Intel ME and BIOS Updates - General Advice

[iBruceypoo]

Thread created for JohnAb

Take it away John. 🙂

[Matrixx]

Hello everyone, I have a Maximus Z790 Hero motherboard and I would like to ask you where I can see what versions of ME Firmware and MEI Drivers, thanks for your kindness.

[JohnAb]

Easiest way to check the ME firmware is to look at the main screen in your BIOS. It will be listed there.

If you have Armoury Crate installed, look at the drivers page and the MEI driver version will be listed as 'Management Engine Interface'. Otherwise, open Device Manager and look at System Devices. Then find the item called 'Intel(R) Management Engine Interface #1'. Then right click on it, select properties and then look at the drivers tab.

[Matrixx]

Thank you for your quick response, I have looked and my IntelME version is 16.1.25.1917, which is not the latest version published by Asus and according to what I have read, having the latest version of the Bios, 0816, the update cannot be done. Will I be able to update it when a new version of the Bios comes out?
Thanks I appreciate your comments.

[JohnAb]

OK, as long as your MEI Windows drivers are correct (update them if not) then...

It's best to update the ME firmware, so install ME 16.1.25.2020 if you already have BIOS 0816. Run MEUpdateTool.exe after download. You will need to update before the next BIOS anyway, so you might as well do it now.

If you get any problems, which is very unlikely, then you can flash the BIOS again, but that should not be necessary.

[Matrixx]

Thanks again for your quick response, I have run the installer, but it doesn't update as the version remains the same. What do you mean by "Windows MEI drivers"? I update the equipment through Windows update and I think I have it up to date, I also use Drivers Easy. Do you know any reason why the system does not update? On the Asus page this quote appears but I don't know how to check it: "Please download the file and check the MD5 code first.
MD5: 8f1ce413e3f86b5fd1fba9c3a2e92dd0" I have no idea what it refers to or how to look for it.
Thank you

[Matrixx]

Dear, I already managed to update it, it wouldn't let me because I needed to download two Intel installers, once this was done it was updated without a problem. Thank you for your interest and your help.

[JohnAb]

Sounds like you have it sorted now, so that's good.

For future reference, the MD5 value is just a method of calculating a code which is unique to the file you have downloaded and it's called a hash. You can calculate it using several free Windows programs (I use one called QuickHash). Just select the hashing method (in this case MD5) and then calculate the hash by choosing the downloaded file. If the hash on the website matches your calculated value, then you know that the downloaded file is identical to the one on the website. There are many hashing methods, MD5 is a fairly old one now, but it does the job.

Really, it's just a file integrity check. You don't have to do it, but it's a good idea where a hash is provided - usually because the integrity of the file is important or if it's some sort of security application. It also prevents somebody tampering with the file, assuming they haven't changed the hash value on the website as well, but much better than no check at all.

[Matrixx]

Thanks my friend

[drop4205]

New build so no 12th gen cpu to start with at all. So to do this correctly on a z690 hero using a 13th gen would be flash bios to 1702----install windows-----Run intel me firmarea update tool-----then update bios to the newest then install newest chipset driver? Does it brick the board if you update the bios first then install windows and then run me firmware update tool then install latest drivers?

[JohnAb]

Hi drop4205, yes, that's the way forward. The only thing I would advise is to flash a later BIOS from the start, 2204 is pretty good. Bear in mind that for any BIOS later than, and including 2004, you cannot flash back to an earlier version. Some people had various problems with 1702, so I think you'll be better off with a more recent version from the start to be honest. Normally, it's recommended to flash ME firmware before the BIOS, but in your situation you have no choice. So all I'm really saying is that you might as well go straight to 2204 and save yourself a step. In the very unlikely event that you get an issue, you can always flash the BIOS again or try other versions back to 2004. You should have ME firmware v16.1.25.2020 for BIOS 2204. If you do go back to an earlier BIOS for any reason, you can leave the ME firmware on the latest version.

Obviously, be sure to install all of the drivers from the support pages and after that, you can optionally install MoKIChU's drivers which will be the latest. His threads are available on this forum. Up to you of course, the official ASUS drivers will do the job as well, just use the 'show more' option for some of the driver sections so you don't miss any. Personally, I like Armoury Crate, which will install all of the most important drivers for you automatically. That should give you a great starting point. Enjoy your new build!