Re-establish the second processor core?

Hi,

Just recently I've run myself into an odd problem. I've been trying to change the boot screen of my windows xp/64bit, by modifying the ntoskrnl.exe file (using resource hacker 3.5.2). When I did it I've noticed something odd! Yup, my task manager now only displays one running core (instead of two as it always was/the processor i'm with - P8400). To verify the task manager I ran HWINFO32 - same thing, displays only one running core. On the other hand, the device manager displays the actual hardware correctly: two cores (under processors tab), and ACPI Multoprocessor x64 (under computer).

I am now contemplating about reinstalling the windows, although procrastinate doing so simply because I certainly know it has something to do with the ntoskrnl.exe file I have modified, even though I have already replaced it with the original object (no luck as mentioned afore). Any advice you may have? Thanks.

 

Reinstalled the windows, couldn't be bothered anymore. However I have come across a few relevant articles, which I had followed and attempted (though unsucessfully - none of it helped me):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314477
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1067680871

 

this is why you don't modify windows files unless you are sure what you are sure doing :-D