Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 3 - BIOS update caused boot loop, doesn't post. Need to force backup BIOS...

[NoSoup4you]

So I bought a gaming headset from the pawn shop, and was frustrated to find that it didn't work with my computer. However, it DID work on my laptop with the same version of Windows, and long story short, after screwing around with a bunch of things on my main computer unsuccessfully, I decided to try updating to the newest BIOS revision.

I used Q-Flash with a USB drive, upgrading from F5 to F7, and everything seemed to go smoothly, no hiccups or error messages. It said it needed to power cycle to complete installation, which it proceeded to do.... infinitely.

I've read the usual stuff - resetting the CMOS does nothing, I believe because the wrong BIOS is permanently stored in memory. I know there's a dual BIOS, but for some reason it isn't using the backup, just powering on for two seconds and then dying again. I tried the "hold power button and mess with power switch" method to force it to load the backup, didn't do anything. I even tried shorting pins 5-6, and 4-7, on the main BIOS chip, though I guess I don't know for sure if I did it right, or even which pins are the right ones - or if that diagram applies to this particular chip. What do you suggest?

 

[Xibyth]

Flashing the BIOS should always be reserved as a last ditch effort.

As for your issue, can you boot into the BIOS setup, if you can it may have lost it's boot settings during the BIOS update.

 

[NoSoup4you]

Nope, can't do anything.

Flashing the BIOS should always be reserved as a last ditch effort.

As for your issue, can you boot into the BIOS setup, if you can it may have lost it's boot settings during the BIOS update.

 

[Xibyth]

Hop on another PC and try to grab a different BIOS. Such as the F6, as you cannot revert to a lower one than that.

Q-Flash and cross your fingers

 

[NoSoup4you]

You misunderstand sir, I can't get into the BIOS menu. It just restarts after a couple seconds no matter what keys I mash.

Hop on another PC and try to grab a different BIOS. Such as the F6, as you cannot revert to a lower one than that.

Q-Flash and cross your fingers

 

[Xibyth]

Can you specify, do you get the BIOS splash screen before it reboots?

 

[NoSoup4you]

The screen just stays blank.

Can you specify, do you get the BIOS splash screen before it reboots?

 

[Xibyth]

Then unfortunately you likely have a bricked board. See if you can RMA, and avoid flashing the BIOS in the future if you can help it. Even pro's do.