Slashdot Mirror
Flaws In Intel Processors Quietly Patched
Nom du Keyboard writes "According to this article in The Inquirer and this Microsoft Knowledge Base article, a fix for some significant problems in many of Intel's most recent processors has been quietly released — by whom is not clear. Patches are available on Microsoft's site. Affected processors include Core 2 Duo E4000/E6000, Core 2 Quad Q6600, Core 2 Xtreme X6800, XC6700, and XC6800. Details on just what has been fixed are scanty (it's called a 'reliability update'), however, it's probably more important than either Intel or Microsoft is openly admitting." There is no indication that Apple users are affected.
If they're releasing the patch so quietly, how will anyone know to apply it?
If my call is important, why am I talking to a recording?
Something to do with the unicorn semen and pink elephant droppings.
With two such large, trustworthy, open, and reliable organizations involved, which have always looked after the general well being of the industry because what's good us is good for them, do we really need to worry ?
It's not that they're not affected. It's that apple fanboys won't admit to it.
If you can read this, I forgot to post anonymously.
Macs are primarily for decoration. No one actually uses them for computing.
How many Pentium designers does it take to screw in a light bulb? 1.94
Pentiums and Deodorants - When being close is all that matters
Highlander Pentium: There can be only 1.0101002913491!
Talking Barbie and the Pentium-90 agree! "Math is hard!"
"Go forth and multiply... divide only if not on a Pentium..."
"I am Pentium of Borg--prepare to be approximated"
Pentium: Making tomorrow's mistakes today
Pentium slogan: Why Do You Think It's Called *Floating* Point?
Pentium slogan: Nearly 300 correct opcodes!
Yeah, I know that Intel bashing is old, that's why I used old jokes.
Kwisatz Haderach
Sell the spice to CHOAM
This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
Mac OSX does not make use of the new x86 BNDOVR opcode, unlike Windows which is dependent on it.
If they were, it would be called the iPatch.
that this neither comes with a silver platter, or chilled champagne. I know when this realization dawned on me, my monocle popped out and rolled under my desk. My gentleman's gentleman, Wheatley, has noted his displeasure with your oversight while remedying the situation.
second that; perhaps they just ignore anything that begins with micro----
It's how you Karma Whore. Observe:
.NET as well, since both of those virtual machines have to translate this incorrect opcode into the correct functionality.
t ml
This is a serious problem for Java and
What this patch fails to realize is the problems with the instruction listed on Intel's website. A similar bug in all x86 chips manufactured since 2004 (yes, really!) requires that most compilers have to work around it. (The patch in BCB wasn't ready until late 2005, which is what lead to a 15% drop in their market share.) It has become a problem in real-world applications requiring time-critical code. It may not mean much to most "high-level" programmers, but SOME of us still get into the assembly code every now and then. It's a real nightmare, and it's not something that you expect from a company like Intel.
I refer you to the errata at http://docs.intel.com/kb2004/hwbugs/knownissues.h
See what I mean? It totally looks like I know what I'm saying, but it's a complete fabrication. If I didn't put these lines bookmarking it as just plain dumbassedness, then I'd probably get modded up for it. Hell, I'll probably STILL get modded up. Some lazy mods (myself included) treat the mod points like a hot potato, or leprosy.
I think this post is funny, but then again, it's well past my bed-time.
---
ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
3) The on-board reality distortion field generator resolves the problem. At the expense of making nearby computers lacking such devices somewhat *less* reliable, of course.
I swear, our servers have been behaving more strangely since the guy in the next rack over installed a few Mac Mini's; maybe the RDFG's emmit gamma rays from their embedded naked singularity...