Windows 10: Meltdown, spectre and old motherboard and CPU.

I've contacted MSI support and they are asking what is the problem with the motherboard so I have replied with a brief description of Meltdown and fingers crossed they understand.

 

You know it sounds outrageous to us ordinary consumers, but I really do wonder if this is some kind of scam, I wouldn't put anything past these large corporations today. There have also been many recalls that I am suspect of, anything from dehumidifiers, to fire extinguishers, and everything in between..... especially when safety is involved, they know that most people will simply act and not look much further into things.

When planned obsolescence doesn't go as the brass tacks planned. I wouldn't doubt this kind of nefarious activity at all.

 

And yet another Internet rumor takes root.

 

MSI support have been in touch and double checked saying my mb is not affected which is re-assuring. But no BIOS update.

 

I don't know what MSI support told you, but I can assure you that your CPU is affected by Spectre variant 2 and a CPU microcode is needed. Meltdown and Spectre 1 is mitigated with the latest Windows Update:

Understanding performance impact of Spectre and Meltdown mitigations - Windows 10 Forums

 

In addition: Protect your Windows devices against Spectre and Meltdown - Windows 10 Forums

 

They told me my motherboard is too old to be updated so I run the risk of AV not catching anything or get a new machine which I dont really have the money to do!

 

The crazy part is that buying a new machine doesn't fully resolve this either. The fact that MSI support refers to your mb instead of your cpu probably means that they think you ment the recent Intel ME vulnerability, which you aren't affected by. There's not much users with older boards and processors can do to protect themselves againts Spectre at this point in time (or at least not that I'm aware of), unless this microcode can be updated without a BIOS code, which apparently some users told me it is possible. Contact MSI and demand a BIOS update, I will do it tomorrow because I haven't gotten one for my X99

 

Thanks Faith I will open another ticket. I did originally open a ticket about Meltdown but now have included Spectre. Let me know if you get a BIOS update?

 

I will let you know in here tomorrow *Thumbs

 

I'm not insinuating that it is a certainty, however we know that it isn't impossible, history shows us this.

 

I am understanding the problem is in the CPU's.
Updating a motherboard bios does not up date the CPU or Windows.

That being said if a motherboard bios is need for what ever reason, well so be it.
I installed the newest bios before I installed Windows 10 about 2 weeks ago. It was for memory management.
I still check every day or two to see if anything pops up about bios updates.
If a new bios update comes along, just read what the bios update is for. What does it fix.
If I don't have the problem is fixes, I wait until I need a bios update.

I still watch this forum and and the Seven Forum for any news.
We have a lot of members looking for any kinds of news. Plus we have form management keep us informed.

Jack

 

BIOS updates microcode on every boot, or Linux kernel does too but apparently Windows 10 is not able or MS is not willing to do this.

 

Well I don't really know what is doing what between the Bios, Windows and the CPU.
All I know I have checked both my Asus motherboard and neither one is affected.
I keep my systems updated and wait for news.

Jack

 

Post # 28

In your case I would look for.

Google - MS 7360 P35 V1.0 bios update
If you find the needed update, use your motherboard manual or a youtube video to learn how to do the update.

I just looked for your bios update and the one I found was.

P35 Neo MS 7360 Bios Update
« am: 29. September 2011, 21:44:16

Because you have a very old motherboard (DDR-2 ram) you might not get a update.

Hope this helps.

Jack