BIOS Update Failed...PC won't start

DennisColes

DennisColes

DennisColes

Associate
Joined
20 Nov 2010
Posts
266
Hi guys.

I wanted to update my BIOS. The USB GUI install failed and blue screened.

Since then my PC does not boot.

It powers on, my USB peripherals light up but the screen is blank. The PC then restarts again, and again constantly...fans all spin etc.


I've tried holding to the "CL_CMOS" pin at the back, but that hasn't worked.


Can someone please help?

MSI Z68A G43 G3
i5 2500k
GTX 970

I've tried the monitor output on both the GPU and internal grpahics ..but I still get a blank screen.

Please help!
 
My system recently did this when I failed at doing an overclock on my system. while not the same situation, my PC would turn on, screen blank and just kept restarting. You have a different MB to me though.

I solved mine by removing both sticks of RAM and then trying it again, then tried with a single stick of RAM and then it came on. Maybe try this?
 
Did you make a backup of your Bios prior to the update?

What was the message on the BSOD?

Have you tried it with minimum equipment like spacedeck said? remove a couple sticks of ram, extra Hdd's...etc
 
Last edited:
Spacedeck said:
My system recently did this when I failed at doing an overclock on my system. while not the same situation, my PC would turn on, screen blank and just kept restarting. You have a different MB to me though.

I solved mine by removing both sticks of RAM and then trying it again, then tried with a single stick of RAM and then it came on. Maybe try this?
Click to expand...

Just another note, if i keep the memory stick that i used to try and install the bios plugged in, the computer doesn't restart but the screen doesn't come out of standby.

If i unplug the stick, it does restart...very weird!!


Anyway, both sticks of ram removed, PC restarts.

1 Stick, it stays on (but only with the mem stick plugged in)..still black screen though...

:(

I've also removed hard drives etc.
 
Last edited:
With no RAM, the PC will fail the POST cycle and will try to reset itself. Did you try to update the BIOS from Windows using the memory stick or was it from the BIOS itself?

@Spacedeck - had this a couple of weeks back with a failed OC. Had to use the clear CMOS jumper to get the system into the BIOS.

From what I've heard, MSI have had a few issues with the BIOS flash utility. Hopefully yours hasn't bricked itself, but it has been known to happen.
 
Borealis said:
With no RAM, the PC will fail the POST cycle and will try to reset itself. Did you try to update the BIOS from Windows using the memory stick or was it from the BIOS itself?

@Spacedeck - had this a couple of weeks back with a failed OC. Had to use the clear CMOS jumper to get the system into the BIOS.

From what I've heard, MSI have had a few issues with the BIOS flash utility. Hopefully yours hasn't bricked itself, but it has been known to happen.
Click to expand...

It was done from within Windows! I know i know.. i'm a ****ing idiot! :(

What do i do? If it's bricked itself, what's the easiest way to tell? and will i be able to install a different motherboard compatible with the i5 2500k?

I've had the battery out for a while now, will try again in a bit.
 
When you update bios a lot of the time the settings are reset including hdd/ssd boot settings. Find the drive you are booting into windows with and make sure it's set to ACHI not IDE, I had this same issue the other day :)

EDIT : Sorry just noticed this isn't postinf a display, have you tried 1, to remove the usb you used to install the new bios. 2 tried to boot using the motherboards display connection
 
Last edited:
harry5522 said:
When you update bios a lot of the time the settings are reset including hdd/ssd boot settings. Find the drive you are booting into windows with and make sure it's set to ACHI not IDE, I had this same issue the other day :)

EDIT : Sorry just noticed this isn't postinf a display, have you tried 1, to remove the usb you used to install the new bios. 2 tried to boot using the motherboards display connection
Click to expand...

If the USB i used is removed, the PC constantly reboots without posting.

If the memory stick is not removed and remains plugged in, the PC does not remove, and stays on...however there is still a black screen.

Weird no?

And yes, i have removed my GPU and i'm using internal graphics...
 
DennisColes said:
If the USB i used is removed, the PC constantly reboots without posting.

If the memory stick is not removed and remains plugged in, the PC does not remove, and stays on...however there is still a black screen.

Weird no?

And yes, i have removed my GPU and i'm using internal graphics...
Click to expand...



This may be a pain but re seating the CPU may be worth a go I say this because it will detect it as being a new cpu a old system of mine stopped working again after a bios update and re seating the cpu it was happy after that also take it there are no post codes / beeps?
 
Last edited:
Sounds like its bricked, last MSI board i used did a similar thing and thats the reason i use only Gigabyte now.
 
Quoted from here: http://www.msi.com/product/mb/Z68AG43_G3.html#hero-overview


M-Flash
Compared to common motherboard which need extra BIOS chips, MSI’s M-Flash has a double advantage which doesn’t need extra components and secondly, all your BIOS data will be saved in the USB drive. The stored data does not only have backup and upgrade function, moreover it can also be seen as a portable BIOS chip which is actually able to boot up your PC.

Features
- Backup/Restore Your BIOS to/from Any USB Flash Disk
- Avoid Unnecessary Repair Due to Accident Failures During The Upgrading Process
- Earn more BIOS Lifespan by Reducing Unnecessary Rewriting Process
 
Well that would explain why it doesn't fail POST with the usb plugged in. It's basically using the flash drive as the backup BIOS chip.

Alas, if it's constantly resetting itself with it unplugged, then it's almost certain that the BIOS on the board is corrupted.

Try reseating the CPU. It probably won't have any effect if the board is truly bricked, but if it works, then it'll save you the hassle of getting a new/used board.
 
Borealis said:
Well that would explain why it doesn't fail POST with the usb plugged in. It's basically using the flash drive as the backup BIOS chip.

Alas, if it's constantly resetting itself with it unplugged, then it's almost certain that the BIOS on the board is corrupted.

Try reseating the CPU. It probably won't have any effect if the board is truly bricked, but if it works, then it'll save you the hassle of getting a new/used board.
Click to expand...

What motherboard should I get?

I can't seem to find any good quality ones that look decent. I'd rather not buy used.

I wouldn't mind buying a new CPU/motherboard combo.

Any recommendations?
 
I don't think you'll find many if any at all Z77/Z68 boards new. Used is your only option, well probably not only but the main source
 
If you have a failed BIOS update it can be repaired. I had the same issue five years ago, I flashed the BIOS in Windows and it failed.

There are specialists on the internet who will program a BIOS via an SPI header which is a set of raised pins near your actual BIOS chip. The one I used does not seem to have an online presence any more however I hope the moderator will not mind if I advise of another company offering these services - biosmaster.co.uk

Have a look on there - there is a fee for the service of course and you have to post it off (usually include a disk with the BIOS you would like reprogrammed)

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
deano-5 said:
Quoted from here: http://www.msi.com/product/mb/Z68AG43_G3.html#hero-overview


M-Flash
Compared to common motherboard which need extra BIOS chips, MSI’s M-Flash has a double advantage which doesn’t need extra components and secondly, all your BIOS data will be saved in the USB drive. The stored data does not only have backup and upgrade function, moreover it can also be seen as a portable BIOS chip which is actually able to boot up your PC.

Features
- Backup/Restore Your BIOS to/from Any USB Flash Disk
- Avoid Unnecessary Repair Due to Accident Failures During The Upgrading Process
- Earn more BIOS Lifespan by Reducing Unnecessary Rewriting Process
Click to expand...

Based on this info found by Deano, have you tried downloading the BIOS file and sticking it on a blank USB memory stick (FAT32 formatted presumably) Then try rebooting with the stick - it might be able to read it but you'll probably need to ensure its the raw file for the bios and not the zipped download. Then you can go into BIOS setup and use the same file to reprogram your onboard BIOS chip?

Failing that SPI reprogramming if you have the header on your mobo (as per my previous post) or you could send it off and have the soldered chip replaced (more money of course)

Let us know I'd be keen to see if the mem stick works...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom