What to buy to SPI bios flash my MSI p67a-c43 motherboard?

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Computing_Now

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I have an MSI P67A-C43 motherboard that I accidentally flashed with a bios update for the B3 version for the ivy bridge cpu that I don't have. Now it just cycles the bios logo and won't recognise any bios file on a usb flash drive.

There is no way to usb flash it to restore a working bios now according to the manufacturer and apparently the only way is either solder a new bios or SPI flash it.

Can I buy a cheap product on ebay to SPI flash it with usb via another computer?

I was quoted up to $90 for a computer repairer to SPI flash it which is almost the cost of a new motherboard. But if I bought a new motherboard then I might have a whole lot of other problems from Microsoft windows 10 (upgraded from windows 7 retail).

On the back of the manual for the motherboard it says Best of Tom's Hardware 2008. But it doesn't seem so good now :(
 
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I'd wait and get a new mobo and CPU, 1155 boards are starting to lag behind, in terms of both features and performance.
For an i5-2500 to match my 5.1ghz 7700K it'd need to be running about 7ghz+. and my 7700K is still the limiting factor in 1080p games, as is evident when comparing between gpus at...
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13thmonkey

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On the back of the manual for the motherboard it says Best of Tom's Hardware 2008. But it doesn't seem so good now :(
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, you really can't blame anyone else for you flashing it with the wrong Bios. It was a good board in 2008, failsafe Bios flashing was weak in those days.

You need to find someone to do it, or get a new board, the same off ebay might be best option.
 
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Computing_Now

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I don't think I will find any on ebay because it was a board where there was a recall because of the sata controllers. This is why I was trying new bios files to try and use more than 2 drives.

So SPI bios flashing is not something you can do yourself with a low cost product and simply instructions?
 
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TJ Hooker

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Are you able to get a pre-programmed flash chip from MSI or something? Because otherwise it seems like even if you're able to solder it on you'd be right back where you started, having to flash the BIOS onto it.

As far as the soldering goes, depends what kind of package it is. If it's BGA (little ball leads on the bottom of the chip), then no you probably can't solder it yourself. If it has pins coming off the side you could maybe do it, but it would likely take some skill and patience.

As far as USB-to-SPI devices, there are cheaper alternatives, e.g. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12942
However, you'd still have to go about figuring out how you would use something like that to flash the BIOS...

If you're willing to invest serious time and effort into this, you may be able to fix it yourself, but it's far more practical and realistic to just buy a new one.
 
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Computing_Now

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Ok sounds like could be part of planned obsolescence.

I put an advert on asking if anyone can spi flash it for a reasonable price. So I'll wait and see.

It's such a nuisance this happened because I was thinking of getting a new amd system in maybe 6 months when more come out and any bugs are ironed out. (last time I got the newest socket cpu that just came out but that's why I ended up with this motherboard with a sata ports issue because they hadn't fixed all the bugs yet).

Next time I'll choose carefully a product that has some sort of restore ability if you do something wrong accidentally. Do any brands thesedays offer restore abilities for things like this?
 
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13thmonkey

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No it doesn't, it sounds like you used the wrong bios and flashed it. It's more akin to putting LPG into a diesel car, they are both fuel after all, if that kills your engine and is beyond economical repair, that's not planned obsolescence. Not stocking the parts to repair it (and not allowing anyone else to use the patterns), that's planned obsolescence.

Higher end overclocking boards do have 'backup bioses' etc. BUT if flashed with the wrong bios it's possible that even that won't work, these mechanisms didn't become common until a couple of years after your board.

The crash free bios here might have saved you, or the bios switch. https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-IX-APEX/overview/
 
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Computing_Now

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I accidentally installed the latest bios from this page.
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/P67AC43_B3.html#down-bios

And I need to flash it with the latest one from this page
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/P67AC43.html#down-bios

Does it sound like if I got a cpu like this one
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/aberfoyle-park/components/intel-pentium-processor-g2020-3m-cache-2-90-ghz-/1130672398
Or the cheapest ivy bridge cpu around.
I could start windows or a dos bios flasher and reflash it in the normal way? Then sell the cpu since I won't need it anymore.

 
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13thmonkey

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It's a mobo issue, your CPU is probably fine. A b3 bios probably can't be used with a non b3 board. Had you have used the right bios you could use either Sandy or Ivy bridge, updating the bios to Ivy compatibility does not preclude the use of Sandy bridge chips.
 
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13thmonkey

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If that controller is reference by the bios, i.e. the bios saying 'are you there controller 1234' and it gets no answer because the controller is in fact 1235, then something bad will happen, or worse the controller does respond, but in such a way that the bios can't cope with it.

And a sata controller is something that the bios would be interested in.
 
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Computing_Now

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They say
"By the way those 2 motherboards use the same BIOS's so that wasn't your problem. The 5.X BIOS is for Ivy Bridge CPU support. Why did you try flash BIOS to 5.4? If you didn't need it for newer GPU or Ivy then you should not have done it."

But later they say
" for non B3, ME can't be flashed and caused this lock issue"
 
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ValkyrieStar

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Look on eBay and get youreself a replacement BIOS chip, i did something similar with an X99 board (i flashed EVGA X99 Micro 2 with a Micro 1 bios lol).

You'll probably find that with the new BIOS chip, the ethernets MAC address will be something like 88-88-88-88-87-88, you can fix this by editing the bios and flashing through windows tools. It will still work fine however with the incorrect MAC so it's not really important.

Once you've got the new bios chip in, boot up, then swap the chips WHILE THE SYSTEM IS ON (probably easiest if you use a windows flash tool for this), then flash the correct bios back to the original chip.

Then you've got yourself a spare BIOS chip to experiment with!
 
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13thmonkey

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OK, flashing a bios to update it is risky, a lot less so than it was, but risky none-the-less. However updating the bios if you do not need to is just that, a risk, it is not something that will without fail break you board, it just might (because it is a flash). So their first statement is wrong, by flashing it you would have gained ivy support and fixed an issues that you might or might not have been having.

The last comment, no idea what ME can't be flashed etc. means.
 
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Computing_Now

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I am not sure if I should get a new motherboard or a new motherboard and cpu when the amd ones come out later this year.

How are the new amd 4 core cpus that are coming out later this year going to compare with my Core i5-2500 3.3ghz?
For gaming for example with a gtx 970.
 
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TJ Hooker

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That mobo has a removable BIOS chip. [strike]I'm pretty sure most mobos have the BIOS chip soldered on.[/strike]
Edit: Sounds like it's common to have a removable BIOS chip, even though the OP's mobo might not.
/Edit


They should perform a fair bit better in CPU-heavy games. Although the GTX 970 isn't a super powerful GPU by today's standards, so you may end up GPU limited if you're running high settings meaning that difference between CPUs will be smaller.
 
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ValkyrieStar

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Most motherboards have removable BIOSes, very few don't. I've a Intel 775 board, thats removable, Q77 board, also removable, my Z170 board also removable. I've not had a board thats had a soldered one, even a £40 H61 rubbishy thing had a removable bios.

The board does have a removable BIOS chip, i just checked myself. Though i'm having a hard time finding a pre-programmed chip with the correct bios.

Though i know some store on eBay will let you link them a file to put on a chip;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/bios-master?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

Send them a message and they will get you a chip with the correct bios on it. Usually £10. Much cheaper than some full SPI programming machinery/kit etc. I almost went that route myself when i flashed a h81 board with h61 bios lol.

EDIT: I am mistaken, that board doesnt appear to have a removable bios, like an idiot i'd accidentally ended up on the B3 version lol. I am sure that the same ebay store will be able to pre-program a chip for you, which you would have to solder and replace the original one yourself. Take note of the mac address though, as that will probably get wiped and will need editing back into the bios image and reflashing.
 
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Computing_Now

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Thanks, I wouldn't be confident soldering a new one on, I'd just waste money.

I know what would happen, first I wouldn't be able to get the old one out because I can't solder all pins at the same time and I don't have a suction thing, then the solder would flow over multiple tracks and ruin it probably.

Also the manual doesn't seem to indicate where the bios chip is, I'm not sure where it is. Also there's no way to read the old mac address since it won't boot. Will it need the mac address for windows to run without saying its a new motherboard?

I read that I could have got a b3 replacement because the sata controller degrades. Too late now though.
 
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Computing_Now

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If it can't be fixed which is looking likely.
I've got other computers I can use for now.

If it was you would you buy a new 1155 motherboard now at $120~ for the i5 2500 cpu.
Or would you wait and buy a Ryzen 5 4 core instead in a few months, or when they come out?

For gaming mainly as the most demanding application with a GTX 970.

I'd want the system to last for a few years in terms of being able to play games and not be obsolete.
 
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ValkyrieStar

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I'd wait and get a new mobo and CPU, 1155 boards are starting to lag behind, in terms of both features and performance.
For an i5-2500 to match my 5.1ghz 7700K it'd need to be running about 7ghz+. and my 7700K is still the limiting factor in 1080p games, as is evident when comparing between gpus at 1080p, they all get around the same, because games aren't very well multi threaded yet and still need a decent single core performance.
 
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