Yeah, I subscribe to the massive cock-up theory due to human nature's inherent messiness. Conspiracy theories are usually much too complicated to be credible.
The most recent mainboard model I have is from 2013 or so, yes they're quite old so no BIOS updates for any of them.. I'm not too worried about it much.
You see this Microsoft latest update for me seems almost like they are outsourcing some of my calculations to better computers and such...feeding me results or something like that --- but = well I don't think that my computer just up and did extra threads between the processors inside the core... but that is what it feels like...this thing is not-crashing and it always crashed and such... when I tweaked things too much.. I am like totally not allowed to upload to two sites... record the midi and audio stream and then record the audio stream again and like--- render this stuff all in real time --- So did others find the update "nice" ????
Just installed a kernel update for Linux, 4.4.0-112 for the 4.4.0-xxx and 4.13.0.31 for the 4.13.0-xxx both have meltdown and spectre patches and as far as I can see they didn't slow down the machines with these were installed on. As for Windows.. haven't updated any Windows 7 machines, they've been switched off and will be allowed to run updates as soon they actually work and not make the machine unusable.. One Win 8.1 machine remaining, it has been patched, some little niggles but no outright catastrophic events happened so far. Still have to test Linux machines with an Nvidia card, the ones I have are older Athlon64/64x2 machines..
nice @Santaman my machine well my older one a cannibalized was the dual Athlon64x2 so almost 4 processors or 2 dual cores now I have a 8 core 4ghz each core but --- I am running win10 and that was the latest update ... now I need to update the linux hard drive in my dual boot when I boot from linux you know...
I wouldn't use the term 'bricked' - to me, that implies that the device is in a state that you can't recover from without data loss, really complicated workarounds or new hardware. As long as you can still get into GRUB and boot from there things are pretty good. But yeah, you don't expect that kind of problem with a Long Term Support version - or really at all. Also, if there's a backdoor it's in Intel's Manageability Engine whose code is largely kept secret (AMD has an equivalent) and can't be fully removed if you want to boot the CPU.
Was kind of thinking that given how it's affected so much lately. Not good for people who aren't able to go out there and get newer computers.
My AMD-based PC is only susceptible to Spectre but I'm paranoid now about browser-based malware potentially sucking up cookies and other data. I could turn off support for scripting but many sites (this one included) rely heavily on JavaScript. As for my ARM-based Android phone, I doubt it'll be any safer but I'll avoid installing any but the highest reputation apps.
Firefox has been patched up since 57.xx guess 58 will be okay then too, as for JavaScript.. I use NoScript and let through stuff that I trust, nothing more, and yeah, its sometimes breaks sites.. but it has a whitelist function. My Intel driven laptop has had another firmware update, so far so good, hasn't crashed or is running noticably slower.
That's mine as well. I generally turn off script on here. But it's frustrating given that there are plenty of sites out there that still run on it. I'd have to turn it back on for those sites and it wouldn't be good if someone compromised them some how. Thankfully found a way to patch things via Google Chrome and found out that the newer version has it taken care of.
I think this is frustrating for everyone. Microsoft is annoyed, the folks who oversee the various Linux distros don't seem happy, Google is pissed, though they're pretty sure they've found a workaround. It's just, honestly? Intel and AMD dropped the ball here.
Yea they did. Things are working good on my end now thanks to it. All thanks to a Wikipedia article about Spectre. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_(security_vulnerability)#Mitigation
Was at an eye specialist this afternoon, and the PC hooked up to one piece of equipment must have been pretty old - had both a floppy drive and a zip drive. Think last time I came across a zip drive, the year began with 19.
Ugh. I hope this crap gets sorted soon. Tired of having to be on a metered connection (it's not a big deal, but it's a little annoying). Just switched back since... dear Microsoft is trying to sneak updates back onto it. Uh no guys. Not letting them on my laptop until you have it sorted out. Not going to take that chance. Shut off said update again... but there's still more that I think are a part of that crap. I HATE Windows 10. Found out what it is: Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool for Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016 x64 Edition - January 2018 (KB890830) Thank god. But I'm tired of it. Given lack of space on my end. Nothing like becoming gun shy of their updates. Well, well, well... looked that update up and ran into this: https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=kb890830 I hate Microsoft. Tried to redo above update since it screwed up... and it gave me THIS instead: 2018-01 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1703 for x64-based Systems (KB4057144) Gee thanks. /facepalm I like having more control over what updates install. I hate how they have SO much control over them. I'm not an idiot, Microsoft, and I don't appreciate being treated like one. Guess I'll be downloading and trying to install the last one. Things went ok with the newer updates. But now... Directv... Nothing like it disconnecting from the internet on it… and then getting stuck in a loop when it tries to reconnect. Found out that I had to get off a metered connection for it to load correctly. Thing is... with the kind of Windows 10 I have, Home version... it's the only way to stop updates from trying to sneak on (meaning being on a metered connection). I'm so angry I could scream. It's not like I can upgrade either. So I'm screwed either way. Since I'm running out of room for their stupid updates.
have a word with Santaman. He switched off many unnecessary functions and all the spyware in Win10 and might be able to give you good advice. I've desperately avoided the latest Windows versions as they get more and more annoying. I use Gnome lLinux) now on my main computer and an ancient Windows version on another machine because some of my favourite/necessary software doesn't work with linux.
I actually do NOT have a Windows 10 machine, I never use an OS unless M$ had put in two years of fixes, with 10 this will never happen so I avoid it like the plague, no 10 for me... You can't switch off anything in the home edition, the best you can do to avoid spying is to run O&O windows shutup as for the update thing, unless you can get the pro version you won't have any control over them.