How could a motherboard self-update its ME?

Win-Raid Forum (Drivers - Firmware - Modding) � BIOS Modding � BIOS Modding Guides and Problems � How could a motherboard self-update its ME?

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

#1 | How could a motherboard self-update its ME? datum

Tue Mar 27, 2018 6:09 pm (Last edited: Tue Mar 27, 2018 6:20 pm)

Motherboard: ASUS Maximus IX Apex
I tried to flash Maximus X Apex's BIOS into Maximus IX Apex.
Of course,it wouldn't boot.Debug 00 and suddenly shut down.
I modded BIOS with ME 11.7,and it booted.It booted!BOOTED!
BUT
When finished initialization,it rebooted!It rebooted?REBOOTED!
Again,it booted,but turned into a mode which is strange for me.
A few words on the screen:"ME is updating."WHAT?UPDATING?
And with second BIOS empty,it self-updated its ME to Ver 11.8.
WHAT?
I couldn't find out what happened when it showed those words.
My second BIOS have been cleaned and checked!Empty at all.
Where could it save an ME Region which is about 2 MBytes?
Or someone could teach me how to solve this problem?

reply

#2 | RE: How could a motherboard self-update its ME? datum

Tue Mar 27, 2018 8:13 pm

Why are you cross-flashing SPI/BIOS images between a Z270 and a Z370 board? ASUS restores the stock CSME region for security reasons (Intel-SA-00086) via a Raw section with GUID 63F23E9D-5FDA-415E-9C2A-64C4E2A6ECE8. It includes compressed backups of the Flash Descriptor, GbE & CSME firmware.

reply

#3 | RE: How could a motherboard self-update its ME? datum

Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:19 am

Thanks for your reply~I deleted it.

reply

#4 | RE: How could a motherboard self-update its ME? datum

Wed Mar 28, 2018 5:24 pm

Please let us know if you get a CFL chip working on the IX!

reply

#5 | RE: How could a motherboard self-update its ME? datum

Thu Mar 29, 2018 3:34 am

Using Maximus X Apex's BIOS with ME11.7, it was unable to use AURA and SLI.
Using Maximus IX Apex's BIOS with ME11.7, something wrong with ai tweaker make it unable to overclock.

reply

#6 | RE: How could a motherboard self-update its ME? datum

Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:31 am (Last edited: Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:33 am)

Zitat von ccde8259 im Beitrag #5
Using Maximus IX Apex's BIOS with ME11.7, something wrong with ai tweaker make it unable to overclock.

You need to point out that that this problem can only be with 8600k and 8700k. because the rest of all CFL models (8100/8350k/8400) work perfectly, this is already checked by me.
These 8600k and 8700k I will also check, as soon as there is such an opportunity.
PS. naturally, no contacts on the processor are to be sealed.

reply

#7 | RE: How could a motherboard self-update its ME? datum

Thu Mar 29, 2018 1:01 pm

I hope you can try to flash Maximus X Apex's BIOS if you have a chance.
Something about overclocking must be improved in Maximus X Apex's BIOS.
I could DIRECTLY boot in DDR4 4500 with other settings all auto.
Maybe you could reach a higher frequency,if you are lucky enough.
In Maximus IX Apex's BIOS,I MANUALLY set it to DDR4 4200 and failed.
Debug 55...
IS ASUS HIDING SOMETHING?

reply

#8 | RE: How could a motherboard self-update its ME? datum

Wed May 15, 2019 9:09 am (Last edited: Wed May 15, 2019 9:12 am)

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #2
Why are you cross-flashing SPI/BIOS images between a Z270 and a Z370 board? ASUS restores the stock CSME region for security reasons (Intel-SA-00086) via a Raw section with GUID 63F23E9D-5FDA-415E-9C2A-64C4E2A6ECE8. It includes compressed backups of the Flash Descriptor, GbE & CSME firmware.

plutomaniac Interesting tid-bit here, thank you, first I've seen this! Can a flag for this be added to ME Analyzer, for MEA to make user aware of this additional copy in any file dropped into MEA, even as a hidden option/flag for modders to use when necessary?
Additionally, do you know what happens if we modify this GUID RAW, to change it to another ME FW version or unlock FD if locked, does that get flashed into board?
Ahaha, using security feature to circumvent security

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

reply

#9 | RE: How could a motherboard self-update its ME? datum

Wed May 15, 2019 3:31 pm

It used to exist at older MEA versions (<= v1.51.2) but I'm not bringing it back. It used UEFIFind, was slow and inaccurate/GUID-based. I don't remember what happened when modified. Maybe the version was cross-referenced with AMITSE or similar. I think ASUS is using some other motherboard controller for this nowadays.

reply

Dell Optiplex 5040 bios bin extraction help � � How to flash the gigabyte 6 series mobo to uefi bios?

Please enter a reason for warning.