Use the BIOS to determine whether an Intel CPU is locked.
The CPU multiplier can be used as a method to directly increase or decrease the frequency, or speed, of a CPU, which is the main reason why Intel locks the CPU multiplier on most of the CPU models that it creates. You can tell whether an Intel CPU has its multiplier locked out by looking at the the BIOS settings on a computer.
Instructions
1. Start your computer and immediately press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS settings on the computer. The key to enter the BIOS settings is usually located at the bottom of the startup screen.
2. Use the arrow keys to highlight the option labeled "Frequency/Voltage Control" or "Frequency/Voltage Settings" and press "Enter."
3. Look at the option labeled "CPU Multiplier" or "CPU Clock Ratio." If the option is grayed out, the CPU is locked. If it is not grayed out, the CPU is not locked.
Tags: BIOS settings, BIOS settings computer, enter BIOS, enter BIOS settings, Frequency Voltage