Forum - RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes

Win-Raid Forum (Drivers - Firmware - Modding) � BIOS Modding � Offers: Already modded special BIOSes � [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes

Page 5 of 12 � Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 12 Page �

Topic settings

Print view

Jump to forum

General & Forum related Topics News / Announcements Forum-related Questions & Suggestions Off Topic Important Drivers (AHCI/RAID, NVMe, USB etc.) General: Storage Drivers (AHCI/RAID, NVMe and USB) Specific: Intel AHCI/RAID Drivers Specific: NVIDIA nForce Chipset Drivers (incl. AHCI/RAID) Specific: NVMe Drivers Other Drivers System Performance RAID Performance AHCI/NVMe Performance Solid State Drives BIOS Modding BIOS Modding Guides and Problems BIOS modules (PCI ROM, EFI and others) BIOS Modding Requests Reports: BIOS Modding Results Offers: Already modded special BIOSes Special Topics Intel Management Engine CPU Microcodes NVMe Support for old Systems Other Tools (not BIOS modding related) Interesting PC Hardware & Software OS related Topics Windows 11 Windows 8-10/Server 2012-2019 Windows 7/Vista/Server 2008 Windows XP/2000/Server 2003 DOS/Windows 3.X/9X/ME - Retro Gaming Other Operating Systems

#61 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Wed May 11, 2016 7:45 am (Last edited: Wed May 11, 2016 12:08 pm)

Zitat von superino im Beitrag #52
I did so to solve the problem to the LAN
took the old bios on asus site then deleted lan driver.
USB BIOS Flashback bios 1 and 2
lan running again.
Today proved again mod bios from a friend of mine and same problem with LAN

Okay so you have a different mobo than me then because Maximus VIII Ranger doesn't have 2 BIOS.

Zitat von Sylar76 im Beitrag #58
Please try this flasher. It is the same MEI version but without SKU, so the flasher should be able to reflash it correctly and maybe your LAN, after rebooting, will come back to work.

Okay I will try that when I get home from work.

@plutomaniac:
1. I will try this when I get home from work

2. Okay I'll consider trying it if the chip is in fact easily removable and if nothing else works. Would this one do the job: eBay link
Another thing I might add that I would definitely buy another chip to test this process since I don't want to end up with a bad flash with my original chip and possibly make the whole computer unusable. Could you point me to the right direction for cheap BIOS chip compatible with ASUS Maximux VIII Ranger mobo?

3. If the BIOS FlashBack does flash only the BIOS region then why is the new version number of ME Firmware shown in the BIOS? I also tried to FlashBack older BIOS with the older ME Firmware and it did those additional steps (guessing that's where the ME Firmware is installed) and a few more reboots like it did the first time when installing. Still the version number remained the same new one in the BIOS.

4. I tried to flash the official 1701 BIOS via EZ Flash from BIOS. Did not work.

EDIT by Fernando: Unneeded fully quoted text and blank lines removed (to save space and to improve the readability)

The following contents have been linked to this post:

reply

#62 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Wed May 11, 2016 9:30 am

Flashed my Maximus Impact VIII with the Moded BIOS

All gone well and no issues. also am using latest INTEL ME firmware you can find in the forums here

reply

#63 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Wed May 11, 2016 10:57 am (Last edited: Wed May 11, 2016 12:03 pm)

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #60
It doesn't make sense for the problem to be ME-related. A locked ME region does not allow reflashing and thus the only change was the BIOS. Something is wrong there then. Some comments:

If you have an updated MEI firmware and use the flasher inside that firmware, the MEI region will be updated. I tried this on my Rampage V Extreme, which has all descriptors locked and it flashes MEI only if I upgrade it to a newer version.

Zitat
1. Use MEInfo (no errors) and MEManuf (Operation Passed) tools to verify the health of the ME region as a first step (even though I don't believe the problem lies there).

MeInfo and MEManuf do not report any error at all and says it is OK.

Zitat
2. That motherboard has a socketed SPI chip which can be very easily removed, reflashed and reinserted with a cheap programmer. There is no need for anything expensive or pin soldering.

Absolutely right, but many users have never seen an eeprom programmer before and they do not know how to use it. But I agree with you that it is the best choice to avoid any bios issues.

Zitat
3. ASUS USB BIOS FlashBack, which is what I assume you are using, flashes ONLY the BIOS region and nothing else from the SPI chip. So no Flash Descriptor, no GbE (if it exists), no ME etc. Only BIOS. Besides the Flash Descriptor being locked on that model, you cannot have caused harm to the ME region via BIOS FlashBack, not possible.

Totally agreed.

Zitat
4. Since the Flash Descriptor is locked, sometimes the in-BIOS/UEFI flashers implemented by the OEMs can temporarily disable the ME in order for it to be serviced (reflashed) so they are capable of reflashing it if needed. If ASUS has such a feature, get the latest stock BIOS from them and flash it via the BIOS/UEFI menus and not USB FlashBack or anything else software-related.

On some gigabytes mobo there was a tool which allowed to unlock the MEI region, but it does not work on ASUS motherboards (I tried it). The only thing (very strange) I tried is that if you use the same flasher used before to upgrade MEI firmware, it allows to flash the same version or a newer one, so it allows upgrade but not downgrade.

Zitat
5. By "no SKU" I assume you mean that the firmware is RGN and not EXTR, meaning no pre-configured (adjusted settings via FIT). This makes absolutely no difference when it comes to FWUpdate tool, only FPT or any other flasher (the latter when the FD is unlocked only).

Exactly, I mean the bin file with no platform settings or adjusted settings via FIT, but if you flash this bin as is, Mobo will not boot anymore, you will experience a loop Qcode 00. So it is needed to put the correct settings (Platform/chipset) and matching settings of this bin with the Asus original one.

Zitat
6. The ME firmware is compatible/suitable with all these SKL-SPT S/H motherboards, there is no compatibility issues. The problem is not there. Maybe the updated LAN module is incompatible but I wouldn't know about that. Ask SoniX at the UBU Discussion Thread.

I know it is compatible/suitable but for some strange reason @gordmul and @superino experienced same problem, while other users not (and I can assure everyone I modded maximus VIII series bios in the same way).

Anyway, for the time being, as far as this issue is not solved, modded bios for these motherboards are removed. Even if each user knows that this operation is at his own risk, I do not want to cause more problems.

Thanks for your info @plutomaniac . Have a nice day.

reply

#64 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Wed May 11, 2016 6:00 pm (Last edited: Wed May 11, 2016 6:04 pm)

@ gordmul:

2. Yes any CH341A, like the one CodeRush's guide suggests, should do the job fine. As for the spi chip, I suggest you get another identical to what is currently installed.

3. To my current knowledge, BIOS FlashBack deals only with the BIOS region. I could be wrong though as my information is Pre-Skylake and I don't have an ASUS motherboard, thus hands-on experience. It is also possible that ASUS has extended that feature's capabilities now to include updating but not downgrading the ME region. Exactly how their procedure works, I do not know. It could be via actual ME region reflashing by temporarily disabling the ME and only for updating. It could also work with some custom FWUpdate efi modules that have made their appearance on post-SKL ASUS SPI images in conjunction with an AMI GUID which holds another ME region for recovery or update purposes. The latter is speculation.

@ Sylar76:

Zitat
If you have an updated MEI firmware and use the flasher inside that firmware, the MEI region will be updated.

What do you mean "flasher inside that firmware"? Also, a quick correction: MEI is only used for the Drivers as the "I" stands for "Interface".

2. The only reason I mentioned that is because it was mentioned above that desoldering was needed or similar which is not in this case.

4. What Gigabyte tool are you refering to? Gigabyte tends to a) have two (soldered) SPI chips and b) leave the Flash Descriptor unlocked for easy reflashing if need be. Personally I like their approach as far as modding is concerned. By the "flasher", do you mean BIOS FlashBack? If yes, it could be what I said above to gordmul. Maybe ASUS has changed it's behavior recently.

5. Obviously the platform won't work properly or even at all if you flash a pre-configured ME region from another system. Generally, for all your mods, make sure you use the ME region of the given BIOS (SPI image) to mod and not from other (even almost identical) motherboards. Since transferring ME settings can be a bit of a drag sometimes, it's also a good practice to leave the ME region of the SPI image intact and instruct the user to use FWUpdate afterwards which doesn't care if the new firmware is EXTR/RGN and does not need any settings to be transferred. FWUpdate also allows some downgrading as long as the VCN of both current and older firmware is the same. Check my ME thread for more details. In the case of ASUS, this downgrade with FWUpdate won't be accepted as ASUS is probably the worst when it comes to updating the ME region and thus the "stock" firmware theiy include has a lot older VCN. The fact that they still include a ME firmware from 08/2015 (that's slightly before official SKL release by the way) it just impressive. ASUS and Gigabyte suck when it comes to ME region updating, MSI is generally very good.

6. After reflashing the ME region and obviously after making sure the settings are for that exact motherboard, always run Flash Programming Tool with the command fptw -greset once and there shouldn't be any weird behavior afterwards. Only when using FPT or a whole ME region flasher, not required after FWUpdate.

reply

#65 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Wed May 11, 2016 6:07 pm (Last edited: Wed May 11, 2016 6:08 pm)

I've added a new Maximus VIII Extreme 1701 Modded bios to the google folder.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0...Rnc&usp=sharing

My apologies for the previous one, I made a mistake. Now it should work if someone wants to give it a try.

reply

#66 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Wed May 11, 2016 8:45 pm (Last edited: Wed May 11, 2016 8:51 pm)

Zitat von Sylar76 im Beitrag #58
Please try this flasher. It is the same MEI version but without SKU, so the flasher should be able to reflash it correctly and maybe your LAN, after rebooting, will come back to work.

Okay I tried that one too and the flashing went through without errors. Still the Ethernet didn't start to work. I'm starting to believe that the problem is not related to ME Firmware. Is it possible to flash just the GBE Firmware?

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #60
Some comments:
1. Use MEInfo (no errors) and MEManuf (Operation Passed) tools to verify the health of the ME region as a first step (even though I don't believe the problem lies there).

Here's the MEInfo:

D:\ME\MEInfo\WINDOWS64>meinfowin64.exe

Intel(R) MEInfo Version: 11.0.0.1205
Copyright(C) 2005 - 2016, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

Intel(R) ME code versions:

BIOS Version 1701
MEBx Version 0.0.0.0000
GbE Version 0.7
Vendor ID 8086
PCH Version 31
FW Version 11.0.10.1002 H
LMS Version Not Available
MEI Driver Version 11.0.5.1189
Wireless Hardware Version Not Available
Wireless Driver Version Not Available

FW Capabilities 0x31111D40

Intel(R) Capability Licensing Service - PRESENT/ENABLED
Protect Audio Video Path - PRESENT/ENABLED
Intel(R) Dynamic Application Loader - PRESENT/ENABLED
Intel(R) Platform Trust Technology - PRESENT/DISABLED

TLS Disabled
Last ME reset reason Power up
Local FWUpdate Enabled
BIOS Config Lock Disabled
GbE Config Lock Disabled
Host Read Access to ME Disabled
Host Write Access to ME Disabled
Host Read Access to EC Disabled
Host Write Access to EC Disabled
SPI Flash ID 1 EF4018
SPI Flash ID 2 Unknown
BIOS boot State Post Boot
OEM ID 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
Capability Licensing Service Enabled
OEM Tag 0x00000000
Slot 1 Board Manufacturer 0x00000000
Slot 2 System Assembler 0x00000000
Slot 3 Reserved 0x00000000
M3 Autotest Disabled
C-link Status Disabled
Independent Firmware Recovery Disabled
EPID Group ID 0xF85
OEM Public Key Hash FPF 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
OEM Public Key Hash ME 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
ACM SVN FPF 0x0
KM SVN FPF 0x0
BSMM SVN FPF 0x0
GuC Encryption Key FPF 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
GuC Encryption Key ME 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

FPF ME
--- --
Force Boot Guard ACM Disabled Disabled
Protect BIOS Environment Disabled Disabled
CPU Debugging Enabled Enabled
BSP Initialization Enabled Enabled
Measured Boot Disabled Disabled
Verified Boot Disabled Disabled
Key Manifest ID 0x0 0x0
Enforcement Policy 0x0 0x0
PTT Disabled Enabled
PTT Lockout Override Counter 0x0
EK Revoke State Not Revoked
PTT RTC Clear Detection FPF 0x0

D:\ME\MEInfo\WINDOWS64>

I can post the verbose one too if it matters.

I ran MEManuf too and it passed.

reply

#67 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Wed May 11, 2016 10:37 pm (Last edited: Wed May 11, 2016 10:39 pm)

@ gordmul:

MEInfo is ok. I download the modded file today and compared the ME region settings to the stock one. Despite the version, the settings (DATA) are not the same. I assume that ME region was taken from another similar model, which should not happen. I have created a proper .CAP of the 1701 BIOS which has the newest ME firmware with the settings from your exact ASUS model (ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger). If ASUS BIOS FlashBack does indeed flash the ME region under certain circumstances nowadays despite the FD lock, I hope that it can do the same even when the version is the same. The attached file is of the same version but with correct DATA settings. Maybe that's where the problem lies. The GbE of the stock and modded BIOS that you originally flashed are identical, so it shouldn't be a problem. Another impressive accomplishment from ASUS is the fact that they still include GbE 0.7 which is more than a year old at this point with 0.8 being the latest as of 11.0.0.1202 which I am aware of. But for now your main concern is to get the system working properly again. Hopefully that will do it but I have reservations regarding whether BIOS FlashBack will reflash the same ME firmware version. We'll see.

plutomaniac has attached files to this post

MAXIMUS-VIII-RANGER-ASUS-1701_FIXME.rar

reply

#68 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Thu May 12, 2016 7:55 am

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #67
@ gordmul:

MEInfo is ok. I download the modded file today and compared the ME region settings to the stock one. Despite the version, the settings (DATA) are not the same. I assume that ME region was taken from another similar model, which should not happen. I have created a proper .CAP of the 1701 BIOS which has the newest ME firmware with the settings from your exact ASUS model (ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger). If ASUS BIOS FlashBack does indeed flash the ME region under certain circumstances nowadays despite the FD lock, I hope that it can do the same even when the version is the same. The attached file is of the same version but with correct DATA settings. Maybe that's where the problem lies. The GbE of the stock and modded BIOS that you originally flashed are identical, so it shouldn't be a problem. Another impressive accomplishment from ASUS is the fact that they still include GbE 0.7 which is more than a year old at this point with 0.8 being the latest as of 11.0.0.1202 which I am aware of. But for now your main concern is to get the system working properly again. Hopefully that will do it but I have reservations regarding whether BIOS FlashBack will reflash the same ME firmware version. We'll see.

Okay thanks! I'll try that one later today when I get home. I noticed btw that the modded file you used to compare is M8E_1701_MOD while the one I used for flashing was M8R_1701_MOD. Are you certain that the ME versions are identical in different mobo BIOS files (Extreme/Ranger in this case)?

reply

#69 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Thu May 12, 2016 11:02 am

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #67
@ gordmul:

MEInfo is ok. I download the modded file today and compared the ME region settings to the stock one. Despite the version, the settings (DATA) are not the same. I assume that ME region was taken from another similar model, which should not happen. I have created a proper .CAP of the 1701 BIOS which has the newest ME firmware with the settings from your exact ASUS model (ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger). If ASUS BIOS FlashBack does indeed flash the ME region under certain circumstances nowadays despite the FD lock, I hope that it can do the same even when the version is the same. The attached file is of the same version but with correct DATA settings. Maybe that's where the problem lies. The GbE of the stock and modded BIOS that you originally flashed are identical, so it shouldn't be a problem. Another impressive accomplishment from ASUS is the fact that they still include GbE 0.7 which is more than a year old at this point with 0.8 being the latest as of 11.0.0.1202 which I am aware of. But for now your main concern is to get the system working properly again. Hopefully that will do it but I have reservations regarding whether BIOS FlashBack will reflash the same ME firmware version. We'll see.

Even if your message is for gordmul, I had to reply to make things clear. I took the ME stock file here, on this forum, I opened Flash Image Tool 11.x r7 tool, I extracted with UEFI Tool the ME Region from the Maximus VIII Ranger stock bios, and I matched the original Asus settings into the new ME firmware file. That's all. I'll take a look at your modded file to check these differences and which are these "correct DATA settings".

Thanks anyway for your help.

reply

#70 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Thu May 12, 2016 2:46 pm (Last edited: Thu May 12, 2016 2:47 pm)

To compare, I downloaded the modded file from the link here. Indeed I checked against M8E_1701_MOD and not M8R_1701_MOD. Maybe that link got changed from Ranger to Extreme later down the line. Can I have the originally modded M8R_1701_MOD for Ranger to properly compare the settings this time?

reply

#71 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Thu May 12, 2016 3:19 pm

I'm so sorry mate to have deleted 2 days ago the files inside the google folder (I've reuploaded only the Extreme 1701 bios mod).

Anyway, I've looked at your modded bios and done comparisons between your file and the stock Asus and I've found I made a mistake,
the same I reported few days ago.

Furthermore, I've seen you've only replaced the ME Region and left the GUID module (which is a ME firmware) untouched to its version
(which is not updated to the newest one). May I ask you why ?

reply

#72 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Thu May 12, 2016 3:31 pm (Last edited: Thu May 12, 2016 3:33 pm)

Yes of course. I generally avoid replacing the recovery GUID because it's use is BIOS/OEM dependent and I don't know (without hands on experience) how the board will react to that change. For example, ASRock used to have a rather aggressive such check in the past and if the Engine firmware inside the GUID got updated, the system would end up in a boot loop because the "latest" ME version to look for at the GUID was hardcoded at the BIOS. I'm not saying that ASUS does that, they almost certainly don't, but it could be a similar case. So to avoid any issues, I tend to leave the Recovery GUID alone unless the user wants to experiment.

Generally, if you guys have a programmer and can easily restore the SPI image in case of trouble, we could do some tests to determine how ASUS performs the ME update. Does BIOS FlashBack indeed work? Is it only for updating and not downgrading? Does the Recovery GUID play any role in all of this? All these questions need testers and time of course.

reply

#73 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Thu May 12, 2016 4:10 pm (Last edited: Thu May 12, 2016 4:13 pm)

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #70
To compare, I downloaded the modded file from the link here. Indeed I checked against M8E_1701_MOD and not M8R_1701_MOD. Maybe that link got changed from Ranger to Extreme later down the line. Can I have the originally modded M8R_1701_MOD for Ranger to properly compare the settings this time?

I sent you a pm with a link to the originally modded BIOS I used for flashing.

I'll halt the flashing of your MAXIMUS-VIII-RANGER-ASUS-1701_FIXME bios until you've compared the right bios files.

reply

#74 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Thu May 12, 2016 4:31 pm (Last edited: Thu May 12, 2016 4:32 pm)

@ gordmul:

The file I have uploaded above is based on the stock ASUS BIOS so you can flash it. I compared the original mod and yes there are around 10 different settings and I found one which could be related to the problem you are facing:

So try the file I attached above and hopefully BIOS FlashBack will accept the same version.

@ Sylar76:

Hopefully it's obvious but my posts are not meant to appear as I'm scolding your efforts. Just to be clear, it's only constructive criticism which will lead to batter mods next time.

reply

#75 | RE: [OFFER] ASUS Maximus VIII - modded BIOSes datum

Thu May 12, 2016 4:37 pm (Last edited: Thu May 12, 2016 4:37 pm)

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #74

@ Sylar76:

Hopefully it's obvious but my posts are not meant to appear as I'm scolding your efforts. Just to be clear, it's only constructive criticism which will lead to batter mods next time.

I know it and I really appreciate your words. After all we are only human and perfect things are unreachable. We are only trying to do our best for appearing them as "perfect".

P.S. Could you please tell me which is the tool you used to see differences in XML format ?

reply

[OFFER] MAXIMUS VI GENE BIOS 1603 modded for NVMe boot drive and EFI updates � � [OFFER] HP 1791, updated BIOS K51 v01.87 NVMe mod

Page 5 of 12 � Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 12 Page �

Please enter a reason for warning.