asrock z68 pro3 failed bios update - unable to revert back

[toiletninja]

Hi. It seems that in attempting to fix a minor problem with the usb ports, I've gotten myself into an absolute disaster. Here is what happened:

I updated my (asrock z68 pro3) bios from 1.20 to 2.10 (being an idiot and not researching carefully beforehand) with the instant flash file found here (via usb). I did not realize then that this bios version was exclusively for ivy bridge processors, not sandy bridge. My computer then proceeded to not boot properly. It got past the bios, but would get stuck on the loading screen (for win8 where you see those spinning white dots under the blue window) and reboot itself. I was fortunately able to still access the bios, so I decided to downgrade using the same instant flash method. However, asrock for some reason does not keep previous versions of bios on their website so I was forced to find it elsewhere on softpedia. I downloaded all versions under 1.60 onto my usb. When I tried to select them on the instant flash utility in the bios, they did not show up. only the 2.10 and 2.16A drivers I had copied on there previously were displayed. Now, either the downloads from the softpedia website were corrupted, or the utility does not allow downgrading of bios drivers (the askrock download page does mention to flash only newer versions of bios, but I thought that was just a suggestion). Either way, it seems I'm completely screwed over for such a minor mistake.

Is there anything can I do to revert back to a previous bios version? Thanks.

 

[k1114]

The bios works for any 1155 cpu sb and ib. The issue is most likely nx bit which is disabled by default. It needs to be enabled for w8. It's under advanced, cpu config, it's called non execute memory protection. Also make sure ide/ahci is correct or any other bios setting.

 

[toiletninja]

The bios works for any 1155 cpu sb and ib. The issue is most likely nx bit which is disabled by default. It needs to be enabled for w8. It's under advanced, cpu config, it's called non execute memory protection. Also make sure ide/ahci is correct or any other bios setting.

I see, then I should have no need to downgrade. But the no-execute memory protection was already enabled by default. and sorry but what does ide/ahci mean?

 

[k1114]

I'm assuming you never changed any settings then that wouldn't be the issue. Put in your w8 cd and select repair. W8 has a couple of stuff tied to the bios so if you flash it, it may clear the boot loader and causes it not to be able to boot.

 

[toiletninja]

Cool! Thank you that seems to have solved the problem. Luckily I still had my win8 cd lying around and I booted from the cd selecting the "refresh windows" option. However this uninstalled all of the software and applications I had installed on the computer (but keeping other files like photos & documents). It's gonna be a pain to reinstall everything back, but fortunately win8 was considerate enough to leave a list of everything it uninstalled on my desktop.

but I still get the usb issue I mentioned in op even with the updated bios. FML. it's time to get a new mobo.

but anyhow thanks a lot for the help I really appreciate it.

 

[k1114]

I have the same mobo, no usb issue. What's wrong with it?

 

[toiletninja]

I have the same mobo, no usb issue. What's wrong with it?

My keyboard and mouse would stop working simultaneously at random times (could be a few minutes after boot or a few hours, and both peripherals were still lit / powered after freeze). I know it's not a system hang because this because music, videos, or games would continue on. Replugging or switching ports would not fix. I had to plug in a spare mouse (which was weird why that worked) to close up whatever I was working on and reboot. I've tried reformatting, fixing / uninstalling usb drivers, and just about every solution found via google search. So now that I know the updated bios did not fix it I know that the mobo is at fault. I suspect it became damaged one night when the house was subjected to multiple and very frequent power outages during which I foolishly kept rebooting between intervals of outages.

so yeah here I go to get a new mobo soon

 

[k1114]

This can also be an issue with the mouse/kb since another mouse is fine. You could keep using the spare mouse and see if it happens to that.