turn off the windows updater service then clean out the windows download folder.
Start>Run
type cmd and press enter
type net stop wuauserv and press enter
type rename c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.oldand press enter
type net start wuauserv and press enter
type exit and press enter
also the mei on newer mb is a hardware based chip/firmware for security from intel. you may have to download a firmware update if your trying to update older intel 77 chipset mei.