Unknown Additional Driver: Processor microcode firmware for Intel CPUs for intel-microcode

Question

After upgrading to 15.04, I have one additional driver (it did not appear in 14.10). What is the purpose of this driver and should I enable it?

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Is there an Intel cpu? blog.surgut.co.uk/2015/03/…
– mikewhatever
Apr 24, 2015 at 22:27 — mikewhatever, Apr 24, 2015 at 22:27

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-12 14:37:07Z

65

The microcode data file for Linux contains the latest microcode definitions for all Intel processors.

Intel releases microcode updates to correct processor behavior as documented in the respective processor specification updates.

While the regular approach to getting this microcode update is via a BIOS upgrade, Intel realizes that this is an administrative hassle.

The Linux Operating System has a mechanism to update the microcode after booting the OS.

In Ubuntu Vivid Vervet 15.04,ubuntu-drivers-common is a framework to detect hardware-dependent components on user's machine.

Source

CommunityBot

1

answered Apr 24, 2015 at 23:41

kyodake

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3

so, no to worry if this driver is not used?
– Ljiljan Veselinovic
Apr 25, 2015 at 8:22
4

Yes, no to worry if this driver is not used.
– kyodake
Apr 25, 2015 at 15:08
8

I will add the the 'Do not use the device' doesn't mean you are not using the device, I think it means you aren't using it with the available proprietary driver. (e.g. my wifi card is set to 'do not use' in additional drivers but is happily using bcma-pci-bridge instead of the proprietary wl)
– Wilf
Jul 13, 2015 at 20:53
3

So this will permanently upgrade the BIOS?
– Flimm
Dec 13, 2015 at 10:17
3

@Flimm No, the update has to be reapplied. If you put "Do not use the device" the microcode will be the BIOS's not your Ubuntu's.
– Avamander
Feb 19, 2016 at 22:22

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