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AMD's random number generator can't generate a 0?

288 points · 220 comments · BruceEel

  1. 20k · · focus · HN ↗
    I always wonder how hardware bugs like this happen with the sheer amount of hardware validation that's done. It'd be fascinating to know how it slipped through the cracks, though I know almost nothing about this side of the industry sadly
    1. RicoElectrico · · focus · HN ↗
      Me too. Hardware bugs that arise out of unanticipated module interactions are understandable. But this is a "you had one job" moment.
      1. mitxela · · focus · HN ↗
        It's most likely a quick patch for a previous bug where the RNG would fail but misreport it as a success with all 0 bits. The quick patch is to make all 0s a failure.
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