Question Flashing BIOS for the First Time

[MidMorning]

I should start by apologising for the length of this post and for the fact that I'm probably going to come across as a bit of an idiot. Although it's true I definitely have my moments, I just really want to get this right and not brick my mobo, especially given that I don't have a replacement system should this one fail. I should also thank anyone for reading this and for any advice you may be able to offer me!

I have a i7 13700k, so I need to update the BIOS so the chip doesn't fry, but I'm terribly nervous about the whole thing having never done it before. It doesn't help that I keep reading posts about how MSI boards are inherently bad at taking BIOS updates and have a nasty tendency to brick when they do, but a lot of the information I am getting on how to actually go about it is often contradictive. It's hard for me to separate the wheat from the chaff. It also doesn't help that I'm a complete amateur in general when it comes to computers.

I have an MSI B760 Gaming Plus WIFI (LGA 1700) DDR5 ATX motherboard. I think I'm right in taking the update from this page: MSI Update? I also bought a 3.0 32gb USB and formatted it as FAT32. As far as I know, the best way to do it is to go through M-Flash after copying the update onto my USB.

I just have a few questions about things I'm genuinely confused about:

1) I think my board has a dual bios, but I have no idea where the switch is. Due to moving house I don't have access to the manual right now and can't seem to find any information about the location of the switch when I search for it. Should something go wrong, this would be handy to know.

2) Is a 3.0 USB okay? I don't have a USB socket reserved for flashing as far as I can tell, so I'm guessing picking a socket at random to do the flash through is okay?

3) Searching for info on how to flash a BIOS has led me to the understanding that I need to update the ME firmware too. I have checked through device manager and my current version is out of date. I'm okay with updating it, but should I do it before the flash or after? Advice on the net differs greatly and I have no idea which order to do it in. I have even seen people insist that if you flash first and do the ME update second, you have a bigger chance of bricking your mobo, but the MSI site insists the correct order is to flash first and update ME later. There's also suggestions that the firmware update is maybe included in the BIOS update, but I'm not certain about that either. I can see it below the BIOS update on the download page, but it doesn't say anything about it. Also, will I need whatever the "update SOP" is?

Any advice at all would be appreciated!

 

[Aeacus]

1) I think my board has a dual bios, but I have no idea where the switch is. Due to moving house I don't have access to the manual right now and can't seem to find any information about the location of the switch when I search for it. Should something go wrong, this would be handy to know.

You can get holy bible of PCs from here,
link: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B760-GAMING-PLUS-WIFI/support#manual

No dual-BIOS for your MoBo though.

2) Is a 3.0 USB okay? I don't have a USB socket reserved for flashing as far as I can tell, so I'm guessing picking a socket at random to do the flash through is okay?

Holy bible of PCs, pages 50 and 51 have the guide to update BIOS.

Page 21 shows back I/O connectors. Doesn't matter much which one you use, but i suggest using the ones labeled #9.

3) Searching for info on how to flash a BIOS has led me to the understanding that I need to update the ME firmware too. I have checked through device manager and my current version is out of date. I'm okay with updating it, but should I do it before the flash or after?

ME firmware should be included with BIOS update. If it isn't you can update it after flashing BIOS.

Also, will I need whatever the "update SOP" is?

No. Should be included with BIOS update.
A bit further reading: https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/bios-update-me-firmware-sop-update.401313/

I just really want to get this right and not brick my mobo, especially given that I don't have a replacement system should this one fail.

Bricking MoBo with BIOS update is very much a reality. Due to this, most MoBos never see a BIOS update. Unless there is a critical flaw that the BIOS update fixes.

When BIOS update would be interrupted for whatever reason (e.g power loss), your MoBo will be bricked since PC won't run when MoBo has corrupt BIOS. And only fix is MoBo replacement. If lucky, you can roll back the BIOS update, if your MoBo has that feature (which i don't see your MoBo having).

 

[Misgar]

When BIOS update would be interrupted for whatever reason (e.g power loss)

I run my BIOS updates with the computer connected to an always-on-line UPS, in case the mains fails.

 

[MidMorning]

Thank you! I was hoping to get it done today, but the weather turned out to be bad, and I can't risk the chances of a power-cut. I don't have access to a UPS, but the power is normally good during the main part of the day, weather permitting.

I am glad that the firmware update is included. That gives me a little less to worry about.

I've located the USB ports you mentioned and I'll use one of those when the time comes.

It's just so diappointing that there's no dual bios, because I was hoping to count on that should things go pear-shaped. When I searched the board and "dual bios" I got a positive result, but when I searched a little deeper I couldn't ever find anything solid. Now I know why. I'm disappointed the board has no features at all to reverse a bad flash. This has upped the fear a little more.

 

[geofelt]

You can download the user manual from support page you linked.
It IS kinda scary since it will look like nothing is going on for a number of minutes.
DO NOT interrupt the process.
The bios update routine will verify that your flash is appropriate and will not proceed is it is not.
Modern update processes may first create a backup copy of your original bios in case anything goes wrong.
Updating the bios on 13/14 gen motherboards is a must to keep from having the 13/14th gen issues.
Past that I don't flash unless the flash is for a problem that is impacting.

FWIW, flashing a MSI motherboard has not been a problem for me.
There is a MSI user forum that can give you more detailed and authoritative support.

 

[MidMorning]

You can download the user manual from support page you linked.
It IS kinda scary since it will look like nothing is going on for a number of minutes.
DO NOT interrupt the process.
The bios update routine will verify that your flash is appropriate and will not proceed is it is not.
Modern update processes may first create a backup copy of your original bios in case anything goes wrong.
Updating the bios on 13/14 gen motherboards is a must to keep from having the 13/14th gen issues.
Past that I don't flash unless the flash is for a problem that is impacting.

FWIW, flashing a MSI motherboard has not been a problem for me.
There is a MSI user forum that can give you more detailed and authoritative support.

Thank you.

I think in my case it's a bit of paranoia and the fact that all of this seems a little alien to me, as the most I've ever achieved concerning computers is the time I reseated a cpu. It's that something that appears so simple can basically render my system inoperable, and it can seemingly happen even if you manage to do everything right.

It will probably go fine once I get up the nerve to actually go ahead and do it.

 

[Aeacus]

It's that something that appears so simple can basically render my system inoperable, and it can seemingly happen even if you manage to do everything right.

Nothing ventured - nothing gained.

as the most I've ever achieved concerning computers is the time I reseated a cpu.

Since i've built my builds on my own (bought components individually and then assembled PC afterwards) + OS install, there isn't any big achievements i could tell per se. 🤔

Well, the most hairy was the time when i system swapped my missus'es build, from old PC case to new PC case. Since when everything is assembled and you press the power button and there's 0 life out of the PC, which worked fine before the swap, did cause me a solid scare. 😱 I almost thought i screwed up royally and bricked her PC during the swap.

But after relaxing a bit, i did further troubleshooting and found out that the actual power button on the new PC case didn't work, since when i shorted the power + and - pins on MoBo with screwdriver, the build powered on without issues.

Of course, inoperable power button on brand new PC case is very rare, especially when you have expensive high-end PC case (which Corsair 750D Airflow Edition is).
So, contacted Corsair and got new front I/O panel within a week. Replaced the PC case's front I/O panel and after that, build powered on from power button flawlessly.

Oh, you can view my 3x PC specs and pics from my signature.

It will probably go fine once I get up the nerve to actually go ahead and do it.

Yeah, paranoia is gnarly thing. Hinders oneself quite a bit.

 

[MidMorning]

Nothing ventured - nothing gained.


Since i've built my builds on my own (bought components individually and then assembled PC afterwards) + OS install, there isn't any big achievements i could tell per se. 🤔

Well, the most hairy was the time when i system swapped my missus'es build, from old PC case to new PC case. Since when everything is assembled and you press the power button and there's 0 life out of the PC, which worked fine before the swap, did cause me a solid scare. 😱 I almost thought i screwed up royally and bricked her PC during the swap.

But after relaxing a bit, i did further troubleshooting and found out that the actual power button on the new PC case didn't work, since when i shorted the power + and - pins on MoBo with screwdriver, the build powered on without issues.

Of course, inoperable power button on brand new PC case is very rare, especially when you have expensive high-end PC case (which Corsair 750D Airflow Edition is).
So, contacted Corsair and got new front I/O panel within a week. Replaced the PC case's front I/O panel and after that, build powered on from power button flawlessly.

Oh, you can view my 3x PC specs and pics from my signature.


Yeah, paranoia is gnarly thing. Hinders oneself quite a bit.

I was actually supposed to build the one I use now, but chickened out at the last minute. I think part of it is that I use my pc for everything - I don't even own a TV. If I had maybe a laptop or even just another system I could fall back on, I wouldn't be so reticent to mess around and take more chances. As it is, I tend to use my computers until they practically fall apart, meaning that when it's time for something new, there is no backup. Hence, getting them built to ensure they actually work.

But all of this makes me fearful of doing anything. The last time I had to repaste a CPU, it turned into this whole ordeal due to nerves. When it came time to put the heatsink back on and finding that even my small hands couldn't reach around to attach it, well, I was about ready for the funny-farm until I somehow managed it.

As a generally stressy person, pressing the on button and getting nothing in return would probably send me into a tail-spin. I don't even like opening the case, let alone taking everything out of one to place into another!

Nice pictures btw!

 

[geofelt]

Motherboard makers today go cheap.
They do not include their motherboard manual, either on a cd/usb.
They do not include drivers.
How is a new builder going to get the lan or wifi drivers to access the internet in the first place to bet drivers or manuals?

 

[MidMorning]

Motherboard makers today go cheap.
They do not include their motherboard manual, either on a cd/usb.
They do not include drivers.
How is a new builder going to get the lan or wifi drivers to access the internet in the first place to bet drivers or manuals?

That's business as a whole - push as much of the cost and responsibility as possible onto the consumer. It doesn't help that there isn't that much competition.

 

[Aeacus]

I was actually supposed to build the one I use now, but chickened out at the last minute. I think part of it is that I use my pc for everything - I don't even own a TV. If I had maybe a laptop or even just another system I could fall back on, I wouldn't be so reticent to mess around and take more chances. As it is, I tend to use my computers until they practically fall apart, meaning that when it's time for something new, there is no backup. Hence, getting them built to ensure they actually work.

I too use my PCs until they become obsolete.

E.g my current main build is now 9 years old (built it in 2016) and missuses build (the core parts, CPU/MoBo/RAM) are even older, from DDR3 days (2015).
Since neither of our two builds support Win11 and Win10 support ends this year (Q3 '25), i'm looking towards new CPU-MoBo-RAM combo for both of our builds, where i need to do system swap again, twice. I intend to re-use all other components since those still work just fine.

Though, for backup, i still keep my old rigs around, in working order.

For instance, when OS should crap out on either of our builds (mine or missus'es), i have Linux Mint on my USB thumb drive as bootable OS. So, i can access the data on our drives even when Win doesn't work. Or i can also install Linux Mint directly to any of the PCs we have. Best part, Linux Mint can be booted into even when there are 0 storage drives in the PC, since entire Linux Mint is loaded into RAM and then run off from it. Sure, it makes initial boot up slow, but i can still use the PC via Linux Mint if need be.

Of course, i went above and beyond to make sure that our OSes are backed up.
E.g when Win7 support ended, i cloned both of our OSes into Samsung 870 Evo SSDs, where Win7 is bootable. And did same as well, when upgrade to Win10 was successful, another two SSDs and 1:1 clone of entire OS drive to the SSD. So, when Win should crap out, i can take the OS backup SSD from cupboard, install it into the PC and PC boots into Win10 without issues. Or into Win7 if need be (when i take the Win7 backup).
Same, offline backups are of our data drives. Full drive 1:1 clones.

My old AMD build currently has WinXP as OS. Works fine and everything. In a rare chance that my or missus'es build would die (e.g MoBo dies), i can then use my USB thumb drive to install Linux Mint to my old AMD build and make it up-to-the-date and operable, since i won't be plugging WinXP into the internet.
Of course, i also have my ancient Pentium II build as well, but i dare not to power it on right now, since PSU in it is from 1998 and it hasn't been powered on for the last 10 years or so.
But we also have three laptops, one tablet and our smart phones to fall back on, IF something should happen with our desktop PCs. Heck, i still keep my old "dumb" phone, Nokia 108 Dual-SIM in working order, just in case my Samsung Galaxy A52S 5G should crap out on me.

But all of this makes me fearful of doing anything. The last time I had to repaste a CPU, it turned into this whole ordeal due to nerves. When it came time to put the heatsink back on and finding that even my small hands couldn't reach around to attach it, well, I was about ready for the funny-farm until I somehow managed it.

When i service my PCs or make upgrades to them (now both builds are complete), i take my sweet time and do it slowly and carefully.
E.g when i bought CableMod custom sleeved power cables, it took me solid 2 hours of work, to replace power cables + doing the proper cable management as well for one PC. I also double- and triple check that all connections are seated properly. Taking it slow and steady is how i like it.

Motherboard makers today go cheap.
They do not include their motherboard manual, either on a cd/usb.

I'd say the same to PC case manufacturers as well, since hardly anyone now includes external 5.25" bay to the PC case, which is needed for a CD/DVD drive. So, even if MoBo manufacturer includes CD/DVD with drivers, users have no place where to put the CD/DVD drive into their PC case.

 

[PiersPlowman]

I have updated the BIOS many times over several machines dating back to the Intel 430TX mobo. Never once have I suffered a bricked board.

Just keep children and pets away while your PC is doing it's thing. It'll be all over in less than 10 minutes.

 

[MidMorning]

I finally updated the BIOS. Went very smoothly and I'm relieved. I have checked the version through MSINFO and it seems all good. Unfortunately, the ME firmware doesn't appear to have updated and I'm not sure why. When I run the updater through the MSI website it says something about Bitlocker Key and Bitlocker Drive Encryption and how that should be turned off. Very confused again and concerned after searching. Could I get away with not updating?

 

[PiersPlowman]

I finally updated the BIOS. Went very smoothly and I'm relieved. I have checked the version through MSINFO and it seems all good. Unfortunately, the ME firmware doesn't appear to have updated and I'm not sure why. When I run the updater through the MSI website it says something about Bitlocker Key and Bitlocker Drive Encryption and how that should be turned off. Very confused again and concerned after searching. Could I get away with not updating?

When you boot into Windows, do your drive icons have a little padlock on them? If no, you are good to go. If yes, it means that your drives are encrypted and that makes things a little more tricky. If encrypted, the key (s) will be stored on your Microsoft account and you will need to make a note of it.

If you do not use drive encryption or it is disabled, you can go ahead and update the ME without further ado.

If you use drive encryption and it is not disabled before you update the ME, you may be prompted for your Bitlocker key on the next boot.

 

[MidMorning]

When you boot into Windows, do your drive icons have a little padlock on them? If no, you are good to go. If yes, it means that your drives are encrypted and that makes things a little more tricky. If encrypted, the key (s) will be stored on your Microsoft account and you will need to make a note of it.

If you do not use drive encryption or it is disabled, you can go ahead and update the ME without further ado.

If you use drive encryption and it is not disabled before you update the ME, you may be prompted for your Bitlocker key on the next boot.

Thank you very much.

I had a look in "This PC" and I can't see any locks on the drives. Apologies if I mistook your directions.

I think I might be okay though, because I logged into Microsoft and it says I don't have any Bitlocker recovery keys.

Edit: I went ahead and just did it and again it went fine.

Thanks to everyone who answered my queries and were in general just patient with me!