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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.
There is no indication that Apple users are affected.
What, magical pixie faries fixed the Intels in Macs? How could they not be affected?
Uh, read the fine documentation. Microcode updates don't survice power-off. Nevermind that the microcode is a blackbox format, dependent on the chip and likely with a bajillion signatures the silicon checks.
What worries me is the idea of Microsoft Update mucking with the processor in the first place. And what is Genuine Disadvantage going to think of patching a non-Microsoft product anyway?
It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
After reading this thread its amazing to me how many Slashdot readers don't know how microcode works, making broad statements about how patching a processor is impossible without an EEPROM burner, or using a DOS boot disk.
What's up with the Moderators? I constantly see posts that say the exact opposite thing both modded Informative or Insightful. We need a category "Incorrect". If the Moderators don't know the correct answer they should refrain from moderating either Insightful or Informative. It may be informing but the post is informing people with incorrect information.
It's not like windows couldn't mess with your machine anyway. If you don't trust your operating system, how can you trust your whole system.
Of Code And Men
And given that I have no evidence either way, it must be the fairies. What kind of an argument is that? If they were being so secretive to hide the nature of the patches, why would they go and label them in the fricking file names?
Isn't it more plausible that the file names have the word "genuine" in them because like many patches, they're only available to activated windows boxes, and that it's just some random bug in the microcode being fixed?
I think you've had the tinfoil hat on a little bit too long.
The FDIV bug and associated fallout shortly preceded Intel's introduction of the microcode update facility. I don't think the two issues are unrelated.
"so what if it doesn't survive a boot, just reprogram it with your hacked code every boot"
Which makes it no worse than any other hack, virus or worm. You can already take complete control over the computer without resorting to microcode.
If it had been permanent and survived reboots, then a complete format and reinstall would not remove the hack. That would have been scary indeed, but luckily that is not the case.
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.