Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero BIOS Won't upgrade Past 2503

[hideki_usagi]

Like the title says...I've been trying to get my BIOS to 2703, 2801, and now 3001 and it looks it completes successfully but then I get a black screen boot loop. No POST or anything. I end up restoring back to 2503 and it works fine. Overwatch has been crashing on me since the whole Intel debacle but it was manageable. Starting today their error message is actually saying the crashes are related to the older BIOS. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

[Silent_Scone]

HI @hideki_usagi 

What's the stop code? Does the crashing persist at Optimised Defaults (No XMP Overclocking)? Provide all system specs, please....

[hideki_usagi]

Hi thanks for the reply.

I’m not sure how to tell what the stop code is if it’s constantly restarting on its own and the BIOS codes go by too fast.

I’m running an Intel i913900K with 32x2GB G.Skill DDR5-6000 CL30-40-40-96. Optimized defaults loaded. No XMP overclocking

[hideki_usagi]

This might help but I’m not sure why the RAM would have this issue between the versions. The QLED goes through the motions and then turns off with Q-codes 55 - Memory Not Installed then goes to 31 - Memory installed then 7F - Reserved for future AMI DXE showing then reboots back to 00 and starts all over.

[Silent_Scone]

Thanks. Have you updated the ME Firmware?

[hideki_usagi]

I haven’t manually done it because the BIOS description says it updates it automatically.

”Updating this BIOS will simultaneously update the corresponding intel ME to version 16.1.35.2557.”

[hideki_usagi]

I'm currently running 16.1.30.2307 which installed with 2503. The highest manual download from the motherboard's download page is 16.1.27.2176.

[Silent_Scone]

Thanks for confirming. If the system performs as expected at Optimised Defaults on 2503, I'd wait for service to respond here or contact your regional support to initiate a case. 

Have you tried both update methods, EZ Flash and USB Flashback? 
Re-download the CAP file and reattempt using USB Flashback if not having done so already.

[hideki_usagi]

Yeah I’ve tried both EZ Flash and USB Flashback to no avail. I might try going down further in the BIOS but I doubt that will work at this point.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @hideki_usagi 

Based on your description, it appears that after updating to BIOS versions 2703, 2801, and 3001, the system enters a boot loop and is unable to complete POST. May we ask how you verified that the BIOS update was successfully completed?
We recommend referring to the steps outlined in [Motherboard] How to use USB BIOS FlashBack™? to ensure the BIOS update was performed correctly. Please note that the process requires a USB flash drive with at least 1GB capacity, formatted in FAT16 or FAT32 with MBR partitioning. If necessary, please try cross-testing with a different USB flash drive.
After correctly updating to BIOS version 3001, please remove the chassis and test with a minimal hardware configuration, including only the i9-13900K CPU, CPU fan, a single RAM module installed in the DIMM_A2 slot, and the power supply, before clearing CMOS and checking if the boot loop issue persists.

Additionally, please ensure there are no bent pins in the CPU socket, and verify that the CPU is neither under-tightened nor over-tightened during installation.

Thank you.