Windows Meltdown patches halted for some AMD systems after PCs refuse to boot
0Windows Meltdown patches halted for some AMD systems after PCs refuse to boot.
AMD processors aren’t affected by the devastating Meltdown CPU flaw, but the fix for Meltdown can apparently bring certain AMD CPUs to their knees. Microsoft has stopped offering the Windows security patch to some AMD systems after reports of PCs not booting.
“After investigating, Microsoft has determined that some AMD chipsets do not conform to the documentation previously provided to Microsoft to develop the Windows operating system mitigations to protect against the chipset vulnerabilities known as Spectre and Meltdown,” Microsoft's security advisory reads. “To prevent AMD customers from getting into an unbootable state, Microsoft will temporarily pause sending the following Windows operating system updates to devices with impacted AMD processors at this time.”
Microsoft doesn’t specify which AMD CPUs are vulnerable to the error. CSO reports that forum complaints largely revolve around older Athlon and Sempron chips, with the largest thread bearing over 160 replies and more than 800 “I have the same question” votes.
AMD and Microsoft are working to resolve the issue. Security updates for affected computers will resume after it’s fixed. If your AMD PC refuses to boot after installing last week’s emergency patch, Microsoft says its guides for troubleshooting bluescreen errors in Windows 7, 8, and 10 may help.