Hello all,

I have 4 ASUS P9X79-E WS systems all linked to the Internet through a switch. I recently discovered the IME/onboard LAN on one machine is talking over the Internet even when all computers are powered off. It only stops if the modem is turned off or its LAN cable is unplugged, then it waits with LAN light on. Otherwise the computer runs fine.

Also, the BIOS on a 2nd system reports an invalid (N/A) IME. This is the main system I use for everything.

Summary BIOS ME version symptoms
--------------------------------------------
computer1 1704 8.1.51.1471 talks on internet
computer2 1704 N/A missing IME, main system
computer3 1602 8.1.51.1471 no issues
computer4 1704 8.1.51.1471 no issues

I tried updating computer1's BIOS with the original, recommended, same version BIOS from ASUS using ASUS's own upgrade tool in the boot BIOS. This reported success but the board failed to boot with numerous audible errors. Reverting to a saved ROM restored the board. (Whew)

Q. How can the board fail to boot after using ASUS's built-in BIOS update tool to install the recommended original BIOS? Does this suggest there is other malicious code in the BIOS ROM?

Any help or thoughts are much appreciated.

I have a ch341a USB programmer to RD/WR roms and I am using Linux. One system has dual boot Win7

Rabus