not working too well... Ohh well, better luck with next computer. :roll:

PC Wizard 2008

 

[Peter]

Lots of CPU load but no visible task eating it up? You may have an "interrupt storm" from a bad PCI device driver there, or a genuinely defective piece of hardware. To troubleshoot which one it is, try BIOS and driver updates, pull peripheral cards, disable onboard devices.

If you want to dig deep, use a tool like PCIScope's "Interrupt Watch".

 

[Valis]

Originally posted by: Peter
Lots of CPU load but no visible task eating it up? You may have an "interrupt storm" from a bad PCI device driver there, or a genuinely defective piece of hardware. To troubleshoot which one it is, try BIOS and driver updates, pull peripheral cards, disable onboard devices.

If you want to dig deep, use a tool like PCIScope's "Interrupt Watch".

Yeah, these are my suspicions as well. I just want to see what I can do about it.
The computer was given to me free, ca 1 year old so. Can't complain. But I want a brand
new one to work. Haven't been fiddling with PC since 1987 for nothing.

I wish it would have been a chipset without integrated gfx and a cheap card on PCI-E.
I've had bad experiences with int graphics chipsets, in the past.

Thanks for the tip, I'll try it.

 

[Valis]

YAY!!! Now why didn't I think of this before, thx for the tip Peter. I disabled all da things possible in BIOS, USB2, 1394A, Serial port, Audio, LAN, etc.

And now voilà: Task Manager and PC Wizard 2008

I'm slow, I should have thought of this earlier.

Thanks for the help guys.


Edit: I've messed around with the onboard devices in BIOS and it seems to be the RTL81xx NIC that is causing it. Glad it wasn't the USB2, 1394 or HD Audio.

 

[Peter]

Yay! Another victory for the tech hats

Your driver updates are at www.realtek.com.tw

You need to look up exactly what 81xx it is, for there are different four driver kits for Fast or Gigabit, PCI or PCIE.

 

[Valis]

Hmm, quite a setback though, I plugged in a PCI RTL8139D and an Intel 100Pro NIC and
when they are enabled, the CPU load of core 2 goes sky rocket again. :shocked:

Should I try a PCI-E Nic maybe, or even a USB 2.0 to Ethernet, cuss I aint having this.
Can't really make out why windows would behave like this.

I'll try 2 other NICs I have, AMD and 3-Com, also.


Edit: Yay!! Seems like we have a winner!! The AMD PCNET32 NIC works great...
A case worthy to be entered in the history books of PC "felsökning" as we call it in Sweden.
(The art of probing/seeking/examining for errors and faults)


I almost considered the horror of putting a Netgear FA-310TX in it. :disgust::shocked::Q


Update no 2: The machine is still running fine and smooth.

 

[Valis]

This AMD PCNet NIC doesn't seem to work in Win XP 64 bit, nor does the 3com 905C I have.

Can anyone recommend a NIC for Win XP 64 bit, that isn't Intel, Realtek, Netgear? PCI preferably.

 

[Peter]

When all three of Intel, onboard (PCIE?) and offboard Realtek produce the high CPU load, I'd begin to suspect a network problem - like excessive noise on the cable. There's nothing inherently wrong with any of these NIC choices ...