Can't flash past current BIOS version on ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO Z87

jay2tall · Oct 10, 2014

I have had an ongoing issue with trying to upgrade the BIOS version on my ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO Z87 motherboard. I am currently on flash 0804, but when I try to flash to a newer version, even the one directly preceding, which is 0903, my system hangs at the ROG BIOS splash screen. I have tried flashing using the BIOS EZFLASH utility, the FLASHBACK USB bios update, and from the ROG Suite EZUPDATE utility. Each time it boots, flashes the BIOS I just loaded, reboot and sits at the ROG BIOS screen indefinitly. The only way to fix it is to shutdown and use the FLASHBACK method to flash to 0804 with a USB drive. I am however, able to flash to an earlier version without any issues. BIOS 0711 works just fine.

I've called ASUS support and have gone back and forth with their tech support for over a week now. They finally requested I send it in for RMA,which could take 2-3 weeks. I can't be without my computer for that amount of time so I requested they just send a replacement BIOS chip, that you can purchase from the eStore. They just stopped responding to my messages and the support number just puts me on hold for well over an hour. They have given me the worst tech support I've ever had, even surpassing Comcast. At least with them I eventually get a hold of someone that will help.

Needless to say I just purchased a new BIOS chip that will ship with a new BIOS version. I am hoping this corrects the issue, but I wanted to put the question out there if anyone has ever had a similar issue and a BIOS chip swap out fixed it. I also wanted to get to a newer version because my SLI's 970's are having weird issues in certain games and are fine in other. Not sure if a future driver will fix this or if a BIOS update could help since I am so many versions behind.

Darkbreeze · Oct 10, 2014

There have been some occurances of bad BIOS ROM chips on the ROG boards. For all the instances I have seen a new chip solved the issue except in one case where the motherboard was at fault and had to be RMA'd. I think you'll likely be ok with the new chip but if not I'd initiate the RMA process asap with ASUS by way of website if the problem is still an issue. I shouldn't be, as you will likely already have the most current version and it's unlikely there will be too many, if any, future firmware revisions for that board.

jay2tall · Oct 10, 2014

Hopefully the Gods shine upon me and the BIOS chip will fix it. My buddy had some issues with a 980 and updated his MSI BIOS and solved his issues. I was hoping for the same, but it bombs each time. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the reply darkbreeze. I don't spend much time in the mobo forum section so haven't seen what people are reporting.

jay2tall · Oct 20, 2014

I replaced the BIOS Chip and it will not boot. I guess it is time to RMA. ugh.

Darkbreeze · Oct 20, 2014

Ah Jesus. Sorry to hear that. If it was some other kind of issue I'd say let's get it benched first before condemning anything, but if it won't post with a brand new chip, it's gotta be the board itself. You have tried all the minimal hardware options like only one ram module, onboard graphics etc., right?

jay2tall · Oct 28, 2014

Yes I tried virtually everything I can think of. I finally got a hold of ASUS again yesterday since I was home during the day. Apparently ASUS has 24 hours support, but if you call between 8AM-4:30PM EST you will get their Indiana USA tech support. Otherwise it's somewhere else on the globe... They set me up with an advanced RMA so I can get the board delivered with a credit card hold and then ship back the defective board. That process takes 24-48 hours to get the advanced RMA processed, so waiting on that.

Funny enough one of my gaming issues was the stinking UPnP setting on my new gateway router. I've had that a while now, but apparently been playing campaign based games for a while and once I fired up multiplayer recently it had a random lag issue. Seems to be fine now from that standpoint. Still can't upgrade BIOS so that needs to change. Then it's time to rock and roll. Now I just need a 1440P Gsync 120hz+ display that doesn't cost $800.

Darkbreeze · Oct 28, 2014

jay2tall :

(Looks sideways at Jay)

And when you find it, preferably in the three to four hundred dollar range, be sure to order two of them or at least send me the link. Heh. Good luck Jay.

jay2tall · Oct 28, 2014

I would hope the G-sync displays start to go a little more mainstream by early 2015.. (fingers crossed) There are 1080P ones out there, but I want a slightly higher res with SLI 970s. Especially with the 970's at the ~$330 entry price and I'm sure 960's coming out at some point we should see some higher res stuff. Maybe not 4K on a 24-27" LCD but surely 1440P with a higher refresh rate.

Darkbreeze · Oct 28, 2014

I currently have this unit:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/asus-pb287q-4k-monitor,3832.html

but I'd definitely like to see something just like it at 144hz or see the units like mine drop to about half the price so I can add a second one. They will, in good time I imagine. G-sync and Freesync are nice too.

lookanlearn · Dec 10, 2014

Quick question.

When flashing the BIOS.
I see in all the images online that its just a motherboard outside a case. And all the instructions I have seen just say have a power lead plugged in....

But
I don`t want to strip down my PC to what they show on the online images.....
So
Do you have your PC switched on or off to flash the bios (with your OS [Windows 8 etc] running)?
Some say "Go into BIOS by pressing `Delete`"
It is certainly not in the instructions...

Which ASUS give here;-

"1.Put Bios file and Bios renamer in same folder
2.Execute the Utility
3.Use new Bios file for USB BIOS Flash back."

The mystery of why instructions are designed to kill the consumers continues apace.

I am happy to gamble ruining my PC as its all comedy; but others end up throwing petrol bombs through shop windows eventually; as they NEED sensible instructions.

EDIT...
P.S.
I just press `Delete` on Starting the PC, and Flash the BIOS from within the BIOS software itself. For me, its easiest.

Darkbreeze · Dec 10, 2014

lookanlearn :

Flashing the BIOS does NOT require ANY disassembly of the computer. I don't know where you got that from, but it's unbelievably inaccurate. Every motherboard manufacturer has their own method, although most are similar, so familiarize yourself with the procedure for YOUR particular board before making any attempt.

You just need to know where to look. Google is your friend, as always:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/187437/how_to_update_your_bios.html

jay2tall · Dec 11, 2014

There are about 4 methods to flash the BIOS on this board. The easiest is through the ASUS AI Suite 3 application under EX Update. Go to the website, download the latest BIOS file and use this tool to flash it. If you get in a pickle and have to flash back to the original, make note what version it is and then you have to do the USB stick in the one port and use the FLASHBACK USB bios update method. This is the method that can be done without anything installed on the motherboard, but you don't have to do that.

Darkbreeze · Dec 11, 2014

Did you ever get the original problem resolved with the replacement of the motherboard? All good to go now?

Paul NZ · Dec 11, 2014

Only thing with updating a BIOS is windows is if it freezes (and you reset / turn it off), it'll brick the system. But lucky for you your mobo supports USB flashback

Actually the easiest way to do it is if its going is to use ez flash in the BIOS

And you dont have to update every BIOS to get to the latest. The Latest BIOS now is 1603

Darkbreeze · Dec 11, 2014

Thanks Paul, but Jay and I are pretty much both power users and builders, and we understand that. Whoever the guy was trying to hijack the thread might find that useful though. Heh.

Paul NZ · Dec 11, 2014

You'll be surprised how many people dont know that but find out later when the system is dead

lookanlearn · Dec 11, 2014

Darkbreeze :

Take a chill pill instead of being anal.

Darkbreeze · Dec 11, 2014

lookanlearn :

It's standard practice to start your own thread when you have questions, not impose your questions on somebody else's thread. It's called hijacking the thread when you post your own question in a thread rather than limiting posts to content that applies to answering the OP's question. So I'm not being anal, you're being rude and in reality, violating the TOS agreement, although that rarely gets enforced.

And I wasn't rude or unfriendly towards YOU in any case, so in reality if anybody should be taking offense it's me, since you seemed to think it's ok to call me anal. Perhaps you should go play around on one of the kiddie forums until you've matured enough to warrant inclusion on a big boy forum.

jay2tall · Dec 12, 2014

Darkbreeze :

Funny story on that. So yes, I did get everything worked out. I had purchased a BIOS chip on eBay and that didn't work, wouldn't even boot to a splash screen. ASUS sent me a BIOS, same thing. Got an RMA motherboard and booted to splash screen, but same issue. However, I was far enough along from an injury that I could get my computer up and down from a shelf to work on it better. The whole issue was that for some reason any BIOS after 804 would not boot after a BIOS update if there was a RAID set installed. If I unplugged the RAID drives, changed the SATA controller from AHCI to RAID, plug the drives back in, it ALL worked. The RMA board was not the most recent so I ran the update to 1603, rebooted, and the issue occured again. I once again unplugged the 2 SSDs, rebooted to bios, changed SATA from AHCI to RAID, plugged them back in and rebooted and all is well.

It was a silly oversight on my part not to try this initially, but I was physically not capable of moving my PC from the top of my desk (overhead cabinet), to the desktop. I am recovering from a motorcycle accident from a year ago and up until somewhat recently could not get my desktop down. It's all fixed at least. One thing I did find out... Don't call ASUS support outside of the 8:30AM-4:30PM EST timeframe. It goes overseas and they are terrible. US support is in Tennessee or something like that and they are super helpful. Overseas.... Not sure they know what they are even trying to support.

Darkbreeze · Dec 12, 2014

US support is in Tennessee or something like that and they are super helpful. Overseas.... Not sure they know what they are even trying to support.

(Insert crazy ass laugh here!) Yeah, that's a fact. I think that applies to every company that uses overseas support including, well, pretty much everyone these days. In fact, I get the distinct feeling that the same exact girl from the same exact call center does support for Comcast, Directv, Netgear, T-Mobile and about three other companies because I could swear to God himself I've recognized the name and voice on independent calls for support to all those companies.

Either that, or whatever country they have their call centers in use women from the same region that have identical voices. None of which know squat about the product, are going entirely off what their screen coaches them to say and are distinctly difficult to understand with the heavy accents they always have. Then they get offended when you can't understand them and ask for somebody who speaks better English.

Hey, I called you from the US about support for a US based company. If I worked for an Indian based company, and you were in India, I wouldn't expect you to understand me easily and would have no problem handing the call off to somebody who natively spoke your language. Sigh. It ain't gonna change though. Glad to hear you got it worked out in the end. Good luck bud.

jay2tall · Dec 12, 2014

Darkbreeze :

HAHA, yeah I hear that. Actually DirecTV has always been great. I am moving in a month and they were helpful. Comcast was based here in the US and they were idiots. Trying to sell me a security system and after 20 minutes said, oh wait I can't book that move that far out, you have to call back. Oh and yeah that nice internet promo we gave you because you called 6 times on a Sunday and spend 5 hours of your day with us is going to be canceled when you move because we don't transfer service. If their internet wasn't the best, or really only choice, I'd end all relations with them. AGHGHG.

Yes, all systems are running smooth now. I just need a 1440P G-Sync 24" 120Hz+ monitor now... that is not yet made.

Can't flash past current BIOS version on ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO Z87

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