It sounds like your motherboard is in BIOS recovery mode due to an incomplete or failed BIOS update, which is common if there's a power failure during the process. To resolve the issue, you will need to recover the BIOS using the steps below.
Step-by-step guide to recover BIOS on your Z390-i:
1. Prepare the USB Drive
- Format the USB drive: Format a USB stick (preferably 8GB or less, formatted in FAT32).
- Download the BIOS File: Go to the ASUS support page for your Z390-I motherboard and download the correct BIOS file (for example, RSZ390IG.CAP, if that's what is referenced in your message).
- You can find this on the [ASUS support page for Z390-I](https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/ROG-Strix-Z390-I-Gaming/HelpDesk_BIOS/) or the relevant page for your model.
- Make sure the BIOS file has the correct name as mentioned in the warning (i.e., `RSZ390IG.CAP`).
2. Place the BIOS File on the USB
- Copy the BIOS file: Once downloaded, extract the `.CAP` file (if it's in a zip) and place it directly in the root directory of your USB drive (not inside any folder).
3. Enter BIOS Recovery Mode
- Power off the system completely.
- Insert the USB drive with the BIOS file into a USB 2.0 port (the motherboard will look for the BIOS file on this).
- Press the BIOS recovery button (If available):
- On some ASUS motherboards, there’s a specific BIOS recovery button (called the BIOS Flashback button) that you can press to trigger BIOS recovery. It's typically located near the rear I/O or on the motherboard itself. Check your motherboard manual to find it.
- If your motherboard doesn’t have a recovery button, you can try powering on the system and see if it automatically enters BIOS recovery mode by itself.
- Turn on the power: Once the USB stick is in place, power on your PC while the USB is connected.
4. BIOS Recovery Process
- Your motherboard should automatically detect the BIOS file on the USB stick and begin the recovery process.
- Wait patiently: This may take a few minutes. Do not turn off the system while the BIOS is being restored. You should see a progress indicator or an LED flash (on some motherboards).
- Once complete, the system will either restart automatically, or you may need to manually restart the system.
5. Reset the CMOS (Optional)
- If the recovery doesn’t seem to resolve the issue, you might need to reset the CMOS. This can be done by:
- Powering off the system.
- Removing the CMOS battery for 5-10 minutes, or using the clear CMOS jumper (consult the motherboard manual for its location).
- Reinstall the battery, power on the system, and see if it progresses past the recovery mode.
6. Reflash BIOS (If Needed)
- If the recovery process works, but you're still experiencing issues or your BIOS is out of date, you can boot into the BIOS menu and reflash the BIOS using the newer version you downloaded earlier.
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Additional Notes:
- Make sure you are using the correct BIOS version. Sometimes incorrect versions (for instance, from a different motherboard model) can cause further issues.
- If you're still unable to resolve the issue, it may be necessary to contact ASUS support for further assistance, as the BIOS chip could be damaged from the power failure.
Following these steps should help restore the BIOS on your system. Let me know if you need further clarification or assistance!
