Z87 Pro Mobo won't update bios

[sancko]

Hello all,

I wanted to update my bios from it's current one as it's pretty old and System Information itself says it's too old.

My current version is 1602 from the year 2013

Now I followed all the instructions from Asus properly for the USB Bios Flashback, but it won't work. The light blinks 5x gtreen and then becomes solid green and does nothing.

Here are the steps i'd taken for Windows 10 64bit https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87PRO/HelpDesk_Download/

First I downloaded the latest BIOS 2013 from the site. I used the .exe updater, first following this guide: https://www.asus.com/microsite/2014/MB/New_4th_gen_Intel_processor_compatibility/# before trying Flashback, but I got the window prompt from step 3. I installed the Intel MEI and tried again, same window prompt askingme to correctly install MEI.

Next I tried EZ Flash.

Downloaded the renamer tool and the BIOS file for the latest version and put the .cap bios file renamed correctly witht he renamer tool on a FAT32 USB drive in the USB port designated for the flash. I pressed the Flash button for 3-4 seconds. Blinks 5x, goes solid green.

Secondly I looked at this: https://www.asus.com/microsite/2014/MB/New_4th_gen_Intel_processor_compatibility/#models

I then downloaded the Bios 1707 fCap file, put it on the usb, renamed it. Still nothing.

For both steps the only file on the usb stick was the .cap bios file.

I'm not sure what i'm doing wrong. And yes I do have a 4th gen CPU, 4770K.

 

[alexoiu]

Hi, What happens when using EZ Flash (not Flashback) in BIOS?
Did you build the pc, or it was prebuilt?

 

[sancko]

Hi, What happens when using EZ Flash (not Flashback) in BIOS?
Did you build the pc, or it was prebuilt?

I built it. I've had it since 2012-2013 or something. I just always put off updating BIOS and that was kinda silly as I got a 4th gen processor that will benefit from it.

Well, I don't think I wanna use EZ Flash as the newer Bios should work from either of the two mentioned above. I don't wanna flash it from bios itself if Asus themself don't list that option anymore. Their newest Bios has an update.exe as shown in the links above, but since that's asking me to install that Chipset which I did and still won't start I am kinda worried to do it directly from the boot menu.

 

[smorizio]

the issue is a simple one. the old bios before 2000 were .rom bios the files after 2000 on asus web page are .cap files. to upgrade your bios start with 17xx bios use the mb bios updater inside the bios then the 18xx and 19xx bios. when you get to 19xx bios that the last .rom bios. you have to use the rom to cap converter 2.000.2 using the usb flashback port you have to run it twice to convert both bios from .rom to .cap. after you do that you should be able to update the bios from the usb flashback port in order. on the usb flashback port make sure it fat 32 usb stick and 2-4g in size some of the larger usb stick may not work.

 

[alexoiu]

Hi, What happens when using EZ Flash (not Flashback) in BIOS?
Did you build the pc, or it was prebuilt?

I built it. I've had it since 2012-2013 or something. I just always put off updating BIOS and that was kinda silly as I got a 4th gen processor that will benefit from it.

Well, I don't think I wanna use EZ Flash as the newer Bios should work from either of the two mentioned above. I don't wanna flash it from bios itself if Asus themself don't list that option anymore. Their newest Bios has an update.exe as shown in the links above, but since that's asking me to install that Chipset which I did and still won't start I am kinda worried to do it directly from the boot menu.

An option would be leaving it like that, unless really needing to update it.
If really needing to update it, we can further explore the available options.

 

[smorizio]

Z87P.CAP name of the file.
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1155/P8Z77-M/BRenamer.zip
bios renamer for you

 

[smorizio]

also with the usb flashback port the usb port under the ethernet port. also have the pc shut down when you press the button.

 

[alexoiu]

Also "the issue is a simple one. the old bios before 2000 were .rom bios the files after 2000 on asus web page are .cap files. to upgrade your bios start with 17xx bios use the mb bios updater inside the bios then the 18xx and 19xx bios. when you get to 19xx bios that the last .rom bios. you have to use the rom to cap converter 2.000.2 using the usb flashback port you have to run it twice to convert both bios from .rom to .cap. after you do that you should be able to update the bios from the usb flashback port in order. on the usb flashback port make sure it fat 32 usb stick and 2-4g in size some of the larger usb stick may not work. "

is not true for the Z87 boards.

 

[sancko]

Also "the issue is a simple one. the old bios before 2000 were .rom bios the files after 2000 on asus web page are .cap files. to upgrade your bios start with 17xx bios use the mb bios updater inside the bios then the 18xx and 19xx bios. when you get to 19xx bios that the last .rom bios. you have to use the rom to cap converter 2.000.2 using the usb flashback port you have to run it twice to convert both bios from .rom to .cap. after you do that you should be able to update the bios from the usb flashback port in order. on the usb flashback port make sure it fat 32 usb stick and 2-4g in size some of the larger usb stick may not work. "

is not true for the Z87 boards.

Is this really the only way? I'm not sure.. i'm probably missing something, but that seems a bit complicated and well.. don't wanna mess that much with the bios if it can't be done via Asus's official ways.

 

[sancko]

Hi, What happens when using EZ Flash (not Flashback) in BIOS?
Did you build the pc, or it was prebuilt?

I built it. I've had it since 2012-2013 or something. I just always put off updating BIOS and that was kinda silly as I got a 4th gen processor that will benefit from it.

Well, I don't think I wanna use EZ Flash as the newer Bios should work from either of the two mentioned above. I don't wanna flash it from bios itself if Asus themself don't list that option anymore. Their newest Bios has an update.exe as shown in the links above, but since that's asking me to install that Chipset which I did and still won't start I am kinda worried to do it directly from the boot menu.

An option would be leaving it like that, unless really needing to update it.
If really needing to update it, we can further explore the available options.

Yes and no. It doesn't have to be the latest per sé, but I would really like to have the system information not list my BIOS version as ''outdated'' and reason no 2 would be for the 4th gen CPU support it offers which starts at 1707 for mine.

 

[alexoiu]

A last option would be ordering a BIOS chip on ebay and replacing the board's one.
Regarding the Flashback, it could be a drive issue. For the BUpdater, you can try the DOS option.

 

[smorizio]

the usb flashback wont run till the bios is at 1701 or higher. you have to use the onboard bios update tool to update bios to 1701 then 18xx. once there the usb flashback for the newest bios file should work.

 

[sancko]

the usb flashback wont run till the bios is at 1701 or higher. you have to use the onboard bios update tool to update bios to 1701 then 18xx. once there the usb flashback for the newest bios file should work.

Is that the same reason why it says it doesn't see the Intel MEI files when tryingt o go directly to the latest? Also, been a while.. the older way was via the boot menu/bios menu right?

 

[smorizio]

yes your right you go into the bios...click on advance mode and you see it as bios there also the f key at post that take you right in. on the usb stick leave the bios renamed and unrenamed. let the bios updater in the bios pick the right file.

 

[sancko]

yes your right you go into the bios...click on advance mode and you see it as bios there also the f key at post that take you right in. on the usb stick leave the bios renamed and unrenamed. let the bios updater in the bios pick the right file.

Sorry for the silence, been a bit busy. I will try it as soon as possible and I will let you know if it worked

Update: I did it and just going into bios and updating it from there choosing the renamed .cap file worked fine, thank you. Easy peasy, but even if it was simple.. you never know, because messing with bios can go very wrong too.