System and method to control microcode updates after booting...

Details System and method to control microcode updates after booting... System and method to control microcode updates after booting...

Filed on

2006-06-08

Date issued

2010-02-09

Examiner

Patel, Nitin C (Department: 2116)

Patent Class

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support

SubClass

Digital data processing system initialization or configuration

Other Related Categories

C713S002000, C713S100000

Type

Reexamination Certificate

Status

active

Patent number

07660977

Description

ABSTRACT:
An embodiment of the invention is meant to prevent/allow microcode updates after an operating system is booted on a platform. A processor includes a lock directive that, when set, prevents microcode updates to occur after the operating system has been booted. In an embodiment, the lock directive is read during boot of the processor. A lock indicator is then written to an accessible location so that an attempt to patch, or update, microcode after the operating system has booted will be prohibited if the lock indicator indicates that microcode patch updates are not allowed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

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How BIOS Works from: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/bios.htm/printable by Jeff Tyson.
Intel—IA-32 Intel Architecture Software Developer's Manual—vol. 3: System Programming Guide 2002.
Intel—Intel Itanium Architecture Software Developer's Manual vol. 2: System Architecture—Rev. 2.1 Oct. 2002.
International Search Report for corresponding matter P23179PCT dated Oct. 30, 2007.

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