Specification Update 23
BV8. LBR, BTS, BTM May Report a Wrong Address when an Exception/
Interrupt Occurs in 64-bit Mode
Problem: An exception/interrupt event should be transparent to the LBR (Last Branch Record),
BTS (Branch Trace Store) and BTM (Branch Trace Message) mechanisms. However,
during a specific boundary condition where the exception/interrupt occurs right after
the execution of an instruction at the lower canonical boundary (0x00007FFFFFFFFFFF)
in 64-bit mode, the LBR return registers will save a wrong return address with bits 63
to 48 incorrectly sign extended to all 1’s. Subsequent BTS and BTM operations which
report the LBR will also be incorrect.
Implication: LBR, BTS and BTM may report incorrect information in the event of an exception/
interrupt.
Workaround: None identified.
Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.
BV9. Incorrect Address Computed For Last Byte of FXSAVE/FXRSTOR or
XSAVE/XRSTOR Image Leads to Partial Memory Update
Problem: A partial memory state save of the FXSAVE or XSAVE image or a partial memory state
restore of the FXRSTOR or XRSTOR image may occur if a memory address exceeds the
64KB limit while the processor is operating in 16-bit mode or if a memory address
exceeds the 4GB limit while the processor is operating in 32-bit mode.
Implication: FXSAVE/FXRSTOR or XSAVE/XRSTOR will incur a #GP fault due to the memory limit
violation as expected but the memory state may be only partially saved or restored.
Workaround: Software should avoid memory accesses that wrap around the respective 16-bit and
32-bit mode memory limits.
Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.
BV10. Values for LBR/BTS/BTM Will be Incorrect after an Exit from SMM
Problem: After a return from SMM (System Management Mode), the CPU will incorrectly update
the LBR (Last Branch Record) and the BTS (Branch Trace Store), hence rendering their
data invalid. The corresponding data if sent out as a BTM on the system bus will also be
incorrect. Note: This issue would only occur when one of the 3 above mentioned debug
support facilities are used.
Implication: The value of the LBR, BTS, and BTM immediately after an RSM operation should not be
used.
Workaround: None identified.
Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.