https://forum.asrock.com/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:47:19 +0000 Sun, 21 Jul 2019 18:38:23 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.04 360 https://forum.asrock.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=11736 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums_black.png https://forum.asrock.com/ https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=65240&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#65240 Author: CHnuschti
Subject: 11736
Posted: 21 Jul 2019 at 6:38pm

According to JZ, who is also moderatore here in this forum, the use of the mysterious undocumented 2pin set is as follows:
Short (=connect) the two pins, then start. The (backup) Bios B will be copied to Bios A, then the motherboard restarts.
https://www.computerbase.de/forum/threads/asrock-taichi-ultimate-z390-fragen-zu-bios-pins-sata-und-leds.1878688/#post-22818591

But was able to unintentionally witness such a backup, as stated to work without outer active handling.
Was checking a faulty graphiccard, the system did reboot several times on his own, then suddenly that backup mechanism went into action. So at least it DID work as promised.
https://www2.pic-upload.de/img/36512101/WP_20190711_002.jpg]]> Sun, 21 Jul 2019 18:38:23 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=65240&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#65240 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=64165&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#64165 Author: CHnuschti
Subject: 11736
Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 3:03am


Yes thanks. Was answered also in the same way in another forum by an AsRock "professional", with picture ;)
https://www.computerbase.de/forum/threads/asrock-taichi-ultimate-z390-fragen-zu-bios-pins-sata-und-leds.1878688/#post-22812533


The question about the possibilities of/with the other mentioned (undocumented) 2pin still waits for a qualified, clarifiying answer beyond guesses and try&error experiences.
]]> Sun, 30 Jun 2019 03:03:54 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=64165&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#64165 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=64164&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#64164 Author: badbri
Subject: 11736
Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 2:17am

That 9 pin (2 rows of 5 with one missing) is also called the BIOS PH which is used to program the BIOS during board manufacture. There is nothing an end user can do with that header UNLESS you happen to have a special programmer (costs about $500). That is why there is no documentation about it in the User manual. Hope that helps]]> Sun, 30 Jun 2019 02:17:15 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=64164&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#64164 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=64101&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#64101 Author: CHnuschti
Subject: 11736
Posted: 27 Jun 2019 at 1:36pm

Well, thank you for your support that wasn't.

As to a) there seems to be no BIOS LEDs indeed to be on, although they are listed in the overview scheme in the manual and also mentioned in the BIOS chapter. I guess this can happen when copying&pasting constantly manuals from one to the next generation.
http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10212&title=z390-taichi-bios-led

As to b) and c) these unidentified pins indeed seem to be connected to the BIOS as suspected. Taichi z390 has the very same unidentified set (1x 2pin set, 1x 9pin set). Not suprising, but also other Z370 Asrock board have the same thing, placed somewhere around the DrDebug LED. And likely more mainboards too.
Example for the Z270:
https://imagescdn.tweaktown.com/content/8/3/8333_15_asrock-z270-taichi-motherboard-review_full.jpg

This thread gives some insight on the possibility of their use to manipulate the BIOS (I have not tested them). So at least it seems one has not to rely entirely on asrocks "automatic procedures due to safety reasons". Did they mean financial safety? as one shall buy a new board if the "automatic procedure" f***s up?
http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4473&PN=1&title=z270-supercarrier-09-d0-cant-go-to-backup-bios

Well at least my mainboard works. But the "first impression" of Asrock was not really thrilling ...]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2019 13:36:28 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=64101&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#64101 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=64061&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#64061 Author: CHnuschti
Subject: 11736
Posted: 25 Jun 2019 at 7:56pm


Taichi Ultimate Z390: Question regarding BIOS LEDs, unidentified pins and restore BIOS B->A

a) According to the manual, both BIOS have a LED, signaling which of both BIOS is active. Are they supposed to work, that is, emit light? On my new mainboard, nothing of the sort happens.

b) Also that backup BIOS thing is somewhat inconclusive. How does it work exactly?
In the BIOS settings there is just one entry, saying backup BIOS from A (the active BIOS) to B. Tried it, and I had the impression that a backup to B was indeed made, according to the messages.
The BIOS interface gives also no clues IF AND WHAT version of such a backup is present at all. Of questionable usefulness.
The tiny manual says in case of corrupted BIOS, after several tries, the mainboard automatically switches to the B BIOS, and then you're given the possibility to restore B to A. So we are at the mercy of that automatic switch without any possibility to intervene in active manner? Doesn't seem very thoughtful to me ...

c) finally. I got my mainboard June 2019 (in Switzerland) and it had BIOS v4.00 pre-installed. Odd enough, since that version came out end March 2019. BIOS A and B are covered with a kind of glued on paper, no idea what I should make of it.
Nevertheless there are 2 sets of pins (once 2, the other 9 pins) in the suspected area. They are not documented at all in the manual. The Taichi Z390 (not Ultimate) also has them, according to pictures of reviews.
What are they for? What is their function?
See included pic, click to expand


https://www2.pic-upload.de/img/36489356/taichiz390biospanel_detail_bearbeitet.jpg]]> Tue, 25 Jun 2019 19:56:10 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11736&PID=64061&title=taichi-ultimate-z390-question-about-pins-and-bios#64061