Help flashing my bios please.

[Vileartist]

Hello,

I am sorry to revive a dead topic, but I'm having an issue very similar to the original post in this thread. I am getting the F2 error code constantly on my Maximus IV Extreme-Z board.

I've been doing extensive research and I've narrowed down my problem to the fact that I've installed an i7 3770k which is a 3rd generation CPU which is not supported by the default BIOS of this board.

After hunting on the ASUS website I managed to find the correct BIOS as per their recommendation (3603 BIOS), and I am attempting to follow your Flash-BIOS method. I formatted a USB flash drive to FAT32, downloaded the 3603 driver, renamed it to M4EZ.ROM. (it is located in the root directory of the USB since it's the only thing in it.)

I then made sure my system was turned off, plugged the USB into the ROG slot (while power was applied to the board, but not running) and pressed the ROG Connect button for approximately three seconds. It begins to blink but only lasts for about one second. The BIOS-led light blinks one time only, which from what I gather isn't right... Nothing else happens after that. If I try to boot the system it remains on F2 code.

I feel like I did not do the Flash-BIOS properly because it didn't seem to load it or anything, since it only blinked for a second.

I would much appreciate any help or advice you could give, this is very frustrating because I don't really want to either have to downgrade processors to a Sandy-bridge, or buy a new MoBo since I cannot boot the computer at all.

On a side note, I do have a graphics card plugged in so I can see any display that may pop up.

Thank you in advance..

[HiVizMan]

Moved to your own thread. Makes it easier for people to help you.

Do you have any idea what the starting bios of your board was?

And could you try the B bios and see if your CPU posts.

[Vileartist]

After looking at my board, it states Rev. 1.00 which I assume means default bios?

I did try switching to the B bios, when I do that the board powers up the same, then shuts down, then powers up again giving me the same F2 code.

[NemesisChild]

Please list all of your system components.

[Vileartist]

Currently installed on the board:

i7 3770k
An older 320Gb WD hdd (which houses my OS) but there is no change if this is plugged in or not.
16Gb G.Skill Ripjaws 1600 Mhz
GTX 560Ti (my only means of display to "see" if anything is working on my monitor, and again no change if plugged in or not)
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W

Those are the only components I've had installed and even managed to power on the board.

[Chino]

Please locate a long, thing sticker on your motherboard that has a barcode and a lot of numbers. What are the last 4 digits?

[Vileartist]

0802

This is my default bios? Good to know.

[NemesisChild]

It should be the bios version that was shipped with your board.
However, I don't see bios 0802 listed at ASUS support for this board.
Bios 3203 (or newer) will be required to run the i7 3770K.
Not sure if the M4E has a means of flashing the bios w/o a CPU installed.

[Vileartist]

So what are my options? As I see it it seems I have two choices, find a 2nd generation processor to use to boot the board so I can update the bios with a CPU installed, or get a different board with 3rd generation support by default (Maximus V Extreme).

[Chino]

1. Download the 3203 BIOS from Asus website.
2. Format a USB pendrive to FAT32.
3. Extract the BIOS file and rename the file to M4EZ.ROM.
4. Put the BIOS file on your USB pendrive.
5. Connect the USB pendrive to the ROG Connect port.
6. Press the USB BIOS Flashback button/ROG Connect button for three seconds till the LED begins to blink, then release.
7. Wait till the LED stops blinking.
8. Power on your system using the Start button.