Ubuntu

Execute Disable Bit?

Asked by laptoplinux

In my BIOS there is an option to enable "Execute Disable Bit". The default is No. I have done some research on this (http://developer.intel.com/technology/xdbit/index.htm) and although admittedly my understanding of it is fuzzy, on the surface it seems like a good thing to have.

I am running Hardy Heron on a Toshiba Dynabook. Is there a downside to enabling this in the Bios and will my system actually utilize it?

:~/Desktop$ uname -a
Linux tlee-laptop 2.6.24-19-generic #1 SMP Wed Aug 20 22:56:21 UTC 2008 i686 GNU/Linux

# dmidecode 2.9
SMBIOS 2.3 present.
45 structures occupying 1418 bytes.
Table at 0x000EB160.

Handle 0x0000, DMI type 0, 20 bytes
BIOS Information
 Vendor: TOSHIBA
 Version: Version 1.30
 Release Date: 01/17/2006
 Address: 0xEB000
 Runtime Size: 84 kB
 ROM Size: 1024 kB
 Characteristics:
  ISA is supported
  PCI is supported
  PC Card (PCMCIA) is supported
  PNP is supported
  APM is supported
  BIOS is upgradeable
  BIOS shadowing is allowed
  Boot from CD is supported
  BIOS ROM is socketed
  EDD is supported
  Japanese floppy for NEC 9800 1.2 MB is supported (int 13h)
  3.5"/720 KB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
  3.5"/2.88 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
  Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
  8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)
  Serial services are supported (int 14h)
  Printer services are supported (int 17h)
  CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)
  ACPI is supported
  USB legacy is supported
  LS-120 boot is supported
  ATAPI Zip drive boot is supported
  Smart battery is supported
  Function key-initiated network boot is supported

Handle 0x0001, DMI type 1, 25 bytes
System Information
 Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
 Product Name: dynabook TX/760LS
 Version: PATX760LS
 Serial Number: Z5107442Q
 UUID: 6786B0A0-7263-11DA-A70E-00A0D12C05CE
 Wake-up Type: Power Switch

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Solved by:
Barry Haertel
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Best Barry Haertel (barry.haertel) said : 		#1

If you are running the 64-bit Ubuntu it will detect it and should utilize it
On the main 32-bit release you will need to specifically enable it in the kernel by compiling a kernel or adding a module if available via apt

Revision history for this message
laptoplinux (laptoplinux) said : 		#2

Barry,

Thank you for your reply. So if I understand you correctly even if I enable it in my BIOS, Ubuntu main 32bit won't recognize it?

I will search apt for a module and research compiling a kernel but I am sure that will generate more questions from me on this board so I beg for everyone's patience when I start asking noob questions.

Revision history for this message
laptoplinux (laptoplinux) said : 		#3

Thanks Barry Haertel, that solved my question.