Microsoft has a deal with phoenix/award bios to integreate it with windows...

[mikeymike]

I doubt it will lead to Windows only x86.  I think the most it will lead to is Windows support for BIOS setting changing, which, if done in the usual Microsoft style, will lead to even more viruses packed with the latest features.  Like zapping the BIOS.

The other possibility is that it's for Palladium, if that ever comes to fruition.

[mikeymike]

'To support all this, the Microsoft EULA (End user license agreement) you have "signed" (by the act of using Windows XP or by downloading recent Service Packs and security fixes) specifically states that Microsoft has the right to inspect software on your PC and to change or disable that software as they wish, without notice to you, and without liability to Microsoft, to protect copyrights (including their own). This means Microsoft has complete administrative rights to your PC - home or business.'

Check the most recent service packs, such as Win2k SP4.  Those parts have been removed, and necessary parts re-worded to be much more reasonable.