me_cleaner

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Wolfman_Jack · #1 Post by **Wolfman_Jack** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 11:31 pm

I was wondering if anyone in the forum has tried the relatively new "me_cleaner" to remove Intel Management Engine from the bios.

https://github.com/corna/me_cleaner

Ryccardo · #2 Post by **Ryccardo** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:57 pm

I tried it for fun last week (since I had bought a programmer kit to repair a competing-brand tablet, but the chip has a funny shape that doesn't connect to the clip): while it technically works on X201 (whether in classic or HAP mode or both) it makes the computer take a minute to turn on, crash if Config is selected in the bios setup, and most importantly the fans never start!

This isn't me-cleaner's fault - in fact you can turn off ME without any kind of custom firmware, and with the same result, if you ENABLE AMT in the bios, go to the power>ctrl+P MEBx setup, and find the option clearly labeled "ME enable"! Found that out the hard way, first time I got literally burned by a computer!

shawross · #3 Post by **shawross** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 3:44 am

http://blog.ptsecurity.com/2017/08/disa ... .html#more

Positive Technologies wrote:Disclaimer: The methods described here are risky and may damage or destroy your computer. We take no responsibility for any attempts inspired by our work and do not guarantee the operability of anything. For those who are aware of the risks and decide to experiment anyway, we recommend using an SPI programmer.

Interesting but definitely brick potential here. I will pass on this exercise.

#4 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:44 am

This might be more helpful: https://mattermedia.com/blog/disabling-intel-amt/

Ryccardo · #5 Post by **Ryccardo** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:03 pm

shawross wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 10, 2017 3:44 am
Interesting but definitely brick potential here. I will pass on this exercise.

If you already have an external programmer, there's no risk since you will always be able to backup and restore the full firmware (and starting from a full backup is the recommended mode of operation for me_cleaner), however the real issue (still revertable in the same way) is the one I described above for the X201, so no go for me either...

shawross · #6 Post by **shawross** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 11:17 pm

What's your next move with your X201.

Ryccardo · #7 Post by **Ryccardo** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:17 pm

shawross wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 10, 2017 11:17 pm
What's your next move with your X201.

Mine? Use it as for the past month with original firmware?

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