Rampage Extreme IV Bios Flash gone wrong - help!

[deadpixel]

I tied to flash my bios but made a mess of it and my computer wouldnt turn on.

I had Bios version 1305. My windows 7 kept hanging on start screen for a half an our when PC booted so decided to update bios.
Found 2 x methods of flashing the bios online. Ez bios 2 method and USB method. Tried EZ bios method with the latest bios .Cap on a memory stick but the file was not visible from inside EZ bios 2 - memory stick appeared empty. Was this because I need a .ROM file instead? I dont know.
I then tried the faster USB method. Only I duplicated the bios .cap file and changed the file name to .rom meaning I had two files on the stick. put stick in white USB socket, Switched off PC Pressed and held ROG button (with chain icon) for three seconds (because Bios button with circle arrow didnt work). ROG light started to flash and continues for 5-10 min. When I tried to boot fans all started , then stopped, started then stopped - bricked.
I removed the .ROM file from memory stick leaving only .cap and tried flash again. ROG light flashed 3 times then stopped. made no difference to my PC still bricked.
Finally swapped over 2 bios chips as Mobo is dual bios. All seems rosey.
Problem is I still want to fix the windows 7 Hanging issue so need to update bios. what am I doing wrong? How can i ensure i dont mess it up this time?
I dont know why I have 2 Bios in my mobo but I guess I need them for something? How do I reprogram the first bios that I bricked?

P.S. check out this super-confusing tut from asus: http://event.asus.com/2012/mb/USB_BIOS_Flashback_GUIDE/. Is it just me or do do these guys make it hard to figure out whether i need a .cap or .rom bios file and If i need a .rom, why would I convert it to .cap using their tool. also why use their tool - all it does is change the file extension right?

Thanks guys.

[cx-ray]

.CAP is for anything higher than 1404.

First get your BIOS1 sorted by copying BIOS2 -> BIOS1. You can find that function in the BIOS under the Tools tab..

Next, you can use EZ Flash from with-in the BIOS to update to 1404, or rename 1404 to R4E.ROM for USB Flashback.

To update to anything newer you have to download Rampage-IV-Extreme-CAP-Converter from BIOS-Utilities on the Asus RIVE page. http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/RAMPAGE_IV_EXTREME/#support_Download

It will take you though all the steps. Just follow the instruction on the screen. When done you'll end up with BIOS 2105. From here on you only use .CAP for Flashback.

I'm not sure it'll help your Windows 7 from pausing during start up however. That could be related to another issue.

[Arne_Saknussemm]

Yeah cx-ray nailed it....just make sure you are using a USB pen formatted to FAT 32

Maybe use diskpart to make sure the usb is clean and formatted : http://blogs.technet.com/b/danstolts/archive/2012/07/26/create-bootable-usb-thumb-drive-key-using-di...

Only put one BIOS file appropriately renamed on the usb

[FireRx]

Arne Saknussemm wrote:
Yeah cx-ray nailed it....just make sure you are using a USB pen formatted to FAT 32

Maybe use diskpart to make sure the usb is clean and formatted : http://blogs.technet.com/b/danstolts/archive/2012/07/26/create-bootable-usb-thumb-drive-key-using-di...

Only put one BIOS file appropriately renamed on the usb

okay,
I comfused all over again. Do you, or Do you not Rename the bios for a Bios update? Or is it just renaming for Flashback only?

[Arne_Saknussemm]

FireRx wrote:
okay,
I comfused all over again. Do you, or Do you not Rename the bios for a Bios update? Or is it just renaming for Flashback only?

If you are on a CAP BIOS 2003 or later you need to rename BIOS file to R4E.CAP for BIOS flashback if it isn't already....for EZ flash no renaming is required. If you are on 2003 or later and want to flash 1404 or earlier you have to rename to ERALL.ROM for BIOS flashback...

So, as always, it depends 😉

[FireRx]

Arne Saknussemm wrote:
If you are on a CAP BIOS 2003 or later you need to rename BIOS file to R4E.CAP for BIOS flashback if it isn't already....for EZ flash no renaming is required. If you are on 2003 or later and want to flash 1404 or earlier you have to rename to ERALL.ROM for BIOS flashback...

So, as always, it depends 😉

Okay , that made it clear as Mud! :cool:

[HiVizMan]

Do not stress it mate. You have two BIOS chips, just change over to the B BIOS and cross flash it.

Then follow the good advice you were given here. You need to run the cap convertor via the EZflash2 utility found in the Tools section of the bios.

[HiVizMan]

Just follow the flash back guide in my sig.

[HiVizMan]

Hehe it really is not as complex as you think. Just change to the B bios on your board and in tools section in the bios cross flash the messed up bios so that it works.