P3 Processor Security Patch/Utility

[Danlz]

Remember when the P3's first came out in 1999 and there was a public uproar about Intel's tracking of the processor ID in the interest of security and the violation of our right to privacy? Intel issued a small patch or utility to turn off the tattle-tale "feature". Can't seem to locate that patch/utility on Intel's web site or by searching AT. Anyone?

 

[AndyHui]

Don't waste your time on it.

All major motherboard manufacturers automatically set the Pentium III Processor Serial Number to off.

Besides, it's not like people are going to take the time tracking you with that number; they can already track you with your unique NIC MAC address. No one has ever bothered you by using your NIC MAC address have they?

 

[Danlz]

Hummmm...interesting, when my Abit m/b is running a P3 the BIOS has an entry called "Processor Number Feature" (enable/disable). When it is running a Via C3, that BIOS entry does not appear at all. I guess I lucked out, but anyone who has an early m/b won't be so lucky and might be looking for that software. I specifically remember a free, control utility that Intel issued after caving-in to public pressure, but it has since disappeared from their web site....hummmm.

 

[AndyHui]

That's what I mean by setting the PSN to OFF.

The default setting in the BIOS is DISABLED for the Processor Serial Number Feature. It simply shows up in the BIOS as something that you can control.

Obviously it won't show up for the VIA C3 since that processor doesn't have a PSN.