ROG MAXIMUS XIII HERO BIOS 2203 Failure

[shipdadip]

Attempted to upgrade my ROG MAXIMUS XIII HERO (Wi-Fi) to BIOS 2203 (2024/03/05) and now after reboot I get the error "BIOS is updating Cypress PD Firmware." and it never goes any further. I've attempted to BIOS Flashback (Fat32 MBR drive) to many previous versions but none of them seem to load except 2203 and it's stuck at this error. Bricked this PC!

Windows 11 Education

Intel 11900k

Enermax Aquafusion 240mm AIO

8 Gb single stick Kingston DDR 2400mhz (for now)

XFX SWFT 6650XT (removed for now)

WD 2TB SN770

Crucial 1TB P3 Plus

@Jiaszzz_ROG 

I've tried rolling back via USB Flashback to just about every BIOS version in the ASUS website. What I've found is the Flashback LED light indicates any BIOS version 1701 or newer appears to load (the LED flashes rapidly) but version pre-1701 does not. I see the 1701 BIOS notes indicate "Remark: Please note this version does NOT allow rolling back to the previous version, except via USB BIOS FlashBack™." though I'm finding I indeed can NOT USB Flashback 😞

I believe I was on BIOS version 0902 before loading the upgrade and I'm hoping to somehow get back to this version to see if it helps.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @shipdadip 

Thank you for reaching out to us.
May I ask if you have updated the BIOS to version 2203 via BIOS Flashback and confirmed that the update is complete and that the BIOS Flashback indicator light has stopped blinking?

The update time may be affected by the large version gap between updates. Since the jump from BIOS version 0902 to 2203 is significant, it may indeed take longer.
Could you please confirm whether the system is stuck on the "BIOS is updating Cypress PD Firmware" screen with no progress, or if it is showing a black screen with booting no response?
If you have completed the BIOS update but the system still won't boot, we recommend attempting to refresh the BIOS to version 2203 again.

Thank you.

[shipdadip]

I confirm I have updated the BIOS to version 2203 via BIOS Flashback and confirm that the BIOS Flashback indicator light has stopped blinking. Upon your request I've just done it again. 

I confirm the system boots/goes past the del/f2 ROG screen (of which when I had keyboard attached pressing del/f2 has no affect) and is stuck on the black "BIOS is updating Cypress PD Firmware" screen with no progress. I've waited 12 hours. I've removed all peripherals aside from CPU/cooler and a single stick of RAM.  The Q-code at one point displayed 99 but is now displaying A2.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @shipdadip 

After further consultation with the relevant department, we recommend that you follow the steps in the How to Clear CMOS? guide and then check if you can boot into the BIOS.
If you are still unable to boot, please consider whether it might be necessary to send it in for repair.

Thank you.