ASUS ROG STRIX Z690 BIOS 2305

[arlicht]

Hey guys,

Anyone tried new bios 2305? Any thoughts?

[RyanBlakeIT]

Hi @likeucare,

A few things that come to mind: are you able to install another BIOS in the 22XX series and then reflash 2204 the standard way through EZ Flash?  That will overwrite everything fresh again to see if maybe something became corrupted or out of sync between the Intel ME firmware and the BIOS code.  After you do this, load optimized defaults and make sure you have UEFI BIOS enabled with SecureBoot to see if that makes a difference.

I also presume that you downloaded the Windows ISO installer off the Microsoft website?  If not, please try downloading Win11 and flash it to a USB stick with something like Rufus.

Finally, if none of that works, do you have a backup configuration of your BIOS settings from 2204 when it was working that you could restore and then try to install the OS again?

Edit - I also thought about the TPM chip since I re-read your post and you mentioned that you were able to get to the PIN page but no further.  Try toggling the TPM chip off and then back on again to reset it.  See if that resolves your issue.

Please let us know how it goes, either way.

[likeucare]

Hi @RyanBlakeIT and @JohnAb ,

I was only able to find the official version 2204 as the 22XX for my motherboard, the Z690 Maximus Formula. I EZFlash the 2204 a few times already (somehow, the FB doesn't work for 2204). It undergoes really fast so I'm not sure if it goes properly. I even rollback to the previous BIOS version, the 2103. I used the "Loading optimized defaults" and even clear the CMOS after each FB. Nothing changed for windows installation.

As for the windows installation, I am using the media creation tool for W11 and I also downloaded the full .ISO from Microsoft. I tried W10 too and while the installation worked, I kept having BSOD while in windows.
Oh and I also used VENTOY with the full image and the same windows installation issues happens.

I will give the RUFUS a try. I did used that long ago but if that can narrow the issues down to the TPM, we will know that way.

Unfortunately, I do not have a backup configuration for the working 2204. I never expected the 2305 to be this bad and since ASUS doesn't even mention about the bios rollback blocking on the webpage, I just went through the update. Something I'm sure many users regret lately and are legit pissed at ASUS.

There is something I did that helped me when W11 came out. I had to clear the secure boot keys like whenever I had done an hardware change. Then I installed the default keys and everything went to normal. Alas, this "trick" doesn't work in my problematic windows installation.

So I got two more tests to do. Give RUFUS W11 installation a shot with TPM OFF.
I'll try to install a Linux distro and see how it goes next time. I do know running a live version seemed to work though.

Thanks guys! I appreciate it!

[JohnAb]

Great suggestions from RyanIT.

I was also wondering - if the issue is Windows but the machine otherwise seems stable, just see if you can get Linux working on it as a temporary install. Then you could at least run some diagnostics and maybe get a clue if it really is hardware or if it's just Windows being unhappy with your SSD format (or something along those lines). I'd grab a fresh download of Windows and make sure you are doing a custom install from scratch. Rufus also gives you the option to bypass the internet and TPM requirements when you flash the Windows image, so that might be helpful too. 

[nuts_B]

I had the same windows 11 install problems with my regular BIOS settings. My trigger was XMP profile.
Set the RAM settings to auto. The G.Skill DDR5 6400 runs now at 4800 with 1.4V by auto/default.
System is working, windows installation successful but with massive limitation of RAM speed.
the BIOS 2305 is a total pain. I have never seen such a mess in the past 15 years of my hardware experience include other vendors!
ASUS need to react quickly to keep customers satisfied!

[likeucare]

Hi @nuts_B ,

I had issues with XMP ever since I own my z690 Maximus Formula motherboard. I kept using the AUTO settings to have a stable system but ever since the 2305 bios update, everything is unstable. 

Are you back on the 2204 version or you are sticking with the 2305?

Oh and also, I have never had this big of issues in my 20 years of PC usage. I am totally surprised this is not a bigger story to either Der8er, Gamer's Nexus and even JayzTwoCents.

I did read today that ASUS motherboards (some models at least) are grilling/killing AMD CPU's on the X3D variant for the 7000 series.

Man, ASUS are having so many issues lately!

[nuts_B]

still on 2305. living with the trouble of limitations and hope for an update from ASUS soon !!!!

[likeucare]

I'd take limitations over all the instability I'm having! I don't even overclock my stuff. I just want to run a stable system for work and gaming. But this 2305 killed all of that. Again, maybe my MB was already defective somehow and just got worse... or also, maybe my CPU is defective as well.

Such a good thing I've got backup PC's 

[Anvil-eu-]

the bios version 2305 is so bad. Since then, my M2 980pro has only been running with X2 and I keep crashing. I ordered the MSI 790 Thomahok. That was my last Asus motherboard. 800€ for the cat

[likeucare]

I've been thinking to get myself a new MB as well... probably MSI too since I could get rid of Armory Crate that way!

[mapotter99]

I just noticed today, 4/28, that Asus has pulled 2305 for the Forumula.

2204 now shows as the latest version.