Pentium Bug: Horror Or Hype?

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Pentium Bug: Horror Or Hype?

PC vendors say sales haven't been affected

By Brian Gillooly with David Needle
Issue: Dec. 9, 1994

CEO Andy Grove's ears must be burning as flame mail on the Internet fans the hysteria surrounding the bug found in the floating-point unit of Intel Corp.'s high-end Pentium processor. Despite the bad publicity, several PC manufacturers report no slowdown in Pentium demand since Intel confirmed the existence of the flaw on Nov. 29.

Some of Intel's closest allies among hardware vendors are scrambling to provide temporary solutions to the bug problem and take some of the heat off Intel. Richard Thoman , senior VP and general manager at IBM, says that, under normal circumstances, most users will never encounter the error and the IBM PC Co. has logged only 69 calls through Dec. 2 from customers with Pentium questions. Still, "It's up to us to resolve the problem for the customer working with Intel," says Thoman.

Compaq Computer Corp. CEO Eckhard Pfeiffer says there is no reason for a recall of Pentium chips. Instead, Compaq will offer a software patch that disables the floating-point unit. Jim Paschal, VP of desktop corporate engineering for Compaq, admits the interim solution will slow math calculations quite a bit. But it's intended, he says, to keep users satisfied until Intel offers a more equitable fix.

Some users were stung by Intel's response--or lack of one--to the Pentium problems. Intel says the floating-point anomaly, which affects complex math calculations, will be fixed in a forthcoming version of the chip, due in several weeks.

At least one user was angry enough to consider legal reco urse. A. Uzzo &Co., a Purchase, N.Y., accounting firm, filed a suit against Intel alleging unfair business practices in connection with the Pentium problems. A spokeswoman says the firm has been advised by counsel not to speak on the issue.

In a CompuServe forum, one Pentium customer solicited participants for a class-action lawsuit. An Intel spokesman says the Uzzo suit has been the only one served.

Proceed With Caution
Most users are proceeding with caution. Wayne Morrison, a senior scientist with Martin Marietta Energy Systems in Oak Ridge, Tenn., says he's confident the problem is being resolved, but will base future purchases on the condition that all Pentiums pass a test for floating-point operations. Adds Bob Penninger, a systems manager with engineering company Tracor Corp. in Lemon Grove, Calif.: "We'll make darn sure a machine has the new processor, but we're not going to switch to the PowerPC over this."

Joyce Greenwell, information system s director with the American Red Cross in Louisville, Ky., says she wants to add another 90-MHz Pentium system to the six already in use. She has no plans to delay her purchase: "Anything critical, like checking the safety of blood products is done on an AS/400."

To see what columnist Stephen Manes thinks of Intel's response click here

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