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Is there no way to flash the ME without expensive tools (i.e. software-side)? If Intel goes bankrupt they might just release the keys needed to disable/update t

• turblety 9y ago
  Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be how the computer industry works. Think of all the game, software, hardware companies that don't exist any more. How many of them have released their source code, hardware specifications or given any help for previous customers. Generally the companies got "more important" things to worry about if they're going bankrupt. Sorry to answer your question, yes it's actually quite easy to flash the firmware. You don't actually need any hardware for it (unless you brick your device somehow). The only issue (as you stated) is it must be signed by Intel to work.
• cyphar 9y ago
  Flashing ME firmware is quite trivial for older laptops -- you just need a flash programmer, a raspberry pi and some patience. It's one of the key parts of how me_cleaner[1] works -- you "clean up" the firmware and flash a new version. However, newer Intel CPUs have BootGuard[2] which makes this impossible. But I wouldn't hold my breath that they'll release the keys -- why would they? Releasing keys is the last thing you'll think of if a decades-old business is going up in flames. [1]: https://github.com/corna/me_cleaner https://github.com/corna/me_cleaner [2]: https://github.com/corna/me_cleaner/wiki/Intel-Boot-Guard https://github.com/corna/me_cleaner/wiki/Intel-Boot-Guard