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    Downgrading / Upgrading M18Xr1 Intel ME firmware(PROBLEM) - Help Requested!

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by Swick1981, Jan 27, 2016.

  1. Swick1981

    Swick1981 Notebook Consultant

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    Hey Everyone,
    I recently released several BIOS mods with the NEWEST (supported) OpROMS & the Intel ME firmware upgrade to 7.1.80 for the m18xr1. however, I have a problem... (possibly)
    I just recently found out there is new microcode for my CPU, and I want to upgrade bios with the mod I just made. But I found out you have to do the bios upgrade, then the IME upgrade. I did that, but I now need to upgrade my bios again with this microcode. So, how would I go about doing this?
    I have my bios unlocked, so the option ME FW Firmware RE-FLASH option is disabled at the moment, but I can enable it. So, does this procedure sound correct? If not, can you tell me what to do -
    Reboot system and set in bios ME FW Image REFLASH
    Reflash the Intel ME to the original version (I created a backup before flashing the new version).
    After that has been completed, I reboot, set image reflash in bios to disable. Reboot again
    Now that the firmware is back to the old IME version, I can now flash the new bios with the new microcode.
    Does that sound correct?
    Also, I am downgrading the Intel ME just to get this new microcode installed. Once that is done, I would goer IME that I have (7.1.80...).
    Please let me know if that sounds right. Any help is appreciated!
    Swick
     
    Swick1981, Jan 27, 2016
    #1
  2. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

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    Just one question. Why?
     
    GodlikeRU, Jan 27, 2016
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  3. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    If there is an updated 2920XM microcode I can test this as well.
     
    Raidriar, Jan 27, 2016
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  4. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    As long as the BIOS image ME is the same as the one that was flashed, there should not be a problem. Of course if it is not possible to match, need to downgrade then reflash BIOS.
     
    Raidriar, Jan 27, 2016
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  5. Swick1981

    Swick1981 Notebook Consultant

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    Yeah, that's the thing... I couldn't find what version of ME is in the bios file. The only thing I can think of is that when Mr Fox did the IME flash than the BIOS flash, there was a mismatch. IF I could find the GUID for the IME in the bios I could change it to the one I have. Do you know what the GUID is in the bios for IME?
     
    Swick1981, Jan 27, 2016
    #5