Unable to update BIOS on ASUS X99-M WS using ALL Methods. NOTHING Works! Please Help!

cfowler

Distinguished
Dec 28, 2008
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18,510
I've managed to update from 0104 to 0502 but now I'm unable to update to 3002 or 3003. I've tried the Flashback button with the 3002 loaded onto a formatted (FAT32) thumb drive loaded into the Flashback port and when I press the flashback button it needs to be pressed a little hard and the button goes in a fair bit and stays in, almost like it's sticking and it sits there and cycles and reads from the USB and does not finish, I waited twenty minutes once and finally had to pop the button back out using a knife. Then I attempt to update via UEFI in BIOS and it says that the file is not a proper BIOS file. I've tried multiple USB sticks formatting to FAT32 & ExFAT and I've also tried the re-namer tool for both 3002 and 3003 files. I've also cleared the CMOS and tried again. I've attempted also to update via AI Suite 3 via EZ update and it tells me the model of the BIOS image doesn't match. I've attempted the USB BIOS Flashback utility in AI Suite 3 and it just times out when attempting to check for updates. Can someone please help with this? The idiots at ASUS want me to return the board which would be the third RMA since I bought it. I'm hoping someone can help me so I don't have to do this. Would buying a new BIOS chip with the 3003 flashed onto it work if I were to install it?

Thanks!
Chris
 

Lutfij

Titan
Moderator
At this point I think the idiots are right to ask you for the board since a bricked board under your hands may be disqualified from an RMA procedure. It hasn't happened to anyone I know over the www but when we're dealing with time consuming troubleshooting techniques while all possible routes are exhausted, it'd be better if the professionals at Asus flashed the BIOS for you or replaced the board for you(IMHO).

FYI, you shouldn't be formatting your USB stick in exFAT format, only in FAT32 as per your manual.

Mind if you could share your full system's specs with us inclusive of your OS? I'm assuming your flashing it using no CPU to install a newer CPU? If so then would you be able to get a hold of your last CPU that worked on the board and try to flash the BIOS? Back tracking, there aren't any BIOS files to speak of in the download section. If your system is working fine, best leave it alone.
 
just went thru that thread on the asus mobo support forum - Hiker, the mod who posted knows his stuff

i had a number of issues updating my Z97 BIOS until i deleted both Asus AI suite III and Intel's ETU - they both have the ability to change bios settings from within Windows, but apparently create conflicts. The problems with the AI Suite have been around since the dawn of time, so i don't expect ASUS has bothered to correct them on the X99 boards

if you do un-install it, there's an AI Suite Cleaner asus put out to use after the un-installation
fwiw