Two MSI Z270 SLI PLUS have different graphic output quality (BIOS mod?)

[astrogator7]

I have two MSI Z270 SLI PLUS motherboards with intent to install matching hardware /software configuration.
Unfortunately, they are not identical: one has BIOS E7A59IMS.140 from 12/15/2016, the other - E7A59IZ1.1J1 from 07/06/2017.
Please see detailed pictures here: https://superuser.com/questions/1432268/two-msi-z270-sli-plus-have-different-graphic-output-quality-bios-mod

First puzzle: current highest official BIOS version is 7A59v1A from 2018-07-17.
M-Flash recognizes E7A59IMS.1A0 file on the first mobo (14), but not on the second. I attribute that to 1A being less than 1J, but would like to have a confirmation.
Even so, i can't explain dates being out of order.
Googling E7A59IZ1.1J1 results in only two links, https://bios.ethosdistro.com/motherboard-bios/current-bios-list.txt and a related direct file URL. So, this may not be an official BIOS?
Is there a way to re-flash 1J to official one (1A)?

Both sets (mobo + cpu + ram) have passed rigorous (24+ hrs) MemTest86 v7.3.

Next, Windows setup (from the same USB drive) looks normal on 14, but on 1J has dithered color depth and lower resolution (dialog fills entire screen), occasionally with color (and in Classic theme!).
Since CPU graphics is used on both, is this a result of BIOS mod on 1J, or 2nd CPU is somehow damaged? (I thought about swapping CPUs, but haven't gotten to it yet, will try next)

 

[rb_leroy]

Hello,
Bios V1.X1 is a beta bios who has been developped by MSI to correct bug in waiting the next retailed version V1.X0.
Nevertheless, the more recent version for this mobo is V1.A0, so I believe V1.J1 is not from MSI!
In fact, the name of your bios is "E7A59IZ1.1xx" and not "7A59IMS.1xx" and it sounds like mobo was in a pc built by a retailer. Perhaps, he had customized the mobo so that bios "E7A59IMS.1A0" should not work...
If you want to load this last, try first with M-Flash:
- Download >>Bios V1.A0<<.
- Take an USB pen (no more than 16GB and only 1 partition).
  Verify it with CHKDSK.
- Unzip it and copy the file "E7A59IMS.1A0" 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.
Hoping it shall help,

 

[rhradacut]

Apparently that IZ1 BIOS  is from ethosdistro.com  and modified for bitcoin mining and is affecting the video quality of your rig. You should try to flash to latest official MSI BIOS to fix your problem.

 

[astrogator7]

Hello guys, thank you for replying!
I swapped CPUs, the problem remained with 1J board.
I did try to flash 1A over 1J several times, however it refuses to recognize the update.  Just added more pictures and description to my post on SuperUser.com (don't want to duplicate).
Strangely, both 14 and 1J did not see the USB stick when it was plugged into 2.0 ports.  Both saw the stick in 3.0 ports.  But only 14 shows available 1A-update file!  It looks like 1J is "locked" somehow.
Is there any other way of force flashing a BIOS update, like we used to do it in old times from a DOS floppy disk?

1J was bought just over a month ago on eBay advertised as 'New', and came in a retail box with all accessories (unopened plastic bags, newer driver DVD - thus i didn't question "1J1" that much).  The only weird thing was that original UPC sticker on the box was cut out and replaced on top with a different one, but serial numbers match (see attached)..  I was running MemTest86 extensively for almost a month and graphics was fine in the text mode.

 

[rb_leroy]

Hello,
If you want to force update, try with the tool >>Flash tool[1.06] for MSI UEFI BIOS<<. It has been developped by one forum's administrator and was already used successfully by many users on this forum. Use it with >>Bios V1.A0<<.
Be aware that doing that is at your own risks because the mobo could have been modified by ethosdistro and it is impossible to verify before to try.
Good luck,

 

[astrogator7]

You da man, rbleroy91!
Will add a couple pics later, but for now .. "it will kill!" )))  Yes, the Flash tool worked, forced 1A, and i already confirmed that graphics issue that started this thread .. is no more!
Thank you very much, sir!  And thank Svet for making this wonderful awesome tool!!
Now to solve Win7 install on an NVMe RAID if that's possible..

 

[rb_leroy]

Good news, happy for you!  
Glad to have helped.

Now to solve Win7 install on an NVMe RAID if that's possible..

Yes, it is. You have only to:
- Set "SETTINGS \ Advanced \ Windows OS Configuration \ Windows 10 WHQL Support" at "Enabled" or "UEFI" (to be able to boot on a NVMe drive).
- Use >>MSI Smart Tool<< to create the Windows installer with the good drivers.
Have a good day,

 

[astrogator7]

As promised, here's how it looked:
1. Flash tool 1.06 output force flashing E7A59IMS.1A0 over E7A59IZ1.1J1.
2. BIOS shows E7A59IMS.1A0 06/30/2018 - success!
3. Unexpected:  Intel RST in 1A0 is v.16.0.2.3402 - higher than officially advertised 15.9.  Reckon, that's a plus..  (could that be a problem for Win7 though?)
4. And final confirmation that the problem is resolved - proper graphics in Win7 setup!!

Still trying to figure out install of Win7 (not 10!) on NVMe RAID (2x Samsung 970 EVO+ M.2s).
Third picture shows WDC Raptors, but these are 10K spinners (HDDs) and highest official supporting Win7 iRST driver (v.15.9.6.1044) slipstreamed into Win7pro setup via NTLite finds this array no problem.
However, when i switch to M.2 Genie (exclusively - i.e. no other HDDs/SSDs), i confirm an NVMe RAID0 in BIOS, but then the same Win7 setup fails to find it.
Tried creating the USB stick using MSI Smart Tool - getting same result so far.
I should probably start another thread now, since that is a different /new topic.

 

[rb_leroy]

As promised, here's how it looked:
1. Flash tool 1.06 output force flashing E7A59IMS.1A0 over E7A59IZ1.1J1.
2. BIOS shows E7A59IMS.1A0 06/30/2018 - success!
3. Unexpected:  Intel RST in 1A0 is v.16.0.2.3402 - higher than officially advertised 15.9.  Reckon, that's a plus..  (could that be a problem for Win7 though?)
4. And final confirmation that the problem is resolved - proper graphics in Win7 setup!!

Gooood!

I should probably start another thread now, since that is a different /new topic.

Yes, do that now your MSI Z270 SLI PLUS is not anymore "exotic".
Friendly yours,

 

[Milad.tt15a802eb]

Apparently that IZ1 BIOS is from ethosdistro.com and modified for bitcoin mining and is affecting the video quality of your rig. You should try to flash to latest official MSI BIOS to fix your problem.

Hi, what exactly do you mean by "affecting the video quality of your rig" ? Can you explain more? What problems or advantages or disadvantages does this BIOS cause?

 

[Milad.tt15a802eb]

Hello,
Bios V1.X1 is a beta bios who has been developped by MSI to correct bug in waiting the next retailed version V1.X0.
Nevertheless, the more recent version for this mobo is V1.A0, so I believe V1.J1 is not from MSI!
In fact, the name of your bios is "E7A59IZ1.1xx" and not "7A59IMS.1xx" and it sounds like mobo was in a pc built by a retailer. Perhaps, he had customized the mobo so that bios "E7A59IMS.1A0" should not work...
If you want to load this last, try first with M-Flash:
- Download >>Bios V1.A0<<.
- Take an USB pen (no more than 16GB and only 1 partition).
Verify it with CHKDSK.
- Unzip it and copy the file "E7A59IMS.1A0" 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.
Hoping it shall help,

Hi, my bios is V1.J1 too, but this solution did not work for me! ( I downloaded all the available BIOS files and put them in the flash memory according to the instructions and did the rest of the steps, but when I want to select the BIOS file for the update, there is nothing in the flash memory.)