Windows 7 home premium and 2 cpus

I've been hunting for the official microsoft word on this, but it looks to me like the home premium edition won't let me use 2x xeon cpus. I can't find any official documents on this, though from past history the home editions locked you to one die (but multiple cores ok).

Does anyone know the full story of know where the official documentation stating this would be? Would I need Professional or ultimate to get both xeons up again (the demo was ultimate and supported both!)

You're going to need at least Professional.

AFAIK, or from what I've read, you need ultimate for multiple cpu support. You might be able to use pro, but not 100% sure (I don't see why they'd limit you to ultimate since pro would be used more in a business environment)

Originally Posted by Hoonis

I can't find any official documents on this, though from past history the home editions locked you to one die (but multiple cores ok).

You just missed a great thread in which someone didn't do their research on this and felt ripped off my Microsoft. It would be nice to see an official word, but it shouldn't be necessary at this point. Home editions are just that...meant for typical home use, not on a multi-processor SMP workstation. As time has passed, the reliance on multiple sockets has decreased in non-server systems, thanks to multi-core processors. As long as people remember that sockets do not equal cores, and vice versa, there shouldn't be any confusion on this issue anymore.

Wikipedia windows 7 editions comparison chart says you need pro for 2 sockets, but it doesnt have a citation for that information - so its possible its incorrect.

Thanks, it's what I suspected. So I am correct that my i5 system will work fine (one cpu, multiple cores, 6gb memory), but my dual Xeon will require ultimate?

I did check the charts and actually googled it before purchase- there were a couple blog entries stating that home pro wouldn't have cpu limitations in them. Oh well, alas for trusting the blogosphere. I still can't actually find any documentation at Microsoft about these limitations, but fortunately I didn't activate the copy yet so can instead use it on a laptop!

You don't need Ultimate, Professional works with 2 sockets.

Originally Posted by Hoonis

Thanks, it's what I suspected. So I am correct that my i5 system will work fine (one cpu, multiple cores, 6gb memory), but my dual Xeon will require ultimate?

I did check the charts and actually googled it before purchase- there were a couple blog entries stating that home pro wouldn't have cpu limitations in them. Oh well, alas for trusting the blogosphere. I still can't actually find any documentation at Microsoft about these limitations, but fortunately I didn't activate the copy yet so can instead use it on a laptop!

correct. Any version can use all cores of a multi-core CPU. And of course 64-bit to take advantage of all 6 gigs of RAM.
For a multi-CPU, you need atleast Pro.

and actually, the EULA for Home Premium says it will install on a computer with up to 2 processors, which is true, but will not utilize both CPUs.

oh, and Microsoft does have absolutley no documentation on this. Even Paul Thurott at winsupersite.com got it wrong

Originally Posted by DeaconFrost

You just missed a great thread in which someone didn't do their research on this and felt ripped off my Microsoft.

Hmmph.

Originally Posted by j-sta

oh, and Microsoft does have absolutley no documentation on this. Even Paul Thurott at winsupersite.com got it wrong

Correct.

Originally Posted by j-sta

correct. Any version can use all cores of a multi-core CPU. And of course 64-bit to take advantage of all 6 gigs of RAM.
For a multi-CPU, you need atleast Pro.

and actually, the EULA for Home Premium says it will install on a computer with up to 2 processors, which is true, but will not utilize both CPUs.

oh, and Microsoft does have absolutley no documentation on this. Even Paul Thurott at winsupersite.com got it wrong

Exactly. No kidding. Some of the folks around here have the attitude that everyone should know this magically though.

Originally Posted by j-sta

correct. Any version can use all cores of a multi-core CPU. And of course 64-bit to take advantage of all 6 gigs of RAM.
For a multi-CPU, you need atleast Pro.

and actually, the EULA for Home Premium says it will install on a computer with up to 2 processors, which is true, but will not utilize both CPUs.

oh, and Microsoft does have absolutley no documentation on this. Even Paul Thurott at winsupersite.com got it wrong

Well if it's in the EULA when you get to install it and carefully read the terms you will notice that and quickly take the software back for a refund as the license agreement states you can

Originally Posted by GreenMonkey

Exactly. No kidding. Some of the folks around here have the attitude that everyone should know this magically though.

I whole-heartedly agree.

but that's as much as I will say, or it will turn into another argument thread

Originally Posted by athlon1.2

Well if it's in the EULA when you get to install it and carefully read the terms you will notice that and quickly take the software back for a refund as the license agreement states you can

unfortunately pretty much every store will not let you get a refund on opened software, or exchange the software for a different piece of software. They would tell the customer to contact Microsoft, which is what has happend in the other thread that was opened.

Originally Posted by Blokhead

Just to update the post. A manager from microsoft called me back the other night and he was very concerned about my call. He told me that they don't have any documentation on what version of Windows 7 supports dual processor, but they are working on it. He also told me that he played my call for his upper management and that they couldn't find anything on Microsoft's site that stated it neither. Also they where going to let sales and marketing know, since they are concerned that I'm not the only one that is going to have this issue, I'm just the first one that brought it to their attention. I'm going to call them back and show them what the EULA says. Pretty interesting, that must be where Paul on the winsupersite got his information from... I'll keep you updated.

from http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1034831282

Originally Posted by GreenMonkey

Some of the folks around here have the attitude that everyone should know this magically though.

Rolling your eyes doesn't change the facts...facts that state it's been this way for the past eight years. If multi-socket systems (non-servers) have decreased tremendously from that point until now, why would Microsoft reverse the trend? The industry moved away from this in favor of multi-core processors, for many good reasons. If there's any eye-rolling to be done, it's with people who are still suprised by this. Go read the thread entitled "Ripped of by Microsoft".

Originally Posted by DeaconFrost

Rolling your eyes doesn't change the facts...facts that state it's been this way for the past eight years. If multi-socket systems (non-servers) have decreased tremendously from that point until now, why would Microsoft reverse the trend? The industry moved away from this in favor of multi-core processors, for many good reasons. If there's any eye-rolling to be done, it's with people who are still suprised by this. Go read the thread entitled "Ripped of by Microsoft".

so you basically ignore the fact that MS added 2 additional flavors of it's 2 latest OSes, neither of which have any official documentation on which of the 4 flavors support multi-sockets?

Only 1 generation was differentiated between 2 flavors, and that was the XP-era of course (ignoring MCE).
Just because you had to purchase Pro to support multi-sockets, has absolutely NO MEANING with Vista and 7, because there was no Home Premium or Ultimate.

ok... I'm done. Of course somebody has to come in and thread crap like their shit doesn't stink, and to make an ass of themself by assuming everybody knows everything, instead of realizing some things aren't obvious when there is no official documentation.

Caveat Emptor

Originally Posted by j-sta

so you basically ignore the fact that MS added 2 additional flavors of it's 2 latest OSes

This was a known fact with Vista Home Premium and XP Home. See the pattern? Wouldn't it be reasonable to assume the pattern would continue? While you might not find something directly from Microsoft, the facts about Vista and XP are out there. Once you add a little bit of common sense4, critical thinking, whatever you want to call it, you'd quickly realize all the things I typed above...that multi-socket home boards are few and far between, if they exist anymore at all. Industry trends? Direction of the industry? Call it what you want, but facts are facts...why would Microsoft reverse course and go against the trend, to support hardware that's made less and less?

Originally Posted by j-sta

ok... I'm done. Of course somebody has to come in and thread crap like their shit doesn't stink, and to make an ass of themself by assuming everybody knows everything, instead of realizing some things aren't obvious when there is no official documentation.

You should follow your own advice then, considering you are taking the "innocent victim, holier-than-thou" attitude. I shouldn't be surprised though, because that's par for the course on here when debating against facts and common sense. it's the usually direction to go in.

Tell me something. Do you always go to the manufacturer, and only the manufacturer when researching a product? Or, do you use the resources of the internet to get all the facts? I'd hate to see how you research a car purchase. You'd go to HyuandiMomentum.com and assume they are the greatest vehicles on the planet.