Intel ME and BIOS Updates - General Advice

[iBruceypoo]

Thread created for JohnAb

Take it away John. 🙂

[JohnAb]

It's a good idea to update MEI drivers and then the ME firmware to match the BIOS. Then you know that everything is correct and that any potential security issues are resolved. Getting the BIOS updated was the hard part in your case, so it should be fine to do those steps now. Not the recommended order, but I have never known that to cause a problem (other than temporary loss of an m.2 socket), Anyway, that isn't a problem for you, so yes, I would say best to do MEI and firmware now.  

[Vaseth]

*edit* never mind, it was covered in the thread

[DosKeeper]

Greetings!

I’m new to ASUS forums and I’m happy to be here among the tech savvy people! My new rig is powered by Z790 Apex and after finishing the build, I have updated the bios to version 0812. However, I’ve forgotten to update the MEI driver and MEI firmware, therefore my MEI driver version is at 2204.2.62.0 (seems really old) and firmware at 16.1.25.1917. I’ve found out recently that you’re supposed to update MEI definitions before doing the BIOS update, but unfortunately that part ended up being overlooked. I want to update the MEI definitions now, but I would like to ask some questions first to ensure everything goes well.  

1. The Apex has a dual bios, so am I right to assume that updating MEI firmware only affects the current bios?
2. Should I disable XMP before updating the firmware?
3. I am instructed to update the firmware to version 16.1.25.2020 for the 0812 bios. Should I use the latest MEI drivers (V2240.3.4.0(SW 2242.3.34.0)) or an older version (V2220.3.1.0(Package V2225.3.9.0))?
4. Is the Chipset Software Installation Utility independent from MEI? What does it do exactly?
5. I believe I should first install MEI drivers, then firmware and lastly the chipset utility, right? Speaking about the latter, how can I check what version I’m running now?

I’m not new to building and setting up computers, but this new process made me really confused. Would really love to hear input from John!

Thank you in advance!

[JohnAb]

Please see response in your other thread...

[Seth_Anton]

Just saw there is a new Intel(R) Management Engine Interface V2251.4.2.0 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL) for Z790 Hero. 

Is it safe to install ? I had serious issues with previous chipset drivers 

thanks

[JohnAb]

I can only say that it has been good for me on Z690. I've been using it since mid-March with ME firmware 16.1.25.2124 - no issues at all

[Seth_Anton]

Ok , thanks. I and many other users had serious issues on windows with previous updated chipset drivers ( which Asus forced to drop out from official drivers page). I re-installed  Intel Management Engine Interface V2240.3.4.0(SW 2242.3.34.0) and since then everything works fine

[JohnAb]

Ok thanks. I didn't know about the previous issues with MEI. Always pays to be careful! The good news, I suppose is that MEI drivers can always be rolled back. Not always as easy with ME Firmware and BIOS, depending on the version. 

[RBA]

Hello,

first thanx to JohnAb, who does much and great work here. Else to anyone.

i have just finished my build a few days ago. But i´m not very experienced in setting up a pc the best way. I have a ROG MAXIMUS Z690 FORMULA with a I7-13700K.

The board was delivered with bios 0803, don´t know wich ME FW was on. On 1st start, screen stayed black, what i had expected due to CPU 13th gen. Then i updated the bios via bios flashback function to version 2305. Then i could have a look into bios the 1st time. Intel ME Firmware was 10.1.25.2020. Because this FW came out after the bios 0803, i guess the ME FE was updated with the bios update automatically. Then i did every update via Armoury Crate.

At the moment everythings seems to work fine, but i´m confused:

AIDA64 says  the ME Coponents is 2230.3.20.0 but crate says the ME Interface is 2229.3.2.0.  On Asus HP there is no 2229.3.2.0 version. Next on Asus is 2240.3.4.0.

Are the Intel ME components the same as the Intel ME Interface?

Do i need any other tools or drivers from Intel or other?

Thank you

[JohnAb]

I think you're fine (without checking your driver options). Intel ME firmware is flashed to the motherboard, but the drivers you ate looking at are the Intel ME Interface drivers (or MEI drivers). Those drivers are part of Windows. So, you are all good to go. Actually, there are later MEI drivers available if you want to check out MoKiChU's driver threads, but that's optional. All good as you are if those are the latest versions on your mobo support pages.  

If you want to be sure about your MEI drivers version, have a look at  Device Manager / System Devices / Intel(R) Management Engine Interface #1 /Right click, select properties, look at the drivers tab.

Hope that makes sense. If I have understood correctly, I don't know what Armoury Crate and Aida 64 are reporting different versions, but Device Manger will give you a reliable answer.