unique Processsor ID numbers

[Doppelganger]

There was a great hoopla about Intel planning to user ID tags in the Pentium III processors so that big brother could ID you and about anything that you did on line. At the same time, AMD said they would not use ID's. So when it came time to upgrade, I bought an Athlon. Then all of the talk about ID's magically disappeared. Now it's about time to upgrade again. Does anyone know how to find out whether Intel is still using Tags?

[CMonster]

You are not invisible - nothing you do is secret - but most likely your online activity would bore the secret service to tears anyway...

Processor ID tags will likely continue...

Choose your next processor based on performance, not paranoia.



[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 07-22-2000).]

[Fingers]

Intel offers a "Processor Serial Number Control Utility" if you wish to disable the ID tag.

[bkehoe]

It can be disabled in the BIOS, but a simple app can re-enable it without even a restart needed.

Brendan

[Richard_Cranium72]

After Intel announced the disable control on the P3, a group in Germany announced they could remotely activate that switch and SEE the info inside your computer. So many people think they are anonymous on the web, the computer gives more info than CALLER ID. DrVette

[Fingers]

Is surfing with the ID number activated any more dangerous than having your browser set to accept "cookies"?

[[hd580]]

AMD said they would not use ID's. So when it came time to upgrade, I bought an Athlon. Choose your next processor based on performance, not paranoia.In which case he would choose...the AMD Athlon!

[Kruppt]

Processor ID tags, are they also in the Celeron chips? 366a through recent series. Or is this in just the pentinium processors?

[CMonster]

hd580 - I agree. But also a consumer should choose based on best price/performance for whatever the existing hardware or other qualifications -if any. The Duron and "new" Athlon (T-bird) chips should make the choice even more obivous http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Kruppt - as far as I know (not the resident Celeron expert) the 533a and up (FCPGA) have the ID tag because they are actually a PIII with only 128 L2 cache. My 533a has an ID tag and is identified by most programs and my BIOS as a PIII.