Computers face global slowdown due to flaw in Intel chips

[Flyer]

This looks interesting:

https://news.sky.com/story/computers-fa ... s-11193992

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/01/0 ... sign_flaw/

"According to Intel this is not correct. From intel:

"Intel and other technology companies have been made aware of new security research describing software analysis methods that, when used for malicious purposes, have the potential to improperly gather sensitive data from computing devices that are operating as designed. Intel believes these exploits do not have the potential to corrupt, modify or delete data.

Recent reports that these exploits are caused by a "bug" or a "flaw" and are unique to Intel products are incorrect. Based on the analysis to date, many types of computing devices -- with many different vendors' processors and operating systems -- are susceptible to these exploits.

Intel is committed to product and customer security and is working closely with many other technology companies, including AMD, ARM Holdings and several operating system vendors, to develop an industry-wide approach to resolve this issue promptly and constructively. Intel has begun providing software and firmware updates to mitigate these exploits. Contrary to some reports, any performance impacts are workload-dependent, and, for the average computer user, should not be significant and will be mitigated over time."

Google it, there is loads of speculation about this.

[exodus]

On the BBC World Service last night they reported that Microsoft were about to issue a fix for this, BUT only for W10.
Not for W7 or W8, even though they are supposed to be supplying updates for those until 2021.
Looks like another ploy by Microsoft to get folks onto W10.
If so it is surely unprofessional bad business?
Amos.
(Using W7 and an AMD processor).

[bromerzz]

Perhaps the fix is easier to achieve on W10 than older versions of Windows. I dare say they will fix them in due course.

[Uncle D]

Either that or they will fix their more recent chips first and make the older chips wait, also AMD are a different company than Intel so if they dont fix them it is not unreasonable in my opinion.

[exodus]

Either that or they will fix their more recent chips first and make the older chips wait, also AMD are a different company than Intel so if they dont fix them it is not unreasonable in my opinion.

The BBC report said Microsoft were issuing fixes for ALL types of processor (incl AMD) used with W10.
There are two types of bug, "meltdown" that affects only Intel chips, and "spectre" that affects all makes of processor chips.
Microsoft are to issue fixes for W10 for both types of bug, but ONLY for W10. No plans whatsoever, said the report, to issue fixes at any future date for earlier operating systems.
Amos.

[Uncle D]

If that's the case then maybe you will need to upgrade sooner than you thought

[exodus]

If that's the case then maybe you will need to upgrade sooner than you thought

Indeed so, but I don't want to. I have tried W10 on a friend's PC and did not like it.
If I do have to change it will be for a non-Microsoft OS.
Amos.

[Uncle D]

I went from XP to 10, 10 is very similar to XP. Vista however was pants.

[Dominic]

If you can get on with Windows 7 I see no reason on Earth why you can't cope with 10.

[exodus]

If you can get on with Windows 7 I see no reason on Earth why you can't cope with 10.

I have no problem with W10 as such, my problem with it is the privacy/security aspects.
For starters it is well known that Microsoft monitor what you are doing (which sites you access etc) and sell on that info to interested parties.
It is also well known as being more "hackable" than earlier versions of Windows.
Regards the actual system itself there are several differences to W7, none a real problem, I just don't like them. e.g. the way you save favourites.
Maybe I am being a bit over-fussy - but that's me.
If I did upgrade to W10 can I do it without having to backup everything, and then restore it all after installing W10, and what do I do with IE11 I use? Can I keep that and dump the W10 browser - if so how do I do that?
Amos.

[Dominic]

Plus, if you have a Smart TV, you might want to look into the privacy settings on that, especially if it responds to voice commands.

Alternatively, just appreciate that there is a BIG difference between Big Brother looking at you, and Big Brother watching you.