Can someone link this hotfix or provide key words for google. I've had a tough time finding it.

Hi Greg,My system is similar to yours and I'm using WinXP Media Edition. Just noticed that I listed it incorrectly in below - will change it now.Which windows edition (home or Media) are you using? The reason I'm asking is that the Microsoft info page doesn't say it applies to Media Edition.Thanks,

http://exphose.com/upfiles/1/WindowsXP-KB8...-v3-x86-ENU.exe

I am using XP Pro (SP2)... if the Media Edition is an offshoot of Pro (supports multi-processors), then the hotfix may work for you. If it is an offshoot of XP Home (absolutely no support for multi-processors) then the hotfix won't be of use. If you pull up the task manager and see multiple processors (corrasponding to your dual core processor), then you should be OK to try out the hotfix. -Greg

>on the dual core front, I noticed in Adam's terrain paper on>FSInsider that the problem with the current terrain engine was>that for compatability reasons, the decision was made not to>use shader code to run most of the terrain computations, and>all the terrain engine runs on the CPU. Then to prevent the>terrain engine from sucking up all the CPU cycles, it was>necessary to run it as a fiber in a single thread-- then they>could have positive control of scheduling CPU for terrain. >But the indication is that in FSX the terrain engine might run>in a separate thread which could then run on a 2d core.>I read that too...and I think that's a good sign. I think they're using shader model 3.0 computations, too. If FSX does that, that may be my excuse to build a dual-core system next year. :)Rhett

Thanks.

Are you sure about that? I was totally under the impression that there is no difference between XP Home, Pro and MCE as far as Dual Core support (multi threading).

Yeah, pretty sure. (Now I am no expert, but this is what I understand to be true...)While both OS's are multithreaded, only the Pro edition will be able to designate another processor share the loads of the multiple threads. Multithreading allows programs to break their processes (*what you see in the task manager Processes tab) into threads. These threads can then run on the CPU more independant of each other, which can lead to better performance overall. All flavors of XP are multithreading... but this doesn't mean that all flavors support multiple processors!When you introduce multiple processors AND an OS capable of using it, these threads can then be directed at the other CPU cores available. Although there is some processing overhead used to do this, this gives the computer more room to work, and effectively increases the speed of the running multithreaded apps. Windows XP Home's processing kernel doesn't have the brains to use multiple CPU's, but Windows XP Pro does. Windows XP Media Center is an offshoot of the XP Pro line, and it does support multiple processors. XP Home will WORK on a multicore/multiprocessor computer, but it cannot take advantage of the added processing power another core would bring to the mix. =----------------------------------------------------------------=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/how.../choosing2.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechn...z04d621675.mspx=----------------------------------------------------------------=

Thanks for that explanation. I really had no idea. It is a little troubling that with all the push for Dual Core yet XP home is numb to it. I guess Dual Core is more suited/streamed for VISTA which I presume will handle dual core and multi threading effectively.

This is incorrect information. Windows XP Home does not support dual processors, but it is compatible with dual core designs and will direct threads across cores accordingly.The hotfix is just as applicable to XP Home as to XP Pro. You will see this at the bottom of the Microsoft Knowledge Base article regarding the hotfix.Don S.

This is confusing.What is the difference between 'supporting dual processors' and 'compatible with dual core'? Is there a difference between supporting Dual Core and Two separate single-core processors, when it comes to multi threading?My head hurts now.

Looks like what Dontsim is saying is that...Dual CORE processors are fully supported in all editions of XP - so if you had XP Home or XP Pro or XP Media or XP KitchenSink Edition, a dual-core processor will be fully utilized by the operating system.Dual-PROCESSOR systems - most often seen in servers and high-HIGH-end "workstation" class machines, are not supported by XP Home. The difference is that in a dual-core, you have a SINGLE processor socket with a single "chip" in it, but on that chip are two CPU cores. A dual-processor machine has literally two sockets, with two chips (and two CPU fans, etc). ---------------------------------------The confusion comes into play because dual-core machines are thought of in Windows as a dual-processor. Some information says that because of that, it isn't fully used in XP Home. Other information says that a dual-core processor IS fully used in XP Home because both cores are on the same module. I based my "it's not used" theory on how my motherboard reports my Ath64 x2 as a "multiprocessor" machine, as opposed to a single processor machine for a non-x2. With BIOS calling that shot, I'd imagine that Windows would have to follow suit.My head hurts now too. :) Either way, I run on XP Pro, so I'm in the clear... if you are going to use XP Media Center, you'll be OK no matter who's right because it is an offshoot of XP Pro. I googlesearched this topic and there are so many differing opinions from various knowledgeable people that it's comical. -Greg

Thanks Greg.I guess to be safe use XP Pro or MCE. Hopefully with Vista next year all versions will fully support Dual Core.

Hi Greg,You paraphrased what I said correctly. The only thing I forgot to mention is that SP2 must be installed for XP to recognize and use both cores.I base my information on AMD's website (which is who makes my dual core chip) among others, plus my task manager (and other similar utilities) clearly shows that my Windows XP Home SP2 installation recognizes and uses both cores of my AMD 4200+ dual core processor.Don S.

Hi Don,I also have an AMD 4200 dual core processor, but when I look at Task Manager It seems to only show one core on the display graph. How else can you tell if both cores are recognized? Thanks..