Upgrade Firmware ME Alienware 17 R5/R1 Ranger

Intel Management Engine Introduction:
Built into many Intel-based platforms is a small, low power computer subsystem called the Intel Management Engine (Intel ME). This can perform various tasks while the system is booting, running or sleeping. It operates independently from the main CPU, BIOS & OS but can interact with them if needed. The ME is responsible for many parts of an Intel-based system. Such functionality extends, but it's not limited, to Platform Clocks Control (ICC), Thermal Monitoring, Fan Control, Power Management, Overclocking, Silicon Workaround (resolves silicon bugs which would have otherwise required a new cpu stepping), Identity Protection Technology, Boot Guard, Rapid Start Technology, Smart Connect Technology, Sensor Hub Controller (ISHC), Active Management Technology (AMT), Small Business Advantage (SBA), Wireless Display, PlayReady, Protected Video/Audio Path etc. For certain advanced/corporate features (AMT, SBA etc) the ME uses an out-of-band (OOB) network interface to perform functions even when the system is powered down, the OS and/or hard drivers are non-functional etc. Thus it is essential for it to be operational in order for the platform to be working properly, no matter if the advanced/corporate features are available or not.​

About Intel MEI Drivers

The latest v11.7 drivers are usable with all Intel chipsets from 8-Series & up.

More Information: ( https://www.win-raid.com/t596f39-Intel-Management-Engine-Drivers-Firmware-amp-System-Tools.html)

This is the thread where I upload the file (http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/brainstorming-aw17-r1-ranger-r5-modifications.811433/), and I think is the way to go, but since ME is something important and usually forgotten by users, I decided to do its own thread...


Alienware 17 R5/R1 ME Firmware Instructions:

Lastest (9.1.37.1002) Intel ME Firmware Installer and Driver for Windows 10.

Instructions:

1.- Open CMD with ADMIN RIGHTS.
2.- Unzip the Firmware on C:\
3.- Go to C:\ on the CMD previously opened.
4.- Run the "flash.bat" file on the CMD, wait the flash to finish.
5.- Turn off and turn it on again (I prefer this over restart).
6.- Check your BIOS Information.
7.- Uninstall Intel Management Engine in Control Panel.
8.- Uninstall Driver Intel Management Engine Interface.
9.- Install the Driver for the Intel Management Engine Interface in the folder.

 

There is a higher version of ME for 8 Series:

Intel ME 10.0 1.5MB Firmware v10.0.55.3000

But since our AW17 did not come with ME 10 as base, I do not want to try it until I get an EEPROM programmer in case of need it.

Is anyone able to try it?, any guinea pig?

@javers @TheReciever @Ashtrix @EepoSaurus

 

I think javers mentioned having an eeprom programmer and might be suitable for this. I wouldnt be surprised if Ashtrix or Eeposaurus had one either lol

Sadly, I am not one of them lol but I was curious about this when I updated mine to the version you uploaded

 

Functionally speaking what benefit might this be?

 

" Warning for 8-series systems: The 8-series desktop systems initially come with v9.0 firmware. The latter is upgradeable to v9.1 firmware (initially comes with 9-series desktop systems) only if the OEM has updated the BIOS to be compatible as well. If your BIOS is up to date and the firmware is still v9.0 then do NOT update to v9.1 but only to latter v9.0 releases."

My system came with 9.0.

 

Our system too, but several system are capable to use 9.1 even the manufacturer did not release the upgrade in the BIOS.
I tried in my AW and it works.

(Im wondering about trying the ME 10 versión, but this is a risk for who do not have an eeprom programmer.)
EDIT NOTE:
ME 10 is for Broadwell no Haswell

 

ME firmware contains different modules : AMT(Active Management Technology), ASF (Alert Standard Format), QST (Quiet System Technology) and TPM (Trusted Platform Module) for hardware remotely management… but it also contains chipset’s settings (clocks, frequencies,...) which affect important parameters as BCLK, RAM, Turbo Boost, fans speeds…

 

Yeh no problem I should be able to give this a try. Probably be a week or two before I get a change as Christmas parties getting in the way of Alienware time atm

Javers

 

ME 10 is only for Broadwell, according this sheet, the higher version we can use should be 9.5.60.1952

You can try it with this one.

Note: Please run MEManuf in order to check the 9.5 is running without problems

"MEManufWin64.exe -verbose"

Link of the Tools needed:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/1865f0qbzo20bkc/Intel+ME+System+Tools+v9.5+r4.rar

Firmware:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/fl1g3oodiu9qhyu/Intel+ME+Firmware+v9.5.60.1952+(1.5MB).rar

Thanks for your help on this @javers

 

BCLK and fan control working properly with 9.1?

 

I dont have any problem at all!

If you want me to perform some tests, let me know.

 

What is support for intel 8 chipset series, like Z87

 

Provide me your current FW Version.

 

Can this solve the power throttling issue for ranger that upgrades to gtx 1070 but get limited power supply from the motherboard to the GPU?

 

I have a 1070 in my ranger and it doesn't power throttle. What issue are you having and what card do you have?

 

There is a whole other forum dedicated to ME info. You can get whatever ver. of production ME fw you desire and use the Intel tools to "season" the ME region and inject it.

https://www.win-raid.com/f39-Special-Intel-Management-Engine.html