Question ROG STRIX Z590-E Fails to update to BIOS 1701, 1601 and 1402

[envyyou]

Hi All
As per title, i have tried multiple times to upgrade my motherboard to firmware version 1701 but each time after it completes it hangs on the "Republic of Gamers Please press DEL or F2 to enter UEFI BIOS setting" Screen.

The first time that i did the upgrade i had not upgraded the ME firmware to Version 15.0.42.2235 as this was an oversight that i didnt see initially, i however installed it and attepmted again but i had the same issue

Each time i did the bios update it will only boot up under the following conditions -

1. If i do a CMOS reset then i can boot into bios and windows ( not 100 % chance to work might have to try a few times ) but then will always fail to boot again on a reboot or shutdown.

2. If i do a bios flashback it will fix the problem for good.

I attempted to install other firmware updates and these are the results

ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 1007 - Works
ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 1202 - Works
ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 1301 - Works
ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 1402 - Wont Boot
ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 1601 - Wont Boot
ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 1701 - Wont Boot

Keep in mind when before i started any upgrade my bios was on 1007 and now is running 1301, i just cannot get and version higher and what to know what options i have.

Here is my PC specs below
Intel Core i7 11700K Processor
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming Wi-Fi Motherboard
G.Skill Trident Z Neo 128GB (4x32GB) 3600MHz CL16 DDR4
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 Ti OC 12GB
Samsung 980 PRO M.2 PCI-E Gen4 NVMe SSD 1TB x2
Corsair HX1000 Platinum 1000W Power Supply
Corsair Hydro Series H100i RGB Platinum 240mm Liquid CPU Cooler

 

[Lutfij]

Clear the CMOS, disconnect from the wall and display, press and hold down the power button for 30 secs and then replace the CMOS battery after 30 mins to the motherboard, power up, go into BIOS and then flash the BIOS to the version above that, meaning 1402(since you stated being on version 1301). You should clear the CMOS after every successful BIOS update/downgrade.

You've stated that you have 4 sticks of ram, maybe try and update the BIOS with only 2 sticks of ram populating slots A2 and B2.

 

[envyyou]

Clear the CMOS, disconnect from the wall and display, press and hold down the power button for 30 secs and then replace the CMOS battery after 30 mins to the motherboard, power up, go into BIOS and then flash the BIOS to the version above that, meaning 1402(since you stated being on version 1301). You should clear the CMOS after every successful BIOS update/downgrade.

You've stated that you have 4 sticks of ram, maybe try and update the BIOS with only 2 sticks of ram populating slots A2 and B2.

To be extra clear on my upgrade path, i started on 1007 and went to 1701 that failed flashed back to 1007 then tried 1701 again it failed, back to 1007 then went to 1202 which worked then to 1301 which worked then to 1402 which failed then back to 1301 etc etc. To my knowledge i didnt do any cmos clears at that time

To be clear about the CMOS and resetting each upgrade i have a clear CMOS button at the motherboard IO panel, can this be used ? or should i use your method of unplugging for 30 mins from the power then resetting the cmos battery etc ?

Thanks

 

[Lutfij]

Given Asus's history with anything I'd avoid their "easy" buttons. Do it old school and that way you can rule out the motherboard and come to the conclusion that the board needs replacing however please keep in mind to work with 2 sticks of ram, not 4.

 

[envyyou]

Thanks, the last questions before i attempt this again, how can you be 100 % sure that the cmos has cleared etc after doing the above, and also what does 2 sticks of ram instead of 4 do ?

Appreciate the help

 

[envyyou]

So i attempted the upgrade again after a full CMOS reset and only one stick of ram, and im still having issues, i did notice how ever the computer seems to boot fine as long as i NEVER go into the bios again after the upgrade. I notice that the Platform Trust Technology (PTT) is enabled as loading optimized settings after the upgrade reverts it to disabled.

The PC is hanging on the "Republic of Gamers Please press DEL or F2 to enter UEFI BIOS setting" Screen. When it hangs it reports Error Code 99

Is it possible that this is causing an issue ? Or is the issue that the motherboard simply doesnt like any bios above 1301

 

[envyyou]

Hi All

I cannot upgrade my ROG STRIX Z590-E to BIOS 1701, 1601 and 1402. ASUS have replied with the following -

Thank you for contacting ASUS Support. My name is Gavin, and I will be assisting you with your query.

Thank you for your patience and please refer to the feedback below on this case.

Please be advised the most likely issue is the RAM. When the customer enters the BIOS after a flash, as required, the defaults are applied, one being auto detection of the RAM and some XMP profiles being applied. The issue is the customers RAM is not on the Qualified Vendor List. The closest model using the same timings and a 32GB stick supports only two sticks, not four, and runs at 1.35 Volts, not 1.45 Volts as per the customers. For modules that do run on four slots they have either much quicker memory timings at 1.35V, or slightly slower timings and at 1.2V. None run at 1.45V. This will be the most likely cause of the boot issue as the Intel microcode, which controls the Memory Compatibility through validation by Intel, will have been updated in the firmware.

The customer can RMA via the Reseller, where if faulty and unfixable they will replace and send back. However, if the issue is the RAM as suspected, a new board will have the same issues. We cannot get around the microcode or overide the supported RAM list.

https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z590-e-gaming-wifi-model/helpdesk_qvl_memory/

According to ASUS my Ram which is the GSkill - F4-3600C16Q-128GTZN isnt on their QVL but it is on the GSkill Website -

https://imgur.com/a/trb5Y2V

View: https://imgur.com/a/trb5Y2V


Would the above be correct ? Also would there be anything i can do to make this work ? IE adjust Ram timings ETC.

 

[rocky01]

Would the above be correct ? Also would there be anything i can do to make this work ? IE adjust Ram timings ETC.

Hello: Just a bystander here, but I too have this MB and Asus seems to be saying PC memory should nominally be 1.35v or less when doing firmware updates. Out of spec may be the issue. You need more standard/common ram, e.g. from their list, in order for bios updates in question to be applied. No trouble here with mine:

Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 X 16GB) DDR4 3600 (PC4-28800) C18 1.35V Desktop Memory - Black​

Try using two matched sticks like prior poster suggested, rather than one, or four. Also, ram and other tweaked settings: check all the entries, turn off all overclocking, incl XMP profiles, at each point, since you can revert to tweaking afterwards. Also, you may not need to apply all the bioses sequentially, I believe I just updated to current bios. A guru here can confirm.