Intel ME Firmware (SA-00086) security flaw

The dell ME FW tool has some UI bugs though. I'd swap the bin of Dell's onto Prema's ME 11 tool since the UI is consistent.
In Dell ME FW, clicking minimise/maximize button repeatedly will clear the Window that shows Current ME and "To be updated" FW.
@VICKYGAMEBOY There is 8-9 hrs power cut due to maintenance.

 

The power grid is up.
We might need an BIOS update to enable Local FW update for the FW patch to be a success.

 

@VICKYGAMEBOY @HunterZ0 The update will be available on 23 dec. https://www.dell.com/support/articl...ntel-me-txe-advisory--intel-sa-00086-?lang=en
Looks like they're following his thread and they might have added additional code to remove the ability to run that MEFW on Echo models.
However there will be a small version bump or they may add the ability to patch MEFW locally via BIOS update. Maybe v1.4 A00

 

Even with updated timeline they can’t manage to see their own typo flaws for Echo 17

 

If they are updating ME FW on 17 r2 then @judal57 will like it.
Someone at Dell told its a typo its 17 r3.

 

@VICKYGAMEBOY Looks like AW released new BIOS to fix MEI and uCode for 15 r3.
Well we need to wait until New Year.
I ran Dell's MEI FW for 15 r3 on 15 r2 and guess what installer refused flatly to flash ME FW.

 

they have postponded to 26th for skylake systems.. not sure whats the issue, like i said.. we might get new bios with fw update by jan.. i just got my new 100mbps fiber.. wanted to repaste + reinstall OS.. but ill wait until somethign new showsup from dell..

 

Well they advanced it even further 29 dec. I think they can release it nice and slow by taking alot of time as they said in official/original date in Jan 2018.

 

so much time taken, hope they fix all the codes..including throttle code feels like forever.. until that no system repaste + format OS

 

What's the connection between throttle code & system repaste/OS.
If your repaste is great then OS isn't a factor that influences temp values.
Throttle code fix, I don't think so. Only handful of users complain about PCH temps so it will not be a priority at all.

 

Or new Throttle codes will be implemented Roll the dice and pick what you want. Not certain you get what you wish

 

I'm not wishing anything. I just want to get rid of MEI permanently.

 

what i meant is once i get hands on new firmware / bios.. ill clear CMOS... clean my laptop. repaste.. fresh install OS.. im used to this.. i like to fresh install.. Yeah i got so many msgs in my youtube video.. pm.. asking me for the fix.. all are from different countries.. humid and hot like ours most time.. at this point i hardly game.. even if i game.. ill just use fps cap.. even if its throttles im not botherd now.. its too late.. just use it as much as i can.. and buy a new one..

 

Without Prema BIOS I'm not touching BGA's every again.
BTW, which is your YT channel? I always use VSync to stabilise temps and fps. More than 80-100 fps my eyes can't keep, I feel kind of sick.

 

same name.. Vysnc i dont like input lag. i used to play competetive with clans.. COD mainly.. now i feel its more like the OEM board manufactures is crap. not intel or nvidia to blame for most parts.. so much restrictions on a decent CPU / GPU.. and the crappiest driver support from OEM.. i fixed my M11X R2. its working now.. 14 is still with my cousin.. using 15 r2.. might swap to something more portable just for editing / watching movies... was thinking about XPS or LG gram, but too expensive here in india.. so much crap GST taxes..

 

try hidevolution.

 

90 USD for a LM repaste.. i should start a busines here lol..

 

You can repaste it yourself. Buy minimum spec and upgrade to your liking.

 

@VICKYGAMEBOY No sign of new BIOS we might as well wait after New year.

 

i was waiting for the same from morning.. they might postpond again.. im travelling out of station for few days for new year.. hopefully they release it before 10th.. worst case scenario 16th..

 

@Papusan It seems the new BIOS will lock out the ability to downgrade to older BIOS, so best option is to update only ME FW.
VICKY faced many issues like Losing Windows activation license, increased throttling of PCH after he maunally updated MEI FW to 11.8.

 

Already mentioned the chances for this mess long time ago here

 

@Papusan @Vasudev there we go.. another big delay.. 31st Jan 2018 for 15 R2 / 17R3 .. pretty cheapos..

 

Bloody ******* hell.

 

you two will be the gp @Vasudev @VICKYGAMEBOY
let us know how bad the new bios is.. hehe

 

Out of warranty now, so no GP'ing.
I'm trying latest Insider preview release of W10 RS4

 

@Vasudev @Papusan another 21 days for the new firmware / bios.. this is bad.. we should tag someone from alienware team.. they patched the oldest inspiron and latitude systems.. but not our 15 r2 / 17 r3 / 13 r2.. and what about haswell ?? they are not even on list.. feel bad for those who still owns.. how long does it take to implement the firmware things which intel already provided to OEM, bios testing with new firmware for more than one month.. frustating..

 

The date has advanced to 14 jan as per this link right here http://www.dell.com/support/article...e-2017-5754---impact-on-dell-products?lang=en
I just need intel to release the bin or dat of ucode and use vmware ucode patcher to fix things up.
As for MEI FW it can't be upgraded w/o special access code to enable flashing.
I tried Prema's tool and it said MEI was locked from updating.

 

Intel ME Firmware (SA-00086) flaw ain't a problem on Haswell. I expect Dell sell more inspiron and latitude systems, hence being patched first.

Yeah, Azor and Alienware prefer to prevent people fixing flawed firmware. I wonder if the same problem occur for XPS line as well. This brand is also under Azor's umbrella.

 

Same thing on MSI, ASUS, Gigabyte etc.

 

Nope. @Falkentyne fixed his Msi TurdBook with Win-Raids tool and the MSI barbones is fixed with Prema's tool. Haven't checked if Gigabyte and Asus can be fixed with one or another tool.

 

Maybe older BIOS had unlocked MEFW update option.
@VICKYGAMEBOY tried mei 11.8 and his motherboard was acting strange, he lost his windows license and throttling issues.

 

We both know Dell/Dellienware ****ed up firmware for their models from early 2013 and further forward. Started with my own model AW17 (last AW 17 model with pure socket hardware). They screwed AW 18 damn hard with power cap. The reason @Mr. Fox trashed all his Alienwares. Even his beloved Alienware M18x R2 was thrown out of his home!!

 

Yup... just like Jack Sparrow... I washed my hands of the weirdness. @Prema made it easy to kick them to the curb.



As far as the crippling crap goes...

 

You do know I joined the forum on April 2016 and wan't aware of this. If I would have known, I have booked the new PC from the US/Dubai and go there personally just to fetch it or even will have got it from Hidevolution.

 

One of the reason forum is better than review sites... You can get better and more correct info on everything

 

Maybe I should start a youtube channel and make some cash to buy BGA laptops and bash them where it really hurts so that we get a desktop chip on portable computers.

 

im just not sure why they cant make the socket thin.. its not that tough.. or is BGA boards really cheap to mass produce ?? problem is they dont want to move back to sockets..

 

Its a money minting machine. The lifetime of BGA will max out at 4-5 yrs on a rough/heavy usage with proper cooling mods and repastes/repads.
We need extended warranty coverage of 5 yrs like EU (UK, Norway are few examples) in India, that why if it fails we can exchange it or ask for full refund.

 

Can't make Socket thin as BGA Junk. Next gen Intel Trash will be more like this...1.7mm. Then think/imagine what direction the OEM's will go....

Give a damn in 5 years warranty and use same warranty as today, but with proper socket hardware. Problem solved

 

@Vasudev another date change. from 14th to 19th.. this is BS..

 

We may never see the light of it.

 

First priority... New models for 2018

 

wait what ?? they dint announce anything on CES2018 though..

 

You expect Dell skip models for 2018? New and thinner!!

 

Size zero or even thinner than current line-up.

 

I expect Intel will go for thinner package (thinner PCB) for next gen H Mobile as well. Hence thinner notebook models. They brag everywhere about thinnes. Intel and the ODM/OEM*s. Why should they change goal?

 

I hope Intel boards don't etch very thin lines on board so that consumers will replace PCs every 3 months USD 3000 every 3 months in a way to keep the hardware and SW at latest and greatest version.

 

Intel can't do much regarding shrinking the die thickness as same die is used all over, but they can and will shrink the PCB thickness for BGA. They did it for LGA as you know. And they will up the game for BGA and continue make BGA package thinner for thinner notebooks. They have already give they word on this. They have promised this for a long time. Mind J00, the ODM/OEM*s will handle overheating with firmware/software no problem, the notebook will hold a while without you need to replace it all too soon.

 

@Vasudev @Papusan

http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/new-security-flaw-hits-intellaptops-this-time.html