Intel Releases Critical Core 2 Duo Microcode Update - Silently

[caveman-jim]

Around April 10th, 2007, Intel released a microcode update (BIOS flash to the rest of us) so resolve several major issues with how Intel Core 2 series processors operate.

Intel has provided a microcode update as a critical software fix. This Intel microcode update addresses an improper Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB) invalidation that may result in unpredictable system behavior such as system hangs or incorrect data. OEM's are making available a system BIOS upgrade that integrates a new version of this Intel microcode to address this potential but extremely rare issue. While the occurrence of this issue is extremely rare, OEM's strongly recommends upgrading the system BIOS to an updated version. Intel has indicated that the microcode update has no known measurable performance impact and provides a complete and comprehensive resolution to this issue.

The issues can affect any workstation that uses Intel Core2 Duo desktop processor E4000 and E6000 sequences, Intel Core2 Quad desktop processor Q6600 and Intel Core2 Extreme processors X6800 and QX6700 processors.

While the implications of the issue are difficult to quantify, any of the following symptoms can occur:

The system may stop responding to keyboard or mouse input.

A system operating in a Microsoft Windows environment may generate a blue screen.

A system operating in a Linux environment may generate a kernel panic.

Thanks to Guest for disclosing this information in General Hardware.

Watch for BIOS updates for your motherboards!

[ShiningArcanine]

My PC has stopped responding to keyboard and mouse input several times in the past year and I had no idea what was happening. It has not happened recently, but I guess it was this.

[Briner]

Sorry for the old thread resurrection. I am wondering if I need to install this if I have service pack 1 installed. I have noticed my cpu not performing as well in intense situations in games and I was looking for a fix.

[erek]

thanks a lot, a-hole...

opened up a can of worms, :-\

[Sobek]

True.. Strangely though just 2 days ago this very thing happened to me. My system is normally entirely stable, but for some reason intermittenly my mouse and keyboard just STOPPED responding. Everything else was ticking along fine, they just...stopped. Restarted, worked for a bit, stopped again (clean windows install too). Hasn't done it for a bit though, but it's ironic that this thread resurrection coincides with that.

[caveman-jim]

Originally Posted by Briner

Sorry for the old thread resurrection. I am wondering if I need to install this if I have service pack 1 installed. I have noticed my cpu not performing as well in intense situations in games and I was looking for a fix.

microcode = bios.

service pack = OS.

They are not related.

Upgrade your CPU.

[Blín D'ñero]

Originally Posted by caveman-jim

(...)

Upgrade your CPU.

= make sure you have the latest bios for your motherboard.

+ make sure you have installed the latest Intel chipset drivers.

Btw the first post isn't about cpu performance in games.
... and not concerning E8000 sequences.