can't use multiple CPU in Windows, (beta 4)

[yann_bizeul]

I installed Windows with a single CPU, then changed the virtual machine properties to make it run on 2 core of my Core 2 Duo Mac Book Pro.

The problem is that windows, in Task manager, don't see two CPU.

I used to fix that on windows by changing the driver but Windows refuses to propose multiple choice, and keep saying that no other driver was found for my system.

The strange thing is that even SLED linux does see only one Core too

Is this not yet supported on beta 4 ?

[admin]

Many OSes have an installation-specific a hardware-specific abstraction layer (HAL). If you want to use multiple CPUs, the best bet is to set this before installation (uncheck the "Start virtual machine and install operating system now" at the final VM creation screen). Although it's possible, Microsoft does not support switching from a uniprocessor HAL to a multiprocessor HAL.

[yann_bizeul]

Perhaps it is not supported by microsoft, but I already did that before.

But ok, lets put windows aside for now.

I never had problem with Linux recognizing CPUs after a simple reboot, most kernel are compiled with multiple CPU support. I think this is an issue with Fusion.

[vinayv]

I am reasonably sure that it is not a fusion issue. Because I just switched my processors from 1-2 for my linux machine and it worked just fine. Windows, I believe does these things at install time.

[Obeechi]

I had to reinstall my VM(NBC) to switch to 2 cores...

nbc= not boot camped

[vinayv]

This is expected behavior for Windows. You should see the exact same behavior if you make the same actual change in actual hardware.

[Andreas_Masur]

I am reasonably sure that it is not a fusion issue.

Because I just switched my processors from 1-2 for

my linux machine and it worked just fine. Windows,

I believe does these things at install time.

Vinay,

You can be sure...it is not Fusion. Windows requires a different HAL as mentioned before in order to work with more than one CPU. It is even quite astonishing that the OP did not get a plain blue screen at boot time....

There are ways to replace the HAL without reinstalling...but they are somewhat nasty...

Ciao, Andreas

[yann_bizeul]

In that case, what do my linux machine see only one CPU ?

[yann_bizeul]

Ok, in my case I undertsand why I can't upgrade XP : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309283 For some reason, it seems I have a non-APIC HAL, I' doomed.

Ok now I just realized that SLED does install a kernel matching your system at installation time, where most distribution does install smp kernel by default, or at least two of them you clearly identify in grub.

Everything is working fine, thanks guys !