Katana A15 AI B8VE - /sys/devices/platform/msi-ec not being generated

[percy-man]

System Information:

Laptop Model: MSI Katana A15 AI B8VE
Operating System: Arch Linux
Kerner Version: 6.17.2-arch1-1

DMI Product Name: Katana A15 AI B8VE
SKU Number: 158N.5
EC Firmware: 158NIMS1.502

Unable to control GPU modes due to missing msi-ec platform device.
I have installed MSI-Center-Control (MCC), but the msi-ec platform device is not being created.

I initially assumed my B8VE was supported, since the supported list shows "Katana A15 AI B8V" and other devices explicitly list variant suffixes when needed (like "B8V(F)" or "C7V(F(K(P)))")

Current Status:
In MCC's About/MSI-EC Status, I see: Fallback: Only ec_sys is loaded
Running cat /sys/devices/platform/msi-ec/shift_mode returns: No such file or directory

All MCC features work except:
GPU mode switching
Webcam toggle option (though the webcam itself functions normally)

What I've Tried:
Verified MCC installation
Checked for the platform device path - it doesn't exist

$ sudo modprobe msi-ec
modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'msi_ec': Operation not supported

$ sudo dmesg | grep msi
[ 2580.247940] msi_ec: Your firmware version is not supported!
[ 3287.320854] msi_ec: Your firmware version is not supported!

However, my EC firmware IS in the supported list:
EC Version (from MCC): 158NIMS1.502
Supported list shows: Katana A15 AI B8V: 158NIMS1

[maxfielder9]

Hi,

Looks like both of us have been working through this at the same time haha. I was having the same issue as you where it wasn't creating the directory under /sys/devices/platform/ and it turns out the issue was secure boot the whole time. I turned it off and followed the steps again and the new directory was created just like that. Could have saved myself two hours of trouble shooting if I'd realized I hadn't already turned it off like I thought...

(Almost forgot, I'm on Mint 22.2 [yes I'm a total linux noob], and my laptop is a GF75-Thin)

[percy-man]

Thanks for replying, but nope, secure boot wasn't it. I already had it turned off when installing Arch (dual boot with Windows on another SSD), and I double-checked again after reading your reply, it's definitely off.

[maxfielder9]

That's a shame. Hope you get it figured out!

[glpnk]

You've missed this line in device list #277

If your laptop is mentioned in list but loading driver returns error, write your EC version to last issue for your laptop.

[percy-man]

Yeah, I just did that 10 minutes ago. Should've read everything carefully.

[glpnk]

please write here #347 so I'll add it in next update