Forum - RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools

#691 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:45 pm (Last edited: Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:54 pm)

Updates since 19/11/2014:

* !!! TXE !!! Intel Trusted Execution Engine (TXE) thread launched! Go here:

Intel Trusted Execution Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools

* NEW! Intel MEInfo Tool for ME7 Firmware v7.1.52.1180 (with DOS v7.1.30.1142)
* NEW! Intel MEManuf Tool for ME7 Firmware v7.1.30.1142

* Added at ME System Tools v9.5: 1.5MB and 5MB Release Notes v9.5.15.1730
* Added at ME System Tools v9.0: 1.5MB FW Bring Up Guide v9.0.0.1209
* Added at ME System Tools v9.0: 1.5MB FW Getting Started Guide v0.7
* Added at ME System Tools v8.1: Patsburg (C600) SPI Programming Guide
* Updated at ME System Tools v8.1: HEDT 1.5MB FW Bring Up Guide from v8.1.10.1286 --> v8.1.40.1416
* Updated at ME System Tools v7.1: MEBX User Guide from v1.1 --> v1.2
* Updated at ME System Tools v7.1: FW Bring Up Guide from v7.0.4.1197 --> v7.1.30.1142
* Updated at ME System Tools v7.1: BringUp and Tools User Guide Delta from v7.1.20.1119 --> v7.1.30.1142
* Updated at ME System Tools v7.1: IUSManufTool (DOS/WIN) v7.0.4.1197 --> v7.1.30.1141
* Updated at ME System Tools v7.1: UpdParam from 7.0.4.1197 --> v7.1.30.1139
* Updated at ME System Tools v7.1: MEManuf (DOS/WIN) from v7.1.20.1119 --> v7.1.30.1139
* Updated at ME System Tools v7.1: MEInfo (DOS) from v7.1.20.1119 --> v7.1.30.1139
* Updated at ME System Tools v7.1: Flash Programming Tool (DOS/WIN) from v7.1.20.1119 --> v7.1.30.1139

* Removed DEV_ID references at Drivers section as they are not important for ME

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#692 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Thu Nov 27, 2014 2:10 am

Here is a data point. I have an Asus Z87 (Hero VI) and have been running IME 9.0.30.1482 firmware and 9.5.15.1730 drivers as supplied by Asus. My full reboot cycle time was 17s.

I updated to the latest 9.0.31.1487 firmware at this site and the latest 10.x driver. My boot times went into the 30s consistently. So I downgraded to the 9.5.24.1790 drivers from here and my reboot times went back to 17s.

So this is something I wasn't expecting - boot time strongly dependent on IME driver version.

Fractal Design Meshify 2, i7-10700k @ 5.1 GHz, Asus Maximus Hero XII, Asus Strix A8GB 2070 Super, 64 GB g.skill TridentZ Cl14 3200 RGB @ 3600 MHz CL16, lots of SSD and lots of disk, Seasonic Ultra Prime Plus Titanium 750W PSU

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#693 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Thu Nov 27, 2014 1:42 pm (Last edited: Thu Nov 27, 2014 1:43 pm)

This would make some sense if you installed the drivers & software set because this also includes some services and startup processes that can slow down the computer initially. These are mostly useful for 5MB firmware systems which have additional capabilities and can take advantage of such services. You system uses 1.5MB ME firmware so all you really need is just the MEI driver which is manually installable using Device Manager (Have Disk Method). I suggest you download Intel MEI Drivers v10.0.30.1054 WHQL and use the Have Disk Method to manually update the Intel(R) Management Engine Interface device. This won't affect your boot time.

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#694 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Thu Nov 27, 2014 7:16 pm

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #699
This would make some sense if you installed the drivers & software set because this also includes some services and startup processes that can slow down the computer initially. These are mostly useful for 5MB firmware systems which have additional capabilities and can take advantage of such services. You system uses 1.5MB ME firmware so all you really need is just the MEI driver which is manually installable using Device Manager (Have Disk Method). I suggest you download Intel MEI Drivers v10.0.30.1054 WHQL and use the Have Disk Method to manually update the Intel(R) Management Engine Interface device. This won't affect your boot time.

I only installed the drivers. No services.

Fractal Design Meshify 2, i7-10700k @ 5.1 GHz, Asus Maximus Hero XII, Asus Strix A8GB 2070 Super, 64 GB g.skill TridentZ Cl14 3200 RGB @ 3600 MHz CL16, lots of SSD and lots of disk, Seasonic Ultra Prime Plus Titanium 750W PSU

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#695 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Thu Nov 27, 2014 7:46 pm

Zitat von geneo im Beitrag #700
I only installed the drivers. No services.

How did you install the drivers (manually from within the Device Manager or by running the installer)?
The Intel MEI Software (Services etc.) will be automaticly installed, if you run the SetupME.exe file.

My current System:
MB: ASRock X570 Pro4, CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600, System Drive: 500 GB Samsung 980 Pro, Graphics: Sapphire Radeon RX570, OS: Win10 x64 Pro
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If you are satisfied with my Forum activities, you can send a donation to my personal PayPal account by clicking onto >this< link.

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#696 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Fri Nov 28, 2014 7:25 am

Zitat von Fernando im Beitrag #701
Zitat von geneo im Beitrag #700
I only installed the drivers. No services.
How did you install the drivers (manually from within the Device Manager or by running the installer)?
The Intel MEI Software (Services etc.) will be automaticly installed, if you run the SetupME.exe file.

No, I installed them from the device manager with update driver (from disk). I used the version posted here that contains only the drivers. Like I said no services were installed.

Fractal Design Meshify 2, i7-10700k @ 5.1 GHz, Asus Maximus Hero XII, Asus Strix A8GB 2070 Super, 64 GB g.skill TridentZ Cl14 3200 RGB @ 3600 MHz CL16, lots of SSD and lots of disk, Seasonic Ultra Prime Plus Titanium 750W PSU

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#697 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:51 am

Zitat von geneo im Beitrag #702
No, I installed them from the device manager with update driver (from disk). I used the version posted here that contains only the drivers. Like I said no services were installed.

Ok, this verifies, that it really was the Intel MEI driver, which prolongated the boot time.
Please check (right click onto the Intel(R) Management Engine Interface > "Properties" > "Driver" > "Driver Details"), whether the device is using the Intel ME driver named HECI(x64).sys or TEEDriver(x64).sys.

My current System:
MB: ASRock X570 Pro4, CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600, System Drive: 500 GB Samsung 980 Pro, Graphics: Sapphire Radeon RX570, OS: Win10 x64 Pro
Donation Link:
If you are satisfied with my Forum activities, you can send a donation to my personal PayPal account by clicking onto >this< link.

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#698 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Sat Nov 29, 2014 6:17 pm (Last edited: Sat Nov 29, 2014 7:04 pm)

@ ex58 / plutomaniac

I've tried to downgrade the firmware to 9.0.31.1487 from FW Version 9.1.10.1005 (1.5Mo) and I keep getting errors .
8741
8704
Something about a sku mismatch.

What am I doing wrong?

My System:
Mainboard: ASUS Z87-DELUXE , CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K, Disks: 2 128 GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD Raid 0 + WDC WD1002FAEX-00Z3A0 1 TB + 2 TB Samsung D3 Station USB3, Graphics: Asus GTX 660 ti, RAM: 16GB AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 DDR3 2400, OS: Windows 10 Pro x64

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#699 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Sat Nov 29, 2014 8:00 pm (Last edited: Sat Nov 29, 2014 8:01 pm)

Unfortunately you cannot downgrade from v9.1 to v9.0 firmware after you "upgrade". The only way is by reflashing the whole ME region with FPT while having an unlocked descriptor. The main thread is full of warnings to not do that by the way. Detailed post/explanation:

Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools (47)

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#700 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Sat Nov 29, 2014 8:01 pm

Try to reflash original BIOS.

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Win 7 SP1 x64;Win 8.1 x64 ;Win 10 x64

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#701 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Sat Nov 29, 2014 8:09 pm

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #705
Unfortunately you cannot downgrade from v9.1 to v9.0 firmware after you "upgrade". The only way is by reflashing the whole ME region with FPT while having an unlocked descriptor. The main thread is full of warnings to not do that by the way. Detailed post/explanation:

Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools (47)

I've been reading around on how to reflash the whole ME region with FPT while having an unlocked descriptor. I'm a bit lost on the subject . pinmod ? Can you tell me what exactly I need to do???

My System:
Mainboard: ASUS Z87-DELUXE , CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K, Disks: 2 128 GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD Raid 0 + WDC WD1002FAEX-00Z3A0 1 TB + 2 TB Samsung D3 Station USB3, Graphics: Asus GTX 660 ti, RAM: 16GB AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 DDR3 2400, OS: Windows 10 Pro x64

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#702 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:03 pm (Last edited: Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:04 pm)

First things first, what motherboard do you have exactly? Have you verified that your descriptor is locked? A quick dirty check can be done using FPT -d test.bin command. If it succeeds, you have an unlocked descriptor. If not, it's locked.

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#703 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:10 pm

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #708
First things first, what motherboard do you have exactly? Have you verified that your descriptor is locked? A quick dirty check can be done using FPT -d test.bin command. If it succeeds, you have an unlocked descriptor. If not, it's locked.

Mainboard: ASUS Z87-DELUXE 2103 Bios.

I ran the merefl.bat in dos from FTK9_0.11, I renamed my 2103 bios to bios.bin & it returned it was locked.

My System:
Mainboard: ASUS Z87-DELUXE , CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K, Disks: 2 128 GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD Raid 0 + WDC WD1002FAEX-00Z3A0 1 TB + 2 TB Samsung D3 Station USB3, Graphics: Asus GTX 660 ti, RAM: 16GB AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 DDR3 2400, OS: Windows 10 Pro x64

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#704 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:33 pm (Last edited: Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:13 pm)

Asus locks the descriptor so as you said it's not unlocked. The motherboard does not have a Dual BIOS system but uses Asus BIOS Flashback which is useless in this case since it doesn't reflash the ME region. So, you need to try the pinmod method. You have a Realtek ALC1150 audio chip so this is the procedure:

1. Download the attached ME.rar file which is the ME firmware found inside your motherboard's latest 2103 BIOS
2. Download FTK9_0.11 (FTK for 8-series systems) from CodeRush's github
3. Extract the ME file from step 1, extract FTK9_0.11, go to Windows folder and copy the file bios.bin together with the .bat files
4. Shut Down the computer
5. At your motherboard, find the Realtek Audio chip
6. Use tweezers or a paper clip to short together pins 1 and 5

7. Power the PC on and wait for POST screen to show up
8. You can now stop shorting the two pins
9. Boot at Windows (you are now running the system with an unlocked descriptor)
10. At FTK Windows folder, open a command prompt as administrator and type merefl
11. After a successful ME restore, type poweroff to shutdown the system, restore the lock & reset the ME
12. Run MEInfo & MEManuf v9.0 tools from the ME thread to check that everything is working properly

plutomaniac has attached files to this post

ME.rar

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#705 | RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools datum

Sat Nov 29, 2014 10:13 pm

I'm having a hard time finding the audio chip, It must be behind my graphics card.

My System:
Mainboard: ASUS Z87-DELUXE , CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K, Disks: 2 128 GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD Raid 0 + WDC WD1002FAEX-00Z3A0 1 TB + 2 TB Samsung D3 Station USB3, Graphics: Asus GTX 660 ti, RAM: 16GB AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 DDR3 2400, OS: Windows 10 Pro x64

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