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Updates: W25xHNx BIOS Mod v1.2 was released Removed Renesas USB 3.0 driver (use Windows 10 stock) Improved text

New Clevo W2xxHNx/W2xxHPx series BIOS Mods v1.2 Intel Sandy Bridge 206A7 CPU microcode 29 --> 2D

Updates: W25xHNx BIOS Mod v1.1 was released Added Windows 10 drivers and instructions TouchPad: ELAN SmartPad v15.10.5.2 Camera: ChiconyCam v1.0.56.614 ME Firmware and Driver: Links to ME thread Fixed broken links and improved text

New Clevo W2xxHNx/W2xxHPx series BIOS Mods v1.1 Intel Management Engine firmware from v7.1.60.1193 (31/08/2012) --> v7.1.80.1214 (23/07/2013) Intel HD Graphics 3000 vBios from v2170 (07/08/2013) --> v2171 (08/12/2014) Updated flashers to AFUDOS v3.07.01 and FWUpdate v7.1.50.1166

If you talking about an FPT version that doesn't require a locked descriptor: it does not exist. As people said above, if you cannot do the HDA_SDO method then an SPI Programmer is your only choice.

UEFI shouldn't have to do with that method. I'm not sure about resistor. I guess just shorting should work. For example this comes from a ME8 Manufacturing Guide:

It's definitely a valid way of unlocking the descriptor according to numerous Intel documentation. Noone said it's easy though... FPT will detect whether it's locked, it's not playing any games.

Yes it is indeed very hard, today's HDA chips are way too small to perform that thing. The OEMs probably have some super-thin strong wire or something to do it. It's impossible with a paperclip. Another way would be to use a flash programmer which won't care for any flash descriptors and such.

1. Download ME System Tools v8.x from my ME Thread 2. Shut Down the computer 3. At your motherboard, find the Realtek Audio chip 4. Use tweezers or a paper clip to short together pins 1 and 5 5. Power the PC on and wait for POST screen to show up 6. You can now stop shorting the two pins 7. Boot at Windows (you are now running the system with an unlocked descriptor) 8. Go to Flash Programming Tool, open a command line as administrator and type FPTw64 -d BIOS.bin and then FPTw64 -d ME.bin -ME 9. Two files should appear if the descriptor is unlocked. One 1.5MB ME.bin file which the dumped ME region and one 8MB BIOS.bin file which is the whole SPI dump (it's god to keep a full image dump in case of problems). 10. Attach us here the ME.bin file and someone will modify it.

The VIA chipset could also be for USB or other functionality. Not audio necessarily. There is a better post by me here: RE: Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools - 48 Don't follow it though since it's for another system with ME 9. The procedure is pretty much the same though. What audio chip does your laptop have? It's not mentioned at the Asus website specifications.

To unlock the descriptor you need to use the HDA_SDO method which requires you to have physical access to the audio chip of the motherboard. So you would need to open the laptop for that.

Yeap, this is what I said above. Your flash descriptor is locked. It doesn't matter if the BIOS update has an unlocked 4KB Flash Descriptor region. If your current BIOS has a locked descriptor you would need to unlock it in order to a) Modify the ME and Unlock the descriptor via BIOS update for good. Also, you are using an old FPT version. You can find the latest firmware & tools at my ME thread HERE. Not that it matters for the current problem you are having. You need an unlocked descriptor first.

Usually the flash descriptor is locked at the production line. The BIOS updates have an unlocked descriptor but it doesn't matter if it's already locked. I have verified this for desktop Asus motherbords and I suspect it's the same for mobile.

News: W25xHNx BIOS v1.01.07 Mod released! Download and changelog. Added link to the W2xxHNx/W2xxHPx BIOS Mods thread Updated Renesas uPD720200a v4.0.2.1-0.3 file with newer flasher & .bat file to check version Updated Intel ME 1.5MB v7.1.60.1193 file with tools and .bat files Intel Management Engine Interface v10.0.20.1258 --> v10.0.28.1000 Fixed broken Realtek Audio proof image Added W25xHNx Concise User Guide (Greek) Added FAQ about Realtek RTL8188CE & Motorola Bluetooth Added Note about actively-updated drivers and removed links Multiple text/font adjustments for a simpler look

Clevo W2xxHNx/W2xxHPx series Modded & Stock BIOS Note: This thread is no longer updated. You can find the latest info HERE. Notice: Make sure you have downloaded the correct Mod for your specific model and that the laptop's or a UPS battery backup is present during the update process. Disclaimer: I do not hold any responsibility for any problems that may occur by using the mods in a wrong way. Remember that you flash these at your own risk. I have personally tested the W25xHNx mod. Since the laptops mentioned here are of the same series and thus almost identical, you shouldn't face any problems with the rest of them. The same changes were made to all models after ensuring that their stock counterparts are identical to the tested W25xHNx laptop. Note: All mods contain both the Modded and Stock BIOS image files so that you can go back in case you want to. Use Mod.bat or Stock.bat at a DOS environment respectively. Check the Flashing Guide below for detailed instructions. W2xxHNx/W2xxHPx Mod Changelog: v1.2 Intel Sandy Bridge 206A7 CPU microcode 29 --> 2D v1.1 Intel Management Engine 1.5MB firmware 7.1.60.1193 --> 7.1.80.1214 Intel HD Graphics 3000 vBios 2170 --> 2171 Updated flashers to AFUDOS v3.07.01 and FWUpdate v7.1.50.1166 v1.0 Intel Management Engine 1.5MB firmware 7.0.4.1197 --> 7.1.60.1193 Intel HD Graphics 3000 vBios 2117 --> 2170 JMicron JMC25x Gigabit Ethernet Controller 1.0.9.0 --> 1.0.10.0 Intel Sandy Bridge 206A7 CPU microcode 12 --> 29 Removed redundant Intel Sandy Bridge 206A7 CPU microcode 14 Added support for Intel Core i7-2820QM ES/QS processor (W25xHPW) Fixed grammar mistake at Resuming from Hibernation image Fixed spelling mistakes at Advanced tab (Alart --> Alarm) Merged BIOS & EC firmware into a single image file Correct BIOS version & date reported in Windows Clevo W25xHNx series BIOS v1.01.07 & EC v1.00.06 [Mod v1.2] Supported Models (*): W251HNQ, W251HNQ-C, W255HN, W253HNQ1, W253HNQ, W258HNQ etc... Clevo W25xHPx series BIOS v1.01.07 & EC v1.00.08 [Mod v1.2] Supported Models (*): W251HPQ, W251HPQ-C, W255HP, W253HPQ1, W253HPQ, W258HPQ etc... Clevo W27xHNx series BIOS v1.01.05 & EC v1.00.04 [Mod v1.2] Supported Models (*): W270HNQ etc... Clevo W27xHPx series BIOS v1.01.05 & EC v1.00.05 [Mod v1.2] Supported Models (*): W270HPQ etc... Clevo W25xHPW series BIOS v1.01.05 & EC v1.00.04 [Mod v1.2] Supported Models (*): W251HPW, W255HPW, W258HPW, W253HPW1, W253HPW etc... Flashing Guide (Text & Video): 1. Create a bootable MSDOS/FreeDOS USB flash-drive using Rufus 2. Copy all files relevant to your model at the USB flash-drive's root directory 3. Plug the USB flash drive at your laptop's USB 2.0 port 4. Restart and press F2 to enter BIOS to make sure that you do not have any BIOS or HDD password protection 5. Restart and press F7 to enter the Boot Order menu at which select your USB flash drive 6a. To update your BIOS & EC to the latest modded version, type Mod 6b. To update your BIOS & EC to the latest stock version, type Stock 7. Follow the easy on-screen prompts to finish the update process 8. The first time after the update, the laptop will boot and automatically restart quickly 9. Press F2 to enter BIOS and Load Setup Defaults followed by Save Changes and Reset 10. You have successfully updated your BIOS & EC to the latest modded/stock versions (*) As shown at Clevo Bios Mirror and laptop Service Manuals Special thanks to Lordkag for the help and advice.