Intel has acknowledged a bug in its Itanium 2 processor. The error shows up in some rare data sets when a particular sequence of instructions is executed. Intel tells us it has shared a test with OEMs and as a workaround advises concerned Itanium customers to knock the frequency down to 800MHz.

The red-headed stepchild of IBM's server line, the x450, has been told to stay indoors until the panic is over. The x450 was belatedly added to IBM's server line-up in the past month, nine months after the launch of Itanium 2. Intel said it would support IBM if it decided to offer customers a processor swap.

A spokesperson for SGI said the issue was minor and did not merit a recall.

No patch is expected.

The Itanic 2 chip has been out for a year, and the successor is due to be unveiled early in July. ®

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