I have the dreaded frozen clock in the UEFI BIOS on my Asus Z87 Sabertooth.
I have had it for a while, but only really tracked down the issue (noticed I had to keep resetting the system time in windows and only just realised that the UEFI clock, when set, is NOT ticking along - it just stays at hh:mm:00)
I know this is not a CMOS battery issue as all other settings remain unaffected (despite power being cut at the wall for nearly 2 weeks while I was on holiday).
As such, despite all the mentions of temporary fixes online, I am trying from the ground up to try and sort the issue.
First step is a BIOS update - of which I have 2 options, as detailed here:
http://www.asus.com/microsite/2014/MB/New_4th_gen_Intel...
- BIOS Flashback via USB stick - trouble is, believe it or not, I don't have a USB stick to hand.
- BIOS Updater within windows.
The second option is where I am currently heading, but I have hit a conundrum (especially as there is a high possibility the clock freeze is related to Intel MEI).
Here is the conundrum, to use the BIOS updater it is recommended to have the latest version of Intel MEI installed. However on Asus' website it lists FOUR versions. 2 are 9.4.xxx and 2 are 9.5.xxx
Obviously the 9.5.xxx is the way to go, but this is where I am confused. Here is what is listed under http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z87/HelpDes... > Drivers and Tools > Windows 8.1 64 Bit > Chipset:
- Dated 2013/10/11 (assuming 11th October)
Management Engine Interface V9.5.10.1658 for Windows Win8.1 64bit---(WHQL).(1.5M)
Management Engine Interface V9.5.10.1658 for Windows Win8.1 32bit---(WHQL).(1.5M)
59.33 MB
- Dated 2013/10/04 (assuming 4th October)
Intel(R) Management Engine Interface V9.5.14.1724 for Windows 7/8/8.1 32bit & 64bit.(WHQL)
59.33 MB
- Dated 2013/10/04
Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility V9.4.0.1026 for Windows 7/8/8.1 32bit & 64bit.(WHQL)
255.97 MB
- Dated 2013/09/25
Intel Chipset Driver V9.4.0.1026 for Windows Win8.1 32bit & Win8.1 64bit---(WHQL).
7.46 MB
Normally I would just select the first item on any such list, what is troubling me is that the newest item has a lower sub version and build number than an older item:
9.5.10.1658 - 2013/10/11 vs 9.5.14.1724 - 2013/10/04
Also, to add further ambiguity, I stumbled across this post from November 2013:
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?39514-M6Hero-w...
Quote:
I did contact ASUS support and got a response on this. I was told to use V9.5.10.1658. V9.5.14.1724 though newer has problems and will be removed soon. Sometimes I feel like ASUS Support just wants to get rid of me and tells me whatever, but I sure can't explain why two are posted and the "newer" one is older and the "older" one is newer.
The release dates of the files match those listed by zachjune in his thread, which suggests Asus never took the file down as is alleged they said they would.
Suggestions?