HM70 & i3/i5/i7 30 Minute Restriction Help!

[nzg187]

Sorry I am new to GitHub don't know if this is the correct place to post this but

Is me_cleaner able to get past/remove the 30 minute shut down restrictions intel has on the HM70? kinda losing my mind on this one.

I have a HP Compaq CQ45-802TU Notebook PC with the HM70 chipset that want to use my i7 3632qm 35w in.

Windows 8.1 64 bit

[corna]

Yes, read this.

[nzg187]

I read this post on https://www.win-raid.com/t2544f39-cpu-upgrade-leads-to-min-shutdown.html by plutomaniac

"The Platform Controller Hub (PCH or chipset traditionally) is a chip which is soldered to the motherboard and has nothing to do with what BIOS/SPI chip you buy, reflash etc. The HM70 PCH supports only Pentium and Celeron processors and the restriction is hardware coded/enforced at the PCH itself. Nothing you do at the cpu, SPI chip or the latter's firmware will change that fact. So the SPI image regions and/or ME firmware in those have nothing to do with this restriction. The other laptop you mentioned uses HM76 chipset which can work with Core i-series cpus. Intel has a website with all their products and list the specifications, datasheets, what is compatible etc. Here is the page of the HM70 PCH cpu compatibility. To improve the performance of that particular system, pick the strongest of those Celeron or Pentium processors mentioned at the HM70 ark page."

Are you sure the HM70 can have the 30 minute restriction removed cause I'm so keen to get it done allready sold the laptop to a friend and I have spend the money so I need to get it sorted for him asap.

[corna]

If your objective is to make a i3/i5/i7 work on that PCH I'm afraid it's something out of me_cleaner's scope: it could work, but it's up to you to test it. The 30-mins window I was referring to is the one enforced by Intel ME when its firmware is absent.

[nzg187]

So I can remove the 30 mins timer with me_cleaner? that is all I am wanting.

[nzg187]

All I get is invalid syntax with the commands

[corna]

So I can remove the 30 mins timer with me_cleaner? that is all I am wanting.

me_cleaner doesn't trigger the 30 mins timer caused by an invalid Intel ME firmware, I know nothing about your 30 mins timer for an unsupported CPU.

All I get is invalid syntax with the commands

You don't have to run me_cleaner within a Python shell, just run cmd.exe and run that command (without the $, the dollar sign simply means that the command can be run as standard user).

As usual, be careful! You may have to unbrick your laptop with an external programmer if your firmware can't handle a modified ME image.

[BoltOrion]

It this Work ...? anybody ? Someone ?
nzg187...?

[catzy007]

This won't work. I tried using me_cleaner last night, replace pentium with i5 and it seem that 30 min shutdown still exist

[topiga]

It works, you have to flash the modified bios that me_cleaner gives you. Update your bios with the OEM website. Then, buy a ch341a programmer, save the bios file, run me_cleaner with the bios file you just saved, and flash the modified one. Everything should work properly after.
EDIT: There’s a post on hackaday about this https://hackaday.com/2016/11/28/neutralizing-intels-management-engine/

[catzy007]

Yes me cleaner works just fine. But if you want to use intel i3/5/7 sandybridge series in HM70 chipset, it will give you 30 minute shutdown https://catzy007.github.io/blog/#2018-11-04-disabling-intel-me

But i looking forward if anyone has successfully done this.

[mukika009]

Hey guys, sry but im very noob how can I use this python thing? :D
Some body can tell it to me please step bystep how to use this thing?

[dasdev20]

I checked script ME Cleaner on Leovo B590 (HM70). I dumped bios by SPI Programmer and flashed patched bios...its not worked and after ~30min system halted. I used CPU i3 3xxx series (35W). But, I not use option -S (HAP enable) when I patching. My notebook isn't booting if HAP enabled.

[Fusseldieb]

Has anyone had a success with this chipset and me_cleaner?

[kabal-pl]

Has anyone had a success with this chipset and me_cleaner?

Yes! :)

Hello,
It's been a while, but I'll share my experiences here on this topic.
I have laptop ASUS X401A-WX095V (intel HM70 chipset) - originally came with Celeron B820. 2 weeks ago I swapped CPU to i5-2410M (from Toshiba Satellite Pro C660 on HM65 chipset) and like other Users every 30 min laptop suddenly turned off. But...

Yesterday I found a solution (for me and my x401a) which is as follows:

1. Dumped BIOS from EEPROM using external programmer (my laptop had latest BIOS ver 212), in my case there was no need to desolder of IC.
2. Next used Hex editor for downgrade ME Region to 7.0.4.1197. I used stock/clean ME Region 7.0.4.1197 for this downgrade purpose (ME repos: here),
3. I flashed back new modded BIOS with new ME Region,
   ..and after that, laptop was able to turned on, enter to BIOS, but couldn't boot from any connected media drive (sata, usb)..., so I applied Linux version of "corna / me_cleaner " from github.
   So last step was:
4. I runed "me_cleaner.py -S" script (used Linux) on my new modded BIOS with downgraded ME Region 7.0.4 (in my case works first suggested option with capital S from me_cleaner instruction) and again flashed back second modded bios.

Thats it!!
After that my laptop is able to boot from any media drive and working without 30 min shutdown!

note:
-my Asus X401A on HM70 had original BIOS v212 with ME Region 8.0.10.1464
-new CPU donor Toshiba C660 on HM65 had BIOS v1.50 with ME Region 7.0.4.1197

Maybe this will help those who are still looking for a solution. Hope it does ;)

Best regards from Poland!

[leonardputra]

Hi @kabal-pl, this is huge if true!
Can you elaborate more on the 2nd step?
How to downgrade ME region using Hex editor?

Thanks a lot!

[kabal-pl]

Hi @kabal-pl, this is huge if true! Can you elaborate more on the 2nd step? How to downgrade ME region using Hex editor?

Thanks a lot!

Hi @leonardputra,

Take a look at yt videos about cleaning/changing me region using hex editor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDMnD_t6n_4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYlZD-_K0zA

Videos in Polish language, use yt video translator or You can find similar videos in English.
Good luck! ;)

P.S. I know that this sounds like a fake or whatever we can call that ;), but for me on x401a works. I do not guarantee that my solution will work for you - I just share here my experience. Motivation for me to try downgrade me region was video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL_NExttRQk - guy did it on "Positive" brand laptop.

[Super-Matter]

I can confirm that the me swap trick works !!!

Thanks for help! @kabal-pl

Successful ASUS x501a HM70 unlock

[GOJOAmimir]

I can confirm that the me swap trick works !!!

Thanks for help! @kabal-pl

Do you need that exact 7.0.4.1197 version?

[Super-Matter]

Do you need that exact 7.0.4.1197 version?

I don't think so, but I used it for the sake of a clean experiment. The thing is to have me regions of the same size (in that case of 1.5mb) and the donor one should be a lower version, 7.0.4.1197 is the last 7.0.4 release as far as I get.

All the files needed were downloaded off GDrive link below the video (the last link from @kabal-pl post). The guy does some unnecessary steps when editing the hex file, you can just paste write me region onto selected one. Be sure to calculate the end address properly (it was 17FFF0 for me if I'm not mistaken).

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

P.S. I didn't get most of the guy's talking because he speaks Portuguese, and my Brain Operating System supports English and Russian only, so I could miss some crucial information

[Super-Matter]

The only caveat I ran into was flashing bios back: I've spent an hour until I realised that you need to blank the chip first and only after that the flash goes smoothly and without any verification errors

[aetolofitis]

hello i need a little help with the way you do this. @kabal-pl
i have an c50-a toshiba with celeron cpu. i changed it to an i5 2450m and did the steps as in the video. downgraded the me in the bios file then flashed it back to the chip. the laptop boot normally in windows. everything works perfect and it doesnt have timer to close at 30mins. i can restart it ok. but when i completely close it then it doesnt post again. it gets in a close-open loop. if i flash the bios again then it opens again as before. any ideas what i am doing wrong?

[kabal-pl]

hello i need a little help with the way you do this. @kabal-pl i have an c50-a toshiba with celeron cpu. i changed it to an i5 2450m and did the steps as in the video. downgraded the me in the bios file then flashed it back to the chip. the laptop boot normally in windows. everything works perfect and it doesnt have timer to close at 30mins. i can restart it ok. but when i completely close it then it doesnt post again. it gets in a close-open loop. if i flash the bios again then it opens again as before. any ideas what i am doing wrong?

Hi!

Have You tried with original ME region from Celeron CPU?
Did You runed "me_cleaner.py -S" script?

[aetolofitis]

thank you for your time @kabal-pl
yes i tested with original me region and it didnt work.
the me_cleaner script i cant run. i installed python did the steps as i read but it not generate any file

[kabal-pl]

thank you for your time @kabal-pl yes i tested with original me region and it didnt work.

Ok, np :)

the me_cleaner script i cant run. i installed python did the steps as i read but it not generate any file

Too bad.
Try with usb bootable linux and use me_cleaner - that needs to be done.

Also another option is to use original bios (not moded with me region) only moded by the me_cleaner.

[aetolofitis]

@kabal-pl you were right. i tried with bootable linux and run me cleaner to the bios file with the downgraded 7.0xxxx ME and and after that it worked. it solved the problem i had with post. fantastic. i am running i5 on hm70 chipset now and i will try to improve a little the cooling system so i can add an i7 4 core...hahaha
have you tested any i7 on hm70?

[kabal-pl]

@kabal-pl you were right. i tried with bootable linux and run me cleaner to the bios file with the downgraded 7.0xxxx ME and and after that it worked. it solved the problem i had with post. fantastic. i am running i5 on hm70 chipset now and i will try to improve a little the cooling system so i can add an i7 4 core...hahaha have you tested any i7 on hm70?

Glad to see that its working ;)
Nope, dont have any i7 on this socket.

[QuanTrieuPCYT]

Trying to modify the BIOS of a Toshiba Dynabook Satellite B452-H here (HM70 chipset), the thing booted but boot time in Windows being increased significantly by around 20 to 30 seconds, and the fan speed went full all the time (not controllable in BIOS). Did some tinkering and found out that: the machine booted fast with factory ME, but slowly with maxed out fan speed all the time with cleaned ME.

I could live with the reduced booting speed as I planned to use Linux Mint on the thing, still any ideas to fix the maxed out speed of the built-in thermal fan?

[QuanTrieuPCYT]

Trying to modify the BIOS of a Toshiba Dynabook Satellite B452-H here (HM70 chipset), the thing booted but boot time in Windows being increased significantly by around 20 to 30 seconds, and the fan speed went full all the time (not controllable in BIOS). Did some tinkering and found out that: the machine booted fast with factory ME, but slowly with maxed out fan speed all the time.

I could live with the reduced booting speed as I planned to use Linux Mint on the thing, still any ideas to fix the maxed out speed of the built-in thermal fan?

Update on the matter: The machine booted fine, fan speed normalized with a v7 ME-downgraded bios. Cleaning the ME resulted in the machine being stuck for a while when booting Windows again and the fan also ramped up to its max speed. Our goal right now is just to make Core i-series CPUs work on the chipset, so I decided not to clean the ME again on this thing lol

Still, greatly thanks @kabal-pl for the method!

[NihadTermux]

I ordered an i7 3632qm and I'm still waiting for it to arrive for 5-6 days, that's why I asked this. @Naddly

[NihadTermux]

@Naddly
I have been accepted to the university and my situation is not good, I do not have money to buy a laptop, so I will upgrade. If you can help me, I would be very happy.
Feel free to ask anything I don't understand or want to ask.

[Naddly]

@NihadTermux
Well, only now you told me what is your objective.

First of all, do a backup of your current BIOS, the one that is currently working, DO NOT CONTINUE TO MOD YOUR BIOS WITHOUT A BACKUP.
The way you'll make that backup doesn't matter, just do it before anything else. I can even help you if you don't know how to do it, just ask.

If you are sure that this BIOS you downloaded is the right one, just go ahead and flash the STOCK, it should work, if not, just flash again the backup you did earlier and try the EXTRACTED.

If neither of them works, I can help you doing a proper mod like I did on mine.

How do you plan to flash the new BIOS? Dou you have a CH341 or similar?

I'm not sure if you know, but just to reenforce, when I say "flash" is the same of "write".

[NihadTermux]

@NihadTermux
Well, only now you told me what is your objective.

First of all, do a backup of your current BIOS, the one that is currently working, DO NOT CONTINUE TO MOD YOUR BIOS WITHOUT A BACKUP.
The way you'll make that backup doesn't matter, just do it before anything else. I can even help you if you don't know how to do it, just ask.

If you are sure that this BIOS you downloaded is the right one, just go ahead and flash the STOCK, it should work, if not, just flash again the backup you did earlier and try the EXTRACTED.

If neither of them works, I can help you doing a proper mod like I did on mine.

How do you plan to flash the new BIOS? Dou you have a CH341 or similar?

I'm not sure if you know, but just to reenforce, when I say "flash" is the same of "write".

I have tried two bios files and it works very well, stock extraced in me analyzer confused me, what do they mean, what is the meaning of extraced Clean file? intel me clean easy When you do Clean with the program, extraced turns into stock and if you look carefully at the photo, there is a Flash tool image text, it disappears, if you want and if you have permission, let me send you the Bios file and compare the two files and do clean me.

Am I allowed to post a video here? It'll be clearer.

@Naddly

[Naddly]

@NihadTermux
The difference between Stock and Extracted (as far as I know) is that the ME file has kind of an internal configuration.

Stock is when it's not configured, Extracted is when it is already configured.
When you flash a Stock ME, your laptop will configure it to "fit", so it will turn into an "Extracted" ME
There is even an official Intel tool to see and modify those settings, turning a Stock ME into an Extracted one.

I might be wrong though. There's not really that much info online about how the Intel ME works, this or I'm just bad ar googling.

[NihadTermux]

@NihadTermux
The difference between Stock and Extracted (as far as I know) is that the ME file has kind of an internal configuration.

Stock is when it's not configured, Extracted is when it is already configured.
When you flash a Stock ME, your laptop will configure it to "fit", so it will turn into an "Extracted" ME
There is even an official Intel tool to see and modify those settings, turning a Stock ME into an Extracted one.

I might be wrong though. There's not really that much info online about how the Intel ME works, this or I'm just bad ar googling.

Thank you, I am waiting for i7 3632qm. If there is a problem, I will let you know.

[Naddly]

@NihadTermux
Would be nice if you also share your working BIOS here, so anyone with the same laptop could just use it knowing it will work.

I forgot to answer, I don't know if you can post videos directly here, but you for sure can post YouTube links.

[NihadTermux]

@NihadTermux
Would be nice if you also share your working BIOS here, so anyone with the same laptop could just use it knowing it will work.

I forgot to answer, I don't know if you can post videos directly here, but you for sure can post YouTube links.

If it works when I put an i7 in it, I will share the files and let me tell you this: I installed the bios without Ch341a, I did not insert it into the laptop (I tried Windows 10, there was an exe for it, I touched it, it finished once, it loaded the bios)
@Naddly

[NihadTermux]

If it works, I will make a YouTube video of it. I made 2-3 tutorials. Whoever has this method, if it works, will do it and use it.

I have a request from you, if you have the bios file, the file is clean and the ones that are not clean, View and Share on me analyzer, I will tell you the reason here. @Naddly

[Naddly]

I installed the bios without Ch341a,

The programmer is useful if you happen to brick your system, it's nice that it worked first try for you but it isn't like that for everyone lol.

I have a request from you, if you have the bios file, the file is clean and the ones that are not clean, View and Share on me analyzer, I will tell you the reason here.

I don't understand exactly what do you mean here.

@NihadTermux

[Sibernatif]

Has anyone had a success with this chipset and me_cleaner?

Yes! :)

Hello, It's been a while, but I'll share my experiences here on this topic. I have laptop ASUS X401A-WX095V (intel HM70 chipset) - originally came with Celeron B820. 2 weeks ago I swapped CPU to i5-2410M (from Toshiba Satellite Pro C660 on HM65 chipset) and like other Users every 30 min laptop suddenly turned off. But...

Yesterday I found a solution (for me and my x401a) which is as follows:

1. Dumped BIOS from EEPROM using external programmer (I using latest BIOS for this laptop ver 212), no need to desolder,

2. Next used Hex editor for downgrade ME Region to 7.0.4.1197. I used stock/clean ME Region 7.0.4.1197 for this downgrade purpose,

3. I flashed back new modded BIOS with new ME Region,
   ..and after that, laptop was able to turned on, enter to BIOS, but couldn't boot from any connected media drive (sata, usb)..., so I applied Linux version of "corna / me_cleaner " from github.
   So last step was:

4. I runed "me_cleaner.py -S" script on my new modded BIOS with downgraded ME Region 7.0.4 (in my case works first suggested option with capital S from me_cleaner instruction) and again flashed back second modded bios.

Thats it!! After that my laptop is able to boot from any media drive and working without 30 min shutdown!

note: -my Asus X401A on HM70 had original BIOS v212 with ME Region 8.0.10.1464 -donor Toshiba C660 on HM65 had BIOS v1.50 with ME Region 7.0.4.1197

Maybe this will help those who are still looking for a solution. Hope it does ;)

Best regards from Poland!

The result is positive. It works.
As this friend said, I rolled the "ME 7.0.4" version with the help of Hex editor and applied "Me_Cleaner". The device worked smoothly with the i3 3rd generation processor. No 30 minute shutdown.

My device's model is "Asus X55A" and its default processor is "Celeron B" series.

If needed, I will upload the modded bios here.

I just wanted you to know that positive results can be obtained.

good luck.

[john-mayhem]

Has anyone had a success with this chipset and me_cleaner?

Yes! :)

Hello, It's been a while, but I'll share my experiences here on this topic. I have laptop ASUS X401A-WX095V (intel HM70 chipset) - originally came with Celeron B820. 2 weeks ago I swapped CPU to i5-2410M (from Toshiba Satellite Pro C660 on HM65 chipset) and like other Users every 30 min laptop suddenly turned off. But...

Yesterday I found a solution (for me and my x401a) which is as follows:

1. Dumped BIOS from EEPROM using external programmer (I using latest BIOS for this laptop ver 212), no need to desolder,
2. Next used Hex editor for downgrade ME Region to 7.0.4.1197. I used stock/clean ME Region 7.0.4.1197 for this downgrade purpose,
3. I flashed back new modded BIOS with new ME Region,
   ..and after that, laptop was able to turned on, enter to BIOS, but couldn't boot from any connected media drive (sata, usb)..., so I applied Linux version of "corna / me_cleaner " from github.
   So last step was:
4. I runed "me_cleaner.py -S" script on my new modded BIOS with downgraded ME Region 7.0.4 (in my case works first suggested option with capital S from me_cleaner instruction) and again flashed back second modded bios.

Thats it!! After that my laptop is able to boot from any media drive and working without 30 min shutdown!

note: -my Asus X401A on HM70 had original BIOS v212 with ME Region 8.0.10.1464 -donor Toshiba C660 on HM65 had BIOS v1.50 with ME Region 7.0.4.1197

Maybe this will help those who are still looking for a solution. Hope it does ;)

Best regards from Poland!

Reporting my successful experience here.
Samsung NP300E5X-S03RU
Motherboard: SCALA3-15/17 REV1.0
CPU: Intel Pentium B960
BIOS: P02RAJ

Bought a CH341A programmer with a clip.

Connected the programmer, installed USB drivers and opened the required software.
Disassembled the laptop, connected the clip to the BIOS chip, "read/save-to-file" to original.rom. That took a bit of trial an error to get the correct orientation (the programmer just disconnected from PC if the clip was connected the wrong way, so keem the chip key in mind or google..).

Took the original BIOS dump (8192KB) followed the instructions:

1. Watched the YouTube videos that kabal-pl provided.

• ME can't be deleted/disabled completely, only partially. But that seems to do the trick.

2. Found the Toshiba C660 original BIOS update file. (v1.50). I think any other BIOS with the same ME version will do.

• The .exe file is basically a self-extracting archive. So i just extracted the files manually via WinRAR.
• The archive contained 2 files (BIOS.rom and EC.rom), which in itself doesn't matter much.

3. The HxD hex-editor

• Opened via hex-editor the original.rom BIOS dump and the BIOS.rom
• Located the "FTP" position in both files (from the Polish videos with subtitles.)
• Copied the ME-region (text block, about 300 lines in length) and replaced the same lines in my original.rom
• Checked and Rechecked via ME-Analyzer
• Saved as original_new_me.rom

4. So, now i got the original BIOS with and older version or ME-region

From my understanding, "Pathsburg Support - no" is referring to the AHCI controller support by this version or ME. Hence the problems in the previous comments.

5. Used the "me-cleaner" python script on the original_new_me.rom (had to install a few Python dependencies first, via pip) with just the -S option. No -O (output file). So the script just fixed/re-wrote my original_new_me.rom (don't be like me). The cleaned ME version of the bios renamed to original_new_me_cleaned.rom

So in the end i got 3 files with the exact same file size: 8193KB

7. Told the Programmer software to "Clean" the BIOS chip first. Erased the contents -> Opened the original_new_me_cleaned.rom -> Write to Chip

8. Installed the new CPU. No problems yet.

The new CPU is a bit hotter. 45W vs 35W on the original Pentium. The temps are 55c idle and about 80c on AIDA64 stress test.
P.S. Don't forget to change BIOS settings and enable UEFI boot in case you already have an SSD with Windows. It scared the crap out of me after restarting 10 times in a row while trying to load the OS. UEFI Boot -> Yes, solved the issue.

Thank you again.

[NihadTermux]

@Naddly 30 It shuts down every minute, I'll send you the bios, you clean it and send it to me.

[Naddly]

@NihadTermux okay

[Naddly]

@NihadTermux Don't worry, I'm a little busy right now but I'll help you as soon as I can.

[kabal-pl]

Hello!
Glad to see that this topic is alive and my suggestions helped :)

@ NihadTermux
All steps You have provided. All of us gave here lot of suggestions and steps how to figure out this.
In my opinion "must" have external programmer like ch341a (I used this one) and then You must try through "trial and error method". If you don't check it, you won't know it :) That's why You need external programmer - if something goes wrong You can easily go back to previous/original BIOS.
Regarding to Your question about ME - I suppose that 7.0.4.1197 should be fine, but like I wrote before - You have to try it :)

Good luck!

[kabal-pl]

@kabal-pl If I buy ch341a, can I download it to my phone? How do I disassemble my computer? I will send you photos. If you can help me, you can post a video on YouTube (if it's not too much trouble) Thanks

@ If I buy ch341a, can I download it to my phone?
Unfortunately - i don't know. Better is to have another PC or Laptop to read/write (backup) EEPROM of Your BIOS. There is a lot of tutorials on YouTube how to use ch341a programmer.
In Polish lang:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5X6m4AxmMA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsr288NRnHc

@ How do I disassemble my computer?
Try google to find disassembly guide for Your Laptop model. Also search on YouTube.... Or eventually use (trust :) ) Your manual skills.
Opening Laptop also will be useful to check if You have one or two ICs. Above @Naddly wrote great tutorial.

In my opinion modifying BIOS without external programmer (and BIOS backup) is very risky. In my case it took few evenings to find solution for my Asus, and I clean/write BIOS many times to find solution and receive final result.

Regards.

[kabal-pl]

@kabal-pl I have a question: Intel me 7.0.4.1197. I bought the Intel me firmware from here and downgraded it. Did you do it from here or did you download it from the Intel me file in the bios of your old computer?

You bought it?? Seriously?? No need to pay for ME regions - You can download it for free: ME repos: here),
I used ME region from this link above, not from Toshiba BIOS file.

[Naddly]

@NihadTermux
Can you provide your current bios to me? A backup via fptw64.exe would do.
I need the exact 4MB or 8MB working file, just so I can replace the ME and do an ME Clean for you.

[Naddly]

@NihadTermux
So you don't have any bios file that is in working condition? I wasn't able to extract the raw 4MB/8MB bios file from the official site, that's why I'm asking you for an already extracted bios so I can mod it.

[RSC-Games]

I'm working on a Toshiba C55-A5281 laptop that originally had a Pentium 2020 in it. I bought an i7-3540M a while back, socketed it in, and then ran into this issue. I've spent 3 months not knowing the true reason why the laptop would power off after 35-40 minutes, but it is nice to know that it isn't bad hardware.

Here's more information on the hardware:

Ignore the sticky note -- at that point, I had no clue what on earth was going on with the laptop but it most certainly is not VRM issues.

[Zekiu]

Thank you so much @kabal-pl !
I successfully downgraded Intel ME on my Lenovo g500s from 8.1.0.1248 to 7.0.4.1197, neutralized it with me_cleaner and now my i3-3120M that I bought years ago finally works!

[ADSA-Golden]

Hi everyone,

I found an old Asus X401a for almost nothing, this model is like @kabal-pl. I don't have any material for the bios manipulation but i'm a full stack developer, so i love try to learn.

By your experience, is it possible to remove the intel ME by using a .214 modified bios ? like download the original asus firmware, change it, and make a new .214 modified ?

I have the issue because originaly this computer as a Celeron and i put an old i5-3230M istead ( yes gen 3 is normally compatible with this CM and i will try to put an i7 after that).

Thanks for your help !

[kabal-pl]

@RSC-Games
Maybe the original cooling is not efficient enough and the temperatures are too high for the i7 processor on the original cooling.

@Zekiu
Glad to see that another user give positive feedback with success :)

@ADSA-Golden
No, You cannot modify downloaded BIOS from Asus website. Need to read BIOS "like is" from BIOS chip, so must use external programmer.

[RSC-Games]

@RSC-Games Maybe the original cooling is not efficient enough and the temperatures are too high for the i7 processor on the original cooling.

The cooling on the system was 100% sufficient. I tested under prime95 for as long as I could before the shutdown and it never exceeded 75 C. Also I timed the shutdowns and they all happened within 5 minutes of the 30 minutes quoted here. It didn't matter whether the system was under load, completely idle, what RAM it had, or even what OS it was running. It still happened at the same time. I dumped the system on someone else as I decided it wasn't worth my time.

[DrozdNH]

@kabal-pl
Hello. I have a Clevo laptop (motherboard w240el) Bios consists of 2 files - 6MB bios and 2MB EC. I don't have a programmer. The problem is the HM70 chipset, I installed the Core I3 3110m and it turns off the laptop every 30 minutes. If possible, please help me make a ready-made bios with version ME 7.0.4.1197 + fix for ACHI via me cleaner, thanks in advance, I'm waiting for help.
Link for latest bios https://repo.palkeo.com/clevo-mirror/W2xxEL/New_FW.zip
login repo
password repo

[kabal-pl]

@DrozdNH
I don't have experience with that kind of Motherboards with two Bios... I think someone higher up in this thread had a board with two Bios - take a look on this thread and use his suggestions, but in my opinion external programmer is mandatory to read Bios directly from MB, even just to have Bios copy in case of anything (if something goes wrong and You brick Your laptop, You can easily recover it from backup).. All needed steps/suggestions You have here in this thread. So buy programmer (its not that expensive..about 10-15$ maybe) and try.
Good luck!

[DrozdNH]

@DrozdNH У меня нет опыта работы с такими материнскими платами с двумя биосами... Я думаю, что у кого-то из тех, кто выше в этой ветке, была плата с двумя биосами — посмотрите эту ветку и воспользуйтесь его советами, но, на мой взгляд, внешний программатор обязателен для считывания биоса непосредственно с материнской платы, даже просто для того, чтобы иметь копию биоса на всякий случай (если что-то пойдёт не так и Вы испортите свой ноутбук, Вы сможете легко восстановить его из резервной копии). Все необходимые шаги/советы Вы найдёте здесь, в этой ветке. Так что купите программатор (он не такой уж дорогой...примерно 10-15 долларов) и попробуйте. Удачи!

Thank you.
I managed to replace the ME region without a programmer and a hex editor with version 7 of the posts above (via intel system tools R8), then I ran this bios through me cleaner and then flashed the bios into the laptop with standard tools. Replaced with i3 3110m - the timer of 30 minutes is defeated, the laptop does not turn off. The motherboard model is w240el, the bios consisted of 2 files - 6MB and 2MB EC partition, I left the EC partition unchanged.

[daemonserj]

@DrozdNH
Hi!
Could you tell a bit more details how you did it?
Thanks in advance, chel)

[dellsree2]

@john-mayhem

hi john-mayhem .
i have the same laptop that you have and facing the same issue. please help me to remove the 30 minute timer by explaining step by step and i have few doubts after reading and seeing the reference videos.
thanks in advance