Alternate title:

How to ensure your Phenom II x2 555 BE converts to a PERMANENT dual core processor!

So I never overclocked, or did anything to fudge around with a processor. The most I've done is build a computer, so that's it.

…I think I'll keep building a system as the most intensive thing I'll do that ISN'T software related, for now.

So I've been toying with the idea of trying to unlock my Phenom II. It's a dual core, with 2 more locked cores, if you don't know - the 2 extra cores could be defective, or just for whatever reason they decide to troll us and give us a quad core that's acting more like a dual core.

There's like a some 50-50 chance of getting a quad core. So I finally check up a tutorial real quick, and… I get a quad core! Yaaaayyyyy- wait a minute. *Opens up properties* O-One GHz? ONE?! WTF AMD. So I went from a 3.2GHz dual core to a 1GHz Quad… Eh….

Restart, go to settings, try to see what might have messed up. Restarted, no change. Restart again.. Uh oh - the two new cores disappear. Mess around some more, PC won't start up. I short pins 2-3 on JBAT1 to reset the BIOS, and I finally get it running.

After chatting with others, it looks as I've fried the 2 cores. I now have a permanent dual core processor! …Considering I paid for a dual core it's no big loss, but disappointing that I couldn't get a cheap quad core out of the deal.

I can still play my minecraft and my TF2 and stuff so it's no big loss.

…I find it funny that my new laptop is a core i5 though. Video card sucks though, and the LCD has a crapload of dithering.