Gigabyte GA-Z270X-UD5 boot loop caused by Secure Boot setting

[davidhq]

After finally receiving all the parts for my computer, I assembled it with a friend and thought the hardest part was done, just need to install Win10 via the USB stick.

Tried and couldn't get the system to boot from USB, then found this:
https://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/56219-secure-boot-windows-8-activation.html#post443818

So I enabled Secure Boot and since then my motherboard is in Boot Loop ™ When trying to boot, it cycles through some values on debug LED display and stops at 97 (something to do with console out - display), then turns off and starts again.

We finally determined that Secure Boot is really the culprit, for example the discussion here:
https://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/55004-secure-boot-enabled-system-wont-post.html

And this also makes sense (from some other forum):

"I removed the video card, connected the monitor to the motherboard, removed the keys, disabled secure boot and it works. The problem is every component in your system must support secure boot (i.e videocard must have EFI boot ROM to support secure boot)."

So I guess motherboard stops at checking the display for secure boot parameters.

I also agree with:

"It's a lot of trouble caused by what seems to be an innocent setting (Secure Boot), which is not documented appropriately at all. Why Microsoft is apparently pushing the use of Secure Boot by displaying that message, but not offering any explanation on its usage, is beyond me."

So now I'm stuck with useless $200 motherboard and cannot use my PC.

Tried everything, resetting cmos multiple times, trying to get BIOS to update from secondary backup BIOS....

The only thing not tried is taking out the battery and leaving it out for more than 10 min, for example 24h... I'll do that now and then this is the final thing, tomorrow I'll know.

This statement is not promising though:

"you will have to reflash the bios, clearing cmos doesn't clear the secureboot keys, only a reflash will do that."


The problem is that I cannot reflash (can I?) the BIOS if the system doesn't even post...

Is there maybe a way to flash it directly from USB that I'd plug into the motherboard?


Thank you for any suggestions...
david

 

[davidhq]

Fixed the problem by shorting pins 4 and 7 on M_BIOS with tweezers (and keeping it shorted carefully), then first turning on the power on PSU, then power button on motherboard. Went through a few cycles, then BIOS was finally reset from backup BIOS....

I pressed the DEL button with my 4th hand once the screen came alive.. not sure if this was needed or could be done after letting go of tweezers (in case you don't have four hands).

 

[LupineDream]

Fixed the problem by shorting pins 4 and 7 on M_BIOS with tweezers (and keeping it shorted carefully), then first turning on the power on PSU, then power button on motherboard. Went through a few cycles, then BIOS was finally reset from backup BIOS....

I pressed the DEL button with my 4th hand once the screen came alive.. not sure if this was needed or could be done after letting go of tweezers (in case you don't have four hands).

You're a god. WOW and gigabyte told me I'd have to RMA this to get it fixed and it would be two weeks.
Just got a cheapo displayadapter connector for bios b, what you described clears bios and secure keys, reboot with usb key in and reflash bios A, works.

 

[jan.steckel]

I have exactly the same problem. Will try this when I get home this evening.

So shorting pins 4 & 7 when the power is off, then PSU on, power button on? At what point do I release pins 4 and 7?

Will the backup BIOS reflash the primary BIOS automatically? Or do I use some tool to flash the primary BIOS again?

 

[jan.steckel]

So... I got back from work today. Tried the fix proposed by davidhq, and it worked. Can confirm that this is a valid fix. Makes sense as well. Just have a steady hand and fine-pitch tweezers. And take your time.

Thanks!

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

Another trick to load backup BIOS is: When your computer is off, press and hold your power button until it turns on and turn off again, that should also force the backup BIOS to load.

 

[mitchthecool]

Hey guys, really psyched for this fix. Hopefully someone is still hanging around. Do you short the 2 pins by pressing them together, or just sticking with the conductivity of the tweezers?

 

[mitchthecool]

If someone in the future sees this answer...it works 100%. Wow. Do exactly what the first poster said. Only my take the tweezers off when it successfully boots.

 

[karlavgtz]

Fixed the problem by shorting pins 4 and 7 on M_BIOS with tweezers (and keeping it shorted carefully), then first turning on the power on PSU, then power button on motherboard. Went through a few cycles, then BIOS was finally reset from backup BIOS....

I pressed the DEL button with my 4th hand once the screen came alive.. not sure if this was needed or could be done after letting go of tweezers (in case you don't have four hands).

OMG this totally worked in my GA-z270XP thanks a lot I thought I had fried something when it started boot looping and backup bios wouldn't load but I followed your steps and voilá it worked like a charm! I used a small copper wire and it made things easier