What about the "microcode reliability update" for Intel Core2Duo processors (see MS KB article KB936357)?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936357

What the heck is this for?
I opened a post on Toms Forum
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/243584-28-what-936357-intel-core2duo-microcode-patch

Note that the description actually says simply "Install this microcode update to improve the reliability of systems with Intel processors". It does not specify the Core 2 Duo's.

To me, this makes no sense though, as Microcode updates are released from motherboard manufacturers as part of the BIOS as provided by Intel or AMD (as that is where the microcode is stored and is loaded from when the computer is turned on). It is completely OS independent. Why MS would release something like this is a mystery to me. If anyone can clear it up, please do tell.

Umm maybe you should read the whole article before casting judgement and not just the title.

Q: Which Intel processors are affected?

A: Although these issues are uncommon, the following Intel processors may be affected:• Mobile: Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processor.
• Desktop: Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor, Intel Core 2 Quad desktop processor, and Intel Core 2 Extreme processor.
• Server: Intel Xeon processors 3000, 3200, 5100, and 5300 series.


You can't judge and article by it's title!! :)

Microsoft will get together with Intel, AMD/ATI or whomever to produce a patch when it affects the stability of Microsoft products. Microsoft knows the average user never goes to Intel to check for new chipset drivers. They determined that this problem would/potentially degrade the performance of their product, this is the easiest and fastest way to get the patch out to the majority of Windows users.

B.D.

Yes, the MS KB article specifies the families of C2D processors affected. However, it does NOT specify exactly what the heck the problems are. Specific error messages, BSOD, etc. or just some applications having problems with certain calculations, etc. It should at least refer to an Intel paper or something that gives detail on the specific issues in the chip that they workaround.

The average user may not go to Intel's site, but many vendors (at least HP and Dell for sure) allow users to create profiles from which they can download drivers, firmware and BIOS updates, etc. for their specific hardware. These are relatively simple to use. I *personally* would prefer to have enough info given to me so I can make the decision to apply patches at the hardware (firmware/BIOS) level or the OS level rather than having them forced on me by MS. Again, my point is not that anyone is "evil" for supplying patches, but that more information needs to be made available instead of just say "here, install this...because I said so".

I agree. I really dislike the whole "I said so" thing Microshaft tries to pull. I'd like descriptions of what the patches do. Sometimes I feel like just going it alone and going to Linux.