Do I still need to follow user-created patch guides for multi-core CPUs?

[CZroe]

I remember when I built my first s478 P4 Williamette RDRAM system. It was kind of annoying that I had to follow a specific and strict installation order if I expected it to be stable (involving XP, DirectX, Intel INF Update, Intel Application Accelerator drivers, etc). Leaving out the IAA step would result in a crash in 3Dmark 2001! That made me very concerned when Intel later canned the IAA stuff.

Anyway, at least I had it laid out for me. All I had to do was go to Intel's site, look up my product (either the i850 D850GB motherboard or the CPU itself), and I'd see an impossible to miss "Critical Installation Order!" message right there. With the advent of Dual-Core CPUs, things have gotten much worse with nearly "secret" MS Knowledge Base Hotfixes and "CPU Drivers." Even so, this was long ago. No service pack has been released, but I'd expect these fixes to have been rolled out through Windows Update by now... or at least a half-decent install guide easily available (any guide I find is likely VERY out of date; like this one.). AMD's site doesn't tell me if I still need these Hotfixes.

Bottom line: Are they still needed? Should I follow a guide like the one linked above? I'm finally ready to get my X2 3800+ set up properly and my Core Duo laptop. I don't have a board yet, but my new Core 2 Quad will soon be put to use also.

 

[covert24]

there isnt any magic or special order you need to do them in. MY advice would be os-video-security(antivirus,firewall)-chipset-windows update--directx-all other

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: covert24
there isnt any magic or special order you need to do them in. MY advice would be os-video-security(antivirus,firewall)-chipset-windows update--directx-all other

What about an actual list of what's needed that doesn't come from 1+ year ago from a 3rd party source?

Is there anything "official" or at least up-to-date?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'd install the MS multi-core patch (up to v4 as of this writing). The AMD processor driver if you are using C'N'Q. I don't know about the AMD multi-core patch, some say if you install the MS one that you don't need the AMD one.

 

[MarcVenice]

The MS one only used to be available for people who called MS and asked for the hotfix/patch/update. AMD then came with their own multicore hotfix, but for some time now MS's hotfix for multicores is available to anyone.

Thats what I read. Installing both can't hurt though.

 

[lopri]

None of your concerns will be an issue with Vista. Maybe except graphics drivers.

 

[CU]

I didn't install any and everything seems fine. If the MS one was needed would it not be a critical update or something.

 

[CZroe]

Well, the "Throttle" reg key didn't exist. Probably because of the update to V4 of the Microsoft patch with the old guides just updating to say "New V4!" as if it was a drop-in substitute in their guides. If this stuff is still needed, then the guides need to be up-to-date or this stuff needs to be put out through Windows Update.

I've had nothing but performance and stability issues with my two previous Dual-Core CPUs that I could only imagine were attributable to the lack of these customizations.

 

[NXIL]

Hi Covert,

from what I have read, for both Intel and AMD, the driver installation order is important.

One method that has worked well for me: "layering" the driver installations, in order from most basic/most important, and least likely to change over time, ending up with applications.

From Intel's web site:

Table 1: Installation & Configuration Order
Order
1 Fresh Operating System Installation
2 Latest Service Pack or Patch
3 Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility (INF Utility)
4 All other device drivers
5 Intel® Application Accelerator if needed
6 Microsoft* DirectX* 8.0 or higher


Last updated June 2006, but, unless I am mistaken, DirectX 9 was out before that....also, I have read that the Intel Application Accelerator is actually the Intel BSOD accelerator.

This looks like a very good plan, depending on how much you like to tweak your settings, and follows the same basic principles above:

http://tweakhound.com/xp/installxp/installorder.htm

This is what I consider the proper order to install XP, its updates/drivers/patches and applications.

1. XP

2. SP2 (If you didn't make a slipstreamed CD)

3. Chipset drivers

Note: I install the most recent DirectX version here, before video drivers....

4. Video Card Drivers. (run disk cleanup)

5. NIC/Modem Drivers

6. Windows Update, High Priority Updates
Note: I never ever use M-soft's driver updates--they invariably bork my system for some reason....

+ Windows Update, Optional software updates (don't load unnecessary items)

7. Other Drivers (try to automatically update first) (run disk cleanup)

8. Backup

9. Create partitions for Docs, data, etc...

10. Major applications. Fully update each application before installing the next.

11. The rest of your apps. (run disk cleanup)

12. Anti-Virus software and update it.

13. Configure email, move My Documents to another drive

14. Cleanup System Tray, organize Start Menu, activate XP

15. Safe Mode, disk cleanup (advanced) and defragment.

16. Backup

17. Tweak it!

18. Backup

Note: I have a hardware firewall to keep my PC protected while it is downloading updates, before security software is installed....I have read that it is not a good idea to connect an unpatched and unprotected Windows PC, as it apparently gets "pWNED" within about 2 minutes.....

HTH

NXIL

 

[CZroe]

Thanks, I'm aware of the general proceedures, but the problem is that there is no official documentation that will make a user even aware of the KB download or the AMD CPU Driver to factor it into their general "good practices" installation order.

Also, they say that the AMD Dual-Core Optimizer was made because MS refused to put their patch available for public download. When it because available, all the guides updated saying to install both if you wanted because "it couldn't hurt." Well, now the MSKB patch has updated to V4 and the AMD one has not updated at all. It looks to me like you'd be downgrading whatever it changes if you ran the AMD version second. Understandably, I worked out my own installation order first including CPU Driver then AMD Dual-Core Optimizer and then the MSKB patch (v4). The next step was to change a registry key that didn't exist despite installing both things that should have created it. Sure, the guides update to show that the new version is available, but they don't update their recommendations to install both or change a reg key. My only choice was to create the key and hope that it works or that the newer version either doesn't need/read it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: CZroe
Well, the "Throttle" reg key didn't exist. Probably because of the update to V4 of the Microsoft patch with the old guides just updating to say "New V4!" as if it was a drop-in substitute in their guides. If this stuff is still needed, then the guides need to be up-to-date or this stuff needs to be put out through Windows Update.

I've had nothing but performance and stability issues with my two previous Dual-Core CPUs that I could only imagine were attributable to the lack of these customizations.

You had problems with or without the MS patch?

 

[CZroe]

Assumedly, without. I believed Acer wouldn't sell a Dual-Core laptop that was not patched to properly utilize Dual-Core. The other was back when things were so convoluted that MS didn't even have a public download and I was only discovering the need for those things well after installing and encountering issues.

Then again, I finally started using that A64 X2 again and, because some of the issues remain, it seems to me that the Abit board is to blame for everything. I can't believe the AN8-SLI has been "archived" on their site for so long (and no updates).