Very odd BIOS problem

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7 May 2003
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994
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Hi,

I just built a new Mini-ITX system around the MSI Z77IA-E53 and a i5-3570K.
The problem is, I have not yet been able to go into the BIOS settings.
First of all, it would reboot every time i tried to enter setup from boot or tried to bring up the boot menu.

After double checking that everything was connected correctly, I changed the SATA port that the disk (Corsair M4 256GB) was on and the USB port on the rear of the board rather than the front panel of the case.
After this, it still would not enter the BIOS screen but I was able to install Windows 8 from a USB key.
Once installed I ran the MSI Live update to install latest BIOS/Drivers/Utils which completed but when I try and run the Click Bios II application (I think this is for changing BIOS settings from within Windows), it crashes with an error.
Now when I try and enter the BIOS at boot, it hangs with the code A2 in the corner.
I have cleared CMOS lots of times and this brings up the message that the settings have been cleared and to press F1 to enter settings, but the same thing happens and it just hangs.

I am in the strange situation that I can boot into Windows and it operates fine but I can't seem to access the BIOS at all.
The core temps are fine (23c-29c idle with a Corsair H100 attached) and I don't have a discrete GPU added yet.

I realise that I am short on detail but I didn't finish the install to until late last night and I am at work and don't have any more specific information to hand.

I would be grateful if anyone could throw some light on this as it has me baffled.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Regards

JudgeC
 
A2 Debug code is motherboard is detecting IDE devices (hard discs, optical drives,sata).
You using usb keyboard, I had same message with Asrock Z77 board, just by having keyboard in usb3 sockects instead of usb 2.
Check/ try other cables, sata, etc.

Not at home, poor connection,so a bit limit with advice,.
 
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The only drive of any type in the machine at the moment is the Corsair M4 SSD, which as the latest BIOS.
The O/S was installed from USB key and I still couldn't get into the BIOS with the SSD unplugged, having said that, I may not have tried since I attempted the BIOS flash through MSI Live Update, so I could give it a go.
Actually, for your second point, I might check where I have the keyboard plugged, didn't think to check at the time.

Cheers
 
Last edited:
A2 Debug code is motherboard is detecting IDE devices (hard discs, optical drives,sata).
You using usb keyboard, I had same message with Asrock Z77 board, just by having keyboard in usb3 sockects instead of usb 2.
Check/ try other cables, sata, etc.

Not at home, poor connection,so a bit limit with advice,.

Moving the keyboard and mouse to other USB ports helped me get a bit further, but it was freezing at the splash screen a little further on.
Then, I changed the connection to the monitor from HDMI to VGA and suddenly I can get into the BIOS.

This new generation of BIOS seems a bit fussy about what is plugged in where.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestion it got me going in the right direction.

Cheers

JudgeC
 
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