https://forum.asrock.com/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:17:08 +0000 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:50:50 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.04 30 https://forum.asrock.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=113552 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums_black.png https://forum.asrock.com/ https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201838&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201838 Author: Xaltar
Subject: 113552
Posted: 21 Jul 2026 at 2:50pm

Another option would be to use an external enclosure with a USB 3.0 or newer
add in card. That might also get around your firmware issues. Given we are talking
about a mechanical drive you shouldn't lose out on much in the way of performance.

Issues like this are all too common on old systems. It can be fun figuring out
workarounds and solutions.

A SATA RAID controller with it's own configuration firmware might also do what
you need and can be picked up relatively cheaply these days. These tend to load
their firmware after POST completes rather than early or mid POST. They tend
to be more compatible and bulletproof given their enterprise market focus.

Good luck ]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:50:50 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201838&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201838 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201835&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201835 Author: usdc826
Subject: 113552
Posted: 21 Jul 2026 at 11:50am

Connecting via an external controller does not change the situation.
You need to look for a controller without its own BIOS, so that the disk is detected only after loading the operating system.]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:50:11 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201835&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201835 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201831&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201831 Author: Xaltar
Subject: 113552
Posted: 20 Jul 2026 at 3:20pm

Storage compatibility issue then. I would open a support ticket with ASRock and
ask if they can help you:
https://tw.asrock.com/events/tsd.asp?kind=MB

Unfortunately your board is long past it's support window (End Of Life or EOL) so
they may not be able to help you.

Another option would be to connect the drive via an add in SATA controller. You
will want to pick up an add in card that is new enough to support the high capacity
enterprise drive.

Basically your storage firmware (built into the motherboard) doesn't know what
to do with the ST16000NM001G. With a newer add in SATA card this shouldn't be
an issue as it will contain it's own controller and OPROM/firmware.

Good luck ]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:20:46 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201831&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201831 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201830&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201830 Author: usdc826
Subject: 113552
Posted: 20 Jul 2026 at 2:37pm

As a result of failure "ASRock 970 Extreme3 + Phenom II X6" was replaced by "ASRock 970 Extreme4 + FX 4350".

Memory: 4x8GB
Discs: 1x "SAMSUNG 860 EVO MZ-76E1T0BW" (1TB) , 2x "SEAGATE ST6000NM0115-1YZ110" (6TB)
Video: "NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030"

After connecting disk "SEAGATE ST16000NM001G" (16TB) a problem appeared:

Bios 2.20A - "Windows 7" loads normally, freezes at random times
Bios 2.21 - "Windows 7" loads normally, freezes at random times
Bios 2.30 - "Windows 7" loads normally, freezes at random times
Bios 2.40 - loading stops with message "B2", after disconnecting the disk ST16000NM001G, loading continues
Bios 2.50 - loading stops with message "B2", after disconnecting the disk ST16000NM001G, loading continues
Bios 2.60 - loading stops with message "B2", after disconnecting the disk ST16000NM001G, loading continues
Bios 2.80 - loading stops with message "B2", after disconnecting the disk ST16000NM001G, loading continues
]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:37:03 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201830&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201830 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201829&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201829 Author: Xaltar
Subject: 113552
Posted: 20 Jul 2026 at 2:27pm

The B2 code indicates an Option ROM (OPROM) initialization error. Most commonly this is
GPU related (the GPU's BIOS is failing to communicate properly with the BIOS on
the motherboard).
Swapping display cables/ports can sometimes resolve the issue. Also clearing CMOS
can help.

If the problem is persistent and has occurred since adding new hardware then that
hardware is likely not compatible with the board.

Here are some components that use OPROMs:
GPUs
Network adapters
Storage adapter cards (not SSDs)
Capture devices
Sound cards
etc

Basically any device that connects to the motherboard that needs to tell the system
how it is used. In essence an OPROM is a component specific BIOS that the main
system BIOS needs to load in order to properly use the device. It's typically
referred to as firmware although a system BIOS is also technically firmware.]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:27:04 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201829&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201829 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201827&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201827 Author: usdc826
Subject: 113552
Posted: 20 Jul 2026 at 12:54pm

"ASRock 970 Extreme4" motherboard problem: B2 code.]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:54:14 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113552&PID=201827&title=970-extreme4-b2-code#201827