Does a CPU upgrade necessitate a reinstall of Windows?

[MDesigner]

I know with some components, like a new motherboard, it's fairly important to reformat/reinstall Windows. My question is, if I'm just upgrading the CPU only (from Athlon64 3500+ to Athlon64 X2 4400+), do I need to reinstall?

Thanks in advance.

 

[FireChicken]

No I have done this but it will windows will recogonize that your hardware is different so you will have to call to get a re-activation code. Or you might be able to re-activate online....

 

[superHARD]

In short...no

 

[zephyrprime]

You're moving to a dual core processor so you must change the HAL.dll file that windows uses. There are several different versions of hal.dll and kernal.dll and you must copy in the correct one. otherwise, windows will only see one of the processor cores. Search the web for hal.dll to find specific instructions.

 

[RichUK]

No, windows will just load the correct HAL as it will detect the hardware change.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
You're moving to a dual core processor so you must change the HAL.dll file that windows uses. There are several different versions of hal.dll and kernal.dll and you must copy in the correct one. otherwise, windows will only see one of the processor cores. Search the web for hal.dll to find specific instructions.

Windows should dynamically load the correct HAL when you first load up windows with the new processor. The only real instance windows wont pick up the dual core is if the BIOS does not support dual core, therefore it will only recognise Core 0, instead of Core 0, and 1.

 

[n19htmare]

Rich is right. Windows will install the corrent HAL, I went from a Single core opteron to a Dual core. Windows had no problems detection 2 CPUs. Then I applied the Dual core fix and I was good to roll.

 

[zephyrprime]

I went from single to dual core and Windows did not do anything to install a different kernal and hal. I had to do it manually.

 

[Geomagick]

I went from single to dual and it was fine. Best drop in upgrade i've ever done.

 

[MDesigner]

Originally posted by: n19htmare
Then I applied the Dual core fix and I was good to roll.

Now this I'm not familiar with. What fix? You mean the AMD software you download and install? This?:

AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Dual Core Processor Driver for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Version (x86 and x64 exe) 1.3.2 - Allows the system to automatically adjust the CPU speed, voltage and power combination that match the instantaneous user performance need. Download this Setup Installation program (EXE) to automatically update all the files necessary for installation. This package is recommended for users whom desire a graphical user interface for installation. This .EXE driver is a user friendly localized software installation of the driver designed for end-users. This driver supports AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Dual Core processors on Windows XP SP2, Windows 2003 SP1 x84 and x64 Editions.

 

[MDesigner]

BTW, thanks for the answers. I already own an X2 4400+ but it's got a faulty memory controller so I'm RMA'ing it, and temporarily using my old A64 3500+. I just wanted to know if I should go ahead and install all my software and get comfy, or if I had to reformat again when I get my replacement X2 4400+.

 

[fighterpilot]

Originally posted by: MDesigner
I know with some components, like a new motherboard, it's fairly important to reformat/reinstall Windows. My question is, if I'm just upgrading the CPU only (from Athlon64 3500+ to Athlon64 X2 4400+), do I need to reinstall?

Thanks in advance.

Should you reinstall? YES!

Do you need to? NO!

 

[MDesigner]

Just for the record, I put in the dual core CPU, and booted up.. Windows was smart about it. It said "new hardware detected", said it was an "ACPI Multiprocessor", then had me reboot. Once I did, I saw that dual core was working fine in Windows. All is well, no reformat needed, and I can see the performance boost.

 

[imported_wicka]

Don't reinstall. It's a waste of time. If you have any problems, load from the XP disk, wait until you start to format the drive, and instead do a repair install. Essentially the same effects but it won't mess up your files and settings.

 

[MDesigner]

Yeah I have no plans to reinstall, everything is working perfectly.

 

[TheRyuu]

I think he's talking about This dual core hotfix (it's the XS "how to install it right" thread)

Also, don't forget to install the Dual Core optimizer on top of that.

 

[MDesigner]

I'm a little wary of that XP hotfix.. why would something like that require registry tweaks? I already have the AMD dual core processor driver installed. Besides, the MS KB article says to only install the hotfix if you are experiencing decreased performance. I can say my system is quite smokin' I'll install the dual core optimizer though. Thanks

 

[n7]

No.

 

[MDesigner]

Originally posted by: n7
No.

Waffles.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: MDesigner

Originally posted by: n7
No.

Waffles.

Syrup?

 

[eplebnista]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: MDesigner

Originally posted by: n7
No.

Waffles.

Syrup?

Butter?