You can check the case for a sticker that shows the management mode configured for that PC. I hoped there was a way to resolve this conflicting information using the command line in Ubuntu to check the status of ME, but eventually found a different approach from speedstep on Dell forums. I just don't want to give Dell an excuse to deny the return or try to stick me with a restocking fee.ĭespite the claims ME can't be disabled, Dell sells computers advertised as ME disabled. If Dell sent me a PC without disabling ME then I'm returning it and will build my own PC.

The only things I've found online like ME-cleaner say using it will void the warranty, which I don't want to do. Is there any way I can check whether Intel Management Engine was disabled? Does the fact that I just watched the firmware update say that ME updated successfully mean that ME is active or am I missing something? I want to be able to confirm that it is disabled. I made sure to double and triple check that I chose this option in the configuration, yet now that I get the computer it's acting like ME is enabled. I would never have purchased a system with the ME enabled because of the security vulnerabilities and how it can be exploited as a back door into your system. Intel Xeon W-1270 (8 Core, 16M cache, base 3.4GHz, up to 5.0GHz) DDR4-2933ġ6GB 2X8GB DDR4 2666MHz or 2933MHz (2933MHz requires Intel Core i7 or above) SoDIMM ECC Memory NVIDIA Quadro P620, 2GB, 4 mDP to DP adapter I reviewed the product summary for my bill, and sure enough I had selected the option that says 'ME Disable'. This doesn't make sense, because Dell said they would disable the management engine before shipping. I noticed it started listing things like 'updating BIOS' and 'updating Intel ME' and a few more similar titles mentioning the Intel Management Engine went across the screen, and it finally said 'Intel Management Engine successfully updated'. The next time I started up the computer it started installing the updated firmware. iIt said it was an update for security, so I did it.

After I set up my new PC, I received a notification to update the Dell firmware for my new Dell Precision 3240 Compact.

Management engine