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June 18th, 2018 10:00
Aurora-R6, BIOS 1.0.16
Can anyone confirm to me if the latest newly issued BIOS update 1.0.16 for the Aurora R6 have the disabled off for the the third Intel Spectre exploit bug? I've read reports on the web that this latest CPU microcode has such an performance hit that Intel's beta code installed by default as disabled and has to be manually switched on for the Spectre Bypass exploit. Just want to know if Dell is retaining Intel's off by default setting and user has to set to on if they want this protection. Also why can't the original microcode firmware updates issed for the Meltdown Spectre mess be modified as such? I have yet to install either the 1.0.15 or the 1.0.16 because I do not want to take a large performance hit on my only modern PC. I do have the Microsoft Intel Microcode updates for the first Spectre installed though and it seems to have very little impact. However the current way to turning on the third exploit protection from software only from Windows is too complicated for me and requires modifying the registry as there is no on option from an optional Microsoft update.
Ebojager
35 Posts
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June 18th, 2018 14:00
I was scared off all the bricking posts related to the 1.1.5 for the XPS-8910 that I didn't install that, so was looking forward to the 1.1.6 which I assume is similar to the 1.0.16 on Alienware. Now Im starting to worry about performance impact on this new update. Im not seeing much talk about them, anymore like at the beginning, so its harder for me to find information.
I hope someone replies.
GamerdudeForever
46 Posts
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June 19th, 2018 10:00
Yeah as not everyone can afford to buy a new pc everytime a hardware exploit is discovered. You can for the Meltdown and first two Spectre exploits download an optional Microsoft update that is Windows 10 software based only. It works like how the Linux updates for Intel exploits in that the microcode is loaded before the Windows OS. However Microsoft decided to so far only issue the third exploit patch as off by default. You have to mess around with registry edit to enable it and it seemed too complicated for me as you have to add things to the registry which already seem to be there. I tried modifying a setting but it seemed to have no effect as when I ran the Powershell commands to check, all but that third exploit where enabled. Hopefully Gibson Research will update their fine InSpectre tool to work with the now disclosed third Spectre exploit.
Tesla1856
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June 23rd, 2018 12:00
As you firmware-flash your Aurora-R6, would you mind posting the version and how it's working?
Personally, I'm not one to update a BIOS if it's working properly. So, I was already a few versions behind, and then Spectre started. I've just kinda been waiting for "the dust to settle". Currently on v1.0.5 .
GamerdudeForever
46 Posts
1
June 24th, 2018 07:00
I am also one who does not believe in updating a BIOS just for the sake of updating. I just got a little concerned about the Spectre exploits. However I am holding off on the actual firmware BIOS updates. Instead I chose to just download and install the optional Microsoft update that preloads the Intel firmware preboot. They provided this for the first two exploits and its really intended for machines that will not be receiving any kind of firmware update from Intel. It seems to be working though as the free InSpectre tool from Gibson research reports all green.
Now they have recently reported a third InSpectre exploit to which Intel releases yet another firmware update. This update though unlike the first one has some serious across the board performance impacts. It's bad enough that Intel in it's beta firmware submitted to OEM's has it with an off by default setting in the BIOS.
I need to know from Dell before I consider such an firmware update if they retained this setting in their BIOS that user can turn on/off the Spectre exploit fix. So if someone has any direct contact with Dell engineers would you please kindly inquire into this.
Hogshawrabbit
1 Message
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June 25th, 2018 05:00
I have just run the Alienware updates and BIOS 1.0.16 is advised. I clicked install it runs says Ok then reboots.
I re run the updates check and the update is still there asking me to install?
I have opened the BIOS and tried disabling the virtualisation but still same it does not seem to install.
Am I doing something wrong? Also as per other comments I don't want to take a performance hit as I use this PC for virtualisation and need the performance. So even if I get an asnwer as to why it seems to not want to install I would like confirmation that my system performance will not be affected by this update.
Mike