Encarta World Atlas 1996: Setup Fails with NexGen CPU

 Last reviewed: November 27, 1996
Article ID: Q142217
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Encarta World Atlas for Windows, 1996 edition

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt Encarta World Atlas Setup on a computer using a NexGen Central Processing Unit (CPU), the installation fails and you receive the error message: 

   Encarta 96 World Atlas requires a 486 DX/25 or faster processor.
After you click OK, the following message appears: 

   Encarta 96 World Atlas Setup was not completed successfully.
Click OK and the installation quits.

You can complete a manual installation process. However, when you create and then click the World Atlas icon, the following error message appears: 

   Encarta 96 World Atlas requires a 486 DX/33 or faster processor.
When you click OK the process aborts.

CAUSE

Before starting the installation process, Encarta 96 World Atlas checks for the processor type. If the CPU type is determined to be a NexGen, the installation process fails.

RESOLUTION

NexGen has created the Windows CPU Identifer utility to properly identify the Nx586 processor. Running this utility prior to starting an application allows the application to obtain the correct processor type. This utility is included in the NexGen Tool Kits and Update Kits. Tool Kits are provided with every motherboard and processor. Update Kits can be downloaded from the NexGen online service. There are two versions of the kits: PCI and VL. The first letter identifies the bus type: P=PCI, V=VL. 

   Update Kit File Names
      PCI Update Kit:  updtpixx.exe
       VL Update Kit:  updtvlxx.exe

   (where xx is the latest version number)

MORE INFORMATION

If you have a BIOS version number lower than the following BIOS version numbers: 

   PCI Board:  p06w034n
    VL Board:  v06d033w
you need to obtain a flash bios upgrade from NexGen. Flash BIOS updates are included in the NexGen Update Kits.

To obtain the Update Kits and for more information on the NexGen CPU, contact NexGen at the following locations:

  • NexGen Microsystems Inc Technical support (USA): (800) 863-9436
  • NexGen Microsystems Inc BBS: (408) 955-1839
  • World Wide Web address: http://www.nexgen.com
  • FTP address: ftp.nexgen.com

The following products have been known to identify the Nx586 processor as an 80386:
  • Encarta 96 World Atlas
  • Hover

NOTE: Any program that requires a 486 or greater and checks the chip for confirmation also share this problem.

If My Computer properties is checked, Windows 95 reports it is running on a 80386 processor.

The third-party product discussed here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

KBCategory: kb3rdparty kbusage kbenv kbmm kbhw kbtshoot kbprb kberrmsg
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 1996 multi media multimedia multi-media
mmtitles kbmm hung locked hangs stops responding hanged crashed crash
crashes freeze frozen locked locked-up lock bombed bomb down nextgen next
gen genration gens netgen next-gen

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Last reviewed: November 27, 1996
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