08-16-2024 11:14 AM - edited 08-16-2024 11:17 AM
Greetings.
Yesterday I performed a BIOS update (like I have countless times before) to the latest 1663 version with the Intel microcode 0x129 update, but things were different this time around.
I began the flashing process and walked away to get some food. About an hour later I came back to the computer with a black screen and the motherboards red CPU LED illuminated and no activity with one of the case fans not spinning. I waited about 10 minutes while watching for activity and saw none. I eventually powered the system off then back on, but it went back to the same status of black screen with no activity and with only the red CPU LED illuminated on the motherboard and a single case fan not spinning (that otherwise should be spinning).
Assuming the BIOS flash failed for whatever reason, I then unplugged power, tore the system down to base components (Single stick of RAM, reseated GPU, disconencted all drives, ect) and performed a CMOS clear (Jumpered RTC jumpers for 15 seconds)... same as previous result.
I then jumpered the RTC pins again as well as removed the CMOS battery and let it sit overnight unplugged. Started the machine up and still the same result.
I then loaded the latest BIOS file onto another USB drive and used the BIOS renamer to chaneg the CAP file name to TGZ790W4.cap to hopefully allow it to kick off the ASUS CrashFree BIOS Utility. Again, same result (black screen and the motherboards red CPU LED illuminated and no activity with one of the case fans not spinning).
The system has been functioning flawlessly for well over a year now with no issues after multiple BIOS flashes, until now. I there anything anyone can think of that would be able to force flash the BIOS onto the motherboard? I'm not certain if the issue is legitimately the CPU or if it is the motherboard. The way it's behaving is makign me think it's the motherboard (Odd fan not spinning as well as nothing on the display). I unfortunately don't have another LGA 1700 motherboard or another 12th, 13th or 14th gen CPU to assit with troubleshooting.
TUF Gaming Z790 Plus WiFi D4
13700KF
Kingston Fury Renegade 32GB (using single stick for troubleshooting)
08-17-2024 05:45 AM
I'm assuming that you have a flashback port - what happens if you try to go back to the last BIOS that was working?
08-17-2024 03:07 PM
I have that board which doesn't have BIOS flashback. My BIOS update to 1663 was OK but there seems to be a bug in the BIOS regarding SVID Behaviour. See https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/intel-700-600-series/weird-svid-behaviour-in-new-z790-bios/td-p/103702...
08-17-2024 03:15 PM - edited 08-17-2024 03:19 PM
This model unfortunately doesn't have one. When you reboot there is nothing but a black screen, that's all. It's as if there is no BIOS. Tried different GPUs, different monitors, different display outputs, reseating the CPU, ect. It's like the BIOS is straight up corrupted. Haven't ran into an issue with BIOS flashing since the 90s.
08-17-2024 03:22 PM - edited 08-17-2024 03:22 PM
See the motherboard manual about Asus CrashFree BIOS 3. If that doesn't work you are probably stuffed but could contact Asus support. My previous Gigabyte board had a dual backup BIOS which was useful in such situations.
08-17-2024 03:37 PM
I already tried that after trying to get into the first time. Apparently the CrashFree BIOS utility still needs a functional BIOS in place to perform the flash since the only thing that gets loaded onto the USB is a BIOS CAP file.
I so wish this board had a flashback button.
08-17-2024 10:41 PM
Bad luck. In that case I would contact Asus support and obtain a new motherboard under warranty if they can't fix the problem. Asus are liable due to either a faulty motherboard or Bios they supplied.
08-18-2024 08:11 AM
I had a similar experience with my x670E-A, after updating BIOS I could no longer boot to windows, I had to enter EZ Flash in BIOS, and update the BIOS again from a Flash Drive. I hope this helps, but try to enter BIOS and use the EZ flash, I had to spend a lot of time figuring out how to get to EZ flash, since the Youtube Video I watched for my MB, had a different menu, and it kept saying I had Secure boot enabled(when I didn't) when I would try to boot from the USB directly.
08-18-2024 09:42 AM
Unfortunately no BIOS is loading whatsoever. Just a black screen that stays black. It's like there is no BIOS at all to go into.
08-18-2024 01:04 PM
I just had a very similar experience with BIOS 3802 on the 690 Hero (black screen). The only way I could get into the BIOS was to power off at the PSU and then restart. Try that, it worked for me... no more problems since I put BIOS 3701 back on it. Good luck. I suspect you have the same BIOS fault that comes with 3802.