Z370 Taichi - Don't upgrade the BIOS from Windows.

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   Just wanted to share my experience.  I recommend you don't try to upgrade your BIOS from Windows, even though it is supposedly supported.  In fact, I say to ASRock - maybe take that down as an option because it doesn't seem to work!
I just finished building a new system using the Z370 Taichi matched with an i7 8700K.  I installed Windows 10 Pro from scratch on a fresh drive.  I then installed the ASRock drivers, utilities, etc.  Then I tried to update the BIOS from version 1.10 to 1.30.

I tried it two ways.

First I tried the ASRock APP downloader program.  On the Bios/Drivers page it lets you click a little checkbox and then restart to install the BIOS.  On restart the monitor turned off and it just sat there, unable to boot.  After a while waiting I rebooted using the power button and got back into Windows on the next startup.  Strike one.

Then I tried downloading the Windows based BIOS update file directly (not through the APP program).  I followed the instructions and ran the executable as administrator.  It then asked to reboot, so I did.  And then I got the same thing - a black screen and nothing.  It just sat there.  But this time, after waiting, when I rebooted manually it was stuck.  It would no longer POST, the screen would not come on, nothing would function.

What followed was 2 hours or so of me frantically messing around to try and get something going again.  I had just spent 20 hours building this system with a custom watercooling setup and I really didn't want to take it apart again.  I tried the CMOS clear.  I unplugged the PC for a while, cleared the CMOS with the button on the back, plugged it back in, restarted it, etc.  Every combination.  When turning on the PC the fans would turn on but no video displayed.  Then the PC would turn itself off again.  Then back on.  Then a minute later, off again.  Then again, back on.  Then it would just sit.  And sit, and sit.  The error code on the Dr. Debug display varied, sometimes complaining about a SATA drive issue.

Out of desperation I drove to my mom's house and using her PC I loaded the raw BIOS file on a USB drive.  After getting back home I plugged it in at the back and then continued trying combinations of things to get *something*.  Still nothing after many more attempts.

So then I'm sitting on the floor, getting ready to fill in an ASRock support request with my phone, when suddenly the monitor turns on with the POST screen showing!  I jump up and hammer F2 as fast as I can.  I get in.  The BIOS reports the version is still at 1.10, no upgrade was ever completed.  I have no idea what happened for 2 hours that it wouldn't let me in, and then suddenly it wakes up again.  I proceeded to flash 1.30 using the USB drive and now the system is back to normal.

:-|

I didn't need this stress in my life.  Beware the Window BIOS update!

Jonny K

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Jonny K Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2018 Status: Offline Points: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jonny K Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Z370 Taichi - Don't upgrade the BIOS from Windows. Posted: 09 Jan 2018 at 11:54am
	Just wanted to share my experience. I recommend you don't try to upgrade your BIOS from Windows, even though it is supposedly supported. In fact, I say to ASRock - maybe take that down as an option because it doesn't seem to work! I just finished building a new system using the Z370 Taichi matched with an i7 8700K. I installed Windows 10 Pro from scratch on a fresh drive. I then installed the ASRock drivers, utilities, etc. Then I tried to update the BIOS from version 1.10 to 1.30. I tried it two ways. First I tried the ASRock APP downloader program. On the Bios/Drivers page it lets you click a little checkbox and then restart to install the BIOS. On restart the monitor turned off and it just sat there, unable to boot. After a while waiting I rebooted using the power button and got back into Windows on the next startup. Strike one. Then I tried downloading the Windows based BIOS update file directly (not through the APP program). I followed the instructions and ran the executable as administrator. It then asked to reboot, so I did. And then I got the same thing - a black screen and nothing. It just sat there. But this time, after waiting, when I rebooted manually it was stuck. It would no longer POST, the screen would not come on, nothing would function. What followed was 2 hours or so of me frantically messing around to try and get something going again. I had just spent 20 hours building this system with a custom watercooling setup and I really didn't want to take it apart again. I tried the CMOS clear. I unplugged the PC for a while, cleared the CMOS with the button on the back, plugged it back in, restarted it, etc. Every combination. When turning on the PC the fans would turn on but no video displayed. Then the PC would turn itself off again. Then back on. Then a minute later, off again. Then again, back on. Then it would just sit. And sit, and sit. The error code on the Dr. Debug display varied, sometimes complaining about a SATA drive issue. Out of desperation I drove to my mom's house and using her PC I loaded the raw BIOS file on a USB drive. After getting back home I plugged it in at the back and then continued trying combinations of things to get something. Still nothing after many more attempts. So then I'm sitting on the floor, getting ready to fill in an ASRock support request with my phone, when suddenly the monitor turns on with the POST screen showing! I jump up and hammer F2 as fast as I can. I get in. The BIOS reports the version is still at 1.10, no upgrade was ever completed. I have no idea what happened for 2 hours that it wouldn't let me in, and then suddenly it wakes up again. I proceeded to flash 1.30 using the USB drive and now the system is back to normal. :-\| I didn't need this stress in my life. Beware the Window BIOS update! Jonny K

Animalm4st3r Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 Jan 2018 Status: Offline Points: 226	Post Options Post Reply Quote Animalm4st3r Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jan 2018 at 5:51am
	What propebly happend is something went wrong and you bricked your Primary bios. When this happens your PC wont start and rather powercycle (turning on and off again) as you saw. If this happens just let your PC do its thing because you have secondary backup bios. After a variyng amount of powercycles your seconday bios will notice somethings off and booting over primary fails everytime and secondary bios will take command and flash itself back onto the primary chip. And then the PC will start again. As you noticed.