cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Intel ME and BIOS Updates - General Advice

iBruceypoo
Level 16
Thread created for JohnAb

Take it away John. 🙂
Z790 Epiphenomenal Raptor Bench

ROG Z790 Apex / Intel 13900KS SP111 P121 E93 MC83
Gskill 8000 kit - TM5 stable at 8200MT/s 38 48 48 121 VDD and VDDQ 1.5v
WD_Black SN850X 1TB 7300MB/s Reads 6300MB/s Writes
LG 32in 4K IPS 32UP83A-W
48,378 Views
79 REPLIES 79

ClockWorkDoc
Level 7

Good afternoon JohnAb,

Thanks for all the educational content on this subject. 

I've been having some issues trying to update the Intel ME Driver & FW.

I'm using a Z790 Hero. Current BIOS is 0904, ME FW is 16.1.25.2020. The new FW Version 16.1.25.2124 was released on 4/17. Oddly enough another version of 16.1.25.2020 was released on 4/18 after the newer version. Nevertheless when I try to run the MEUpdateTool for 16.1.25.2124, it shows "please check MEI Driver is installed". I've double checked on the BIOS and my current ME FW Version is still 16.1.25.2020. 

The reason I'm pressed to get it installed is because of some RAM instability I've had when XMP is enabled. I've also had some game crashes that I suspect is related to RAM instability. That said, MemTest86 passed when XMP was disabled.

Any recommendations or guidance on updating to the most recent version?

JohnAb
Level 17

Maybe some confusion? - ME firmware and MEI drivers are not the same thing. Sounds like you will need the MEI Windows drivers installing before updating to .2124 (which is the latest firmware). If I've misunderstood try running the firmware updater as admin. Bear in mind that once the firmware is updated, you cannot it roll back, but there are no problems with that firmware that I am aware of. It's also unlikely to help with stability as far as I know, but no harm in upgrading it - it's been out for a while so should be solid. Either way, if stability is worse with 0904, you could go back to the previous BIOS (even after a firmware upgrade as long as 0904 is not locked - I don't think so). 

Whether stability will be better for you with 0904 or the previous BIOS, hard for me say. Try a good internet search and see if you can get any feedback on 0904. I don't have that board myself and only limited time right now...

Hope that's helpful.  

 

Z690 Hero, BIOS 3401, MEI 2345.5.3.0, ME Firmware 16.1.30.2361, 7000X Case, RM1000x PSU, i9 12900K, ASUS TUF OC 3090TI, 2 x 16GB Corsair RAM @ 5200MHz, Windows 11 Pro 23H2, Corsair H150i Elite AIO, 4x Corsair RGB fans, 3x M.2 NVME drives, 2x SATA SSDs, 2x SATA HDs.

My apologies, I made an error in my last message. To be explicitly clear, I'm trying to update the ME FW to .2124 like you mentioned. 
Current: MEI Driver: 2251.4.2.0 per Asus website | ME FW: 16.1.25.2020 | BIOS: 0904

Per Asus, the 2251.4.2.0 driver is the latest. I've tried running the MEUpdateTool as admin, but still no luck. I redownloaded ArmouryCrate to see if it had anything specifically for driver updates, but still nothing. Sadge. 

Nevertheless, I appreciate the additional information and options. 

JohnAb
Level 17

Ok, I get it now. Sorry for misunderstanding. I'm honestly not sure what the issue might be, unless the Asus download is corrupted maybe? I've never has a problem updating MEI drivers or firmware. You could try MoKiChU's drivers - you will find 2124 (and MEI) here:

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/hardware-build-advice/index-all-my-firmware-drivers-software-threads/m...

Might be worth checking that other drivers are up to date as well while you are having a look.  

Z690 Hero, BIOS 3401, MEI 2345.5.3.0, ME Firmware 16.1.30.2361, 7000X Case, RM1000x PSU, i9 12900K, ASUS TUF OC 3090TI, 2 x 16GB Corsair RAM @ 5200MHz, Windows 11 Pro 23H2, Corsair H150i Elite AIO, 4x Corsair RGB fans, 3x M.2 NVME drives, 2x SATA SSDs, 2x SATA HDs.

Rampertumskin
Level 9

hi 
can i go back to the old version or earlier. if I have the latest ME firmware to Version 16.1.27.2176
ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 0904 or ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 0813
my ram xmp profile 1 or 2 not work stable with latest bios... only 7000mhz work. but i have 7200 xmp.

I don't think there is any way to downgrade ME firmware, not unless Asus provide a tool to do it. You can still go back to an earlier BIOS though, they are backwards compatible. I'm not aware of problems with ME firmware being 'too new' so you should be good to upgrade, even if you don't upgrade the BIOS. One recent report of a firmware upgrade failing and breaking the BIOS (luckily that board had 2), but that's very rare. To be as safe as possible, best to turn off XMP before any firmware upgrade - max stability is best for the process. 

Z690 Hero, BIOS 3401, MEI 2345.5.3.0, ME Firmware 16.1.30.2361, 7000X Case, RM1000x PSU, i9 12900K, ASUS TUF OC 3090TI, 2 x 16GB Corsair RAM @ 5200MHz, Windows 11 Pro 23H2, Corsair H150i Elite AIO, 4x Corsair RGB fans, 3x M.2 NVME drives, 2x SATA SSDs, 2x SATA HDs.

JohnAb
Level 17

Just a recommendation for ME Firmware updates - it's a good idea to turn off XMP first to get maximum stability, just for the update process. Once it's complete then you can turn it back on. This just reduces the risk of a crash during the process which can damage your BIOS. 

Z690 Hero, BIOS 3401, MEI 2345.5.3.0, ME Firmware 16.1.30.2361, 7000X Case, RM1000x PSU, i9 12900K, ASUS TUF OC 3090TI, 2 x 16GB Corsair RAM @ 5200MHz, Windows 11 Pro 23H2, Corsair H150i Elite AIO, 4x Corsair RGB fans, 3x M.2 NVME drives, 2x SATA SSDs, 2x SATA HDs.

JohnAb
Level 17

I don't know why, but after editing the original guidance, it has been marked as spam and removed. Sad. 

Z690 Hero, BIOS 3401, MEI 2345.5.3.0, ME Firmware 16.1.30.2361, 7000X Case, RM1000x PSU, i9 12900K, ASUS TUF OC 3090TI, 2 x 16GB Corsair RAM @ 5200MHz, Windows 11 Pro 23H2, Corsair H150i Elite AIO, 4x Corsair RGB fans, 3x M.2 NVME drives, 2x SATA SSDs, 2x SATA HDs.

If it was marked as spam, it would be in quarantine. It doesn't seem to be in there. Did you get a message at all?

13900KS / 8000 CAS36 / ROG APEX Z790 / ROG TUF RTX 4090

There was a message that popped up in a box, saying it had been marked as spam and deleted. There was a button to click if this had been done in error, so I clicked that and there was another message saying I didn't have sufficient permissions. After that, no sign of the post. Actually, it was the second message in the thread that vanished, as IBruceypoo started the thread for me at the time. 

Would be good if there is a way to get it back. Thanks. 

Z690 Hero, BIOS 3401, MEI 2345.5.3.0, ME Firmware 16.1.30.2361, 7000X Case, RM1000x PSU, i9 12900K, ASUS TUF OC 3090TI, 2 x 16GB Corsair RAM @ 5200MHz, Windows 11 Pro 23H2, Corsair H150i Elite AIO, 4x Corsair RGB fans, 3x M.2 NVME drives, 2x SATA SSDs, 2x SATA HDs.