Downgrade ASUS BIOS

[Makku293]

My specifications are:

Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth Z170 S (Revision 1.xx)
O.S.: Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1607
CPU: i5-6600K 3.5GHz Skylake
HDD: WD Blue 1TB (WDCWD10EZEX-08WN4A0)
Socket: 1151 LGA
GPU: GDDR5 Gigabyte GTX1060 6GB G1 Gaming
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2133MHz 4GB x2
PSU: EVGA SuperNova B2 850W (110-B2-0850-V1)

The motherboard came with BIOS 1902 as default. Well, I have a serious issue with the PC, and I decided to upgrade the BIOS 1902 to 3401 (The latest one) as my "Last Fix", but it seems that didn't work as expected, cause the PC is worse than before. I was wondering. If I can perform the same upgrade BIOS process to the downgrade's?.

 

[alexoiu]

You can use the Flashback.

 

[Makku293]

You can use the Flashback.

What does that means please?.

 

[Makku293]

You can use the Flashback.

Ah!!! Do you mean, using the button mode, by holding it?

Regards

 

[alexoiu]

I'll post in a minute all steps.

 

[alexoiu]

Download the BIOS from https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH-Z170-S/HelpDesk_Download/
Unzip and rename the SABERTOOTH-Z170-S-ASUS-xxxx.CAP file to Z170STS.CAP
Save the renamed file on a FAT32 formatted USB drive.
Connect the drive to the designated Flashback USB port (check the board's manual for correctly identifying it).
Don't start the board, just make sure that the power supply is connected and on.
Press the Flashback button for 3 seconds.
Wait until the process completes.

 

[Makku293]

Download the BIOS from https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH-Z170-S/HelpDesk_Download/
Unzip and rename the SABERTOOTH-Z170-S-ASUS-xxxx.CAP file to Z170STS.CAP
Save the renamed file on a FAT32 formatted USB drive.
Connect the drive to the designated Flashback USB port (check the board's manual for correctly identifying it).
Don't start the board, just make sure that the power supply is connected and on.
Press the Flashback button for 3 seconds.
Wait until the process completes.

Can I do that with the downgrade? I't won't damage the motherboard?

Regards

 

[alexoiu]

Yes, you can,

 

[Makku293]

Yes, you can,

Got it. I wanna know. How many times can I perform an update-downgrade process without kill my PC?.

Thank You

 

[Makku293]

Yes, you can,

Sorry, it seems fine. I'm back to 1902. Thank you man!!! I owe my life... really!!! Backing to the previous question please. How many times can I perform an update-downgrade process without kill my PC?.

 

[alexoiu]

There's no limit... but... I see no reason in flashing the BIOS too often.

 

[Makku293]

There's no limit... but... I see no reason in flashing the BIOS too often.

I know, but, I just wonder, cause I'm in a complicated situation here.

Regards

 

[alexoiu]

What's the issue, actually?

 

[Makku293]

What's the issue, actually?

Well. I have my PC since january, is totally new.

All this started with a random reboot without BSOD. Then after a several hours of research, I found that in my case was a static issue, because I was rubbing the chasis with my socks without noticing, my bedroom has a carpet. After this first event, comes the hard one, Windows started to freeze on IDLE with and without programs open (E.G. Chrome (with many tabs), Visual Studio 2012, Task Manager on performance monitor). This is so annoying, I can't do nothing normal. I did the following actions, all this before the BIOS upgrade/downgrade (Chat with you).

1. Driver Verifier (Windows and ASUS)
2. Prime95 (All Tests)
3. Unigine and 3DMark
4. Sleep and Turn-Off = Never
5. Update all driver to the latest
6. Fast Start-Up: Disable
7. Turn Off HDD: Never
8. sfc /scannow
9. PCI Express: Off (Power Options)
10. sfc /scanfile=c:\windows\system32\On every available file system
11. Memtestx86 for 5 passes
12. wmic diskdrive get status (SMART)
13. chkdsk C: /f
14. msconfig
15. RAM and HDD check (Windows feature)
16. Disable O.C.
17. AIDA64 stress test to all component
18. Dusk hardware removal
19. Format about 4 times
20. Set BIOS to default
21. Reinstall of INF and IME (Downloaded from Intel)

After this, this *** is still happening... and at this point, I don't know what to do, BIOS upgrade was the "Last Solution" to me, but, as you can see, the cure was worse than the disease.

Regards

 

[alexoiu]

Try re-seating/connecting all components and cables inside the case.
If still the same, try testing with single RAM module installed.
Try also reinstalling Windows.