MSI z68a-gd65 bios update / gpu update

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Mar 6, 2023
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Dear MSI forums!

I have an MSI z68a-gd65 running win7 with a sandy bridge(i5-2500k) that recently had a graphics card die(radeon hd 5850). Unfortunately, it seems that in order to use anything newish, I need to do a bios update!
This forum seems to have a few great resources on how to do it safely (in particular, the topics I've read show that if you do it wrongly, a missing Intel ME file can result in a boot loop/bricked board).

I think there was a forum software transition somewhere along the lines because solutions and files are dead links
Example threads:

I guess my question boils down to this: How do I update my bios to ME8 and latest version safely?
A step by step/how to would be VERY much appreciated.

Follow up question: in the event the flash does not work, how do I recover? I know it has to do with CMOS battery/jumpers/clear cmos button but have not had to perform the operation before.

Thank you!
 
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hi, this 's my view, take a look:
1. your mainboard is about 13 years old and the latest bios supported by MSI stopped in 2015 or something. So you dont need to update anything about Bios to use with recently generation of graphic cards. just plug the card in, if it works, it works (if doesnt, it doesnt). As i know, your mainboard is compatible with all graphic cards in the today market.
2. as i see in the photo of your mainboard, it has 2 bios chips, mean dual bios feature, you should read your mainboard's book about this.
3. warning!!! if you fail on flashing the bios, it will damage the bios chip, the chip died, so you cannnot do anything with "CMOS battery/jumpers/clear cmos button" to get the chip works back again. have to flash it in the right way again, until flashing successfully.
4. if you 've never done any bios stuff before, it may very risky to do it now, even given a detail steps. and much more difficult to recover. so don't!
 
hi! if you read the linked threads, its pretty clear an Me8 bios is needed to use gtx 980 and 1060 gpus and beyond!

I did get 'a9' and 'b2' errors when trying to get a 1660 super card in; it was a loaner/second hand opportunity, which led me to research the issue.My choice is to basically to stick out the integrated GPU, buy the same card i had off ebay, or do a bios update to me8 to unlock' 2015/2016 era gpus.

Mostly, I'd just like the most recent packages/advice/forum flash tools for my board, if/when any resident forum experts see this!

Again, thank you.
 
Look in BIOS Setup, should be in that format: Exxxxyyy.zzz
hi! my bios is 1.13.1108! (copyright 2011 american megatrends, inc)

Edit: This appears to be click bios one, not 2, based on screenshots I've seen while looking for issues and solutions.
edit 2: if this isn't the number you're looking for, do say so and I'll take a photo
 
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Yes, that's not the expected values, it should be in this format as said before:
Exxxxyyy.zzz
when you enter in BIOS Setup, should see it, either in the top.
or under "System Information"
 
Thank you!

Couple other questions:

Does that file contain the seperate intel ME 8 driver? (this post indicates some driver updates after, but the link is broken - https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?...x-9xx-gpus-b2-error-code.270481/#post-1545369)

is there any 'post flash'care I should know about?

Does click bios 2/later bios versions include the ability to set a GPU boot order? I'm having issues even testingcards/getting to bios if igpu is not set to disabled

Is it recommended to go to the latest version?

Is there anything I should know if it -doesn't- work?
 
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Does that file contain the seperate intel ME 8 driver? (this post indicates some driver updates after, but the link is broken - https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?...x-9xx-gpus-b2-error-code.270481/#post-1545369)

Which link and which file?

is there any 'post flash'care I should know about?

Not sure what do you mean by this.

Is it recommended to go to the latest version?

If you are going to flash your BIOS, yes got for the latest. [.P93 from the exact link that give you]

Is there anything I should know if it -doesn't- work?

If mean for BIOS flashing and after BIOS flashing,
theoretically every BIOS flashing is risky and can brick the board.
[i.e. there is no guarantees when flashing BIOSes]

Does click bios 2/later bios versions include the ability to set a GPU boot order? I'm having issues even testingcards/getting to bios if igpu is not set to disabled

Not sure, but probably should have it.
 
I'm gonna try to tackle these in order:
Which link and which file?
Post: https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?...x-9xx-gpus-b2-error-code.270481/#post-1545369
Visual: chrome error on DL: full url: http://download.msi.com/dvr_exe/intel_me81_win78_xp.zip

note: the main bios page has a slightly different link. full url: http://download.msi.com/dvr_exe/me8_w7_mb.zip

This seems to be working now, though, and I got the file downloaded. (Chrome doesn't seem to like it and thinks its not a secure download, so... I figured I'd at least ask!)

Not sure what do you mean by this.

Sorry, I meant to say PRE flash care. I was wondering if
1)there's anything I have to do before attempting the flash. (ie, go down to one stick of ram or other common advice)
2)I remember fat32 doesn't work with large drive sizes.All I have are giant size thumbdrives - do I need to order one smaller than 16gb?
3) any other general catch all advice?

If mean for BIOS flashing and after BIOS flashing,
theoretically every BIOS flashing is risky and can brick the board.
[i.e. there is no guarantees when flashing BIOSes]

The only other question I had was: in the link to the bio you provided it says to Clear CMOS after flashing, with a guide.
Unfortunately, that link is also broken. Full url: https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=31222.0

edit:archive.org has a backup of the thread

I was wondering why you would reset after a flash?

Again, thanks for handling my questions. Sorry for the delay in response, its been a heck of a week.
 
Sorry, I meant to say PRE flash care. I was wondering if
1)there's anything I have to do before attempting the flash. (ie, go down to one stick of ram or other common advice)
2)I remember fat32 doesn't work with large drive sizes.All I have are giant size thumbdrives - do I need to order one smaller than 16gb?
3) any other general catch all advice?

Make sure system is stable before proceed.

2)I remember fat32 doesn't work with large drive sizes.All I have are giant size thumbdrives - do I need to order one smaller than 16gb?

Think is no need. If you can boot from the USB key should be good enough.
[format the USB key with Rufus tool, bootable "FreeDOS", then try to boot from the USB key]

I was wondering why you would reset after a flash?

Again, thanks for handling my questions. Sorry for the delay in response, its been a heck of a week.

It's recommended to Clear CMOS with power cord removed after the flash,
to ensure the new BIOS will works correctly as intended.
This is especially valid for older boards.
 
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