KB4100347 Intel microcode updates for Windows 10 v1803 - January 8 Win Update

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  1. Posts : 2,557
    Windows 10 pro x64-bit
       #40

    Bree said:
    Unfortunately my processor is quite new enough for Intel to have released microcode for it, but Toshiba have ruled out putting Intel's work into any bios updates for their 'older' machines.

    Fortunately Microsoft are not so narrow-minded and I now have the microcode
    Really sorry!. I thought you had a much older machine than that. You have every right to be.. with Toshiba.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #41

    Hi,

    Ground Sloth said:
    Correct. But as far as I know, Windows has the ability to load the CPU microcode update into memory on the CPU during boot just like the BIOS. I haven't found a source that says it does something different (like emulate the microcode).
    The entire process is an emulation. Whether the OS reads the MC from within the BIOS/EFI or whether it is being fooled by the OS itself to read it from the OS itself isn't really relevant.

    Cheers,
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 31,468
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #42

    fdegrove said:
    The entire process is an emulation...
    Emulation is perhaps not quite the right word. Microcode updates are typically included in a bios from day one. All processors have some patches that were released after the initial design was committed to silicon and these post-production changes are held in the bios. This 2014 paper may help explain the process.

    ...microcode updates are typically integrated into the motherboard basic input/output system (BIOS), which is responsible for selecting the appropriate update and applying it during system power-on self-test (POST). However, since the motherboard BIOS is rarely updated by end-users or system administrators, most contemporary operating systems (e.g. Linux, Solaris, Windows) also include update drivers to perform microcode updates during system startup using the same update mechanism.
    https://www.dcddcc.com/docs/2014_paper_microcode.pdf

    However the microcode gets loaded, once there it is an integral part of the processor, not a simulation or an emulation.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #43

    Hi,

    Emulation is perhaps not quite the right word. Microcode updates are typically included in a bios from day one, all processors have some patches that were released after the initial design was committed to silicon and these post-production changes are held in the bios. This 2014 paper may help explain the process.
    In essence it is an emulation, a translation layer that allows OS and CPU to interpret what it's being asked to do.
    Without this layer we'd get a really hard time talking to the CPU resulting in faulty calculations and so on.
    In short without MC no OS I'm aware of could even send correct instructions to the CPU and back.

    But Ok, if emulation is too strong a word then fine by me. It's just what I've been taught by the major players of the indusry back in the day.

    Cheers,
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 31,468
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #44

    fdegrove said:
    In essence it is an emulation, a translation layer that allows OS and CPU to interpret what it's being asked to do.
    It's actually a very low level translation layer, deep inside the cpu. Microcode translates the x86 instruction set that the OS uses into the internal RISC instruction set that the processor actually runs. From that paper...

    ...microcode was introduced to help translate variable-length x86 instructions into a sequence of fixed-length micro-operations suitable for parallel execution by internal RISC execution units.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #45

    Hi,

    Well yes, that actually proves the point. It does not matter at what level it translates (emulates), does it ?

    Cheers,
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 31,468
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #46

    fdegrove said:
    Well yes, that actually proves the point. It does not matter at what level it translates (emulates), does it ?
    or what we call it....

    or if it's loaded by the bios or the OS
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #47

    Hi,

    Bree said:
    Or what we call it....

    Or if it's loaded by the bios or the OS
    Exactly.
    And in this casus it's important to understand this as quite a lot of people will not be receiving a BIOS/EFI MCU for their machine(s). For as long as they use an OS that can load MCU they'll be fine against Spectre threats etc. whatever it, the MCU covers for.
    It just does not matter how it's done and a CPU without an OS is just dead matter anyhow. And perfectly safe during that status.

    Just saying that people using machines that won't receive a BIOS/EFI update do not need to worry provided they keep W10 up to date. They'll be just as fine as those who did receive and applied a BIOS/EFI update.

    Cheers,
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 349
    Windows 10
       #48

    When I hear the word "emulation" I immediately think of software like Snes9x or ZSNES, which enables you to play Super Nintendo games in Windows.
    Last edited by Ground Sloth; 16 May 2018 at 22:32.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 324
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
       #49

    I am sorry guys but I am still confused and don't understand exactly about the bios and OS patch! Reading some comments I understood that if your manufacturer provide you with an update bios patch then you don't need the OS patch released by microsoft and you are protected. Is this right or you need both? HP released two bios updates for my laptop to address the issue and I updated my bios. This is what the InSpectre app shows:
    KB4100347 Intel microcode updates for Windows 10 v1803 - January 8-untitled.png

    I had to manually disable the protections from windows registry : "FeatureSettingsOverride"=dword:00000003
    because my pc was too slow! after disabling it was working fast and normal again! If I'm not mistaken I am not protected even if I have flashed the bios with latest patch!?
      My Computer


 

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