ROG STRIX- Z790-F WIFI II BIOS 1402 UPDATE - NO POST, NO BIOS, NO DISPLAY

[raven969]

Updated BIOS to the most recent 1402. BIOS update and subsequent ME update finished successfully. Changed memory profile to XMP. All was stable for about 4 hours then PC turned off and now no BIOS, no POST, no display. Power button makes all fans to start rotating for about half a second then CPU led blinks red and everything turns off. PC was on 0404 version for ~6 months before with the same settings

Tried without success:

1. CMOS reset by removing battery and power for ~20 minutes
2. Minimal configuration with one DRAM stick, no USB devices, no graphics card
3. Downgraded BIOS to 3 versions before 1402. BIOS flash button seems to work (blinks green for a couple of minutes then tries to start) but no success here too

Will be grateful for advice

[Vynra]

try turning off the power supply. unplug it from the wall and try again in 15-20 minutes. see if that works. 

[raven969]

Thanks for the help but unfortunately result is the same (quick spin of fans + red blink of CPU and nothing after that).

[achugh]

Hi @raven969 , it seems the board is reporting a CPU issue. Is it possible for your to remove your cooler and open the CPU socket to see if CPU looks good with no burn marks or bent pins etc.?

[Silent_Scone · Accepted solution]

Hi @raven969 |

1. Can you confirm if you used an older CMO profile?

2. Which if any of the Q-LEDs are lit?

3. If using a CPU contact frame, remove and refit stock retention bracket.

4. Reseat cooler and CPU, and inspect CPU pin-pad and socket for any debris/damage.

5. If no change, contact service for your region.

[raven969]

Thanks for all your replies guys.

1. After BIOS update finished settings were reset to defaults. I picked XMP as it was before it was the only change made

2. Only CPU Q-Led briefly lights up red on power

3. No custom contact frame is used. Cooler Noctua nh-d15

4. Checked CPU and pin-pad. I do not see any damage/derbies/changes

5. Will contact service. Sigh…

[achugh · Accepted solution]

Hi @raven969 , I am sorry to hear that you are having all these issues. Since you are anyway thinking about contacting a service center, do you want to give the following a try in the meantime?

1. Clear CMOS and then when you start your PC, wait for 3-5 mins. Once a CPU is removed it could take a bit longer as the board will perform a full system test including a quick memory test. This typically makes me nervous as I would expect something to be shown on the screen. You can even start a timer and wait for at least 5+ mins and let us know if you see any changes to the Q-LED lights.
2. If the above fails, you can try another Clear CMOS test but this time with only 1 memory stick in the A2 slot and see if this helps you move forward. Make sure you have a keyboard and a monitor connected at the least.
3. Lastly, you can also try reflashing 1402 BIOS. Put in your memory stick into the BIOS USB on the back. Follow the EZ BIOS Update. Keep your USB stick connected in the USB Device as the BIOS update goes through at least 1 restart. There is no harm in keeping the stick in the USB slot since you will not be pressing the BIOS Flashback button. As you cannot see what is going on, run a timer and wait at least 10 mins for the BIOS to flash even when the green flash light does not blink. Then turn off you PC. Wait for 30-45 seconds and start up your PC.

I hope one of the above steps helps you get you back into your PC without any service repairs. Good luck!

[raven969]

@achugh  , @Silent_Scone , @Vynra  thank you guys for trying to help. ASUS has an amazing community! 

I have started RMA process. Will post here what is going to be a result. As much as I am disappointed by the result of this BIOS update I still hope the it is just one faulty hardware item and not an issue with BIOS itself.

[raven969]

Good news

Good news is that I finally got a replacement motherboard. The RMA process with ASUS was reasonably timed and well explained. I submitted request on July 15, got it approved the same day, paid $60 for overnight delivery, received shipping label, and sent the motherboard to the repair center. FedEx delivered the motherboard the next day. It took 3 days for ASUS to acknowledge delivery, but that seems acceptable. On Tuesday, July 23, the replacement motherboard was sent back by FedEx. So, the turnaround in the RMA center was exactly 7 days. I would say that's perfect. On Friday, July 26, I received the replacement and rebuilt the system.

Not so good news

The system does not boot with the same symptoms. I do not know if the original motherboard was faulty (or if it was tested at all). This leaves me with two options: either both the motherboard and CPU died after the BIOS update, or just the CPU. Yes, after a week without a desktop PC, I am well aware of Intel CPU drama currently unfolding. So, I have started the RMA process for my 13700K CPU.

My main issue with ASUS right now is the condition of the replacement board provided. All visible capacitors (and some other chips I do not recognize) appear to be manually resoldered. Plastic cover on top of the I/O board is barely in place and very shaky (whether it will vibrate under airflow from the CPU fan is an interesting question for the future). M.2 radiators are scratched in places. And as much as I appreciate the effort invested in this “handmade” motherboard I would prefer a factory-produced solution. The Amazon.com price for this motherboard is $430. It is 6 months old in my case and now as a result of a warranty-covered situation, I have a motherboard that looks like it was found somewhere and somehow put together.

An interesting thought is what if something happens within the next 2.5 years of warranty left? I am almost sure the RMA request will be rejected as the current state of the motherboard looks like “customer-induced damages” to me.

The only non-default setting in BIOS I used was the activation of the XMP profile. Yes, I know it is considered “overclocking” too (I read the pinned post here). But the memory is on the QVL list published by ASUS, and the XMP profile contains timings picked by the manufacturer (not the end user). If I had known about all this Intel instability situation earlier, I would have downclocked the system until an updated microcode was provided. If only ASUS could have sent me an email about the Intel situation using the email from my ASUS profile, where the said motherboard is registered. But right now, “we have what we have.”

What is next

I will try to make it work with Intel. The last resort is to buy a new motherboard/CPU which is not that unreasonable if you remember about shipping price for the RMA, some shipping supplies used, and the condition of the replacement board. I have been using ASUS products for about 15 years now (networking, motherboards, graphic cards) without major issues. Just once my modem died within a warranty period, and ASUS replaced it with a brand new one right away. It was nice and reassuring.

However, things change, and it is time to move on. I know other manufacturers are not perfect too, but “fool me twice, and it’s on me.”

FYI, for the “ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI II,” the first BIOS version 0404 release date is 2023/10/17, and the most recent version release date is 2024/07/12, so 9 months. The total number of versions released is 10 by now. It seems like 1 BIOS release per month. I know about Facebook motto “Move fast and break things”, but I think it should not be applied to BIOS development.