microcode.ctl for Debian ---------------------- 1- The microcode_ctl works only on kernel the 2.2.18 and later or on 2.4.0 and later. 2- On kernel until 2.6.19, there is a bug that prevent to load new intel microcodes. So, if you don't update the kernel, the installation program will install a shorter version of microcode data. 3- If you recompile the kernel, make sure to include the microcode support (CONFIG_MICROCODE). (See 'kernel-package' and 'kernel-source-*' packages) 4- microcode.ctl needs the microcode device to work. Normally the device is in /dev/cpu/microcode , and the installation script will create it if necessary. If you use 'devfsd' (only with newer kernel) the device is created only in /dev/misc/cpu . If you use 'udev', the device is in /dev/microcode In these cases, the boot script will find the device correctly, but if you use the command "microcode_ctl", you should explicy give the device path, using the option: "-d DEVICE_NAME". OBTAINING THE INTEL MICROCODE You have two options to opbtain the microcode: - installing the "intel-microcode" package (on non-free section) - Using the program "update-intel-microcode" (included in this packages), which will download the newer microcode from Intel website. As alternative you can manually download the microcode from Intel website: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?ProductID=483&DwnldID=14303 and put the microcode in /usr/share/misc/intel-microcode.dat . -- Giacomo Catenazzi , Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:13:27 +0100