Bios update on new Aegis RS 10th (z409-a pro)

[shastad153e02d7]

Got machine last week, did a clean install of windows and HDD performance was not the best. So figure I would try different the non default Microsoft drivers. Given the sata drivers on the msi site have two sets and have a note about picking between them based on bios version, I decided to update bios as well. I have E7C75IZ1 v2A1, which is not a version on the msi site for this board (says 0ctober 2020 in m-flash updater)

First, there are two different sets of instructions depending on if you go to the Aegis page, which talks about making a rufus boot disk, and a broken hyperlink to the instructions vs going to the motherboard page which just says put the image on a fat formated drive and use the m-flash feature.

so m-flash approach , selecting that from bios.. it reboots.. then gets lost in some rebooting cycle until I hit the reset button itself.. then it says exiting flash, back to bios.. and then when I do it a second time it works (this is very repeatable.. takes 2 boot cycles will manual intervention to get to the m-flash boot loader screen).
Anyways, when I get to the flash update mode.. it can navigate flash drive fine but doesn't show the image. Heck it can even fully navigate my hard drives and won't find it either. Tried both 1GB FAT formatted and 32GB FAT32 formatted drives, files are extracted from the zip.. not sure what is going on.

Trying the rufus thing and getting it to boot from usb and it doesn't. Just kind of gets into that boot hangup mode but I haven't tried it extensively since that seems like an outdated approach

I purposely did not install dragon center/don't like bloatware but considering the live update feature there but lots of posts of that going wrong so hesitant .

Thoughts?

 

[Svet]

You have to contact your OEM vendor for BIOS updates.
The one from MSI web page are only for retails models, not OEMs.

 

[JW300]

I also just got an Aegis RS (model 10TE058US) which has a Z490-a Pro motherboard running BIOS E7C75IZ1 v2A1 dated Oct-7-2020. Under any significant load the CPU jumps immediately to 100C and throttles to lower frequency but otherwise works fine. I checked the CPU cooler and fan and pump are running normal according to Dragon Center and heatsink is firmly mounted on the i9-10900k CPU.

I contacted MSI tech support 2 days ago and they felt I should return the unit to the store or send it for repair, as there were no system updates listed on their website. However, I suspect the issue is that the BIOS is not working correctly to manage voltages under load, as its BIOS is the original and likely outdated from Oct 7, 2020, and there has been at least 3 revisions of the BIOS for the retail version of this motherboard.

Just today, MSI's website now has updated BIOS for this desktop on their support page, which seems to be the same as the retail motherboard, but MFlash does not recognize the update file as it seems to the on a different BIOS version chain ( new 7C75v28 instead of orig E7C75IZ1). I really want to see if a BIOS update will fix the overheating issue, as otherwise this is a great machine and would hate to return to the store, which I can do as I have 90 day return window.

Will again contact MSI support but think more attention should be paid to customers buying MSI's top of the line and very expensive PC's to ensure something as basic as BIOS updates can be applied to their PC's.

Any other suggestions or help to fix before returning would be appreciated!

UPDATE: I am waiting for a Senior Tech to respond to my request on updating the BIOS, but in the meantime I solved the overheating problem by unscrewing the cooler from the CPU, where I found that the assembler at MSI failed to remove the protective film on the copper heatplate. Once I removed the film and reseated the cooler with new thermal paste, the CPU temperature is more normal hitting on high 70c's in Cinebench, Blender Classroom and Prime95.

 

[garver_u127102a8]

My system too (Aegis RS 10SE-012US w/ Z490-A Pro) came with BIOS E7C75IZ1 v2A1 dated 10/7/2020. I am having the same issue where MFlash does not recognize any of the update flash files on USB (Files listed here: https://us.msi.com/product/support_sku/49935#down-bios). There are two sections on that page, "AMI BIOS" and "BIOS". The "BIOS" section has the 'E7C75IZ1' BIOS chain but the only file listed is the same as is on the machine (10/7/2020) although the download is dated 2/3/2021. The "AMI BIOS" section is a mirror of the Z490-A PRO BIOS updates page (https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/support/Z490-A-PRO.html#down-bios).

I read in forums that MSI BIOS files are picky with the filename, so I renamed the latest BIOS 'E7C75IMS.280' to 'E7C75IZ1.280'. Voila, the file shows up on the USB drive in MFlash. When the 'E7C75IZ1.280' file is highlighted, it recognizes it as a BIOS file but the model is listed as 'E7C75IMS' not 'E7C75IZ1'. The version is '2.80' and the build date is '1/30/2021'. If I select my renamed file 'E7C75IZ1.280', it gives me a warning about Celaron processors not being supported after this BIOS update (assume because the Rocket Lake CPU support is added in this update). Now I am afraid to flash this because I don't want to brick anything.

Usually BIOS updates are easy, and done from Windows. Dragon Center doesn't find anything regarding a BIOS update. I am only investigating this because the PCIe wireless card (Intel AX200 WiFi6) that came with the system is not recognized in Windows. In board explorer in the current BIOS, the card shows up as "Unknown Vendor" which is why I think it isn't being recognized in Windows. The BIOS update even mentions "Improved compatibility of PCIe-based devices".

I've setup the PC in a totally different location than intended because the WiFi doesn't work (this is 2021 correct?). I've had boards from many manufacturers and this seems so much more complicated than it needs to be. I am going to be safe and contact support tomorrow to get their feedback. Extremely frustrated.

 

[zintz.155a02e0]

My system too (Aegis RS 10SE-012US w/ Z490-A Pro) came with BIOS E7C75IZ1 v2A1 dated 10/7/2020. I am having the same issue where MFlash does not recognize any of the update flash files on USB (Files listed here: https://us.msi.com/product/support_sku/49935#down-bios). There are two sections on that page, "AMI BIOS" and "BIOS". The "BIOS" section has the 'E7C75IZ1' BIOS chain but the only file listed is the same as is on the machine (10/7/2020) although the download is dated 2/3/2021. The "AMI BIOS" section is a mirror of the Z490-A PRO BIOS updates page (https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/support/Z490-A-PRO.html#down-bios).

I read in forums that MSI BIOS files are picky with the filename, so I renamed the latest BIOS 'E7C75IMS.280' to 'E7C75IZ1.280'. Voila, the file shows up on the USB drive in MFlash. When the 'E7C75IZ1.280' file is highlighted, it recognizes it as a BIOS file but the model is listed as 'E7C75IMS' not 'E7C75IZ1'. The version is '2.80' and the build date is '1/30/2021'. If I select my renamed file 'E7C75IZ1.280', it gives me a warning about Celaron processors not being supported after this BIOS update (assume because the Rocket Lake CPU support is added in this update). Now I am afraid to flash this because I don't want to brick anything.

Usually BIOS updates are easy, and done from Windows. Dragon Center doesn't find anything regarding a BIOS update. I am only investigating this because the PCIe wireless card (Intel AX200 WiFi6) that came with the system is not recognized in Windows. In board explorer in the current BIOS, the card shows up as "Unknown Vendor" which is why I think it isn't being recognized in Windows. The BIOS update even mentions "Improved compatibility of PCIe-based devices".

I've setup the PC in a totally different location than intended because the WiFi doesn't work (this is 2021 correct?). I've had boards from many manufacturers and this seems so much more complicated than it needs to be. I am going to be safe and contact support tomorrow to get their feedback. Extremely frustrated.

Did you get a resolution? Having exact same issue!

 

[garver_u127102a8]

Unfortunately, no. Support basically focused on talking me out of updating the BIOS. They laid down this disclaimer that "If something goes wrong, it could brick the system... and it would be on you since you 'chose' to update the BIOS". MSI don't recommend updating the BIOS unless absolutely necessary. They offered to walk me through the process, and said the files "should" show up just fine. When I told them they do not, they seemed skeptical. I told them I am not the only person having this issue. Mentioning the file rename experiment I detailed, they were quick to say "don't do that". My particular problem I don't think was BIOS related (although I will never know). My WiFi PCIe card/USB cable is bad which is another nightmare in itself. I asked for an RMA since the system was a few days old and they were pushing for me to send the card back for repair or contacting the retailer for a replacement (yes, the entire system...)

Overall, not a good experience. The system is great, a few issues here and there but the support is really a disappointment. YMMV. Good luck.

 

[zintz.155a02e0]

Unfortunately, no. Support basically focused on talking me out of updating the BIOS. They laid down this disclaimer that "If something goes wrong, it could brick the system... and it would be on you since you 'chose' to update the BIOS". MSI don't recommend updating the BIOS unless absolutely necessary. They offered to walk me through the process, and said the files "should" show up just fine. When I told them they do not, they seemed skeptical. I told them I am not the only person having this issue. Mentioning the file rename experiment I detailed, they were quick to say "don't do that". My particular problem I don't think was BIOS related (although I will never know). My WiFi PCIe card/USB cable is bad which is another nightmare in itself. I asked for an RMA since the system was a few days old and they were pushing for me to send the card back for repair or contacting the retailer for a replacement (yes, the entire system...)

Overall, not a good experience. The system is great, a few issues here and there but the support is really a disappointment. YMMV. Good luck.

Thanks for replying. Overall my system works great as well, but I am trying to resolve issues I am having with Windows Mixed Reality not recognizing my USB 3.0 ports; a lot of internet sources say to keep the MOBO bios up to date. My biggest question is why MSI has a different bios Series for the Z490-a pro boards inside these Aegis machines, and better yet, why does the support page for the machine show the AMI Bios versions if they cannot be used?

 

[garver_u127102a8]

Thanks for replying. Overall my system works great as well, but I am trying to resolve issues I am having with Windows Mixed Reality not recognizing my USB 3.0 ports; a lot of internet sources say to keep the MOBO bios up to date. My biggest question is why MSI has a different bios Series for the Z490-a pro boards inside these Aegis machines, and better yet, why does the support page for the machine show the AMI Bios versions if they cannot be used?

AH! I did mention that as well... why there is an "AMI BIOS" and "BIOS" section under the Aegis RS 10SE-012US. The support guy pulled it up and seemed confused as well. I think it is an error on their end, deploying a BIOS chain with model 'E7C75IZ1' for the Aegis desktops. If the MB is a vanilla Z490-A Pro, the model should be the same for the stand alone MB and the Aegis line. My experiment proves that BIOS is checking for the model in the file name. Change the filename from 'E7C75IMS.280' to 'E7C75IZ1.280' and it is there on the flash drive. Technically, flashing a renamed file shouldn't matter if the BIOS file is properly formatted. MSI seems to be so "anti-update", no one is concerned unless they need to be. I asked about Rocket Lake support and what happens if I upgrade the processor and his answer was basically "Call us and we will deal with that then..."

 

[JW300]

Same poor experience with support not accepting or believing the BIOS problem on their website. To be fair, my system's CPU overheating problem was not a BIOS issue, but caused by the MSI person who assembled my PC, who left on the protective plastic film on the CPU cooler copper heatsink (even though it says to remove before installing), so it wasn't making any contact with the CPU. Glad I checked CPU temp before heavily using machine and that the CPU wasn't fried. Once removing film and reinstalling heatsink with new thermal paste all is good.

But like you both, I am worried BIOS updates won't come for this machine if its on a different BIOS model/version than the retail motherboard, which seams to be the case already, and it is very unfair. I submitted a Service Message about the BIOS on Monday but still haven't heard back from a senior technician, yet even though I was told I would be contacted in 24 hrs, so not holding my breath at this point.

BTW, I tried the file renaming trick, and got thru to the warning about Celerons not being supported, but right after that it gave me a more serious warning that the BIOS I was installing was not for my model and MSI took no responsibility for problems, at which point I hit the ESC key to exit without updating. So we have no choice but wait for MSI to provide a correct BIOS update file for our machines in the future. Kinda concerning for a i9/3080 PC in 2021, especially with 11th Gen on on its way soon. But a problem for another day...

 

[garver_u127102a8]

Same poor experience with support not accepting or believing the BIOS problem on their website. To be fair, my system's CPU overheating problem was not a BIOS issue, but caused by the MSI person who assembled my PC, who left on the protective plastic film on the CPU cooler copper heatsink (even though it says to remove before installing), so it wasn't making any contact with the CPU. Glad I checked CPU temp before heavily using machine and that the CPU wasn't fried. Once removing film and reinstalling heatsink with new thermal paste all is good.

But like you both, I am worried BIOS updates won't come for this machine if its on a different BIOS model/version than the retail motherboard, which seams to be the case already, and it is very unfair. I submitted a Service Message about the BIOS on Monday but still haven't heard back from a senior technician, yet even though I was told I would be contacted in 24 hrs, so not holding my breath at this point.

BTW, I tried the file renaming trick, and got thru to the warning about Celerons not being supported, but right after that it gave me a more serious warning that the BIOS I was installing was not for my model and MSI took no responsibility for problems, at which point I hit the ESC key to exit without updating. So we have no choice but wait for MSI to provide a correct BIOS update file for our machines in the future. Kinda concerning for a i9/3080 PC in 2021, especially with 11th Gen on on its way soon. But a problem for another day...

I wouldn't be concerned about the BIOS updates for this board. It is a vanilla Z490-A Pro, and in fact Dragon Center grabbed the S/N and asked me to register it. The challenge is going to be MSI acknowledging it and correcting the problem. I guess when the Rocket Lake CPUs drop, they *should* be more open to help with this other than saying "We don't recommend updating" as the answer. I plan to call back in and have support step through the process with me, and when the files don't show up see what they say. I just hope they didn't inadvertently bork us owners of Aegis PCs and there is a way to jump models on the BIOS... if not, they need to publish the same updates on our BIOS chain.

 

[garver_u127102a8]

The "AMI BIOS" section has been removed from the support pages of the "Aegis RS 10th" models. Hopefully this means MSI are building the updates for the Z490-A Pro in the BIOS chain for the Aegis series... but after dealing with support for the past two weeks I am not so sure...