BIOS Flash Failed...System Still Works ?!?

[DaniJ]

MSI Z97 gaming motherboard, I tried updating the bios using M Flash utility within bios using the pendrive , but the process got stuck at "updating Bios Me 100% ".
waited long , I switched off the pc having nothing else to do..being prepared to RMA it and all that...  then when I tried turning on the pc it works just fine...as if nothing happened ? can any1 elaborate on what just happened?
Bios is still in previous version , so should I try updating using MSI LIVE UPDATE ( within windows ...coz I m assuming its the pendrive compatibility issue)? or just leave it alone for now?

[Legitsu]

updating the bios within windows is never a good idea tho for some reason msi seems to think it  pain in the ass for the owners of their boards 

if the board has a backup bios or a auto bootblock recovery thats most likely what saved it 

[DaniJ]

I think its partly my fault , msi did issue warning that if the utility did not list the pendrive as "Removable Device" then use the windows update tool instead , in my case it listed the pendrive's name instead ...I thought it was ok since I did update it before ... it does not have dual bios , what is bootblock ? how can I check if the bios is not corrupt?

[dandu3]

I'm not exactly sure which version you have, but you should have 2 BIOSes on your motherboard. You can update via Windows if you really want to, but there isn't really a need for BIOS updates unless it adds something you need, or you have a problem that could be fixed by the update.

[Gamingfreak]

I remember something similar happening with my Z87 GD65 and it was ok as well. MSI as well as a lot of users say definitely DO NOT update the bios in windows as that may brick the board. I don't remember how I updated mine exactly as MSI makes it very annoying to do but they have step by step guides on their forums.

[Legitsu]

the problem with MSI's flashing procedure is that it wipes the bootblock something you should never ever do 

the bootblock exists so that should writing the main bios code fail the system can still recover the main bios section from a CD or USB key

[DaniJ]

I'm not exactly sure which version you have, but you should have 2 BIOSes on your motherboard. You can update via Windows if you really want to, but there isn't really a need for BIOS updates unless it adds something you need, or you have a problem that could be fixed by the update.

Nop, its only 1 bios ...even I thought it had 2 bios when I made the purchase ..lol

[DaniJ]

the problem with MSI's flashing procedure is that it wipes the bootblock something you should never ever do 

the bootblock exists so that should writing the main bios code fail the system can still recover the main bios section from a CD or USB key

I see , but what exactly happened in my case? I did not see any message of bios flash failed, or recovering bios ....it just seemed like nothing happened ?!

[DaniJ]

I remember something similar happening with my Z87 GD65 and it was ok as well. MSI as well as a lot of users say definitely DO NOT update the bios in windows as that may brick the board. I don't remember how I updated mine exactly as MSI makes it very annoying to do but they have step by step guides on their forums.

So your system also worked fine ? should I leave it at that?

[Legitsu]

most likely the flash succeeded the "updating Bios Me 100%"  is the final stage where it updates the Intel management engine(Me) witch is separate from the code that actually allows the machine to post  as to it not displaying the correct version number ... well it didn't reboot on its own idk just be happy it didn't brick

every-time I read about something like this I sigh and wonder why the industry hasn't come up with a better solution 

[DaniJ]

most likely the flash succeeded the "updating Bios Me 100%"  is the final stage where it updates the Intel management engine(Me) witch is separate from the code that actually allows the machine to post 

oh now that just scares me ! ...how can I check if the intel me is updated or is it still the previous version ? more importantly what should I do now ? could the bios be a mess ? should I attempt to flash again using different pendrive ?

[Legitsu]

honestly unless you are having a problem just leave it alone 

I guess you could try clearing the cmos tho 

[DaniJ]

honestly unless you are having a problem just leave it alone 

I guess you could try clearing the cmos tho 

yes will try clearing cmos ,

I'm more concerned about the processor that's all ... I mean what if the temp reading are wrong and thermal shutdown or throttling does't work ?

[Legitsu]

yes will try clearing cmos ,

I'm more concerned about the processor that's all ... I mean what if the temp reading are wrong and thermal shutdown or throttling does't work ?

if the intel.me bios extension had a issue the system would't work at all 

[DaniJ]

Guess you were right