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To: Tenchusatsu who wrote (74492)2/25/1999 7:23:00 PM
From: Jeff Fox  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 186894
 
Ten, re:"I wonder how the ID number is set in the first place"

It is programmed at final test into prom cells. I suspect that this involves pins and voltages that are not accessible to the user's system.

I believe it is read out with the CPU ID read instruction as just a lot of extra bits.

Please note that Intel can "fix" this by just *not* programming the prom bits in the first place.

I suspect there is also likely to be a single "disable" prom bit too. Intel usually covers its bets. Such a bit would allow Intel to cheaply rework all existing inventory by just running it through the tester to program up the "disable" bit.

Jeff



To: Tenchusatsu who wrote (74492)2/25/1999 8:32:00 PM
From: Scumbria  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 186894
 
Ten,

Then if the user so chooses, he or she can go to Intel's web site, download a utility, and set the ID to zeros

This probably wouldn't be acceptable. People will be afraid to do this for fear of making the processor useless. For example, Microsoft might not let you install Windows 2000 on a PIII without the feature being functional.

Whether or not these fears are justified, their very existence will tarnish the image of the processor.

Scumbria


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