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Sadly, AMD PSP is no better. In fact it's worse in some ways — it is actually responsible for initializing the CPU. At least on some Intels you could work for 3

Sadly, AMD PSP is no better. In fact it's worse in some ways — it is actually responsible for initializing the CPU. At least on some Intels you could work for 30 minutes with completely erased ME firmware. Though the PSP concerns were very highly upvoted in Lisa Su's Reddit AMA, and the technical marketing employees said that they'll look into it. Hopefully they'll make it optional in their next products…

theossuary 9y ago
Yeah, after reading through Libre Boot's FAQ [1], I don't think I'll ever buy AMD again, unless they make some serious improvements in this area. How they justify shipping closed source software that can't be disabled, has full access to my system, and can be remotely controlled is beyond me; but I'm not okay with it. [1]: https://libreboot.org/faq.html#amd https://libreboot.org/faq.html#amd
- hrrsn 9y ago
  >How they justify shipping closed source software that can't be disabled, has full access to my system, and can be remotely controlled is beyond me; but I'm not okay with it. Intel isn't any better.
  - theossuary 9y ago
    AMD's is worse from what little I've read on the subject. Pointing to somebody else who is doing something wrong and using that as an excuse isn't exactly a great defense. AMD could really differentiate themselves here (at least for those who care). If AMD came out and said they'd open up the source for PSP or allow something like coreboot for those knowledgable enough to install it, every system I ever built from here on out would have Ryzen in it (I even have a system with an old Bulldozer pre PSP days). As it stands I'm just looking at older chips and non x86 chips now. I'm sure I am in the minority, but I also have some sway in what a lot of people buy in terms of technology, all I need is reason to be AMD's fanboy, and I'll give them every bit of business I can. All I ask is they think of the little guys like me who'd rather have less attack surface in their machines. I believe a computer should do what the owner asks, no more, no less. When we start getting to the point where manufactures feel like they have just as much control over the system I bought as I do; well I guess it's time to go shovel some shit, because this industry won't be for me anymore.

theossuary 9y ago

Yeah, after reading through Libre Boot's FAQ [1], I don't think I'll ever buy AMD again, unless they make some serious improvements in this area. How they justify shipping closed source software that can't be disabled, has full access to my system, and can be remotely controlled is beyond me; but I'm not okay with it. [1]: https://libreboot.org/faq.html#amd https://libreboot.org/faq.html#amd

hrrsn 9y ago
>How they justify shipping closed source software that can't be disabled, has full access to my system, and can be remotely controlled is beyond me; but I'm not okay with it. Intel isn't any better.
- theossuary 9y ago
  AMD's is worse from what little I've read on the subject. Pointing to somebody else who is doing something wrong and using that as an excuse isn't exactly a great defense. AMD could really differentiate themselves here (at least for those who care). If AMD came out and said they'd open up the source for PSP or allow something like coreboot for those knowledgable enough to install it, every system I ever built from here on out would have Ryzen in it (I even have a system with an old Bulldozer pre PSP days). As it stands I'm just looking at older chips and non x86 chips now. I'm sure I am in the minority, but I also have some sway in what a lot of people buy in terms of technology, all I need is reason to be AMD's fanboy, and I'll give them every bit of business I can. All I ask is they think of the little guys like me who'd rather have less attack surface in their machines. I believe a computer should do what the owner asks, no more, no less. When we start getting to the point where manufactures feel like they have just as much control over the system I bought as I do; well I guess it's time to go shovel some shit, because this industry won't be for me anymore.