news@brl-adm.ARPA (The News System <news>) (01/09/88)
FYI, I am forwarding this message that appeared a while ago in the 80386-users list.
----- Begin Forwarded Messages -----
Date: 23 Nov 87 14:34 PST
Subject: How to identify buggy 80386 chips
From: wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew)
Hi,
Apparently some buyers in these parts have spotted some no-name
'386 cut-rate boards that have buggy CPU chips. Recently
manufactured 80386 chips bear a double capital Sigma ("EE")
hallmark on the chip's lid. The double sigma indicates that the
chip in question has correctly passed 32-bit multiply. Intel quite
intentionally sold some defective chips in order to get product out
to develops and customers that weren't running 32 bit applications.
Such chips are quite clearly stamped "for 16 bit use only".
Apparently, there are some quite old '386s that have neither sigma
nor stamp. Unmarked chips should be assumed to be buggy. If you
have a brain-damaged chip, not all is lost; according to an article
in Infoworld, Intel will swap buggy chips for good ones-- but not
until first quarter 1988.
We haven't seen any defaced chips where unscrupulous dealers are
attempting to alter the certification stamp. Knowing some dealers,
it wouldn't surprise me though. This is also a caviat for mail
order buyers-- know what you are getting, and only buy from an
established vendor with a decent reputation. For the moment, if
you are thinking of buying a rock bottom '386 from a guy down the
block in a garage, make sure you pull the cover and eye the CPU
chip carefully. Of course, you should carefully check any computer
or peripheral device carefully anyway. Remember that more often
than not, you get what you pay for-- at least to a ceratin extent.
--Bill
Bill Mayhew, Electrical Engineering Office
Division of Basic Medical Sciences
Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Rootstown, OH 44272-9989 USA (216) 325-2511
(wtm@neoucom.UUCP ...!cbosgd!neoucom!wtm)
----- End Forwarded Messages -----