I may have flashed my BIOS incorrectly: need help
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: AMD Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock AMD motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6095
Printed Date: 25 Dec 2024 at 11:42pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: I may have flashed my BIOS incorrectly: need help
Posted By: Coldblade
Subject: I may have flashed my BIOS incorrectly: need help
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 4:45am
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Hi, I just finished my first build yesterday and I am using the x370 KILLER SLI/ac board. While running a few initial tests I noticed that my RAM was not running at the prescribed speed, so I decided to update my BIOS. I just downloaded the windows version of update 3.20, since at that time I didn't know that instant flash was the preferred method. When I tried running the ASRock exe inside the downloaded folder, I got a message that a minimum BIOS version is required and I should first update to P3.00. Instead of looking for more info, I just looked around the other folders inside the download and flashed the BIOS in the ROM folder using the afuwinguix64 utility. And now I think that might have been a huge mistake. I have not restarted my computer hearing all the horror stories of bricking motherboards. I am a nervous wreck right now, please tell me how bad this is and can I do something about it. For all I know, this method might have been perfectly fine but I don't want to power off my system until I have made sure it will restart. |
Replies:
Posted By: MisterJ
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 5:33am
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Coldblade, sorry I do not have an answer for you but mainly questions and comments. What BIOS level did you originally have? If you did not look, it may be on a sticker on the BIOS chip. I know nothing about that utility, but did you get any messages when you ran it? If so, please tell what, especially if you got any error messages. Please DL a copy of https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html" rel="nofollow - CPU-Z and use the Mainboard tab to see what your current BIOS version. Even if you have to power down and cannot boot, your MB is not dead meat. The BIOS chip is plugged into a socket and you can buy a new one with the BIOS version you request. ASRock will certainly fix your BIOS but I have not knowledge of this (process, cost, etc). You have NOT lost your investment. Hope you can relax a little. Good luck and enjoy, John. ------------- Fat1 X399 Pro Gaming, TR 1950X, RAID0 3xSamsung SSD 960 EVO, G.SKILL FlareX F4-3200C14Q-32GFX, Win 10 x64 Pro, Enermx Platimax 850, Enermx Liqtech TR4 CPU Cooler, Radeon RX580, BIOS 2.00, 2xHDDs WD |
Posted By: datonyb
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 5:38am
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i really wish motherboard makers WOULD STOP BLOODY ISSUING WINDOWS BIOS FLASH VERSIONS as for the op clinch you butt and try the reboot i would advise downloading the usb instant flash first and have it in the usb slot hit f6 at first chance of pc starting ------------- [url=https://valid.x86.fr/jpg250]  [/url]3800X, powercolor reddevil vega64, gskill tridentz3866, taichix370, evga750watt gold |
Posted By: Coldblade
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 5:52am
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I did not check the BIOS version originally on my motherboard. I don't see any stickers with the version as well. That utility came in the windows flash zipped folder, along with a .ROM file. I didn't get any error messages. Googling it gives the following links: https://ami.com/en/products/bios-uefi-tools-and-utilities/bios-uefi-utilities/ http://www.asrock.com/support/BIOSUI.asp?cat=Windows3 It just wrote on the blocks you can see in this picture and the verified them. CPU-Z shows that I have BIOS version 2.40 on my board. Also, thanks for assuring me  |
Posted By: datonyb
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 5:54am
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its not your fault (ish) i really thought asrock had stopped this silly and foolish windows flashing ability ------------- [url=https://valid.x86.fr/jpg250] [/url]3800X, powercolor reddevil vega64, gskill tridentz3866, taichix370, evga750watt gold |
Posted By: Coldblade
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 5:54am
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" rel="nofollow - As for the reboot, I might wait a bit longer to see if I can get some more help. In case I attempt the usb instant flash, can I have multiple versions on it? |
Posted By: MisterJ
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 7:32am
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Coldblade, I have all the BIOS versions on my USB stick and it always picks the latest. I guess there is a way to pick an earlier, if you like. If you got no error messages and did see this screen: https://postimg.org/image/z29b01z3p/" rel="nofollow">  Then I would say you are OK. Go ahead and restart, tap F2 to enter BIOS, then hit F9 to Load UEFI Defaults. Clinch as datonyb suggested. Please let us hear. Good luck and enjoy, John. ------------- Fat1 X399 Pro Gaming, TR 1950X, RAID0 3xSamsung SSD 960 EVO, G.SKILL FlareX F4-3200C14Q-32GFX, Win 10 x64 Pro, Enermx Platimax 850, Enermx Liqtech TR4 CPU Cooler, Radeon RX580, BIOS 2.00, 2xHDDs WD |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 9:53am
Hear Hear. And I wish owners would stop using them too, recognizing the dangers. |
datonyb wrote:Posted By: Coldblade
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 10:12am
Okay. So I rebooted and the worst happened. I don't get anything on my monitor.  Is there anything I can do or is replacing the BIOS/MB the only option? |
Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 10:25am
If you can't get anything on the monitor, then you are probably out of luck. You usually should not do this right after a UEFI/BIOS update, but you could clear the UEFI/CMOS, and see if you get a signal to the monitor. If you do then do the Instant Flash update method, exactly and ONLY as the instructions tell you to. Earlier ASRock boards had replaceable UEFI/BIOS chips, but those types of chips are no longer available, the chip in your board are soldered in place. Sorry to say, what you did with the Windows BIOS update download files was just plain wrong. No clue what the result will be, but it won't be good. Seems to be the case, sorry to say. The latest Windows UEFI/BIOS version actually starts an AMI firmware update utility, and then runs Instant Flash. So it may not be as prone to errors as the earlier Windows versions were. But that won't help you now. ------------- http://valid.x86.fr/48rujh" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Coldblade
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 10:31am
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" rel="nofollow - @parsec Thanks for your reply. How do I clear the UEFI/CMOS? Also, will this be covered in warranty? If not, can I just send the MB for repair/flashing or have I basically flushed a hundred and fifty dollars down the drain? EDIT: I tried clearing the CMOS, but no luck. So, what are my options now? |
Posted By: MisterJ
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 11:03pm
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" rel="nofollow - Coldblade, sorry the worst happened. Did you get the screen shot I posted? I suspect parsec is correct, but I would suggest you look at your BIOS chip and make sure it is soldered not plugged. I would suggest you immediately open a ticket with ASRock technical support and see what support they will offer. I, again, do not think you will have to buy a new board. Please tell us how you cleared the CMOS. Sorry and hope it turns out the best, John. ------------- Fat1 X399 Pro Gaming, TR 1950X, RAID0 3xSamsung SSD 960 EVO, G.SKILL FlareX F4-3200C14Q-32GFX, Win 10 x64 Pro, Enermx Platimax 850, Enermx Liqtech TR4 CPU Cooler, Radeon RX580, BIOS 2.00, 2xHDDs WD |
Posted By: datonyb
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 11:26pm
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certain persons would just wrap the board up send back to retailer and inform them it was doa in the UK if buying something delivered by mail you have the right to return items without any reason given i dont agree 100% with it myself ,as people use it just to look and hold something due to not being assed to goto shops,but it does give good protection for buyers in some cases ------------- [url=https://valid.x86.fr/jpg250] [/url]3800X, powercolor reddevil vega64, gskill tridentz3866, taichix370, evga750watt gold |
Posted By: Coldblade
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 1:34am
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@MisterJ I got the same screen as in the screenshot. It's probably just that Windows flashing is not reliable. To clear CMOS I switched the jumper they mentioned in the manual. @datonyb I have requested an RMA with the retailer. Let's see how that goes. Although shipping cost me a bit. If they refuse after inspection then I'll probably lose the shipping as well. |
Posted By: MisterJ
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 3:01am
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" rel="nofollow - Coldblade, at least two posters here have RMAed their boards due to updating to the latest BIOS. I do not know the details. Did you follow the whole instructions with unplugging the power cord to the wall, waiting 15 seconds and moving the jumper for 5 seconds? One more thing to try is to remove the CMOS battery for several seconds. I would disconnect the power cord also before. I wish we could fix this for you. Good luck, John. ------------- Fat1 X399 Pro Gaming, TR 1950X, RAID0 3xSamsung SSD 960 EVO, G.SKILL FlareX F4-3200C14Q-32GFX, Win 10 x64 Pro, Enermx Platimax 850, Enermx Liqtech TR4 CPU Cooler, Radeon RX580, BIOS 2.00, 2xHDDs WD |
Posted By: Coldblade
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 3:15am
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Thanks John. I appreciate your helpfulness. I did follow all the instructions you mentioned. I didn't try removing the CMOS battery, but I've already shipped back the board. In the end it's my fault for not reading thoroughly enough. I will try my best to get a replacement but in the end I have to move on accepting a hard earned lesson. Thanks everyone for your help. |
Posted By: MisterJ
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 3:22am
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Coldblade, I know this is no help and small solace, but the AMD X399 boards have a Flashback feature that will update the BIOS even if the system will not boot or does not even have a CPU. Please keep us informed. Best, John. ------------- Fat1 X399 Pro Gaming, TR 1950X, RAID0 3xSamsung SSD 960 EVO, G.SKILL FlareX F4-3200C14Q-32GFX, Win 10 x64 Pro, Enermx Platimax 850, Enermx Liqtech TR4 CPU Cooler, Radeon RX580, BIOS 2.00, 2xHDDs WD |
Posted By: Coldblade
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 6:12am
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UPDATE: The distributor approved my RMA, and what's more even paid for return shipping! So I think it turned out pretty well and I learned a valuable lesson at the cost of delaying my build by a couple of weeks. |
Posted By: MisterJ
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 9:01am
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Great, Coldblade! Thanks for the update! Enjoy, John. ------------- Fat1 X399 Pro Gaming, TR 1950X, RAID0 3xSamsung SSD 960 EVO, G.SKILL FlareX F4-3200C14Q-32GFX, Win 10 x64 Pro, Enermx Platimax 850, Enermx Liqtech TR4 CPU Cooler, Radeon RX580, BIOS 2.00, 2xHDDs WD |