ASUS z170i pro gaming mainboard does not save any bios settings and does not boot. Battery OK.

Sep 23, 2018
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Hi,

I think I have a bit a special issue with my asus z170i pro gaming itx mainboard.

The system is:
Asus z170i pro gaming
Intel i5 6600 cpu
2x8 GB corsair ram
256 GB ssd
amd r290x graphic

the system is water cooled.

I did not do any bios update when the issue appeared. It is still version 3604. When shutting down my computer once it was hanging with full running fans for the radiators.

From then it only boots into the bios. When I try to change any value it does not save it.

First guess: Mainboard battery. So I replaced it with 2 different new ones. The date settings do not disappear but if still does not save any settings changes. -> Battery OK.

The Mainboard shows my ssd in the M2 slot with correct information but does not show it as boot device.

Adding another bootable hard disk shows that information too but also does not let it appear on bootable devices.

It always says: No bootable device found.

Then I tried to create a Windows boot USB stick with the Media Creation Tool. This is also not recognized as bootable and the system still always enters BIOS.

I tried removing AMD R290X and used internal graphics. No change.
I tried plugging off all Fans except pump. Moved pump to another fan connector. No change.
I tried removal and remounting the memory. No change.

I tried to update the BIOS with the EZ Flash 3 tool in bios.
Internet connection does not work. It says it will initialize internet stack and reboot, but then it bots again in BIOS with default settings.

Update from USB stick and .CAP file looks working. It shows me the data of the SSD and the plugged in USB stick. I select the CAP file for 3805 BIOS and click OK. Then the progress bar is running and it says "Update successfully. Rebooting."... And then it reboots and I am back in the BIOS 3604 with default settings.

Last but not least I also tried another PSU. This also did not change anything.


Does anyone have an idea what else I could try before changing the mainboard completely? I would prefer to not replace it since my water cooling is rigid tube. So it is a lot of work to change it.

Any help will be apreciated.
 
Sep 23, 2018
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I tried multiple. 3805 and 3610. Both from this official ASUS support site:
https://www.asus.com/de/Motherboards/Z170I-PRO-GAMING/HelpDesk_BIOS/

I made a little video of the process. It looks like progress bar is not updating but it is. Just the phone did not capture it well.

https://youtu.be/MNSecdXIhBY

I am a bit worried because it lets me pick the file and says "Update successful" and then after the reboot it is still the old one. What did it do when it showed the progress bar and before it said "Update successful" ?

But beside that I cannot save ANY changed setting in my bios.

I am also not able to boot from a boot stick or any bootable device actually.

I am really lost at the moment.

 
Is the clear CMOS Jumper cap set correctly?
There shouldn´t be one
reset the BIOS while power is pluuged off the wall, shorten the two pins with something conducting

Have a look at the CPU socket pins of the motherboard

battery is plugged in correctly? Ground and V+

 
Sep 23, 2018
4
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Thanks for your replies.

Yes. I double checked all. I guess it is a defect on mainboard since it worked and suddenly stopped working without any interaction like bios update. CMOS battery was the first check. I replaced the battery. Since it does not loose the time I doubt that it is the battery. When I clear CMOS or replace battery then the time is reset. I ordered a replacement board today. When that arrives I will inspect the old one and see if I send it for RMA or if it had another reason why it did not work anymore.


IF the CPU is the problem. Shouldn't it stay black in that case? I always enter the BIOS. But whatever I change, it is not saved. Most I am worried about the BIOS update. Reading the file. Showing success and progress bar. I would expect then, even if it is reset after, that only the new BIOS is available now on the system. But even that is reverted.
 
Sep 23, 2018
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I did by jumper multiple times and by replacing the battery multiple times.
I removed external graphics,
I installed a new PSU (750W),
I removed any unneccesary connection to external USB sockets (in the case).

The board has spacers installed. Nothing changed from when it worked to when it did not work anymore. The case was closed.

Today I will disassemble my water cooling and unmount the board and try outside the case with a minimal setup.