Thunderbolt Downgrade NVM31 Solution for Thunderbolt 2 devices

[psikofunkster]

Hello,

Today i found this:

Thunderbolt Downgrade NVM31 Solution for Thunderbolt 2 devices

on my mobos bios and software section

https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-z790-hero-model/helpdesk_bios/

I'm used to update my hardware but what about this? this a downgrande, should i apply it or forget about it?  I read there is a risk involved so i guess the answer is no, but what was the problem on the first place? am i affected?

[JohnAb · Accepted solution]

As far as I understand it, z690 motherboards (and maybe Z790 too) were supplied with Thunderbolt firmware v31.0. Bios 2204 (and above) upgraded this firmware to v36.0 which was buggy and disabled support for Thunderbolt 2 devices. So you are probably on v36.0 now like me. You can find out by installing the Thunderbolt Control Centre - I have it installed, but can't remember where I got it from. I think it was from the Microsoft Store, but I can't find it now. 

Anyway, unless you are having issues, or don't even use Thunderbolt, then no need to do anything. It's just for those people having problems. On the other hand, I think that v31.0 might not properly support some Thunderbolt 4 devices, depending on what controller they use. This is just based on what I've read before, no personal experience. 

[psikofunkster]

Many thanks for replying JohnAb.

[PerpetualCycle]

This showed up for my Z790 Dark Hero. Currently I am on NVM version 42.3.  Not sure if this is relevant for me. Asus should provide more information instead of just shoving a firmware downgrade to us with no explanation whatever.

[PerpetualCycle]

I was curious so I  downloaded the firmware downgrade zip from the Z790 Dark Hero support page and it did not even include a firmware to downgrade to! All it contained was a readme.txt and a shell.efi, no firmware file.

[JohnAb]

It says you need to launch 'shell.efi' from BIOS. But don't do it, not unless you have problems. 

[PerpetualCycle]

It also says to extract the firmware file and shell.efi and load it onto a USB stick.

I am not going to do it, but just pointing out you can't if you want to without the firmware file.

[sdmf74]

Why Did Asus put the Thunderbolt NVM31 downgrade on the Maximus 13 Hero driver page?
I just checked in Thunderbolt Control Center and my most recent TB driver is NVM26. I dont think its supposed to be for Z590.

[NotAGamer_01]

Wasn't the purpose of the downgrade to give back the ability to be backward compatible with TB2 devices?

Many users lost the ability to connect to their TB2 devices based on the changed that the newer BIOS version made and people were asking for the ability to downgrade back to the earlier aspect.

If you are someone who need this you clearly know because you have been asking for it for quite some time.