ASUS Bios Flashback specfic Qs

[Captain Matt]

Hey all,

 

No POST situation. Computer was working 100% fine til I put it to sleep one day. Woke it back up. No display. CPU light is on.

I undervolted the CPU and tested for a couple hours with Prime95 a month or two ago and had no issues.

 

I figure the issue may have arisen from this undervolting, but I can't get into the BIOS.

So I tried using the BIOS flashback on the ASUS motherboard, but it doesn't seem to be working.

 

Here is my issue:

All of ASUS' tutorials show using a BIOS renamer program packaged alongside the download of the BIOS from their website.

However, when I downloaded the fresh BIOS file, it did not come with the renamer program.

 

The BIOS flashback hangs on a solid light after a few beeps. I see the flash drive get read, then nothing.

 

Let it run for 30+ minutes and still a solid light.

 

Motherboard is ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0.

CPU is AMD 8350

 

Question:

Is there anything that I am missing in terms of executing the ASUS BIOS flashback properly?

 

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

[Kid.Lazer]

To remove an undervolt (or any configuration error) that results in a no-boot situation, you don't need to re-flash your BIOS. Just clear the CMOS by removing the battery or shorting the appropriate pins.

 

If you still want to use BIOS flashback, you must rename the file as "ST990R20.CAP"

 

Spoiler

 

[-rascal-]

 

Adding to what @Kid.Lazer stated ... a lot of people make this error.

The manual even says "...save it to the root directory of a USB storage device".

Download the BIOS file, unzip the folder, and ONLY put the renamed BIOS file into the USB drive.

Do not put it within a folder.

 

Make sure the USB stick is properly formatted -- I use FAT32, and have yet to encounter any issues.

 

The 'Renamer' tool just...runs an executable to rename the file.

YOU can literally just right-click and "rename". It's the same damn thing. 

[Captain Matt]

1 hour ago, -rascal- said:

 

Adding to what @Kid.Lazer stated ... a lot of people make this error.

The manual even says "...save it to the root directory of a USB storage device".

Download the BIOS file, unzip the folder, and ONLY put the renamed BIOS file into the USB drive.

Do not put it within a folder.

 

Make sure the USB stick is properly formatted -- I use FAT32, and have yet to encounter any issues.

 

The 'Renamer' tool just...runs an executable to rename the file.

YOU can literally just right-click and "rename". It's the same damn thing. 

Thanks for clarification on the renaming

[Captain Matt]

3 hours ago, Kid.Lazer said:

To remove an undervolt (or any configuration error) that results in a no-boot situation, you don't need to re-flash your BIOS. Just clear the CMOS by removing the battery or shorting the appropriate pins.

 

If you still want to use BIOS flashback, you must rename the file as "ST990R20.CAP"

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

I tried:

• Booting with removed battery and CMOS reset pins jumped per ASUS manual
• Booting after the operation

Still no POST...

 

CPU light is still red  

[-rascal-]

53 minutes ago, Captain Matt said:

I tried:

• Booting with removed battery and CMOS reset pins jumped per ASUS manual
• Booting after the operation

Still no POST...

 

CPU light is still red  

 

Was power from wall to PSU off or PSU cable unplugged?

If you either remove the CMOS battery or the reset BIOS pin, and the PSU is still on, it WON'T reset the BIOS.

The PSU provides constant stand-by power to the motherboard as long as it is plugged in the the wall and the little switch is in the ON position.

 

 

[Captain Matt]

55 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

 

Was power from wall to PSU off or PSU cable unplugged?

If you either remove the CMOS battery or the reset BIOS pin, and the PSU is still on, it WON'T reset the BIOS.

The PSU provides constant stand-by power to the motherboard as long as it is plugged in the the wall and the little switch is in the ON position.

 

 

I did all work with the pc unplugged from both ends (since I had to plug in my grounding strap), the PSU switch in the off position, and flowing out any remaining power to the system by holding the power button briefly before beginning ANY work whatsoever.

[-rascal-]

1 hour ago, Captain Matt said:

I did all work with the pc unplugged from both ends (since I had to plug in my grounding strap), the PSU switch in the off position, and flowing out any remaining power to the system by holding the power button briefly before beginning ANY work whatsoever.

 

Hmm...so that would have clear the CMOS.

Undervolting the CPU shouldn't kill it -- it's when you run excessive voltage via OVERvolting that will kill it.

 

Which version BIOS are you attempting to flash?

The latest (i.e. 2901) ?

 

How big (capacity, GB wise) is the USB stick you are using?

It is USB 3.0 or a USB 2.0?

[Captain Matt]

4 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

 

Hmm...so that would have clear the CMOS.

Undervolting the CPU shouldn't kill it -- it's when you run excessive voltage via OVERvolting that will kill it.

 

Which version BIOS are you attempting to flash?

The latest (i.e. 2901) ?

 

How big (capacity, GB wise) is the USB stick you are using?

It is USB 3.0 or a USB 2.0?

• Agreed. Undervolt shouldn't cause issues.
   
• Yes - Latest bios 2901 - I did not rename it. Haven't messed with that yet because I do not know where the correct name would even be derived from.
   
• 8.0 GB , USB 2.0 direct into back of motherboard, FAT32 format

[-rascal-]

22 minutes ago, Captain Matt said:

• Agreed. Undervolt shouldn't cause issues.
   
• Yes - Latest bios 2901 - I did not rename it. Haven't messed with that yet because I do not know where the correct name would even be derived from.
   
• 8.0 GB , USB 2.0 direct into back of motherboard, FAT32 format

 

I see.

You *NEED* to rename it first, otherwise, the USB BIOS Flashback wont' recognize it.

If you were going through BIOS menus to update the firmware, then you don't need to rename it.

 

Download the file, and it's in the zipped folder.

 

Unzip it and you have a .CAP BIOS file.

 

As per the Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 motherboard user manual, rename it to ST990R20.CAP

 

Copy that renamed BIOS file onto your USB stick.

 

The computer should be powered down, but power is going to the motherboard.

PSU is plugged in, switch is ON. CMOS battery is back in, jumper is NOT on reset. ATX 24-pin is plugged in.

Plug the USB that specifically outlined USB port on the back of the motherboard.

Press the USB BIOS Flashback button.

[Captain Matt]

On 1/20/2023 at 6:24 PM, -rascal- said:

 

I see.

You *NEED* to rename it first, otherwise, the USB BIOS Flashback wont' recognize it.

If you were going through BIOS menus to update the firmware, then you don't need to rename it.

 

Download the file, and it's in the zipped folder.

 

Unzip it and you have a .CAP BIOS file.

 

As per the Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 motherboard user manual, rename it to ST990R20.CAP

 

Copy that renamed BIOS file onto your USB stick.

 

The computer should be powered down, but power is going to the motherboard.

PSU is plugged in, switch is ON. CMOS battery is back in, jumper is NOT on reset. ATX 24-pin is plugged in.

Plug the USB that specifically outlined USB port on the back of the motherboard.

Press the USB BIOS Flashback button.

Thank you for the DETAILED instructions!
 

Flashed successfully but CPU is still light on and still no post.

CPU is >10 years old. Maybe it just straight up died?

 

 

- Matt

[-rascal-]

On 1/21/2023 at 6:59 PM, Captain Matt said:

Thank you for the DETAILED instructions!
 

Flashed successfully but CPU is still light on and still no post.

CPU is >10 years old. Maybe it just straight up died?

 

 

- Matt

 

Fair enough.

I think the CPU was showing signs of issue in earlier, back at the time when you had to undervolt the CPU for it to work.

That just extended its usefulness...until it degraded with time.

[Captain Matt]

14 hours ago, -rascal- said:

 

Fair enough.

I think the CPU was showing signs of issue in earlier, back at the time when you had to undervolt the CPU for it to work.

That just extended its usefulness...until it degraded with time.

I did not undervolt the CPU because I was having issues.

I did it to lower power consumption and heat.

Man. What to do.

I can't believe FX processors still sell for like >$100.
Everybody ragged on them at the time and I bought this one in like 2014 for $150-160 new...

[-rascal-]

42 minutes ago, Captain Matt said:

I did not undervolt the CPU because I was having issues.

I did it to lower power consumption and heat.

Man. What to do.

I can't believe FX processors still sell for like >$100.
Everybody ragged on them at the time and I bought this one in like 2014 for $150-160 new...

 

Ah, I see.

 

The > $100 price is just dumb. I think it is more just...how desperate do you NEED an FX CPU.

I still have my FX-8350 and ASUS Crosshair V Formula motherboard.

It's not really worth anything now....so it's just a cool display item.

(A story item when people ask, because I was able to push 5.1GHz+ on that FX-8350 haha)

 

At this point, sell the motherboard + RAM if you can.

Upgrade to Ryzen 5000 / 7000 series, or Intel 12th / 13th Gen.

Yes, that will mean new CPU + motherboard + RAM, but that is a open "when" question 5+ years.

I think long overdue upgrade my man.

[Captain Matt]

21 hours ago, -rascal- said:

 

Ah, I see.

 

The > $100 price is just dumb. I think it is more just...how desperate do you NEED an FX CPU.

I still have my FX-8350 and ASUS Crosshair V Formula motherboard.

It's not really worth anything now....so it's just a cool display item.

(A story item when people ask, because I was able to push 5.1GHz+ on that FX-8350 haha)

 

At this point, sell the motherboard + RAM if you can.

Upgrade to Ryzen 5000 / 7000 series, or Intel 12th / 13th Gen.

Yes, that will mean new CPU + motherboard + RAM, but that is a open "when" question 5+ years.

I think long overdue upgrade my man.

Yeah it's just my work computer...

Running 7600k in my main gaming rig. GPU is the oldest thing. An ASUS 970

Working my way through some OLD titles right now though, so the upgrade isn't pressing.

I think I'll just work from this PC for now and fix the other computer when it makes sense.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

- Matt

[Captain Matt]

Got an old AMD FX 6300 for cheaps and tested that today.

No fix.

Onto new PSU...

[Captain Matt]

Got a new PSU and still no fix. Tested with both CPU's. Motherboard is shot.

RIP.