There have been ongoing issues with both the Asus Z87 and Z97 platforms covering all the boards. The problem is related to the BIOS Clock freezing which has dire consequences. Windows Update gets borked from files having incorrect and out of order file dates and if you run backups, older files can appear newer than new files and visa versa. Common causes:
1. Using the BIOS Profile Utility to save a profile
2. Using the BIOS Profile Utility to load a profile
3. Saving profiles to USB
4. Stopping a heavy stress test before it finishes (RoG Real Bench)
5. Overclocking crashes
6. NFRWTICD
SpoilerNo Frakin Reason Whatsoever That I can Determine
The Asus RoG forums are replete with threads on the topic. They originally announced a "fix" but while it unfroze the clock, it did so only temporarily. We all jumped for joy but saddened when hours, days or weeks later the problem reappeared. The same thing happened when the BIOS fix was announced, we applied the original fix, installed the new BIOS, and thot our problems were solved. But hours, days, weeks later, it comes back. I have to take down my CAD workstation / office server again as Windows Update stopped working after the last freeze.
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?36676-Frozen-T...
I had hoped that it would be fixed with Z97 but as you can see here and also on newegg customer reviews, it affects Z97 Hero boards as well. Most users are happy as this has never popped up on them
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?36676-Frozen-T...
Here's some other threads ... 1st 4 are on the Hero
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?33895-Hero-Tim...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?46242-Hero-boo...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?49989-VII-HERO...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?49904-VII-Hero...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?45079-BIOS-Tim...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?35490-Sabertoo...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?47956-General-...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?35490-Sabertoo...
"I have 3 boards with this issue in my shop and EVERY client system I built has this problem. I have tried EVERY fix in this thread, nothing works for more then a few days. Flashed BIOS, reset to factory, replaced batteries. NOTHING. "
Asus announced a BIOS fix on June 11 that you can find here noting that when released, the release notes would state "RTC Stop Error Cured". No such BIOS has since been released.
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?35490-Sabertoo...
That fix was only for non RoG Boards and it was stated that a BIOS for RoG Boards would be announced shortly. No such announcement has been made. Now I can understand every manufacturer having a big-a-boo but if you call Asus Tech Support they "never heard" of the problem .... They will offer you and RMA and if you ask will the replacement board be similarly affected or have later revisions cured the problem, you don't get an answer than if the problem occurs again, you can RMA again. As my last RMA took 3 + months, I'm not anxious to do this repeatedly.
Otherwise the Hero is a great board.....if you don't get hit with this issue, you will enjoy it. My problem is the MSI GD65 has the same feature set, has equal or better components and is generally $40 cheaper. It also "usually" comes bundled with a 4690k / 4790k on newegg in a combo discount of $25-$30 but we're outta luck this week.