Pc crashed mid bios update - won't boot

[Swandog09]

Hi all. For a while my pc was randomly rebooting to the bios screen but then would start working fine for a bit then do the same thing again so I looked into updating the bios.

I noticed the bios version was 2013 so tried installing the latest using an Asus tool. Halfway through the pc switched to a blue screen saying error and the pc turned off.

Now when I turn it back on I get the bios error saying plug in hdd with z87a.cap file in or put support CD in.

I tried support CD but nothing happens and it just says no connection on monitor.

Obviously something has messed up but is this fixable? If not is the pc buggered or can I reinstall Windows using the windows CD? Luckily most of my files are on hdd not ssd which was used for Windows so work case I reinstall and still have files available.

Any help appreciated.

Motherboard is an Asus Z87-A.

 

[urbancamper]

You can try putting the bios on a usb drive that is formatted to fat 32. If you have the means that is. It sounds to me that the system just wants to finish the update but the file was corrupted.

 

[Swandog09]

You can try putting the bios on a usb drive that is formatted to fat 32. If you have the means that is. It sounds to me that the system just wants to finish the update but the file was corrupted.

Thanks for your reply. I will try downloading it again and freshly format my USB stick and go from there.

On the error message that came up, it says 'please put the file "Z87A.CAP" into HDD etc etc. The filename of the BIOS update is 'Z87-A-ASUS-2103.CAP', am I meant to rename this or just leave it?

 

[urbancamper]

Do not rename the CAP file.

 

[RARRAF]

BIOS
have a fresh formatted FAT32 USB stick download the bios from motherboard manufacturer stick the bios you just downloaded on the USB stick recommend at least 2 bios's re-boot press the delete button repeatedly to get into bios select system update bios select usb device flash it leave it to do its thing then you should be good with new bios
if done wrong will brick your motherboard

 

[Swandog09]

Do not rename the CAP file.

No problem, just wanted to double check. Will update you later.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Swandog09]

BIOS
have a fresh formatted FAT32 USB stick download the bios from motherboard manufacturer stick the bios you just downloaded on the USB stick recommend at least 2 bios's re-boot press the delete button repeatedly to get into bios select system update bios select usb device flash it leave it to do its thing then you should be good with new bios
if done wrong will brick your motherboard

Thanks for your reply. You said, "stick the bios you just downloaded on the USB stick recommend at least 2 bios's re-boot press the delete button repeatedly", Just checking you are you saying to do 2 x Reboots?

 

[RARRAF]

no no just in case the bios does not flash correctly or there is a problem I suggest having at least two bios's on the USB stick even if its original bios as well.

 

[Swandog09]

no no just in case the bios does not flash correctly or there is a problem I suggest having at least two bios's on the USB stick even if its original bios as well.

I got you. I will download another BIOS now to be on the safe side.

 

[urbancamper]

BIOS
have a fresh formatted FAT32 USB stick download the bios from motherboard manufacturer stick the bios you just downloaded on the USB stick recommend at least 2 bios's re-boot press the delete button repeatedly to get into bios select system update bios select usb device flash it leave it to do its thing then you should be good with new bios
if done wrong will brick your motherboard

He can't tab into the bios. There is a chance though that it is automatically going into it as it is already asking for the cap file. Meaning it is in a bios update loop. Just having the same bios he is trying to update on the fat32 formatted usb stick may be enough.

I did not want to say this before, because I believe this is his only chance, but it is possible the bios is already bricked.

If that is the case. All is not lost though. He can always
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIOS-Chip-ASUS-Z87-A-/400584686929?hash=item5d44b53d51:g:XRsAAOSwmUdUXogr

Good chance you buy one from Asus too. I did once for Sabertooth mb

 

[Swandog09]

BIOS
have a fresh formatted FAT32 USB stick download the bios from motherboard manufacturer stick the bios you just downloaded on the USB stick recommend at least 2 bios's re-boot press the delete button repeatedly to get into bios select system update bios select usb device flash it leave it to do its thing then you should be good with new bios
if done wrong will brick your motherboard

He can't tab into the bios. There is a chance though that it is automatically going into it as it is already asking for the cap file. Meaning it is in a bios update loop. Just having the same bios he is trying to update on the fat32 formatted usb stick may be enough.

I did not want to say this before, because I believe this is his only chance, but it is possible the bios is already bricked.

If that is the case. All is not lost though. He can always
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIOS-Chip-ASUS-Z87-A-/400584686929?hash=item5d44b53d51:g:XRsAAOSwmUdUXogr

Good chance you buy one from Asus too. I did once for Sabertooth mb

My USB wasn't reformatted before I started this so maybe that was the problem

If I did have to buy one of these chips, are they hard to fit?

 

[urbancamper]

No they just require good eyesight and a steady hand. I have replaced them 3 times. 2 times for other people, and once for myself. All 3 chips had latest bios on them. I would call Asus tech support first and see if I could get one from them.