A bug has been discovered in the latest version of the Intel Pentium III chip which can prevent PCs that use the processor from starting up.

The flaw, which is found in some processors based on Intel's new Coppermine technology, can force users to turn on their system twice before it will boot properly.

Following reports on the Internet, Intel has admitted that the flaw exists but says that the bug affects only 1 to 2 percent of chips.

The company says it plans to eliminate the problem in its next "stepping" or manufacturing tweak of the chip.

Meanwhile, according to online service CNET, leading PC manufacturer Dell has apparently called a halt to the manufacturing of its new Optiplex system until it can find a way to weed out processors that contain the bug. Hopefully a solution will have been found by the time you read this.

The new bug is the latest in a series of problems that have plagued Pentium-branded chips over the years.

In 1997, a bug known as "F0" had the potential to cause system freezes in Pentium and Pentium MMX chips, while some of the original Pentium processors had problems with mathematical calculations. Both issues were resolved quickly by the US chip giant.