Microsoft will not support Extensible Firmware Interface in Windows Vista
Microsoft axes Vista Bios replacement
/v3-uk/news/2007320/microsoft-axes-vista-bios-replacement
13 Mar 2006, Tom Sanders in California , V3
Microsoft has decided not to support the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) in its forthcoming Windows Vista operating system.
EFI replaces the Basic Input/Output System (Bios) that has been used for the past 20 years. Both technologies give a computer its first instructions when turned on, and allow the operating system to be loaded.
EFI, however, has an advantage over Bios in that it allows for shorter boot times and lets hardware vendors to create device drivers which are independent of operating systems.
Microsoft had initially said that it would support the technology for 64-bit systems, but decided to make the changes because there will be too few 64-bit processors in the market when Windows Vista ships later this year.
"A combination of factors changed our plans," Microsoft development manager Andrew Ritz said in a session at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, according to APCmag.com.
"The big one, in my opinion, was platform availability. With this huge move to 64-bit based platforms and for us to support it, we needed to see a large heterogeneous sample of 64-bit implementations out there for us to feel comfortable in supporting it."
Intel developed EFI and supports the technology in its chips. While Apple is using EFI in its Intel powered systems, Microsoft only supports it in its 64-bit version of Windows XP.
Microsoft has said in the past that it targets the operating system at PC enthusiasts and warned against its use in real production environments.
Microsoft's decision throws up a hurdle for Mac users who were hoping to load both Windows and OS X on their Intel Mac hardware. The Intel Macs rely on EFI and lack a Bios.
This so-called double booting would allow gaming enthusiasts to use Apple hardware to play PC games that are not available on the OS X platform.
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Do you agree?
Who are they kidding?
It's a joke right? Not enough 64bit processors? Has anyone told Bill and the MS execs, that for the last 6months, thats all Intel and AMD have released?
Sorry. Not all of us are that slow...
Posted by Pete, 14 Mar 2006
Platform Advancement
Apple tries to move the platform forward.
Microsoft holds it back.
Posted by Unix Daemon, 13 Mar 2006
So it's the 80's again?
So much for new technology. Vista will
have to run on a bios? So what will we be renaming DOS to? No wonder it's called windows, same crap, new drapes.
Posted by Ben, 13 Mar 2006
Microsoft Running Scared!
This about face is clearly to try and limit Apple's OS-X operating system's huge appeal to corporations, by preventing Mac hardware to easily use the few Windows applications some corporations feel they are still anchored to, on the new Apple hardware. As emulation solutions are further perfected, these Microsoft imposed limitations will evaporate allowing corporations to realize Mac OS-X advantages like increased security, ease of use and dramatic TCO reductions. Apple solutions are expected to flood the corporate space even before these solutions are widespread.
Posted by William Cork, 13 Mar 2006
More subtle indifference against other OS products
Another nail they are trying to drive into the coffin of every competitor, whether or not their customers need what they suddenly do not support for the benefit of their 95% control of the desktop. Some day some political body or person will have the balls for putting them in the naughty corner.
Posted by Mike, 13 Mar 2006