Z820 ME Firmware "Management Platfrom (ME) in Manufacturing Mode" at POST.

[SmileM]

Hello, I just wonder how to solve the message during POST of Z820 workstation.

 "Management Platfrom (ME) in Manufacturing Mode" at POST.

Original thread is here https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktops-Archive-Read-Only/Z820-ME-Firmware-amp-Management-is-Disabled...

[DGroves]

I suspect that you may have  corrupted "ME" firmware image reset the bios to factory defaults, and update to the latest bios FIRST before trying a "ME" update

mgmt. mode is also known as recovery mode

try installing the latest firmware (win 7 10 x64 link below) 

Intel Management Engine Firmware Update and Utilities  71913272-81723002 Rev.A   SP82644

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp82501-83000/sp82644.exe

Description:

This Intel Management Engine Firmware (ME FW) Flash Update SoftPaq contains utilities and images that can be used to update the Intel Management Engine firmware to version...

7.1.91.3271 on Z420, Z620, Z820, Z1 G1, Z210 CMT, and Z210 SFF Workstations

Or

8.1.72.3002 on Z420, Z620, Z820, Z1 G1, Z220 CMT, and Z220 SFF Workstations.

This SoftPaq also includes tools to report status and other information from the ME firmware.

This Softpaq does NOT include a system BIOS image. However, it is recommended that the system BIOS be updated to the latest version available before upgrading the ME firmware.

HP Management Engine firmware SoftPaqs have been updated to include two batch files for easy deployment. The first batch file, update.bat, is automatically called when the SoftPaq is run. You have an option to decline the automated update and perform a manual update at a later time. The second batch file, silent.bat, can be called by IT professionals to silently deploy the firmware update (no user interaction required).

Prerequisites when using the Windows update utilities.

1. You must install the latest Intel Management Engine Software. Intel Management Engine Interface drivers are required.
2. You must run the update.bat, FWUpdLclMe[x].exe, or FWUpdLcl64Me[x].exe with administrative privileges.

If User Account Control (UAC) is not set to "Never Notify" you will see a UAC prompt even when using the silent install options (silent.bat)

Please note that Z420, Z620, Z820, and Z1 G1 had support for ME FW 7.x prior to supporting ME FW 8.x. It is critical to identify which ME FW version is currently installed on the target system(s) being updated.

The automated scripts provided, silent.bat and update.bat, will correctly identify the current ME FW version installed and update to the corresponding ME FW version.

If updating the ME FW manually it is advised to update as follows.

7.x --> 7.1.91.3271
8.x --> 8.1.72.3002

Fix and enhancements:

- Adds security fixes.
- Fixes a security issue. NOTE: HP strongly recommends transitioning promptly to this updated version

which supersedes all previous releases.

https://support.hp.com/ph-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-z820-workstation/5225041

[fstrim]

You may want to try and reflash the ME portion of the BIOS: you must first enable the ME/AMT override (move the jumper E1 from 2-3 to 2-1 – you’ll get a message about the ME being in read only mode otherwise), power your Z820 on, get the latest BIOS https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp100501-101000/sp100751.exe and flash it using the Intel Management Engine Firmware Update and Utilities 71913272-81723002 Rev.A  SP82644 mentioned above using:

fptW64 -rewrite -ME -f J63_0396.bin

Edit: ftpW64 has nothing to do with Intel ME Firmware Update and Utilities, as it is part of Intel ME System Tools (you'll need v8.1 - GIYF); apologies for providing the wrong information.

If all goes well, you’ll move E1 back to 2-1 and Bob's your uncle.

Note: it did not work for me ( Z230 - https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-PCs-Workstations-and-Point-of-Sale-Systems/Cannot-enable-the-... ), although it fixed similar ME/AMT issues I had in the past with other Z workstations.

Jim

[SmileM]

Hello, thank you for replies.

I should have noted the my question is regarding ME region of the BIOS after upgrading following this guide.

https://github.com/SuperThunder/HP_Z420_Z620_Z820_BootBlock_Upgrade

The guide does not cover the "(ME) in Manufacturing Mode" - how to solve this?

There are guides like 

https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/guide-clean-dumped-intel-engine-cs-me-cs-txe-regions-with-data-ini...

https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/intel-converged-security-management-engine-drivers-firmware-and-to...

[fstrim]

I am quite sure you messed the data section of the ME region (as the footnote at SuperThunder/HP_Z420_Z620_Z820_BootBlock_Upgrade states rather clearly). You have three options:

1. Follow the Clean Dumped Intel Engine regions with data initialization guide you posted (dump > cleanup > reflash)
2. In the event you have another Z820 available, after establishing it is exactly the same of your system (using ME Analyzer), you could dump the SPI/BIOS image and flash it back on your system.
3. If you do not really need ME/AMT, just disable it from the BIOS, short E1 to 2-3 and the POST message should disappear.

Jim