Intel (Converged Security) Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware and Tools (2-15)

plutomaniac · October 13, 2015, 9:55pm

Intel ME 11.0 Consumer PCH-H Firmware v11.0.0.1180
Intel ME 9.0 Consumer 1.5MB Firmware v9.0.31.1487 (EXTR → RGN)
Intel ME 6 Consumer 1.5MB Firmware v6.1.31.1075

Intel ME System Tools v8.1 r6:

Added ME Debug Tools v8.0.0.1173
Replaced Intel Management Engine 8.x Introduction (now original)
Replaced Intel Management Engine 8.x Manufacturing (now original)

@ Pacman:

As expected. Have you tried the UPD image with FWUpdLcl 1173 just in case we see a new “Unknown” error?

@ bin456789:

Ah, the one from the repository. The only difference is that one is Extracted (from BIOS/SPI) whereas the other is the clean region (Stock) from an Intel ME package. I had forgotten to update the link in this thread with the clean/stock 9.0.31 version. It’s now fixed, thank you for pointing that out. For the record, there is absolutely no difference between Extracted and Stock ME firmware when it comes to FWUpdate. Only Flash Image Tool would be affected by that because the Extracted image has some settings from the SPI/BIOS it was extracted from whereas the Stock is vanilla.

@ RimZ:

Yes, we are aware of that. For some reason only RGN Regions (clean from ME packages) work with ME11 FWUpdate. The UPD images or those extracted from BIOS/SPI images (like 1180 as of now) return error “Unknown”. It makes no sense and we believe it’s either a bug from Intel’s side or the OEM’s implementation. For now, and as Pacman said, the only way to update with EXTR images is to flash the firmware with Flash Programming Tool after modifying the ME firwmare with Flash Image Tool based on the settings your current ME firmware has from the OEM. Of course that requires an unlocked Flash Descriptor or the use of a programmer. If you don’t know how to use FIT and how to do this procedure, it’s not really worth the trouble in my opinion. Pacman does know so that’s why he said he would go for it.

Reducer · October 14, 2015, 12:59am

@caleb59 (post #1518)

I had that error since my mobo was using ME FW 7. MEManuf test 12 (SMBus-related) always failed after a power down, power up cycle, but always passed it when performing the tests after a reboot. At least on my case it was not caused by the ME FW (whatever the version), but a BIOS setting.

In my BIOS it is under Advanced>Southbridge Configuration>“Deep Sleep”. My BIOS offers 3 options for it: Disabled/Enabled in S4-S5/Enabled in S5. If set to Disabled, the error occurs. Any of the other 2 options (enabled for S5 in both cases) and the error is gone. What this setting does is a real power off when you power off your system if enabled. If disabled (error appears) when I powered down my system, LAN link status lights stayed on and blinking and I was able to charge devices from my front USB ports, so it wasn’t completely powered off.

For some reason powering on from that pseudo-off state does not initialize the SMBus in my mobo as expected by MEManuf and the test failed. So currently I have “Deep Sleep” set to “Enabled in S5”, and I pass all MEManuf tests after a cold boot (tested under DOS and Windows). Plus I’m probably saving some money.

My system: Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 BIOS 2.31a UBU 1.40 mod, ME FW 8.1.65.1586.

caleb59 · October 14, 2015, 11:04am

Well I can’t see that options in my MSI Z77A BIOS - just look for yourself (click to enlarge):

I tried to turn on EUP 2013 and Wake Up Event by: OS and no luck, problem with MEManuf tests is still there and I can’t see anywhere “Enabled in S4-S5/Enabled in S5” options like you have…

Here’s whole manual: http://www79.zippyshare.com/v/TkiS4PC1/file.html - maybe you can check this and help me?

jjxaker · October 14, 2015, 3:45pm

I’m already
MSI fellows.

Reducer · October 14, 2015, 3:45pm

I’ll check the manual and edit this post if I found anything else, but first I would try is ACPI Standby State set to “[S3] Suspend to RAM” (because of that turning off hardware comment), EuP 2013 option set to “Enabled” and ALL Wake Up options set to “Disabled”.

A test that should work to at least confirm that an incomplete power off is the problem (previously set those BIOS settings as I typed above): 1. Shut down your computer. 2. Turn off your PSU switch. 3. Unplug power cord for a couple of minutes. 4. During that time, press your case power button a couple of times to empty capacitors. 5. Turn system on and perform MEManuf test. Do it from DOS (I’ll explain latter). Whether passed or not, turn off computer from DOS (case button), then turn on and repeat test from DOS. It should pass here if incomplete power off is the problem.

Now turn on and perform test from Windows. It should pass if passed from DOS. Shut down from Windows and perform test again (DOS or Windows, DOS should be quicker). If it doesn’t pass, then Windows is not completely powering off your computer.

caleb59 · October 14, 2015, 4:36pm

Still there are the same errors in DOS mode…
In Windows the same situation but when I restart my PC and run MEManuf tests again all is fine and tests are "green" - just like I wrote earlier in my #1518 post…

Reducer · October 14, 2015, 5:37pm

If booting from a completely powered off system is not helping with the SMBus test, I’m out of ideas, except maybe detach your LAN cable along with the power cord when powering off and keep it detached for the whole step 5, just to factor out anything being actively powered before you actually turn on your system.

plutomaniac · October 14, 2015, 5:59pm

@ ThienBui from vinafix.vn :

I know you will read this as you take everything from the Engine threads daily. Your site is full of ME & TXE stuff which were uploaded here for free. I see absolutely no credit to me, win-raid or anyone else who contributed here. It takes A LOT of time and effort to keep these updated and it’s not ok for someone to just take it and redistribute it like that without an acknowledgement while asking for money at the same time. You take the firmware, system tools, drivers etc and just post them as your own findings while asking for money at the same time. Yes, I am repeating that on purpose. Not giving credit is frowned upon as it points out to a jerk but requiring VIP membership for the things that others work to “produce/find” is just too much. For the things that you find yourself I guess you could do that, but certainly not for the files uploaded here. You have even copied big parts of the thread’s text for crying out loud. Am I going to find ME Analyzer’s thread as well in that forum if I searched a little more? I don’t know…

https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-me-region.16400/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-me-…mxx-qsxx.19540/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/flash-image-tool.16401/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-man…ries-11x.19682/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-man…ries-10x.19683/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-txe…n-engine.19579/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-txe-system-tools.19580/

caleb59 · October 14, 2015, 6:40pm

Detaching LAN cable also doesn’t fix this weird “problem” - well may I quote myself: “after reboot MEManuf tests works ok so to hell with this issue”…

ifix · October 14, 2015, 6:53pm

http://station-drivers.com/index.php?opt…&id=105&lang=en

Pacman · October 14, 2015, 6:53pm

Unfortunately i didn’t test with an UPD image, only the extracted.

ifix · October 14, 2015, 6:53pm

plutomaniac:

@ ThienBui from vinafix.vn :

I know you will read this as you take everything from the Engine threads daily. Your site is full of ME & TXE stuff which were uploaded here for free. I see absolutely no credit to me, win-raid or anyone else who contributed here. It takes A LOT of time and effort to keep these updated and it’s not ok for someone to just take it and redistribute it like that without an acknowledgement while asking for money at the same time. You take the firmware, system tools, drivers etc and just post them as your own findings while asking for money at the same time. Yes, I am repeating that on purpose. Not giving credit is frowned upon as it points out to a jerk but requiring VIP membership for the things that others work to "produce/find" is just too much. For the things that you find yourself I guess you could do that, but certainly not for the files uploaded here. You have even copied big parts of the thread’s text for crying out loud. Am I going to find ME Analyzer’s thread as well in that forum if I searched a little more? I don’t know…

Intel ME Region | Vinafix.com
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-me-…mxx-qsxx.19540/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/flash-image-tool.16401/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-man…ries-11x.19682/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-man…ries-10x.19683/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-txe…n-engine.19579/
https://www.vinafix.vn/threads/intel-txe-system-tools.19580/

here
http://station-drivers.com/index.php?opt…&id=105&lang=en

bin456789 · October 14, 2015, 7:39pm

haha~Thank you~

plutomaniac · October 14, 2015, 7:43pm

@ Pacman:

Check the attached UPD image if you want. Maybe 1173 FWUpdate helps.

11.0.0.1180_CON_H_PRD_UPD.rar (1.15 MB)

ifix · October 14, 2015, 8:54pm

http://www.chinafix.com/thread-896877-1-1.html
http://www.chinafix.com/thread-894910-1-1.html
I see lots
Did they take from you?

Pacman · October 14, 2015, 10:17pm

Thank you, i will test.

Reducer · October 14, 2015, 11:16pm

@caleb59

One last try: from Windows, turn off your system as follows (I think you will need admin rights): open a command prompt and type:

shutdown /p /d p:0:0

That will shutdown your PC with a "power off" request to BIOS, as opposed to default "shutdown" request used by Shut Down command in Start menu. If your BIOS support such request, it will turn off in the way we were trying to get before (I still think your system is not booting from a true power off state even after all the previous steps, not your fault of course). In such a state the LAN link status LEDs on the back of your case should stay turned off and if you insert a pendrive with activity LED it should not light on. If you then power on the system, you should pass the test.

You can check the meaning of the above command by typing

shutdown /?

before executing it.

plutomaniac · October 15, 2015, 6:55pm

Intel ME 11.0 Corporate PCH-LP Firmware v11.0.0.1173
Intel ME 11.0 Consumer PCH-LP Firmware v11.0.0.1171 (EXTR → RGN)

Intel ME System Tools v11.0 r7:

Flash Image Tool: 11.0.0.1173
FWUpdate(DOS): 11.0.0.1173
FWUpdate(EFI64): 11.0.0.1173
FWUpdate(Win): 11.0.0.1173
MEInfo(DOS): 11.0.0.1173
MEInfo(EFI64): 11.0.0.1173
MEInfo(Windows): 11.0.0.1173
MEManuf(DOS): 11.0.0.1173
MEManuf(EFI64): 11.0.0.1173
MEManuf(Windows): 11.0.0.1173
MEManuf(Windows64): 11.0.0.1173
CCT(DOS): 11.0.0.1173
CCT(EFI): 11.0.0.1173
CCT(Windows): 11.0.0.1173
Manifest Extension Utility: 11.0.0.1173

SPT Corporate FW Bring Up Guide v1.0 (07/2015)

@ Pacman:

Yes certainly, take your time. No rush. We’ll see the error again probably but it never hurts to test. You can also check the rest of the 1173 tools.

@ ifix:

Thank you for doing the right thing. For the record, it’s not about “ego” but rather respecting someone else’s collective work. A “mirror” of the stuff we share here does not do that. A reference link to this forum for people that need to look for something more does.

Pacman · October 15, 2015, 7:32pm

@ plutomaniac

Well i tried the 11.0.0.1180 UPD image with fwupdate 11.0.0.1173, but sadly got the same Invalid restore Point error as Before

But, after a little bit of work with FIT, and flashed with FPT, it is working well

Horstfuchs · October 15, 2015, 8:46pm

Hi,

Is it normal my BIOS doesn’t seem to have a Gbe ROM or Region?
I’m on an MSI X99S-MPOWER with an integrated Intel i210 NIC.