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Diffstat (limited to 'system/microcode_ctl/README')
| -rw-r--r-- | system/microcode_ctl/README | 21 |
1 files changed, 21 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/system/microcode_ctl/README b/system/microcode_ctl/README new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..4ab6a692761b --- /dev/null +++ b/system/microcode_ctl/README @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +Intel Microcode Update Utility for Linux + +The microcode_ctl utility is a companion to the IA32 microcode driver written +by Tigran Aivazian <tigran@aivazian.fsnet.co.uk>. The utility has two uses: + +* It decodes and sends new microcode to the kernel driver to be uploaded + to Intel IA32 processors. (Pentium Pro, PII, PIII, Pentium 4, Celeron, + Xeon etc - all P6 and above, which does NOT include pentium classics). + It also supports processors of the x86_64 architecture. +* It signals the kernel driver to release any buffers it may hold. + +The microcode update is volatile and needs to be uploaded on each system +boot i.e. it doesn't reflash your cpu permanently, reboot and it reverts +back to the old microcode. + +To use this utility you need to compile the kernel driver (found under +"Processor type and features"). The microcode itself can be found at +http://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx and should be placed under +/etc/microcode.dat You probably want to have your microcode updated +each time the system boots, then call "/usr/sbin/microcode_ctl -u" from +/etc/rc.d/rc.local |