Asus BIOS update failed - now wont start!

.Lethal

.Lethal

.Lethal

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Joined
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Hi, just built my new PC yesterday ASUS P5K Premium, Q6600 and 4GB of RAM (4 1GB sticks).

All worked fine on first use, in fact everything worked/works fine. UNTIL!!!

I decided to update the BIOS in windows using the ASUS Update program in windows (as you do). I selected the BIOS file I downloaded, all fine.. then there is 3 stages as it updates, clears bios, instals bios, verifys bios.

It completed stage 1 and 2 and on verify it failed. And recommended I re-try so I did and this time nothing would complete. I tried restarting the program then but it would not even load.

Since I could do nothing I turned the PC off and tried to turn it back on.

So as I turn the PC on, all fans go as usual and then.. nothing, it turns the PC off itself after 4/5 seconds and then powers itself back on a few seconds later and just repeats that process over and over with nothing happening.

I'm really confused/lost. I know its due to the BIOS but I could not update/finish this as the BIOS failed/app would not load after problems. I dont have a floppy drive but I have brought a usb thing to work if needed to fix my problem.

Thanks

EDIT: I red the guide/manual and says do not interupt/turn off while bios update is working or you cause "system boot failure" well I did not interupt this, windows did, or the asus app.. eaither way this wasn't intentional!! and I presume I now have "system boot failure"

Shame the manual has no FAQ to say what to do when this happens. The manual is useless at explaining problems that may arise.
 
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Try removing your CMOS battery for 30 seconds, If that fails try putting it in the wrong way.
 
I took the battery out and left it out for a few secs, even reset that jumper next to the battery to reset settings. Still same thing happens
 
Do a search mate there are loads on this.

I think its time the mods made a sticky about how NOT to use the windows update tool.

Sorry I cant be much help.
 
I took a quick look as your right, lots have bios faults and errors but this particular error I could not find. Most in this forum are from overclocking and error reports on there monitor.. I get nothing on my monitor.. just a constant restart of pc and fans loading up. I will take a deeper look on my breaks but if anyone does know please say.
 
OK having googled I have red that in order to reset the BIOS back to normal (even if corrupt or broke etc) I just need to remove the jumper next to the battery on the mobo and put it on the other pin to reset it. Then move it back and it should be reset and ready to go.

This did not work so I take it I now need to RMA the board? I guess it could just be a fault with the board. The board also failed to start my ext drive. It was found when I turn the PC on, but it would not initialise it.. so the HDD was plugged in but in its standby state.. when windows loaded it was not appearing in my computer..

Im starting to think this is all down to a bad motherboard? I dont want to RMA if the above is wrong.
 
It's been well documented that doing the update in Windows is known to result in a dead board for a lot of people. Your only fix is either obtain a bios chip from one of the many on-line retailers or pay to send the board back to the retailer you got it from or Asus. For the cost i'd go with the BIOS as it'll be quicker than an RMA. That said if it isn't the flash you'll have to RMA it anyway.
 
Asus EZflash is your friend! get a usb memory stick put the bios on there and reboot and select EZflash.

Asus are getting a really bad rep for bungled bios flashing.
 
DeadMan said:
Asus EZflash is your friend! get a usb memory stick put the bios on there and reboot and select EZflash.

Asus are getting a really bad rep for bungled bios flashing.
Click to expand...

I cant flash it as nothing happens on the PC, it automatically turns itself off after 5seconds only to come back on 5seconds later.

So no screen, 5secs before power off.. no chance to select anything unfortunately.
 
Avalon said:
It's been well documented that doing the update in Windows is known to result in a dead board for a lot of people. Your only fix is either obtain a bios chip from one of the many on-line retailers or pay to send the board back to the retailer you got it from or Asus. For the cost i'd go with the BIOS as it'll be quicker than an RMA. That said if it isn't the flash you'll have to RMA it anyway.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your advice. Where would I get a BIOS chip from I have not heard of this?
 
I had the exact same issue with a P5B Deluxe. RMA was refused at first, so I contacted Trading Standards, and they said it was a feature of the product (as it was in the manual) so I am entitled to have it repaired/replaced for free.

Make sure that you don't get fobbed off, and that you do get it RMA'd.

Also, use a USB key in the future... stupid Asus tool
 
Unfortunately many of ASUS' newer boards have soldered on BIOS chips....I myself fell foul to this exact issue with a Blitz a couple of months back

You have no realistic option other than to RMA the board, I am afraid - for me, this was OK, as I now have a Maximus instead.......but no other solution :(
 
Tim, just read the thread you started. EXACT same problem. ASUS are terrible allowing users to use this Windows based software knowing damn well what it is doing.
 
Oh dear what a pain? I've been reading these 'Flash BIOS from Windows' horror stories for years now and even though I have tried it once or twice myself with no issues I just feel its a better idea to do it from a floppy (or a USB stick as it is now!).

I'm just wondering, maybe take all the memory out except one stick and find out how to take advantage of this feature offered by your mobo,

 
Might be wrong, but for CrashFree to work you should not power off which OP did!

Also damaged my mobo by flashing from Windows then powering off. Luckily mine was a simple replacement BIOS chip :)
 
hp7909 said:
Might be wrong, but for CrashFree to work you should not power off which OP did!

Also damaged my mobo by flashing from Windows then powering off. Luckily mine was a simple replacement BIOS chip :)
Click to expand...

Trawled via the internet to get info on CrashFree. Your idea of not turning the PC off is wrong. You have to in order to flash/repair the thing in the first place, you also have to create a bootable CD with the BIOS on and some other ASUS tool in order for it to work.

It took me absolutly ages to figure out how to create a bootable CD - ended up downloading an .img ISO with a bootable set-up and then adding the BIOS and the "other" asus file before burning. Have not tried this method yet but will let you know tonight if it works.
 
Sorry for not adding anything constructive to help the OP but I am amazed at any motherboard manufacturer producing a utility that allows the user to flash their BIOS by any other means than a USB stick or a floppy...!!!
Whilst it might be more cost effective to solder the BIOS chip in place the potential consequences of what can happen if it should go wrong is horrendous.
I really wish I could have advised the OP that he should not have bothered to flash the board but I imagine that I would have done just the same, after a day or two to check how the board is. I would not have done it via Windows though, but that is only because I too have been in his position. Mine was resolved because the DFI board had a socketed BIOS chip and I hot flashed the original back after buying a new chip.

I wonder if those Gigabyte boards with their dual OS type of chips would be ok in the above situation...?
 
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