0

I have a Dell Dimension 4700, running Windows 7 Home Premium (32 bit).
Per 'systeminfo', the CPU is "x86 Family 15 Model 4"

I believe that this is vulnerable to the Meltdown/Spectre problem.

WRT which, Dell says:

There are essential components that need to be applied to mitigate the above mentioned vulnerabilities:

Apply the firmware update via BIOS update.
Apply the applicable operating system (OS) patch.
Apply hypervisor patches, browser and JavaScript engines updates where applicable.

AIUI, said 'firmware update' comes from Intel, but then must be further refined and distributed by Dell. However, Dell seems not to list any Dimension series in their upgrade schedule.

Questions

  1. Am I just misunderstanding this, and the Intel update is/will be available for this PC?
  2. Is the Intel update somehow not applicable to this PC/CPU?
  3. Given the order of the above Dell list, can I safely install the Windows 7 update?
  4. Is the Win 7 update useful, without the firmware update?
Improve this question
4
  • Correction. The microcode is associated with Spectre not Meltdown.
    – Ramhound
    Commented Jan 10, 2018 at 13:27
  • Your processor is vulnerable to Meltdown, and one of the mitigation’s for Spectre requires a microcode, which means unless Dell releases a firmware update you won’t receive that microcode. The update should be installed because of the other associated Spectre vulnerability and of course the patch to protect you from Meltdown itself.
    – Ramhound
    Commented Jan 10, 2018 at 13:28
  • 1
    intel only patches CPUs which are at least Haswell generation (Core i 4xxxx): translate.google.com/…
    – magicandre1981
    Commented Jan 10, 2018 at 16:21
  • Try InSpectre - easily examine and understand any Windows system's hardware and software capability to prevent Meltdown and Spectre attacks.
    – galacticninja
    Commented Mar 14, 2018 at 3:08

0

Reset to default

You must log in to answer this question.

Browse other questions tagged .