Compute Stick STK1AW32SC BIOS availability?

[paelgin]

I am buying a wiped STK1AW32SC "Compute Stick" and I normally update newly-acquired computers to the latest BIOS and drivers.  I hope to reinstall WIN10 (may be a fool's journey).

Almost nothing in terms of files or any other support is available on the Intel website for this discontinued product and I am curious if there is another repository anywhere.

Phil in gorgeous Young Harris, Georgia, USA

ps, the board for "Compute Stick" was eliminated at some time (within the last two years apparently) for some reason so I am posting this in "Processors"

[paelgin]

Well, no luck on the BIOS update.  And Windows ran so slow, I changed to Linux Mint.

Now I bought a Compute Stick STK2M3W64CC with 4GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage.  Cannot find the BIOS for this either.   Windows recovery is failing by starting then blacking out, so I thought a BIOS update may be needed.  

Phil 

[AlHill]

Bios 0065 is attached.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)
[W10 is this generation's XP]

[paelgin]

Thanks for the BIOS files.  I will be working on them later today.

The newer Compute Stick (STK2M364CC, rather than STK2M3W64CC which I listed above) apparently was shutting off due to high temperature.  Using my infrared non-contact thermometer, I found that the temp would climb up to 120F quickly, and when horizontal, will keep getting hotter and then suddenly black out completely (no video, no USB power) shortly thereafter.  When hanging in open air with the fan at the bottom (such that the fan is blowing air up through the fins, which I thought might work since heat rises), the temp rises to about 120F, then comes down to and hovers at about 113-116F.  In the BIOS, I set the fan to run all the time, and ramp up to high speed when needed, but I have not tried to listen to it.

I did restore Windows 10 on that newer one and it runs fine (once I figured out the temperature problem).  When first troubleshooting the mysterious power-downs, I realized it was getting hot.  I gave it mouth-to-fan resucitation and hoped to improve airflow.  I disassembled it and the fins were all clean, so I reassembled it and tried running it some more.  When hanging in free air with the HMDI on the bottom, I can keep it running, but with the case above the fan outlet (where it says Intel) staying between 113F-120F.  

Disappointed that Intel got rid of the BIOS files and Forum topics for all Compute Sticks.  I am glad that I can get some support from the community though.

Phil in gorgeous Young Harris, Georgia, USA

[n_scott_pearson]

The attached ZIP files provide the final BIOS for the SC and m3CC ICS.

...S

[n_scott_pearson]

Anything below ~70c (~160f) is perfectly fine and NOT the cause of any failure or shutdown (that would take temperatures in the vicinity of 100c). It is true, however, that the ICS needs to be sticking out into open, flowing air in order to keep itself cool. It cannot be laying flat on any surface.

We all are disappointed that Intel has pulled content related to any of their discontinued products. Unfortunately, they assume that presence of content implies support will be provided and that is definitely not the case (though I think it should be too).

...S

[paelgin]

Regarding temperature readings, my infrared thermometer is reading the outside case above the discharge for blown air.  The highest temerature reading was about 125f and then the whole thing powers down, including the USB ports.  Once I get it cooled down by blowing extra air through the fan intake, the temp falls and then I can restart the computer.  When restarted, it typically will get hot to about 120f, then cool off to about 112f, all the while running Win10 just fine.

Phil 

ps, I updated the BIOS with no discernable difference.

[n_scott_pearson]

Run the (free) CoreTemp app so you have true, hotspot-level display of the processor core temperatures. Since the Tjmax for the processor is in the vicinity of 100c, it is simple to watch for it going critical. You cannot see temperatures above Tjmax this way (it will just display the Tjmax temperature), but you know that the Tcrit (power off) temperature is only a few degrees C above this.

I have never had any of my ICS do a Tcrit power off, so cannot say for sure, but most BIOS, upon restart, will tell you whether this had actually occurred. Unfortunately, due to the ICS being outsourced products, their BIOS may not meet the same BIOS requirements as the Desktop Board or NUC products.

...S

[paelgin]

Scott, thanks for the suggestion of CoreTemp app.  I am running it and while hanging in free air with the fan blowing up, the temp got to 73C on one, and 69C on the other reading.  Steady state idle temp is 54C.  Seems hot to me!

When it had shut down (presumably due to high temp), it was immediate as if the power had been disconnected.  I have set the CoreTemp app to log, so I will follow it's issues if any.

Phil

[RickJ]

Does anyone have the original Windows ISO load file for these?  I had it but somehow it is lost and I would like to reload my Stick

[n_scott_pearson]

Let me know how it goes. - and no, I didn't retain the ISO for any of the ICS (sorry).

As for temperatures, the Tjmax for these processors is 100c, so the processor is happy at 73c. This isn't what I would call hot. Run a stress test (like that included in AIDA64, for example) and see what the temperature gets to.

...S

[paelgin]

My M2 stick had been mysteriously shutting down like turning off power.  So, I replaced my non-powered USB hub with a USB 1.0 powered hub (for keyboard and mouse), and am temporarily trying my Dell USB-C 65W power supply rather than my 2.5A USB power adapter.  So far, no shutdowns and temps in the 50-65C range.  I have not tried the stress test yet.

Thanks again for your help.

Phil

[paelgin]

The non-powered USB hub seems to have been the problem. With both changes, it worked fine, so I went back to my 2.5A USB power adapter and it works just fine.

[alex-none]

I have STK2M364CC variant. It has been working fine for more than 4 years now.
Is there a 0065 bios file above also for this variant? I currently have 0064 bios and I wand to upgrade it.

I see the CC0065.zip file above. That must be it!
I am currently unable to download the zip to check it as the website shows "(Virus scan in progress..)" message next to the download button and the download link is not active/generated. Tryed it on multiple PCs and on smartphone.

Virus scan in progress ...
I guess I will try again tomorrow.
Thanks for your help.

[n_scott_pearson]

Yea, the site is all screwed up by their efforts to enable virus scanning on uploads. I am going to attach the BIOS releases again; we'll see if they make it through now...

...S

P.S. CC0065 is the final BIOS for all m3 CC ICS (and yes, this includes all STK2m3...CC). CCv0068 is the final BIOS for the mV CC ICS. SC0047 is the final BIOS for the SC ICS. FC0040 is the final BIOS for the FC ICS.

[alex-none]

These are downloading. Thanks a lot!