B.I.O.S. to lock out non-Windows code ?

Mon Oct 6 15:36:03 UTC 2003

so much for using pheonix bios for me then, I always hated CTRL-ALT-S 
anyways:)

On Mon, 6 Oct 2003, James McIntosh wrote:

> How will this affect Linux ?
> 
> 
> http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/developer/0,39020387,39116902,00.htm
> 
> Microsoft moves to integrate Windows with BIOS
> 
> Matthew Broersma
> 
> ZDNet UK
> 
> October 03, 2003, 17:25 BST
> 
> Tell us your opinion
> 
> A deal with BIOS maker Phoenix Technologies would
> allow the operating system to directly control hardware. It also raises
> concerns over who controls the software in PCs
> 
> Microsoft has expanded its relationship with BIOS maker Phoenix
> Technologies in a deal designed to more closely integrate the basic
> building blocks of the PC with the Windows operating system.
> 
> The relationship, announced this week, is designed to make PCs simpler
> and more reliable, the companies said. The move is likely to put
> consumer rights advocates on their guard, however, since both Microsoft
> and Phoenix are involved in plans to integrate digital rights management
> (DRM) technology at the operating system and hardware level. DRM is
> designed to give copyright owners more control over how users make use
> of software and content, but has been criticised as eroding consumer
> rights.
> 
> A BIOS, or basic input/output system, is the software that ties the
> operating system to a PC's hardware. Traditionally, it has carried out
> basic tasks such as hardware and system configuration, and has been
> standardised and simple enough to allow the installation of alternative
> operating systems, including Linux.
> 
> Phoenix's Core System Software (CSS) is a next-generation BIOS with a
> more sophisticated integration of operating system and hardware, for
> example making it easier for system administrators to remotely monitor
> the hardware configurations of their systems. CSS is designed for non-PC
> systems such as blade servers and embedded industrial devices as well as
> traditional desktops.
> 
> Microsoft said integration should mean simpler and more reliable
> computers. "This is a pivotal change for the industry, and it will
> rapidly advance serviceability, deployment, and management for servers,
> mobile devices, and desktops," said Microsoft general manager of Windows
> hardware Tom Phillips, in a statement. "Effectively, Phoenix is creating
> an entirely new category of system software."
> 
> Microsoft said the next-generation BIOS would allow future versions of
> Windows to manage server blades when they are connected to a system,
> without needing to be turned on. The BIOS would also allow better
> control of unauthorised devices connected to a system, Microsoft said.
> 
> Phoenix is one of the biggest BIOS providers, its customers including
> four of the top five PC manufacturers. Its products are also used by
> consumer electronics makers such as Pioneer, Matsushita, Sony and
> Toshiba.
> 
> Both Microsoft and Phoenix are currently arguing for closer integration
> of Windows with PC hardware, and DRM integrated throughout. Microsoft is
> planning to tie Windows DRM features to the hardware platform via its
> controversial Next Generation Secure Computing Base (NGSCB) project,
> formerly known as Palladium. NGSCB is associated with the next version
> of Windows, code-named Longhorn, which is due in about two years' time.
> 
> Phoenix recently said it is touting round a BIOS with built-in DRM
> technology to major PC manufacturers. In September the company said it
> had developed a prototype of its Core Management Engine (CME) including
> DRM from Orbid. The DRM technology would allow content providers to
> identify which PCs and devices were authorised to play particular files,
> more effectively controlling content distribution, file-trading and
> moving software from one machine to another, according to Phoenix.
> 
> Phoenix said the DRM-enabled CME was not part of Microsoft's NGSCB, but
> that the technology was complementary. The CME would allow PC makers to
> embed digital rights management directly into the hardware, though they
> would have the option of allowing users to turn it off.
> 
> Consumer electronics makers are particularly interested in the
> technology, according to Phoenix.
> 
> Efficeon nets PC industry backing
> 
> Stolen PCs can 'ping' their real owner
> 
> New group aims at universal security
> 
> End of the road in sight for antique heart of PCs
> 
> Email this
> 
> Print this
> 
> Tell us your opinion
> 
> Bull. To put it mildly. Anyone with half a brain
> (and NOT in BIOS...
> Jeff Partridge
> 
> Microsoft's plan to integrate the operating system with the BIOS ...
> Phil A
> 
> OH, GREAT. Soon we'll have viruses infecting not only our OS a...
> Anonymous
> 
> Can't they keep their hands off of anything? I've got a bad feeli...
> Jeff A.
> 
> Ok..it takes A LOT to scare me. This scares me.
> Dan
> 
> They are trying to rule the wold but will fail. Most businesses a...
> Anonymous
> 
> Gatezooks Batman! Can Bill be stealing another Apple idea? Ap...
> Michel Levesque
> 
> Phoenix is only one of the many global organsations working to ex...
> Adebayo Omo-Dare
> 
> An attempt to squelch Linux? Hm... They're not scared of the co...
> Laura
> 
> just boycot any mobo with that bios.. that takes care of that..
> joeldg
> 
> This article is about to get posted on slashdot, hang on to your ...
> Anonymous
> 
> "The BIOS would also allow better control of unauthorised devices...
> Jim Storch
> 
> Wow, that's the last Phoenix bios I buy, shame too, I've been a l...
> edfardos
> 
> Good news! Microsoft is trying to take over yet another techn...
> Anonymous
> 
> As Michel Levesque said, Apple has been doing this for years, in ...
> John Thurlow
> 
> someone need to shurdown Microsoft. I hope some groups of peop...
> Anonymous
> 
> The anti-MS sentiments here are pathetic... Microsoft is a busine...
> Anonymous
> 
> I flat out refuse to buy a motherboard with a Windows Integrated ...
> Sean Darrenkamp
> 
> Uhhhh ....it´s gonna be messy I´d guess . I very much have the...
> Winston Graeme
> 
> might want to spell authorized as authorized and not authorised.
> Anonymous
> 
> This is ZDNet.co.uk. In the UK authorized is spelt authorised.
> Anonymous
> 
> Thats opening the door to windows virus that will kill the system...
> blackcomb
> 
> Re: What Apple does When Microsoft startes making its own bios...
> Anonymous
> 
> First SCO kernel lawsuits... now this? What's next Microsoft Onl...
> Gill Bates
> 
> Provided versions of the BIOS are made available which run OS's ...
> Anonymous
> 
> If people can get around all the MS-Specific stuff in the XBox, I...
> Jerry Leik
> 
> I beg your pardon, but doesn't this run afoul of the US anti-trus...
> Anonymous
> 
> And I thought the only advantage DOS had over CP/M was the BIOS w...
> Mark Harvey
> 
> R.E: Matthew Broersma You make it sound like Microsoft are for...
> Anonymous
> 
> We are borg; you are fud. Our daily mantra here at microbasicinpu...
> LinuxIsOverRated
> 
> I do not like this one bit at all. Microsoft is being very mon...
> Matt S.
> 
> I believe, Microsoft will not be able to do such a thing. Firstl...
> Nitrocloud
> 
> I would just like to know if when Microsoft says that this will h...
> Eric Damron
> 
> Time to develop an open-source hardware platform that uses FPGA's...
> g salter
> 
> Oh.. right.. so another bribe underway. Whats next, cpu's which ...
> Gunblade
> 
> This stinks. What about the settlement reach regarding MS's anti...
> Anonymous
> 
> This is the most selfish thing I heard since I found out that ph...
> Kris mason
> 
> It's not complicated that problem its what we call controling peo...
> Michel Plante
> 
> The Apple model is actually different. They provide the ROM, mot...
> Anonymous
> 
> *sniff sniff* I smell IBM and MCA here..wonder if MS will figure...
> Doug Mayfield
> 
> What Microsoft and Phoenix are doing is very similar to what Appl...
> Ezra
> 
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