M-Flash finds USB, not BIOS file

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michaelfitzy

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I have a MSI - Z97 PC MATE that I'm trying to use in a new PC programming/gaming build, I also picked up a GTX 1060 so the update to BIOS is required. The current BIOS version is E7850IMS V4.1. I downloaded the latest BIOS files (4.B) from here: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/Z97-PC-MATE#down-bios and transferred them after extracting onto a freshly formatted USB drive. When I boot into BIOS and select M-Flash, it shows the USB drive but displays this error: "There isn't any BIOS file in this usb key(root folder). Please copy bios file to this usb key(root folder)" when I select it.

Things I have tried:
- Different USB drives that range in storage size
- Different USB formatting
- Different USB ports on case and motherboard
- Made sure I'm not including an extra folder when I transfer the files to the USB. Only two files included
- Older but still later than my BIOS version

Any help is greatly appreciated as I have been stuck on this for ongoing 12 hours now and I need to get work accomplished. I've looked for solutions here, Google, DuckDuckGo, etc. with no luck yet. I was close to trying Live Update 6 but all I've seen are testimonials that it fried their board. I want that to be the absolute last try if possible.
 

rb_leroy

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Hello,
I was close to trying Live Update 6 but all I've seen are testimonials that it fried their board.
Yes, NEVER EVER use Liveupdate to update bios!:nono:

1/ To run M-Flash, do exactly that:
- Download >>Bios V4.B0<<.
- Take an USB pen having no more than 16GB (physical size) with only one partition.
  Verify it with CHKDSK.
- Unzip it and copy the file "E7850IMS.4B0" on the root of the USB pen.
- Boot and enter in Bios Setup. Press [F6], confirm, press [F10] and confirm. Pc should restart.
- Enter again in Bios Setup.
- Plug the USB pen into one port on the back panel (better to use a 2.0).
- Click on M-Flash then select the file on the USB pen.
- M-Flash should start; be cautious to not abort it before the end (can last up to 5mn).
- Power off PSU, unplug the power cord and wait that all mobo's leds light off.
- If you had changed some bios values before, enter again in bios setup and set them back.

2/ If M-Flash does not see the file on USB again, retry with >>Bios V4.10<< (copy the file "E7850IMS.410" on the root of the USB). I know it is your current bios version, but it is only to verify that M-Flash works. If it works, redo with >>Bios V4.20<< (E7850IMS.420).

Good luck,
:emot-tip-wink:
 

michaelfitzy

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rbleroy91 date=1553981743 said:
Hello,Yes, NEVER EVER use Liveupdate to update bios!:nono:

1/ To run M-Flash, do exactly that:
- Download >>Bios V4.B0<<.
- Take an USB pen having no more than 16GB (physical size) with only one partition.
  Verify it with CHKDSK.
- Unzip it and copy the file "E7850IMS.4B0" on the root of the USB pen.
- Boot and enter in Bios Setup. Press [F6], confirm, press [F10] and confirm. Pc should restart.
- Enter again in Bios Setup.
- Plug the USB pen into one port on the back panel (better to use a 2.0).
- Click on M-Flash then select the file on the USB pen.
- M-Flash should start; be cautious to not abort it before the end (can last up to 5mn).
- Power off PSU, unplug the power cord and wait that all mobo's leds light off.
- If you had changed some bios values before, enter again in bios setup and set them back.

2/ If M-Flash does not see the file on USB again, retry with >>Bios V4.10<< (copy the file "E7850IMS.410" on the root of the USB). I know it is your current bios version, but it is only to verify that M-Flash works. If it works, redo with >>Bios V4.20<< (E7850IMS.420).

Good luck,
:emot-tip-wink:
Hey thanks for the detailed response, much appreciated. Everything makes sense except powering off the PSU step, how will I know when to do that? I assume there will be something to see if flashing is done?
 

rb_leroy

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After you have selected the file and confirmed, the pc will reboot (keep the USB plugged) then will start automatically the update. During the bios flash, you will see a progress bar and at the end a message like "update finished". Wait 1mn then power off PSU as explained.
:emot-tip-wink:
 

michaelfitzy

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rbleroy91 said:
After you have selected the file and confirmed, the pc will reboot (keep the USB plugged) then will start automatically the update. During the bios flash, you will see a progress bar and at the end a message like "update finished". Wait 1mn then power off PSU as explained.
:emot-tip-wink:
It?s looking like the end for the motherboard. Was able to update via USB and it showed installation successful but no signal or motherboard lights after reboot. My case and CPU fans are still on but signal seems dead.
 

rb_leroy

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:undecided:
1/ What bios version has been loaded?
2/ Have you tried with the 1060 and with the old GPU (what model is it?), doing a clear CMOS for each case:
- Power off PSU, unplug the power cord and wait (2-5s) that all mobo's leds light off.
- Either
   . short JBAT1 during at least 20s
     (if you have not a jumper cap, use something like a screwdriver but be cautious to touch only the 2 pins of JBAT1) or
   . remove the battery cell during 15mn.
- Plug the power cord and power on.
:confused2:
 

rossallam19

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I have the same problem with MSI A320M Pro-E. I already tried different flash drive and different versions of bios.
 

michal.przybylowicz

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On my motherboard z270 gaming m5 you have to rename the bios file to "MSI.ROM" for Mobo to be able to find the file. It's actually written in the manual. Check in yours.
 
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