Intel on Sunday unveiled its new vPro chip technology aimed at making business personal computers more secure, as the world's largest chipmaker seeks to solidify its brand. The vPro platform includes a Core 2 Duo processor, chipset and other elements.

The advances in the vPro platform include allowing information technology managers to turn on and turn off a desktop personal computer connected to a company network, even if the hard drive has failed or the operating system has been corrupted.

vPro could also help companies cut costs by allowing for securely turning potentially thousands of PCs on a network remotely that need to receive a software patch, for example, Intel said, preventing the need for workers to visit each desk physically.

Security features part of vPro also allow for increased protection against software-based attacks on computers on a network and also filter and can defend against virus and other threats, Intel said.

The remote management capabilities, such as repairing a computer with a damaged hard drive, also work on wireless notebooks equipped with Centrino Pro technology, Intel said.

Desktops and notebooks using Intel vPro and Centrino Pro are being sold by computer makers including Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo , among others.