INTEL yesterday released its Pentium II computer chips, which set a new speed record and include advanced multimedia capabilities, but a possible flaw took some of the zip out of the launch.

More than 100 computer makers will introduce personal computers designed around the Pentium II, including International Business Machines, Compaq Computer, Dell Computer and Gateway 2000.

The Santa Clara, California based company, which has its European headquarters in Leixlip, Co. Kildare, said it is still running tests to determine whether the chip has a flaw. Earlier this week, an engineer posted a report on a Web site on the Internet that the chip makes computational errors in some rare cases.

"I think it's premature to hazard a guess," said Mr Paul Otellini, executive vice president at Intel. He said Intel should have more information by the end of the week.