New Build, Asus Maximus VIII Hero ROG - (A7) Me FW Downgrade - Request MeSpiLock Failed error

[darrylyao]

Hey guys...I'm having trouble getting my build to boot. The computer turns on, boots into the BIOS (I'm up-to-date running BIOS Version 2202 x64).

I've created a bootable USB drive with a windows 10 installation media mounted on it. The USB key is detected by the BIOS, and I'm able to select it as a boot option, but when I do try to boot from the drive, the screen flashes to black and the message:

(A7) Me FW Downgrade - Request MeSpiLock Failed.

When I look at the ME FW Version in the Bios Info, it's listed as "0.0.0.0" which indicates something going wrong, but I can't figure out what to do now. I've disabled fastboot, I've unplugged everything, but I still get to the same state.

Everything in the build is new:

Maximus VIII Hero
Intel i7-6700
32GB (2x16GB) G.Skill F4-2400C15-16GVR matched pair
Samsung M.2 950 256GB PCIe
Asus ROG Strix GTX 1060
Samsung EVO 850 500GB SSD
EVGA Supernova 750W PSU

I've had the GTX 1060 in the PCIEX16/X8_1 slot

I had a Startech RAID controller plugged into the PCIEX4_3 slot, but I've unplugged that in an effort to get the thing to power up

I just can't seem to figure out what's going on, so any help would be appreciated!

 

[Luminary]

Another gent was having the same trouble with the Hero VIII on Tom's awhile ago.

Take a look at this thread and see if the solution there gets you back on track: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3009291/downgrade-request-mespilock-failed.html

The thread itself never really closed out, but you might find what you need.

 

[darrylyao]

Another gent was having the same trouble with the Hero VIII on Tom's awhile ago.

Take a look at this thread and see if the solution there gets you back on track: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3009291/downgrade-request-mespilock-failed.html

The thread itself never really closed out, but you might find what you need.

I saw that thread, but I'm not even able to get the machine to install windows to any drive, let alone just to the M.2 Drive. When I try to force a boot from a USB installation media, that error flashes and then I just get booted right back into the BIOS. Basically, I can't get anywhere other than the BIOS, any boot sequence just leads me into the BIOS whether I intentionally load the BIOS or not.

 

[Luminary]

Next thing I would try is to re-flash the BIOS.