• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

ASRock Z370/Z390 Taichi (and some others, actively modding!) Firmware with Intel Management Engine Disabled, new method

Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
This is a new thread to remove the clutter from my old one, which can be found here:


This is for new builds utilizing a new technique which does not "scrub" the management engine, but turns it off via an issued command and forces execution of it's code to halt. If you need more technical details, all I can say is it's a simple property change to make the documented "ME Temporary Disable" mode permanent. (US Government targets use this mode in it's HAP form, you can trust it). You can probably figure out what I did by dissecting the roms, but since some vendors seems to be adapting to my changes, I won't be saying more.

Scrubbing the rom entirely just got too hard, but this should be functionally the same.

You can get stable/approved builds for some boards here. It's really just the Taichi right now. (prefix "ZxTC")


Experimental boards (basically just the Z390 Phantom Gaming X) can be found here. Support for them may/may not continue depending on test results. They may also have a slight brick risk:


Important: Follow the instructions below. Make sure you flash the absolute STOCK bios before using the zip file mod!

Instructions:

Step 1: Flash your stock firmware image, same version as the one you want to disable ME on.

Step 2: Take note of your settings.

Step 3: Restore BIOS defaults (or get as close as possible if you need some obscure setting for booting, that is ok).

Step 4: Boot Windows, download the zip for your version.

Step 5: Extract the zip file. Note the directory path.

Step 6: Open an Admin CMD prompt.

Step 7: Cd to the directory. (ie cd C:\path\to\directory)

Step 8: type "flashme" and hit enter.

Step 9: Let the flash complete and shutdown the computer.

Step 10. Power on and enter bios. Reset to defaults one last time. (essential!) Now, reboot and set your settings how you want them.

Step 11: Boot to Windows and confirm management engine is disabled (If you don't have any "management engine" device in device manager (usually an Unknown or System Device), you have it disabled).

Step 12: Profit.

@krusty @puma99dk|

Old thread reported for closure. Please issue reports on the new builds here. I also take requests for new boards and reports of new firmware versions on supported boards in this thread... But to limit my level of insanity, I'm currently only working with ASRock and GIGABYTE boards (they are the ones I am most familiar with right now).
 
Last edited:

krusty

New Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2019
Messages
5 (0.00/day)
This is a new thread to remove the clutter from my old one, which can be found here:


This is for new builds utilizing a new technique which does not "scrub" the management engine, but turns it off via an issued command and forces execution of it's code to halt. If you need more technical details, all I can say is it's a simple property change to make the documented "ME Temporary Disable" mode permanent. (US Government targets use this mode in it's HAP form, you can trust it). You can probably figure out what I did by dissecting the roms, but since some vendors seems to be adapting to my changes, I won't be saying more.

Scrubbing the rom entirely just got too hard, but this should be functionally the same.

You can get stable/approved builds for some boards here. It's really just the Taichi right now. (prefix "ZxTC")


Experimental boards (basically just the Z390 Phantom Gaming X) can be found here. Support for them may/may not continue depending on test results. They may also have a slight brick risk:


Important: Follow the instructions below. Make sure you flash the absolute STOCK bios before using the zip file mod!

Instructions:

Step 1: Flash your stock firmware image, same version as the one you want to disable ME on.

Step 2: Take note of your settings.

Step 3: Restore BIOS defaults (or get as close as possible if you need some obscure setting for booting, that is ok).

Step 4: Boot Windows, download the zip for your version.

Step 5: Extract the zip file. Note the directory path.

Step 6: Open an Admin CMD prompt.

Step 7: Cd to the directory. (ie cd C:\path\to\directory)

Step 8: type "flashme" and hit enter.

Step 9: Let the flash complete and shutdown the computer.

Step 10. Power on and enter bios. Reset to defaults one last time. (essential!) Now, reboot and set your settings how you want them.

Step 11: Boot to Windows and confirm management engine is disabled (If you don't have any "management engine" device in device manager (usually an Unknown or System Device), you have it disabled).

Step 12: Profit.

@krusty @puma99dk|

Old thread reported for closure. Please issue reports on the new builds here. I also take requests for new boards and reports of new firmware versions on supported boards in this thread... But to limit my level of insanity, I'm currently only working with ASRock and GIGABYTE boards (they are the ones I am most familiar with right now).
Thank you so much for your hard work Z39PGX110 worked beautifully!
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
Glad to hear it! Will move it to supported builds then. :)
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
We have one failure report on the Z370 Taichi v4.10, so be cautious around that one. Dual bios on the taichi should keep you safe, but... just a PSA.
 
Last edited:

Beul

New Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2019
Messages
8 (0.00/day)
Asrock has removed the Z370 Taichi v4.10 Bios.
So maybe the problem was related to the bios itselfe and not your Mod. Just to let you all know.
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
Asrock has removed the Z370 Taichi v4.10 Bios.
So maybe the problem was related to the bios itselfe and not your Mod. Just to let you all know.

Sounds like it.
 

Beul

New Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2019
Messages
8 (0.00/day)
Asrock z370 Taichi v4.20 Bios is out. I'm willing to be the first tester.
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
Thanks, I will look into updating to it this weekend.
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
May take a bit longer, as said in my profile, spent this weekend in the ER (am fine, just a scare) and it greatly limited me.

Will try to work on it this week.
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
Seem to finally be getting better (got a cold for a few days after that) have some items to ship out tomorrow then I will do the updates. :)
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64

Beul

New Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2019
Messages
8 (0.00/day)
The Z37TC420_NOME worked absolute flawlessly.
Big Thank You for your great work!!!
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
The Z37TC420_NOME worked absolute flawlessly.
Big Thank You for your great work!!!

Good, I will move it to main tested firmware directory then, thanks. :)
 

NEROVINCIO

New Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2019
Messages
10 (0.01/day)
The Z37TC420_NOME worked absolute flawlessly.
Big Thank You for your great work!!!

@R-T-B

hi I read all your 3d about the bios mod for the z370 taichi, I executed the whole procedure to the letter, I made the downgrade from the official 4.00 first to the official 3.20 and then to the official 1.80, then I flashed your 3.20 mod from instant flash first and then windows and everything seems to be abdicated well, how can I know if now I'm on bios mod? in the bios the "PCH-FW Configuration" menu does not appear as shown in the attached photos.
mb z370 taichi
cpu intel i7 8086k @ 5.2
ram tridentz
ssd 970 pro
Thanks a lot
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
@R-T-B

hi I read all your 3d about the bios mod for the z370 taichi, I executed the whole procedure to the letter, I made the downgrade from the official 4.00 first to the official 3.20 and then to the official 1.80, then I flashed your 3.20 mod from instant flash first and then windows and everything seems to be abdicated well, how can I know if now I'm on bios mod? in the bios the "PCH-FW Configuration" menu does not appear as shown in the attached photos.
mb z370 taichi
cpu intel i7 8086k @ 5.2
ram tridentz
ssd 970 pro
Thanks a lot

Replied to your pm.

Check the "chipset" tab in your uefi for the ME version. Should read 0.0.0.0 if working.
 

NEROVINCIO

New Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2019
Messages
10 (0.01/day)
it didn't work for me, my Chipset tab show ME version 11.8.65.3606
how can I fix it?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20191124_001455.jpg
    IMG_20191124_001455.jpg
    2.4 MB · Views: 940
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
it didn't work for me, my Chipset tab show ME version 11.8.65.3606
how can I fix it?

Make sure to restore uefi defaults. Sometimes you need to do this one last time. Will add to documentation soon.
 

NEROVINCIO

New Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2019
Messages
10 (0.01/day)
maybe you're right, before starting the procedure I reset the bios subsequently done dowgrade to 1.80 then 3.20 and then 3.20 mod later restored the settings from file backup. I'll try to reset manual. Do I have to repeat everything? or wait your documentation?

Make sure to restore uefi defaults. Sometimes you need to do this one last time. Will add to documentation soon.

nothing, I reflashed(rename the file to flash from win) and I tried 2 times to reset from the BIOS and once the BIOS battery was removed to no avail.
I am unlucky
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20191124_214125.jpg
    IMG_20191124_214125.jpg
    3.3 MB · Views: 629
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
Yeah, that is odd. Hmm. Will see if I can't replicate.
 

NEROVINCIO

New Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2019
Messages
10 (0.01/day)
Yeah, that is odd. Hmm. Will see if I can't replicate.


I tried to do as you suggested in PM I made downgrade from 1.80 official then 3.40 official then 4.00 official and from windows flashed 4.00 mod and the same did not work at this point I think it is due to the fact that once flashed the 4.00 stock not it is more possible to downgrade the microcode but only the bios as reposted on the asrock site


 

Attachments

  • bios taichi.JPG
    bios taichi.JPG
    121.9 KB · Views: 600
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
I tried to do as you suggested in PM I made downgrade from 1.80 official then 3.40 official then 4.00 official and from windows flashed 4.00 mod and the same did not work at this point I think it is due to the fact that once flashed the 4.00 stock not it is more possible to downgrade the microcode but only the bios as reposted on the asrock site



I have no idea why it would not be working. You aren't loading a saved OC profile at the end for certain?

Really strange.
 

NEROVINCIO

New Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2019
Messages
10 (0.01/day)
I have no idea why it would not be working. You aren't loading a saved OC profile at the end for certain?

Really strange.
even if I don't restore backup setting and I leave evrything stock after reset everything several times show ME version 11.8.65.3606
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
20,758 (3.41/day)
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen R9 7950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage 2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches
Software Windows 11 Enterprise (legit), Gentoo Linux x64
even if I don't restore backup setting and I leave evrything stock after reset everything several times show ME version 11.8.65.3606

Yeah, you can't restore a backup setting at any point. It will reset the bit that disables the ME.

Try what I described in PM please. Basically, restart procedure but be aware you need to reset system once after saving uefi defaults.
 

NEROVINCIO

New Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2019
Messages
10 (0.01/day)
I restored evrything removed bios battery and then flashed 4.20 official, then apply the 4.20mod in windows S.O. pc and reset a second time removed bios battery, wait a minute,then start pc, but don't work for me, always show ME version 11.8.65.3606. tomorrow I'll back to my favorite bios 3.20
 
Top