Asus X99-A Error 53. Cannot use Bios Flashback.

[xJemmehx]

Building new computer, HDDs and GPU from old build. Got "Error 53". According to the manual, that's incompatible memory type. However, this should be compatible memory. If you read reviews a lot of people have had success in just updating the BIOS.

- ASUS X99-A LGA 2011-v3 Intel SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
- Intel Core i7-6800K Broadwell-E 6-Core 3.4 GHz LGA 2011-v3 140W BX80671I76800K
- CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2800 (PC4 22400) (Desktop Memory Model CMK32GX4M4B2800C14)

Followed the USB BIOS Flashback guide here:
http://event.asus.com/2012/mb/USB_BIOS_Flashback_GUIDE/
(Those links go to the Taiwan website though. I went to the US website to download the file.)

1.) Checked USB drive, already formatted to FAT32. Deleted all other files off it.
2.) Downloaded the latest BIOS .zip file. (Version 3505)
3.) Extracted the file to my desktop to get the .CAP file out.
4.) Put .CAP file on USB stick. Renamed file to X99A.CAP
5.) Plugged in power supply. Turned rocker switch to on. Verified Power LED on mobo is on.
6.) Plugged in USB stick into the appropriate USB BIOS Flashback slot.
7.) Press and hold the Flashback button for 3 seconds. It blinks for about 5-7 seconds, then turns solid. This seems to mean that it is failing to flash the bios. I give it five minutes anyways just to be sure. The usb bios flashback light is still on, solid not blinking.
8.) Power on computer. Still error 53.

Additionally, per some people's suggestion in reviews I tried renaming the file to X99AU31.CAP -- same result, light blinks 5 seconds and stops and stays on. Tried one RAM stick and no RAM while attempting Flashback as well. Unplugged power supply between changes.

I have tried reseating the memory, made sure it is pressed in both on the latch side and the other side, tried one RAM stick at a time in all the different slots, tried taking the RAM all out, ran MemOK! several times and each time after making a change, tried enabling and disabling EZ TPU, enabling and disabling the EPU switch, and clearing the CMOS.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[DRagor]

It may be that the board already has newest BIOS. Check the sticker on motherboard, last four digits show the BIOS version.

 

[romirez]

Looks like bios problem. Bios is need to be reflashed by programmer.

 

[xJemmehx]

It may be that the board already has newest BIOS. Check the sticker on motherboard, last four digits show the BIOS version.

I checked the sticker and it says 1203, so it's quite far behind, not the issue in this case.
Mobo is from an Open Box deal on Newegg, so maybe they updated BIOS during refurbish?
Monitor isn't getting a signal right now so I'm not sure how I'd check.

Thanks for the help.

 

[xJemmehx]

Looks like bios problem. Bios is need to be reflashed by programmer.

Is flashing the bios with the USB BIOS Flashback not good enough somehow? (First time flashing a BIOS so unsure.)

Are you saying I specifically need a programmer? I'll just return it and get a different mobo if that's the case, I just build the computers for friends and family, don't really want to go buying loads of other things for the occasional builds. :<

Thank you for the help.

 

[xJemmehx]

Tried a different USB stick just to rule that out.
Tried removing the GPU.
Loosened the CPU cooler to make sure it wasn't overtightened.
Checked to make sure there were no extra standoffs creating a short.

Called Asus, figured I'd talk to a person if they picked up before I managed to pick out another motherboard.
Was on hold for 34 minutes before a person picked up. The second I said "Yeah, I already tried that with the .CAP file and it's formatted correctly and I did it on two different flash drives to be sure" he just hung up on me. No call back. Not gonna wait another 34 minutes just to probably get hung up on again. Wow. I really expected better of ASUS, that's been my goto for ages but dayum.

 

[romirez]

Flashback is not enough. It uses CAP file and partially updating bios chip.
Programmer uses ROM file with full format/reflash bios chip.

Code 53 refers mainly for RAM.
Problems may be from:
Bios (90%)
DDR
Bent pins in socket or DIMM
Missed voltages 3V/1.2V_Dual in DIMM.
Missed signals (CLK, DATA)

P.S. At home You can only change DDR (check QVL) or rarely use USB programmer to reflash bios (with ROM file).

 

[xJemmehx]

Flashback is not enough. It uses CAP file and partially updating bios chip.
Programmer uses ROM file with full format/reflash bios chip.

Code 53 refers mainly for RAM.
Problems may be from:
Bios (90%)
DDR
Bent pins in socket or DIMM
Missed voltages 3V/1.2V_Dual in DIMM.
Missed signals (CLK, DATA)

P.S. At home You can only change DDR (check QVL) or rarely use USB programmer to reflash bios (with ROM file).

That makes sense. Seems like a strange thing to require on a brand new mobo. But anyways I just went ahead and ordered something else. I spent hours trying to get this board working to no avail. Appreciate the help though!