Updating the BIOS is great, but it won’t change the kernel mode. If you increase the number of CPU cores you will have to reinstall XP to change the kernel mode. It may be possible to install XP “on top of” what is there already and preserve the registry and application details. I’ve never tried that and am not sure I’d recommend it anyway.
If you’re dead set on the CPU swap, backup all your files and data and make a clean install of XP. It’s the only way to be sure that the kernel mode is properly set and you have a clean installation of Windows XP multiprocessor.
For what it’s worth, if you really love XP I’d recommend you buy a Windows 7 machine and install Windows XP as a virtual machine in either MS Virtual PC or using VMware Player. You’ll be able to run your favorite stuff still, but not be hamstrung by the limitations of an 11-year old operating system. (Yes, Windows XP was released in 2002.)
Thanks for your input.
On a side note. I have an HP laptop running Vista that won’t boot up.
HP Pavilion dv7-1245dx
Amd Turion-x2 64
It crashed sometime ago and I gave up on it for awhile.
Power up, I hear the drive spin for about 2-3 seconds, and nothing. I tried over and over again but always the same.
Until one day I just powered it up and let it sit. After a few hours, out of nowhere, it booted up. I spent an entire day uninstalling crap and grabbing every update I could. Hours and hours of updates and restarts, but I was able to use the machine, for awhile.
It seemed to work fine unless I was watching a youtube video for more than 30 minutes or so.
Crash. No blue screen, it just shut off. All my power settings are at “NEVER”, No screen saver,sleep mode and no anti-virus programs running.
As this happened repeatedly I was still able to restart the machine and watch youtube videos again until it just shut down again. This time, it won’t boot up. I’ve removed and reinstalled the battery,(there are apparently issues with it), I have powered it up and let it sit for 8 hours plus, as this is how it restarted back when I tried before.