Max XI F: BIOS 1902/1903 issues with XMP

[BizSAR]

After flashing BIOS 1902 or 1903 on my Maximus XI Formula, if I set it to utilize XMPI or II, the platform makes a number of attempts to boot, then boots into BIOS safe mode. I'm able to reproduce this even with all other BIOS settings at default.
Flashing back to 1802, I have no issues.
CPU: i9-9900KF
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB 3000 MHz, 4 x 8GB CL15 BLT8G4D30AET4K
Can provide more stats if needed.

[xNyor]

I have written you.
Something missing? write me.

Greetings, Pascal.

[BizSAR]

xNyor wrote:
I have written you.
Something missing? write me.

Greetings, Pascal.

Hi!
I'm curious as to what memory you have since I'm seeing the same issue. What brand/model/size?
Is this on a Maximus XI Formula motherboard as well?

My RAM is the Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB 3000 MHz DDR4 DRAM Desktop Gaming Memory Kit 32GB (8GBx4) CL16 BLT4K8G4D30BET4K

[STARRAIN_ROG]

Hi xNyor,

Thank you for your information.
I'll consult our tech team about your case.

[STARRAIN_ROG]

Hi xNyor,

Could you please refer to the following link to unplug the power cord and clear cmos, and then plug the power cord and start the pc again?
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1040820/
If it can boot successfully, please set XMP and then boot again.
Thank you.

[xNyor]

STARRAIN@ROG wrote:
Hi xNyor,

Could you please refer to the following link to unplug the power cord and clear cmos, and then plug the power cord and start the pc again?
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1040820/
If it can boot successfully, please set XMP and then boot again.
Thank you.

Hey.

I've already tried that - with Bios 1902 and 1903, without success.

[STARRAIN_ROG]

Hi xNyor,

Thank you for your reply.
I'll consult our tech team more about this.

[xNyor]

STARRAIN@ROG wrote:
Hi xNyor,

Thank you for your reply.
I'll consult our tech team more about this.

Thanks 🙂

[AndAbel]

Hi,

I just registered in order to respond to this thread and another. I'm having very similar problems with my z390-e motherboard. Initially I tried 1902/1903 with G.Skill F4-3200C16D-32GTZKW RAM and I noticed that it took more attempts than normal after updating the bios to get it to initially post. After setting up the bios as usual I noticed that sometimes when I would boot that the memok lights would get stuck on white with no picture on the monitor but the system disk was active. Eventually my system would boot and the monitor would go on as soon as I got to my desktop. If I got the system to boot without getting stuck on the white then it would generally continue to boot normally when restarting so long as I didn't cut power to my PC. When I cut power to my PC(which I do every night) I always initially get stuck on white again, although the system will still boot with the monitor coming on as soon as it loaded to my desktop. Usually only one restart at this point would get it to go through the normal memok light sequence and boot properly although sometimes I would need to reboot more than once. At one point when getting stuck on the white from a cold boot, I decided to just keep using it as is and I eventually had a blue screen crash. I never had instability before this bios update or when I would reboot and get it to go through the normal memok light sequence but I did when I left it with the white light stuck on and the unusual boot.

I just bought some new RAM and decided to try that with 1903. The RAM is G.Skill F4-3200C14D-32GTZR. With this RAM I can not get the bios to post normally, although I did get it into safe mode once I believe. Normally it would get stuck on white like the previous RAM but without booting like my previous RAM did and resetting would lead to the same memok sequence getting stuck on white with no disk activity. This happened every time except once where it eventually went into safe mode after multiple failed memok sequences. I tried clearing the CMOS and tried it multiple times but could not get it to normally post or work properly.

I've now reverted back to 1802, although I did get it stuck on white once with this new RAM(never had that with the old RAM on this bios) on the first boot after clearing the CMOS. Hitting the reset button remedied that and once I set the bios up properly it boots correctly now every time. Whether restarting or from a cold boot after being unplugged all night.

I hope this isn't too confusing. I think there is definitely something wrong with the 1902/1903 bios. I can't get this new RAM to post after a fresh bios flash and this new RAM I just bought was specifically made for z390 boards. My board(z390-e) is listed on G.Skill's website as one of the boards that it is specifically designed for. My previous RAM was made specifically for z370 and yet that one will post although not without its problems as I mentioned above.

The new RAM is now working properly with no instability problems and even overclocked with the 1802 bios but it won't even post after a fresh bios flash or cleared CMOS with 1902/1903.

BTW I tried loading from an old profile and I also tried setting up the bios manually. It didn't make any difference for my old RAM and the new RAM won't even post correctly with 1903.

[STARRAIN_ROG]

Hi AndAbel,

May I double confirm you just got it stuck on white memok lights once with G.Skill F4-3200C14D-32GTZR on bios 1802, and it is working fine now even overclocked?
If you updated to bios 1902 or1903 and cleared CMOS with G.Skill F4-3200C14D-32GTZR, you got it stuck on white memok lights and no boot?
Thank you.

[AndAbel]

Hi STARRAIN@ROG,

Yes that is correct. The only thing I would add is that I was able to get it to post first time with the G.Skill F4-3200C14D-32GTZR on 1802, but the most recent time I tried it, it did get stuck initially on white for the first time after the CMOS was cleared.