Firmware flashing of ASUS PRIME X299-DELUXE II motherboard in Linux

Paraply · 04-20-2024, 06:23 AM

I have downloaded two zipfiles for upgrading the BIOS of the above mentioned motherboard.
One from Intel, named 'MEUpdateTool', and the firmware file from ASUS. ASUS says the two files should be installed together, but the one from Intel contains Windows *.ini and *.exe files, so I wonder how to go about this in Linux?

pan64 · 04-20-2024, 06:45 AM

I guess something similar should work: https://github.com/iperdomo/update-i...ux/tree/master
Probably you can find a faster way, but the idea is the same, you need a working windows.

lvm_ · 04-20-2024, 07:14 AM

Reasonably fresh Asus motherboard usually can update BIOS from the BIOS setup, look for something called 'EZ flash' in the advanced BIOS setup and motherboard manual. It loads BIOS files from a USB drive or directly from the asus web site and doesn't need windows files.

beachboy2 · 04-21-2024, 01:39 AM

Paraply,

Have a look at this earlier LQ thread:
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...es-4175726993/

Post #14 seems to suggest that the Asus BIOS update also performed the Intel ME update.

IF that interpretation is correct, then perhaps only the BIOS update, using EZ Flash, is required?

Just remember to rename the BIOS file to ******.CAP.

Paraply · 04-21-2024, 07:37 AM

Thank you for the replies, everybody.

@beachboy2: Yes, it's tempting to interprete No. 14 that way, but if the 'MEUpdateTool' is somehow integrated in the BIOS upgrade file, why would ASUS make a point of telling us the 'MEUpdateTool' should be run _before flashing the BIOS?

@pan64 and @lvm_: I'm afraid you're correct. Is there anything like a light, live Windows distro?

pan64 · 04-21-2024, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paraply

Thank you for the replies, everybody.

@beachboy2: Yes, it's tempting to interprete No. 14 that way, but if the 'MEUpdateTool' is somehow integrated in the BIOS upgrade file, why would ASUS make a point of telling us the 'MEUpdateTool' should be run _before flashing the BIOS?

@pan64 and @lvm_: I'm afraid you're correct. Is there anything like a light, live Windows distro?

I think MS has something like that, but I have never tried it: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/wi...ive11-released

beachboy2 · 04-21-2024, 11:21 AM

Paraply,

Is your Asus board similar to this one where updating the BIOS will simultaneously update the corresponding Intel ME version?

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/intel-...ng/td-p/953426

Extract:

Quote:

The latest BIOS 1220 for my ROG STRIX B760-A Gaming includes an Intel ME update as well. This is an improvement on the previous system of ME updates and BIOS updates being separate. It would be nice to see this continued with future BIOS releases.

This Manjaro thread may be of interest:
https://forum.manjaro.org/t/question...oard/141876/11

Extract:

Quote:

Alternatively, if you do not have Windows installed.
In the zip file there is a folder FW. This contains the firmware. Copy the contents of the FW folder to a bootable DOS USB stick. Start from USB and install via ver.bat. The ME.bin is the firmware, the exe files are the updaters. 32 and 64 bit.

Paraply · 04-25-2024, 08:07 PM

Sorry for late response - sometimes things happen outside my control...

Thanks for the tips, I will report back when I've had time to try them!