how to install a BIOS update without windows installed

v SubZeRo z · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:02

Hey guys I have recently purchased a Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 motherboard and a intel i5 ivybridge 3400k, the bios is not updated so i need to update it, is there any ways of installing the update without windows installed?

Bacon? · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:04

Nope. You need an OS first. Look at my threat called "No Display", it should contain a lot of information about using the free Windows 8 trial via USB.

stulid · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:04

Got a USB thumb drive?

Place the BIOS file onto that (formatted to FAT32) and use QFlash within the existing BIOS.

Orcvader · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:06

stulid said:
Got a USB thumb drive?

Place the BIOS file onto that (formatted to FAT32) and use QFlash within the existing BIOS.

This. Doing it this method is also a lot less risker than flashing through Windows.

Space Monkey · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:06

Bacon? said:
Nope. You need an OS first. Look at my threat called "No Display", it should contain a lot of information about using the free Windows 8 trial via USB.

?? The BIOS loads in before the OS? See stulids answer above

v SubZeRo z · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:07

The computer is stuck in a boot loop and I cant access any of the BIOS options or run from a USB.

jeff6475 · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:08

does the cpu work with the mobo ?
i ask because some z68 boards wont work with IB until you update the bios and if you have 1 of those boards your gonna need a SB cpu or take it to a pc shop and ask them to update it for a small fee or ask where you bought it from

stulid · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:08

v SubZeRo z said:
The computer is stuck in a boot loop and I cant access any of the BIOS options or run from a USB.

Try a clearCMOS?

Switch OFF at the wall, pull the battery out for a bit, replace and power back ON.

d_brennen · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:09

Tried clearing CMOS?

Orcvader · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:09

If it's stuck in a boot loop then something is wrong. What keyboard are you using? Make sure it's connected to a USB 2.0 or PS/2 port if it's not working.

Also try a CMOS reset to see if that helps.

jeff6475 · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:09

jeff6475 said:
does the cpu work with the mobo ?
i ask because some z68 boards wont work with IB until you update the bios and if you have 1 of those boards your gonna need a SB cpu or take it to a pc shop and ask them to update it for a small fee or ask where you bought it from

v SubZeRo z · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:10

I have tried all of that stulid, nothing works. No the mobo needs updating jeff, thats why it is stuck in the boot loop.

jeff6475 · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:11

then like i said you need a SB cpu to do it

Orcvader · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:13

jeff6475 said:
then like i said you need a SB cpu to do it

This. The CPU you have is the newer generation Ivybridge, you need a Sandybridge based processor to flash the BIOS, since it's only the more recent ones that can support IB.

d_brennen · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:13

Can you borrow a SB chip from anyone? If you were a nasty, dirty, dishonest **** you could buy a cheapo SB Celeron and DSR it after the update. Jus sayin

v SubZeRo z · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:14

I wont be able to get hold of one. My brother has had the same problem, all he did was unplug the SSD and HDD and left it on in the boot loop for it to eventually recognize there is no SSD or HDD and he could then use the BIOS tools for some reason, I have tried this but it doesn't seem to be working.

stulid · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:17

Try this.

Power OFF.
Remove RAM
Power ON.
Power OFF.
Place a single stick of RAM in the slot furthest from the CPU.
Power ON, anything?
Power OFF and move it one slot closer, repeat for all the slots.

v SubZeRo z · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:19

What would that do?

stulid · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:21

v SubZeRo z said:
What would that do?

Trick the board into refilling its hardware population fields which it does at any significant hardware change, then every time you power up, it checks the current hardware against a list it expects to find.

Its sort of a "reset"

SouthEastBlue · 17 Jul 2012 at 22:21

Also all of Gigabytes Z68 boards (and P67) still have a problem with overclocking Ivybridge processors unless you source one of the beta Uefi bios updates from various forums (tweaktown being one). No idea how good they are though, I expect they're still semi buggy. The latest official BIOS should still run the CPU though, but without any overclocking options. I guess if you can't actually access the BIOS though then you will need a Sandybridge CPU like others have said just for the initial boot to run your memory stick to update it.