@Rix250

CoffeeTime by me
AIO Tool by revlaay

@Rix250
It's only vbios module. Open full bios image and replace it as in manual.

@dyismar
Because he did hardware mod similar with this.

@Rix250
Make sure, that you choose right version of .bsf template file in both cases.
Attached ready-to-use 1059 vbios for ASUS Z170-A board.

@Oleaster2
Nope, no method for this. But easy to start Sky or Kaby on Z370.

@Kolmodor
Sometimes ASUS and Gigabyte overstates cpu voltage when auto. In this case usually helps play with related voltages e.g. "IA AC/DC Load Line" or smth.
Did you tried make mod with revlaay's tool?

@Vaxter
It's not unsafe method, something might be burned.
I don't know if you select a right motherboard. Requires VRM and PCB components comparison.
Also, something might not work after mod: ports, post leds, extra buttons, always RBG (can be fixed with modules backswap), something else.

Pipeline, in general:
- Extract bios region from Z370 donor
- Replace region in Z170 bios image to extracted
- Downgrade ME
- Change SKU to Z370
- Add Sky or Kaby mCodes if needed

@PCGH_Torsten
Unfortunately I haven't boardview for M8R.
The cover plate can't be somehow removed?

One stupid idea.
If you own other board with similar bios chip and uncovered codec you can try flash M8R bios on it with hotswap method.
I don't know will pinmod works in this case and is whether it worth the risk.

@PCGH_Torsten
Simple! If you didin't use one of solutions from #655 post, your SKU not changed properly. Noone software tool can flash locked regions without tricks. (Flashback even can't upgrade ME by self, ASUS offer to use MEUpdateTool for this).
To check SKU just make dump and open it in Intel Flash Image Tool.
Yes, incomplete flashing may be the only problem.

@MexqQ
With non-K CFL no chance for now.

@PCGH_Torsten
Check out CoffeeTime changelog - no 9-series support declared yet. And that's not without reasons. (Lazyness - first of all, ha.)
CoffeeTime already tested by community and pretty nice worked with all 8th Gen cpus, include 6/12. If you found i7 8xxx cpu autoupdate lock for ASUS boards - it's just because depend of bios version and not been unified by me yet. Or I haven't some info about it. Anyway, advanced mode bypass this restriction for users tests.
As I know 9900K has compatibility issues with actual CFL mod. Other 9xxx are works and their support will be added at next build.

Edit: If u want use 9900K right now, u may trying Z370 bios region swap method. Risky but realizible if found compatible donor.

@Vaxter
@nch2312
Guys, you have a similar problems.
It's doesn't matter which ME version you using for now. 8700K and 9600K will work only if you will flash full mod bios image. All regions, include Descriptor.
ASUS and ASRock has blocked some regions at default. Thats why noone software tool won't flash it.