content: If someone can point me to the -2 that would be helpful.  That's System Management Mode.  [System Management Mode is] provided for handling system-wide functions like power management, system hardware control, or proprietary OEM-designed code. It is intended for use only by system firmware, not by applications software or general-purpose systems software. The main benefit of SMM is that it offers a distinct and easily isolated processor environment that operates transparently to the operating system or executive and software applications.  from the Software Developer’s Manual, Chapter 34. There's also Wikipedia.