Intel ppt

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IntelIntel®® Pentium Chip Flaw Pentium Chip FlawIntelIntel®® Pentium Chip Flaw Pentium Chip Flaw Submitted By:Submitted By: Kamal Syal - B54Kamal Syal - B54 Konark Garg- A10Konark Garg- A10 Naved Imran- A13Naved Imran- A13

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*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

The History of Intel The History of Intel CorporationCorporation

Started with 12 employees in 1968 and grew Started with 12 employees in 1968 and grew to 15,000 employees by 1980 (12 years)to 15,000 employees by 1980 (12 years)

In 1980 IBM adopted the 8086 chip for their In 1980 IBM adopted the 8086 chip for their personal computer. Sales increased to $885 personal computer. Sales increased to $885 million in 1980million in 1980

Intel developed 32-bit microprocessors Intel developed 32-bit microprocessors during the 1980’s (386 and 486 chips) The 386 during the 1980’s (386 and 486 chips) The 386 was most widely used chips in the market was most widely used chips in the market (IBM, Compaq Computer, and Dell (IBM, Compaq Computer, and Dell Corporation) Corporation)

In 1989 the 486 chip was developed – In 1989 the 486 chip was developed – ““mainframe on a chip”mainframe on a chip”

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The History of Intel The History of Intel CorporationCorporation

By 1991 Intel became the largest U.S. By 1991 Intel became the largest U.S. semiconductor supplier Intel earned a semiconductor supplier Intel earned a net profit of $2.3 billion in sales of $8.7 net profit of $2.3 billion in sales of $8.7 billion in 1993 billion in 1993

55% Microprocessor Sales55% Microprocessor Sales 20% Memory Chips20% Memory Chips Remaining % from LAN products based Remaining % from LAN products based

on their chips on their chips Present CEO Paul S. OtelliniPresent CEO Paul S. Otellini

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Intel Pentium Chip ProblemIntel Pentium Chip Problem

Problems began for Intel in Problems began for Intel in October, 1994 October, 1994 Mathematician uncovered a division error, a Mathematician uncovered a division error, a

flaw in the microprocessor’s floating point flaw in the microprocessor’s floating point unit that could lead to errors in calculations unit that could lead to errors in calculations

Example: 4,195,835 – ((4,195,835/3,145,727) Example: 4,195,835 – ((4,195,835/3,145,727) x 3,145,727) answer should be 0 (zero) but x 3,145,727) answer should be 0 (zero) but reported 256!reported 256!

Intel failed to perform a basic test that Intel failed to perform a basic test that would have uncovered this error.would have uncovered this error.

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Intel Pentium Chip Intel Pentium Chip Problem(Timeline)Problem(Timeline)

June, 1994June, 1994:Dr. Thomas R. Nicely, a :Dr. Thomas R. Nicely, a professor of mathematics at Lynchburg professor of mathematics at Lynchburg College, Virginia, notices a small difference College, Virginia, notices a small difference in two sets of numbersin two sets of numbers

Wednesday, October 19: Wednesday, October 19: After testing on After testing on several 486 and Pentium-based computers, several 486 and Pentium-based computers, Dr. Nicely is certain that the error is caused Dr. Nicely is certain that the error is caused by the Pentium processor.by the Pentium processor.

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Intel pentium Chip Intel pentium Chip Problem(Timeline)Problem(Timeline)

Monday, October 24: Monday, October 24: Dr. Nicely contacts Dr. Nicely contacts Intel technical support. Intel's contact Intel technical support. Intel's contact person duplicates the error and confirms it, person duplicates the error and confirms it, but says that it was not reported before.but says that it was not reported before.

Sunday, October 30: Sunday, October 30: After receiving no After receiving no more information from Intel, Dr. Nicely more information from Intel, Dr. Nicely sends an email message to a few people, sends an email message to a few people, announcing his discovery of a "bug" in announcing his discovery of a "bug" in Pentium processors.Pentium processors.

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That same day, Andrew Schulman, author of That same day, Andrew Schulman, author of Unauthorized Windows 95Unauthorized Windows 95, receives Dr. Nicely's email., receives Dr. Nicely's email.

Tuesday, November 1: Tuesday, November 1: Schulman forwards Dr. Nicely's Schulman forwards Dr. Nicely's message to Richard Smith, president of Phar Lap message to Richard Smith, president of Phar Lap Software in Cambridge, MA. Realizing the significance Software in Cambridge, MA. Realizing the significance of the flaw, Smith immediately forwards Dr. Nicely's of the flaw, Smith immediately forwards Dr. Nicely's message to important Phar Lap customers, to Intel, and message to important Phar Lap customers, to Intel, and to people at compiler companies, including Microsoft, to people at compiler companies, including Microsoft, Borland, Metaware and Watcom. Borland, Metaware and Watcom.

He also posts the message to the Canopus forum of He also posts the message to the Canopus forum of CompuServe with a note asking people to run Dr. CompuServe with a note asking people to run Dr. Nicely's test and report results back to Smith. This is Nicely's test and report results back to Smith. This is the first public disclosure of the flaw.the first public disclosure of the flaw.

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Monday, November 7: Monday, November 7: Wolfe's article Wolfe's article runs in runs in Electronic Engineering TimesElectronic Engineering Times, , headlined INTEL FIXES A PENTIUM FPU headlined INTEL FIXES A PENTIUM FPU GLITCH. In the story, Intel says it has GLITCH. In the story, Intel says it has corrected the glitch in subsequent runs corrected the glitch in subsequent runs of the chip, and Steve Smith of Intel of the chip, and Steve Smith of Intel dismisses the importance of the flaw, dismisses the importance of the flaw, saying, "This doesn't even qualify as an saying, "This doesn't even qualify as an errata (sic).“errata (sic).“

This is only the first print article about This is only the first print article about the flaw, but by this time there are the flaw, but by this time there are hundreds of postings about ithundreds of postings about it

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Tuesday, November 22:Tuesday, November 22: CNN's CNN's Money lineMoney line program looks at the issue. Steve Smith of program looks at the issue. Steve Smith of Intel says the Pentium processor's problem Intel says the Pentium processor's problem is minor.is minor.

Wednesday, November 23: Wednesday, November 23: Math Works Math Works sends out what is a press release on the sends out what is a press release on the issue, MATHWORKS DEVELOPS FIX FOR issue, MATHWORKS DEVELOPS FIX FOR THE INTEL PENTIUM FLOATING POINT THE INTEL PENTIUM FLOATING POINT PROCESSOR.PROCESSOR.

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Thursday, November 24: Thursday, November 24: The The New York TimesNew York Times runs a story by John Mark off, CIRCUIT runs a story by John Mark off, CIRCUIT

FLAW CAUSES PENTIUM CHIP TO MISCALCULATE, INTEL FLAW CAUSES PENTIUM CHIP TO MISCALCULATE, INTEL ADMITS. ADMITS.

In the story, an Intel spokesman says the company is still In the story, an Intel spokesman says the company is still sending out the flawed chips. A similar story by the Associated sending out the flawed chips. A similar story by the Associated Press is printed by more than 200 newspapers and run on radio Press is printed by more than 200 newspapers and run on radio and television news.and television news.

Intel Applications Support Manager Ken Hendren posts a Intel Applications Support Manager Ken Hendren posts a message on America Online and the Internet, revealing that Intel message on America Online and the Internet, revealing that Intel has no one providing customer support on the Internet.has no one providing customer support on the Internet.

Intel seems unaware of the solidity of opinion on the Net about Intel seems unaware of the solidity of opinion on the Net about the Pentium processor's flaw. the Pentium processor's flaw. At this point, an offer by Intel to At this point, an offer by Intel to replace any flawed Pentium chips would have smoothed the replace any flawed Pentium chips would have smoothed the waters. Instead, Intel makes an offer to replace a Pentium chip waters. Instead, Intel makes an offer to replace a Pentium chip only after Intel had determined you used the chip in an only after Intel had determined you used the chip in an application in which it would cause a problem. Intel customers application in which it would cause a problem. Intel customers are irate. The chip hits the fan.are irate. The chip hits the fan.

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Sunday, November 27Sunday, November 27: A notice appears on the : A notice appears on the Internet newsgroup comp.sys.intel, from Intel's Internet newsgroup comp.sys.intel, from Intel's president, Dr. Andrew Grove, but bearing someone president, Dr. Andrew Grove, but bearing someone else's "return address". else's "return address".

This posting has two problems.This posting has two problems. 1. Since Grove's message was not posted from his 1. Since Grove's message was not posted from his

own address, many readers assumed that it was a own address, many readers assumed that it was a spoof--a forged message--and had been written by spoof--a forged message--and had been written by someone other than Grove.someone other than Grove.

2. It should not have been released on the Internet 2. It should not have been released on the Internet first. There are some things you should not use the first. There are some things you should not use the Internet to do. Put out standard press releases, Internet to do. Put out standard press releases, yes.. It should have called a press conference. yes.. It should have called a press conference. Grove's email only fuelled the flames.Grove's email only fuelled the flames.

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Monday, December 12Monday, December 12: IBM issues a press : IBM issues a press release: IBM HALTS SHIPMENTS OF PENTIUM-release: IBM HALTS SHIPMENTS OF PENTIUM-BASED PCS. Intel counters with INTEL SAYS BASED PCS. Intel counters with INTEL SAYS IBM SHIPMENT HALT IS UNWARRANTED. IBM SHIPMENT HALT IS UNWARRANTED. Internet analysts immediately demonstrate that Internet analysts immediately demonstrate that IBM's claims are exaggerated, but at the same IBM's claims are exaggerated, but at the same time no one believes Intel.time no one believes Intel.

Wednesday, December 14:Wednesday, December 14: Intel releases a Intel releases a white paper explaining the situation rationally. white paper explaining the situation rationally. Too late. Intel's communications are jammed Too late. Intel's communications are jammed with tens of thousands of phone calls and with tens of thousands of phone calls and email messages from worried and angry email messages from worried and angry customerscustomers..

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Friday, December 16Friday, December 16: Intel stock closes at : Intel stock closes at $59.50, down $3.25 for the week.$59.50, down $3.25 for the week.

Tuesday, December 20Tuesday, December 20: Intel finally apologizes : Intel finally apologizes and says it will replace all flawed Pentiums upon and says it will replace all flawed Pentiums upon request. request.

It sets aside a reserve of $420 million to cover It sets aside a reserve of $420 million to cover costs.costs.

It hires hundreds of customer service It hires hundreds of customer service employees to deal with customer requests. employees to deal with customer requests.

It dedicates four fulltime employees to read It dedicates four fulltime employees to read Internet newsgroups and respond immediately to Internet newsgroups and respond immediately to any postings about Intel or its productsany postings about Intel or its products

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What Intel could have done!!!What Intel could have done!!!

The first thing is to respond to emailed The first thing is to respond to emailed complaints as quickly as possible.complaints as quickly as possible.

Another obvious conclusion is that when Another obvious conclusion is that when you see hundreds of email messages and you see hundreds of email messages and newsgroup postings which all say you have newsgroup postings which all say you have a problem, and you don't think you have a a problem, and you don't think you have a problem, think twice: you really do have a problem, think twice: you really do have a problem. You might not have a technical problem. You might not have a technical problem, but you have a PR problem.problem, but you have a PR problem.

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Unlike traditional news media, the Internet Unlike traditional news media, the Internet has no filtering process. Messages come has no filtering process. Messages come quickly and from many sources. It is quickly and from many sources. It is impossible for your media relations people to impossible for your media relations people to put a spin on Internet postings. put a spin on Internet postings.

That is why it is important for you to monitor That is why it is important for you to monitor what is being posted on the Net, and why you what is being posted on the Net, and why you need to post proactive information.need to post proactive information.

If Intel would have posted information about If Intel would have posted information about the Pentium flaw in June, it would have the Pentium flaw in June, it would have prevented almost everything that happened prevented almost everything that happened afterwards.afterwards.

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Another result of the lack of filters on the Internet is Another result of the lack of filters on the Internet is that newsgroups can exaggerate. If someone posts that newsgroups can exaggerate. If someone posts exaggerated or angry newsgroup messages or sends exaggerated or angry newsgroup messages or sends flaming email about your business, you can employ the flaming email about your business, you can employ the procedures Intel now uses.procedures Intel now uses.

If there is a continuing situation regarding your If there is a continuing situation regarding your company, and that situation is discussed repeatedly on company, and that situation is discussed repeatedly on the Net, don't post one message and then go away for a the Net, don't post one message and then go away for a week. Someone from your company will need to week. Someone from your company will need to provide a continuing voice in the discussion, even if to provide a continuing voice in the discussion, even if to just repeat your side of a story. The balance of postings just repeat your side of a story. The balance of postings in the Pentium story was easily more than a hundred in the Pentium story was easily more than a hundred postings by the public to every one posting by Intel.postings by the public to every one posting by Intel.

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Don't try to do all your public relations Don't try to do all your public relations on the Net. Use the Internet as one on the Net. Use the Internet as one ingredient in your mix, but not for ingredient in your mix, but not for everything. everything. Some things--as Andy Some things--as Andy Grove's Internet message Grove's Internet message demonstrated--will have better results demonstrated--will have better results when done off the Net.when done off the Net.

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Ethical Issues Ethical Issues Ethical Issues Company should have responded to Ethical Issues Company should have responded to

the pubic and immediately replaced the flawed chips the pubic and immediately replaced the flawed chips instead of trying to hide it from the public!instead of trying to hide it from the public!

Intel’s customers were victims of this flawed chip by Intel’s customers were victims of this flawed chip by no fault of their own.no fault of their own.

Intel should have been loyal and trustworthy to their Intel should have been loyal and trustworthy to their customers.customers.

Arrogance, pride, and greed took over Intel’s Arrogance, pride, and greed took over Intel’s decision making in solving the flawed chip issue.decision making in solving the flawed chip issue.

What if the chip would have been used in the space What if the chip would have been used in the space shuttle or making a life/death decision?shuttle or making a life/death decision?

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ReferencesReferences

The Pentium Chip Story: A Learning The Pentium Chip Story: A Learning Experience Experience http://www.emery.com/1e/pentium.html

Wikipedia Flawed Pentium Wikipedia Flawed Pentium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentium_FDIV_bug

IBM stops shipping Pentium-based PCs, IBM stops shipping Pentium-based PCs, will replace flawed chips. will replace flawed chips. http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/computer-hardware/463212-1.html

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Intel ppt