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BIO Update Failed - Switched BIOS - Switched Back - Cannot Boot

Funghie
Level 7
BIOS Update Failed - Switched BIOS - Switched Back - Cannot Boot

ASUS RAMPAGE IV EXTREME

Hi again,

Well just when you think you can relax eh...

So I have a newly installed system Windows 8 - I'm afraid I did enable Secure Boot. UEFI Boot working fine etc.

So a few hours ago I see BIOS Update 4403 so I promptly install it. I have never had a problem with BIOS updates... 😕

BIOS locked up after update, settings will not save etc. No problem I will switch to BIOS 2. I did so and updated that to the working version 4206.

So I am on BIOS 2 (as I am now) Fine.

PROBLEM: It booted and Windows Activation has gone. I have already reactivated by phone 3 times when building this setup due to other mishaps. Worse than that, I have other licenses (software) that use machine ID. They all think I am on a different machine now.

OK So i will go back to BIOS 1 and flash the BIOS version down to 4206...

Did that. Set everything up BUT it will not let me boot. Is says insert a proper boot disk. It does not seem to be recognising the boot disk as UEFI.

Has something happened with the secure boot setup? It allowed me to boot to BIOS 2 even though I installed on BIOS 1.

Also every time I save settings on BIOS 1 now it just goes back to the BIOS screen again.

I do not want to mess the Secure Boot keys. I considered clearing them but them thought maybe that would stop me booting altogether. (I have backed them up to USB though).

I have been building systems for years but the Secure Boot is new to me and I realise that I probably should have disabled it. re-installing Windows again is out of the question.

Does anyone have any idea how I can get booted up on BIOS 1 again. So that hopefully all my hardware related software activations will return?

Thank you so much I am in a scrape here big-time.
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4 REPLIES 4

Funghie
Level 7
Just FYI guys, crisis slightly averted. As the system was booting using BIOS 2 (although the Windows was not activated) I used BIOS Flashback and copied BIOS 2 to BIOS 1.

System booted fine now in BIOS 1. I also re-enabled the Bluetooth adapter that I had disabled. Windows now boot activated again from BIOS 1.

What is slightly odd is that the other software activations I have still think it is a different machine.

Still any insights would be appreciated.

For example I have searched high and low but cannot find out - As I installed with Secure Mode on - Would I be able to turn Secure Mode OFF? What happens if you have to clear CMOS completely and loose all Secure Mode keys etc. (I really don't understand secure mode at all tbh).

My best, P.

FireRx
Level 11
I could be wrong, but what I understood was you OS had to be installed with that secure mode off. Please reveiw Noden's Windows 7/8 installation guide.:o

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?30520-RAMPAGE-Windows-8-7-UEFI-Installation-Guide&country=&...
Intel Core i9 103900KS
Asus Maximus Z790 Extreme [bios 2801]
LG (34U97-s) Monitor 3440 x1440
Nvidia RTX 3090 FE
Windows 11 Pro
64gbz Memory

Funghie
Level 7
Yes mate you are 100% right, but it doesn't have to be it was his suggestion, part of which I missed. And I think he suggests that to avoid potential problems like I am having.

However, the OS and install are all fine with secure boot on.

The problem is I don't fully understand how it works. For example:

I suspect my BIOS is not quite right at this point, I am no longer getting the nice messages that appear, listing what you have changed when you have changed anything etc. Also as above, my machine ID generated to do various licensing seems to have gone astray.

So I am considering totally resetting / clearing CMOS but I am unsure whether this will trash the secure boot "codes" or whatever is required in order to let me boot. I should probably post a separate thread about that.

Funghie
Level 7
Reason for Windows wanting to reactivate: My MAC address had changed to 88-88-88-88-87-88 - It was nothing to do with Bluetooth. I have searched around and found this sometimes happens.

I am wondering of a clear of CMOS may fix this and also if I do clear CMOS or will my secure boot still work? 😕