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Processor's dual identity raises suspicion |
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Question:
I have a Cyrix 6x86 166+ with 32 Megs of RAM running Windows 95. I
noticed that when I look at my "System" in Control Panel, it says
I have a CyrixInstead processor. When I boot up, my BIOS also confirms
the identity of my processor. However, several programs have identified
my CPU as being a 486DX. Did the people who sold me this CPU swindle
me?
-- G.P.
Answer:
If the company that sold you the computer told you that you were getting
an Intel processor, and you paid Intel chip prices, then yes they
lied and you've been had. But if they told you that you were getting
a Cyrix processor, then there's no swindle going on.
In fact you probably
got a good deal. Cyrix processors are becoming increasingly popular
and are getting excellent reviews in computer-specialty magazines.
They also typically cost less than Intel chips for equivalent processor
power.
There's a simple
explanation as to why your system is reporting a 486DX chip. The algorithm
(or programming code) that Windows 95, and some applications, use
to detect the CPU was completed before the Cyrix 6x86 chip was released,
explained a Cyrix spokesperson via e-mail. "Therefore the Cyrix 6x86
responds to the algorithm just as a 486 does."
You were correct
to check your BIOS. Systems typically report the kind of chip present
on the start-up screen. If another chip is detected by the BIOS, you
have a problem.
The following
software utilities identify the 6x86 CPU correctly:
Christopher Salvador,
a tech expert at Edmonton's Vicom Multimedia Ltd., adds that many
games use the Windows 95 ID to determine which processor is being
used.
Cyrix's
Web site reports: "Though initially this caused some problems,
most of these have been resolved." Consult the games and multimedia
software listing at http://www.cyrix.com/html/software/sw_list.htm
for additional information.
"Although it
was a new computer, the problem was with the fan. It started sticking
intermittently. The act of opening the case would jar the fan into
working again," she said, adding she'd checked the fan before and
it had seemed fine.
"It wasn't until
the sticking got considerably worse, and the case was left open to
watch for problems, that (the problem) was finally identified."
She installed
a new $15 fan. "I was finally home free. There has been no fatal exception
errors since then."
She added: "I
was very appreciative of your assistance, but we all missed this rather
simple, inexpensive item as a possible cause."
A MUST-HAVE FOR
THE NET-CURIOUS: If you're new to the Internet, or never quite figured
out how the heck it works, check out one of my recent bookstore discoveries:
How
the Internet Works: Special Edition, by Preston Gralla (Ziff Davis
Press).
What makes this
book stand out is its colourful illustrations by Sarah Ishida and
Mina Reimer.
I felt quite
childlike flipping through the pages of the book, because it presents
highly complex computer processes in easy to understand images and
text.
Topics covered
include how e-mail works, how the domain name system works and the
anatomy of a Web connection. There's even a simple-to-follow section
on how a computer virus works. Fascinating.
If you're the
kind of person that never opens the hood of your car then you may
not be interested. But if your first words were: "Dada, why?" then
you'll find this book indispensable.
If this column still doesn't fully help you
with your tech problems or answer questions that you may have, you
should see our Emergency Help
page for personalized help.
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Adding RAM is easy, 
