Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail

#1 | RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Mon Aug 28, 2017 3:08 am

Hi all,

I just bought a pre-built MSI Codex X3. It appears to have a Z270 SLI Plus motherboard inside ( silk screen says Z270 SLI PLUS and CPUZ reports it as the correct model 7A59 which is the the name of the bios for the retail Z270 SLI PLUS).

This bios for the pre-built is called EB913 and it has all the useful features turned off like enabling the integrated graphics etc.

I updated to the newest EP913 bios (v920) via the manual method.

File: EB913IMS.920
Family: ME
Version: 11.6.1.1142
Release: Production
Type: Region, Extracted
FD: Unlocked
SKU: Consumer H
Rev: D0
SVN: 1
VCN: 121
LBG: No
PV: Yes
Date: 2016-11-03
FIT Ver: 11.6.1.1142
FIT SKU: PCH-H Z270
Size: 0x1BF000
Platform: SPT/KBP
Latest: No

File: E7A59.170
Family: ME
Version: 11.6.25.1229
Release: Production
Type: Region, Extracted
FD: Unlocked
SKU: Consumer H
Rev: D0
SVN: 1
VCN: 178
LBG: No
PV: Yes
Date: 2017-02-12
FIT Ver: 11.6.25.1229
FIT SKU: PCH-H Z270
Size: 0x1BF000
Platform: SPT/KBP
Latest: No

When I try to flash using AFU 5.07.01 "afudos E7A59.170 /P /B /N /R /X" I get an "Error - Secure Flash is not supported for this file".

Any help would be much appreciated. I've read though a lot of this thread, but there is a lot of content.

Q1: Is there a pure software update method I should try to flash the pre-built to retail firmware or does this require a hardware spi programmer?

Q2: Which information should I pull from the BIOS before I try anything potentially dangerous? MAC ID, MOBO ID, UUID etc Which tool or address offsets should I look for these at?

Thanks for all your hard work guys.

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#2 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Mon Aug 28, 2017 5:43 pm

Hi all,

A quick update after looking through a lot of content here and on the msi modding forums. I took a chance. Some folks on the msi forums showed success just using Intel Firmware Programmer Tool (FPT). I grabbed a copy from the new Intel ME modding thread (the one included in the v11.7 zip).

I ran "fpt -f E7A59IMS.170 -savemac" then I ran "fpt -greset", system rebooted and came back up with the retail firmware! I was very surprised, I was thinking I'd need to overnight that hardware programmer.

Info from oem bios

FPTW64.exe -i

Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 11.7.0.1292
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2017, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

Reading HSFSTS register... Flash Descriptor: Valid

--- Flash Devices Found ---
W25Q128FV ID:0xEF4018 Size: 16384KB (131072Kb)

--- Flash Image Information --
Signature: VALID
Number of Flash Components: 1
Component 1 - 16384KB (131072Kb)
Regions:
DESC - Base: 0x00000000, Limit: 0x00000FFF
BIOS - Base: 0x00400000, Limit: 0x00FFFFFF
CSME - Base: 0x00003000, Limit: 0x003FFFFF
GbE - Base: 0x00001000, Limit: 0x00002FFF
PDR - Not present
EC - Not present
Master Region Access:
CPU/BIOS - ID: 0x00, Read: 0xFFF, Write: 0xFFF
ME - ID: 0x00, Read: 0xFFF, Write: 0xFFF
GbE - ID: 0x00, Read: 0xFFF, Write: 0xFFF
EC - ID: 0x00, Read: 0xFFF, Write: 0xFFF

Total Accessable SPI Memory: 16384KB, Total Installed SPI Memory : 16384KB

FPT Operation Successful.

MEInfoWin64.exe

Intel(R) MEInfo Version: 11.7.0.1292
Copyright(C) 2005 - 2017, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

Intel(R) ME code versions:

BIOS Version 9.20
MEBx Version 0.0.0.0000
GbE Version 0.8
Vendor ID 8086
PCH Version 0
FW Version 11.6.1.1142 H
LMS Version 11.7.0.1004
MEI Driver Version 11.7.0.1002
Wireless Hardware Version 2.1.77
Wireless Driver Version 19.51.0.4

FW Capabilities 0x31110140

Intel(R) Capability Licensing Service - PRESENT/ENABLED
Intel(R) Dynamic Application Loader - PRESENT/ENABLED
Intel(R) Platform Trust Technology - PRESENT/ENABLED

Intel(R) AMT State Disabled
TLS Disabled
Last ME reset reason Global system reset
Local FWUpdate Enabled
BIOS Config Lock Enabled
GbE Config Lock Enabled
Host Read Access to ME Enabled
Host Write Access to ME Enabled
Host Read Access to EC Enabled
Host Write Access to EC Enabled
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 0xFD1
LSPCON Ports None
5K Ports None
OEM Public Key Hash FPF Not set
OEM Public Key Hash ME 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
ACM SVN FPF 0x0
KM SVN FPF 0x0
BSMM SVN FPF 0x0
GuC Encryption Key FPF Not set
GuC Encryption Key ME 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

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

F:\Intel ME System Tools v11.7 r1\MEInfo\WINDOWS64>MEInfoWin64.exe -FWSTS

Intel(R) MEInfo Version: 11.7.0.1292
Copyright(C) 2005 - 2017, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

FW Status Register1: 0x90000255
FW Status Register2: 0x00F60506
FW Status Register3: 0x00000020
FW Status Register4: 0x00084000
FW Status Register5: 0x00000000
FW Status Register6: 0x00000002

CurrentState: Normal
ManufacturingMode: Enabled
FlashPartition: Valid
OperationalState: CM0 with UMA
InitComplete: Complete
BUPLoadState: Success
ErrorCode: No Error
ModeOfOperation: Normal
SPI Flash Log: Not Present
Phase: ROM/Preboot
ICC: Valid OEM data, ICC programmed
ME File System Corrupted: No
PhaseStatus: AFTER_SRAM_INIT
FPF and ME Config Status: Not committed

From After Retail Flash

FPTW64.exe -i

Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 11.7.0.1292
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2017, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

Reading HSFSTS register... Flash Descriptor: Valid

--- Flash Devices Found ---
W25Q128FV ID:0xEF4018 Size: 16384KB (131072Kb)

--- Flash Image Information --
Signature: VALID
Number of Flash Components: 1
Component 1 - 16384KB (131072Kb)
Regions:
DESC - Base: 0x00000000, Limit: 0x00000FFF
BIOS - Base: 0x00400000, Limit: 0x00FFFFFF
CSME - Base: 0x00003000, Limit: 0x003FFFFF
GbE - Base: 0x00001000, Limit: 0x00002FFF
PDR - Not present
EC - Not present
Master Region Access:
CPU/BIOS - ID: 0x00, Read: 0xFFF, Write: 0xFFF
ME - ID: 0x00, Read: 0xFFF, Write: 0xFFF
GbE - ID: 0x00, Read: 0xFFF, Write: 0xFFF
EC - ID: 0x00, Read: 0xFFF, Write: 0xFFF

Total Accessable SPI Memory: 16384KB, Total Installed SPI Memory : 16384KB

FPT Operation Successful.

MEInfoWin64.exe

Intel(R) MEInfo Version: 11.7.0.1292
Copyright(C) 2005 - 2017, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

Intel(R) ME code versions:

BIOS Version 1.70
MEBx Version 0.0.0.0000
GbE Version 0.8
Vendor ID 8086
PCH Version 0
FW Version 11.6.25.1229 H
LMS Version 11.7.0.1004
MEI Driver Version 11.7.0.1002
Wireless Hardware Version 2.1.77
Wireless Driver Version 19.51.0.4

FW Capabilities 0x31111140

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

Intel(R) AMT State Disabled
TLS Disabled
Last ME reset reason Global system reset
Local FWUpdate Enabled
BIOS Config Lock Enabled
GbE Config Lock Enabled
Host Read Access to ME Enabled
Host Write Access to ME Enabled
Host Read Access to EC Enabled
Host Write Access to EC Enabled
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 0xFD1
LSPCON Ports None
5K Ports None
OEM Public Key Hash FPF Not set
OEM Public Key Hash ME 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
ACM SVN FPF 0x0
KM SVN FPF 0x0
BSMM SVN FPF 0x0
GuC Encryption Key FPF Not set
GuC Encryption Key ME 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

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

F:\Intel ME System Tools v11.7 r1\MEInfo\WINDOWS64>MEInfoWin64.exe -FWSTS

Intel(R) MEInfo Version: 11.7.0.1292
Copyright(C) 2005 - 2017, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

FW Status Register1: 0x90000255
FW Status Register2: 0x02F60506
FW Status Register3: 0x00000020
FW Status Register4: 0x00084000
FW Status Register5: 0x00000000
FW Status Register6: 0x00000002

CurrentState: Normal
ManufacturingMode: Enabled
FlashPartition: Valid
OperationalState: CM0 with UMA
InitComplete: Complete
BUPLoadState: Success
ErrorCode: No Error
ModeOfOperation: Normal
SPI Flash Log: Not Present
Phase: ROM/Preboot
ICC: Valid OEM data, ICC programmed
ME File System Corrupted: No
PhaseStatus: AFTER_SRAM_INIT
FPF and ME Config Status: Not committed

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#3 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Mon Aug 28, 2017 5:44 pm

So my next question is, did I silently screw something up that is just waiting rear it's head?

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#4 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Mon Aug 28, 2017 6:22 pm

Nope, you are good to go. I moved your post to a new thread because it's not really related to ME but generally BIOS. You are lucky that your Flash Descriptor is unlocked and thus have read/write access to the locked FD and ME regions of the SPI chip. You would probably have needed an SPI programmer in such case. You correctly saved the MAC address. Now you can take the BIOS from the retail board for future updates as it will certainly be more actively maintained than the one from the pre-built. For now and as long as you are at ME 11.6 firmware, I suggest you use ME System Tools v11.6 and not v11.7 just in case there are small compatibility issues (even if 11.7 is a direct upgrade over 11.6, but I digress). Generally, good job and props for doing proper prior research before "cross"-flashing the retail BIOS.

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#5 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Sun Sep 24, 2017 10:10 pm

@gbox19 thanks for sharing the information, i'm also using the same model..

can you share the retail bios screen, will it have the OC Settings enabled?

how did you backup your BIOS do you have any utility?

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#6 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Sun Oct 01, 2017 6:30 am

Zitat von `sbr` im Beitrag #5
@gbox19 thanks for sharing the information, i'm also using the same model..

can you share the retail bios screen, will it have the OC Settings enabled?

how did you backup your BIOS do you have any utility?

So went ahead and flashed as per the commands you specified.. all booted well.
now i have the OC settings in the BIOS.

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#7 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Thu Nov 02, 2017 7:35 am (Last edited: Thu Nov 02, 2017 7:30 pm)

I wish there was some kind of video guide on YouTube about this. I have the same exact model, but I�m too afraid to pull this off :/

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#8 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Mon Nov 06, 2017 8:03 pm

replied to your PM.. check that

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#9 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Wed Mar 21, 2018 8:14 pm (Last edited: Wed Mar 21, 2018 11:27 pm)

ALRIGHT, it took me about 4 hours, but I did it successfully. Thanks for the encouragement.

It took ME (but maybe not you) the following:

USB Flash Drive. I used Rufus to made it FreeDOS bootable. MBR for BIOS of UEFI, FAT32, FreeDOS (basically defaults). However this alone didn't make my USB bootable for some reason. I also downloaded "Unetbootin" from directions in https://www.msi.com/files/pdf/How_to_mak...ash_BIOS_en.pdf and then it worked.

The FPT program that works is 1650kb and yes it was from this forum "Intel CSME System Tools v11 r9". Copy those 2 files from DOS (fpt.exe and text file) to USB.

Restart while holding shift, hit advanced, boot from other device, select your USB drive (or however you want to get there).

FreeDOS will load. I used the bottom option, CD-ROM. It gives errors initially. The default and HIMEM options will give you Error 5: Memory Allocation Error Occurred.

Switch to C: check dir to make sure it's the USB drive (dunno why mine was C:).
backup bios with: fpt -d bios.bin -bios
then: fpt -f E7A59IMS.190 -savemac
then: fpt -greset

Hopefully that helps someone else.

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#10 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Mon May 04, 2020 11:32 pm (Last edited: Tue May 05, 2020 6:17 am)

Do you still have the files? Ive had this pc for years and looking to overclock now

--------------------

could you help me out?

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#11 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Tue May 05, 2020 6:19 am

@LogicTV95 - What files do you need? I assume MSI BIOS you download from MSI
FPT from V11 ME System tools package you can get here in section "C" - Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools
I think that covers it all

Please don't send PM's for help on BIOS edits, I can't help with BIOS in PM's. Please make a thread and I will try to help as soon as I can - thanks!
If you appreciate my efforts and are willing to donate to help improve my hardware, gift cards work for me (Amazn, NuEgg, eBa) - send me a PM
I view the forum like this, please bump your thread 1x every 24-48 hours if no reply

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#12 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Thu May 07, 2020 4:05 am

kinda lost if u could help

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#13 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Thu May 07, 2020 8:23 am (Last edited: Thu May 07, 2020 8:40 am)

Download the BIOS you want, then download the V11 ME System tools, put BIOS inside FPT/Win32 folder and then flash as outlined above in post #2 or #9 - on #9 he used DOS, but you can do it from windows as I mentioned, either way = same/same

@LogicTV95 - THIS ONLY applies if you are wanting to flash the retail BIOS to your board. If you want to update to the correct proper BIOS, DO NOT USE FPT!!!

Please don't send PM's for help on BIOS edits, I can't help with BIOS in PM's. Please make a thread and I will try to help as soon as I can - thanks!
If you appreciate my efforts and are willing to donate to help improve my hardware, gift cards work for me (Amazn, NuEgg, eBa) - send me a PM
I view the forum like this, please bump your thread 1x every 24-48 hours if no reply

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#14 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Thu May 07, 2020 9:56 am

im in FPT and says "press any key to continue" it just crashes

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#15 | RE: RE:Z270 SLI Plus BIOS update from pre-built to retail datum

Thu May 07, 2020 10:08 am (Last edited: Fri May 08, 2020 8:14 am)

I sent you a PM how to run Admin CMD Prompt, you do this before, then in that CMD prompt you enter FPT command.

For anyone using FPT in windows later >>

*Edit - Forgot! Before you do flash, make backup >>
1. FPTw.exe -d SPI.BIN << If this fails, see #2
2. FPTw.exe -d -bios biosreg.bin

To flash BIOS
1. Extract 7A59v1A.zip
2. Copy E7A59IMS.1A0 << This is BIOS file, copy to FPTw.exe folder
3. At FPTw.exe folder, run Admin CMD Prompt, type the following, one line at a time, enter between each
4. FPTw.exe -f E7A59IMS.1A0 -savemac
5. FPTw.exe -greset << Be ready, system will automatically reboot here

Then enter BIOS after reboot, load optimal defaults, save and reboot back to BIOS, then make any BIOS changes you need and save

Here is a SIMPLE REGISTRY EDIT that adds "Open command window here as Administrator" to the right click menu, instead of Power Shell
Double-click downloaded file to install. Reboot after install may be required
> CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD CMD PROMPT REGISTRY ENTRY <

BE Careful Here!!! BIOS version above just bricked LogicTV95's system, could be random glitch/brick, or could be that latest BIOS version! So heads up!
False alarm!! Luckily display was just messed up, optimized defaults needed loaded, and proper windows/boot/drive settings needed applied

Please don't send PM's for help on BIOS edits, I can't help with BIOS in PM's. Please make a thread and I will try to help as soon as I can - thanks!
If you appreciate my efforts and are willing to donate to help improve my hardware, gift cards work for me (Amazn, NuEgg, eBa) - send me a PM
I view the forum like this, please bump your thread 1x every 24-48 hours if no reply

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