I am getting ready to start pulling hairs out of my head!

Re-install of Windows doesn't resolve issue.

Boinc set to use 1 cpu, 100%.

AMD X2's cpu usage is ~ 25%, with system idle at ~ 75%!

What the heck is going on?!

AMD says Windows re-install. Easy for them to say!

I don't believe them, but I'll give it a shot.

Glad I have this laptop as a (Rosetta) back-up.

I'll keep ya posted.

try increasing the priority of the rosetta thread from 'Low' to 'below normal' in Task Manager. If it is something to do with C&Q or something along those lines, it should be ignored if you move the thread up from low priority.

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Good thought! But unfortunately, nothing changes.

Spoke again with AMD. Had me run CPUz utility, seems to show processor is functioning properly.

AMD suggests removing the one stick of 256mb and one of the three stcks of 512mb.

I'll give it a try.

Someone at AMD Forum suggested possibly 250 watt power supply in Compaq might not be powerful enough. Not certain I buy this, as mentioned earlier down in thread, HP has a version of the computer (same mobo) with the X2.

I'll try the RAM thingy and post back.

try increasing the priority of the rosetta thread from 'Low' to 'below normal' in Task Manager. If it is something to do with C&Q or something along those lines, it should be ignored if you move the thread up from low priority.

I hate to ask this, but does anyone know if NewEgg will take returns on cpu's?

It doesn't appear to be the memory.

Have only two sticks of 512mb in. Removed the "odd-ball" 256mb, and removed the "odd" 512mb, so it'd be one pair of 512's.

Same ole, same ole.

Seems no matter what I do, TaskManager will not show Rosetta going past 30%. The balance of the 100% is basically System Idle.

If they'll let me return it, I'll probably do that and re-install the Sempron 3400, it's faster. Don't know why, but thats the fact.

Any final thoughts before I throw in the proverbial towel of defeat?

Good thought! But unfortunately, nothing changes.

Spoke again with AMD. Had me run CPUz utility, seems to show processor is functioning properly.

AMD suggests removing the one stick of 256mb and one of the three stcks of 512mb.

I'll give it a try.

Someone at AMD Forum suggested possibly 250 watt power supply in Compaq might not be powerful enough. Not certain I buy this, as mentioned earlier down in thread, HP has a version of the computer (same mobo) with the X2.

I'll try the RAM thingy and post back.

try increasing the priority of the rosetta thread from 'Low' to 'below normal' in Task Manager. If it is something to do with C&Q or something along those lines, it should be ignored if you move the thread up from low priority.

Have you tried running some other things to try and max out both cpu's. . like that pi calculating program, or another non-boinc dc project? That might help narrow down where the problem is (Rosetta, Boinc, or anything that wants to use 100% of both cores).

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do you have a seti account and atleast one credit? If so, post a question to the NC boards, there are tons of geeks(I use this term with respect and admiration) there that might be able to help.

I will try this now, and post back.

Have you tried running some other things to try and max out both cpu's. . like that pi calculating program, or another non-boinc dc project? That might help narrow down where the problem is (Rosetta, Boinc, or anything that wants to use 100% of both cores).

Have you tried running some other things to try and max out both cpu's. . like that pi calculating program, or another non-boinc dc project? That might help narrow down where the problem is (Rosetta, Boinc, or anything that wants to use 100% of both cores).

Prime95's Torture test is very good - http://www.mersenne.org. Use the 'affinity' setting to run it on particular cores, and then run two copies to test both cores simultaneously.

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I will attempt this before trying to return the X2.

I want the X2 to work the way its supposed to, really I do.

do you have a seti account and atleast one credit? If so, post a question to the NC boards, there are tons of geeks(I use this term with respect and admiration) there that might be able to help.

On my way to try it now...

Have you tried running some other things to try and max out both cpu's. . like that pi calculating program, or another non-boinc dc project? That might help narrow down where the problem is (Rosetta, Boinc, or anything that wants to use 100% of both cores).

Prime95's Torture test is very good - http://www.mersenne.org. Use the 'affinity' setting to run it on particular cores, and then run two copies to test both cores simultaneously.

Stress testing via Prime95 shows cpu0 does not exceed ~ 10% (i.e., 90% system idle), and cpu1 ~25% (i.e., 75% system idle).

Prime95: no errors, no warnings during the Torture Test.

It feels like there is a "governor" (as on cars) that is not allowing the cores to exceed a certain point.

Utility software (i.e., CPUz) shows X2 functioning properly.
Benchmarking software shows X2 extremely underperforming.

It really shouldn't be this difficult to upgrade from Sempron to X2...

On my way to try it now...

Have you tried running some other things to try and max out both cpu's. . like that pi calculating program, or another non-boinc dc project? That might help narrow down where the problem is (Rosetta, Boinc, or anything that wants to use 100% of both cores).

Prime95's Torture test is very good - http://www.mersenne.org. Use the 'affinity' setting to run it on particular cores, and then run two copies to test both cores simultaneously.

I was about to suggest something, but a review of the thread shows you've already tried it. :( Good luck tracking this down!

Edit: What is the make and model of your motherboard?

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Don't you have a computer savvy person available in your neighborhood? This really sounds to be a rare error and I think someone with computer knowledge has to check your machine. It really seems to be throttling when under load. Sorry for the dumb question, but have you checked that the fan of the cooler is running? Can you touch the cooler and check whether it is very hot?

edit: In Sandra it shows you the speed of the fan, if you go to Hardware information - Mainboard. And to post a screenshot from CPUz would also help.

Unfortunately, no savvy person nearby that I am aware of.

Good thought, cpu fan is running, and AMD "Dashboard" utility reports temp at 40C. Seems well within range.

Don't you have a computer savvy person available in your neighborhood? This really sounds to be a rare error and I think someone with computer knowledge has to check your machine. It really seems to be throttling when under load. Sorry for the dumb question, but have you checked that the fan of the cooler is running? Can you touch the cooler and check whether it is very hot?

I don't have an x2, H/T, or any dual cores, or I'd love to help you. It sounds like an affinity issue or the "dual core optimizer" issue. Asking at seti will certainly get a load of advice, much of it will be the same as here, but due to the quantity of techs there,you'll likely get the right answer. If I had that type of question, that's the first place I'd stop.

Think you suggested something via CPUz.

Prosessor 1 (grayed out): Cores 2, Threads 2.

I looked at CPUz "Memory" tab, and noticed that it said Frequency = 198MHz, and Dual Channel.

I "think" my memory is just plain Single Channel, pc3200 ddr 400, c3.

Does that ddr 400 imply that the frequency should be 400MHz instead of about 200MHz? Just a shot-in-the-dark.

But I still have trouble understanding, if the memeory is the problem, why didn't this problem exist with the Sempron, and only began with the X2?

I was about to suggest something, but a review of the thread shows you've already tried it. :( Good luck tracking this down!

Appreciate your willingness to assist if you could. I do sincerely appreciate all who are attempting to resolve this, so I can double my crunching for Rosetta.

I'll attach to SETI. Never crunched for them before.

I don't have an x2, H/T, or any dual cores, or I'd love to help you. It sounds like an affinity issue or the "dual core optimizer" issue. Asking at seti will certainly get a load of advice, much of it will be the same as here, but due to the quantity of techs there,you'll likely get the right answer. If I had that type of question, that's the first place I'd stop.

click tools, attach to project, use http://setiathome.berkeley.edu as the url, select "attach as new user" fill out, finish, crunch one wu, wait for it to be credited, and then post to the NC fora. You can post to Q&A with an account and no credit, but the help there is limited by the number of users manning the help desk.

tony

PS I'll be there to assist.

I'm not a specialist at all and haven't read all but you put this X2 on a MB you had. How old is your MB?

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Done.

Crunching on AMD Mobile 2500+, as desktop X2 is pretty much a doorstop now.

wu will take about 12 hours?

guess my post will have to wait until then...

click tools, attach to project, use http://setiathome.berkeley.edu as the url, select "attach as new user" fill out, finish, crunch one wu, wait for it to be credited, and then post to the NC fora. You can post to Q&A with an account and no credit, but the help there is limited by the number of users manning the help desk.

tony

PS I'll be there to assist.