!!! Warning: Z490 boards - problem with recent BIOS updates !!!

[stev15d802ec]

Same thing, 367 days after purchase. Ugh!
Pulling out the battery and closing the jbat1 did not help

Date of failed flashing: Feb 23, 2022
Affected board model: MPG Z490 Gaming Plus
CPU: INTEL I7-10700K
Flashing method used: MSI center
Attempted update to BIOS version: From: 7C75vA7 To: 7C75vAA
Result:
Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Not bothering with support. Purchased Z590 MB, arriving today.

 

[citay]

Pulling out the battery and closing the jbat1 did not help

Yes, sadly this is of no use with a BIOS in an unbootable state, it will only reset the custom BIOS settings of the user, but it won't do anything about the BIOS code.

Not bothering with support. Purchased Z590 MB, arriving today.

Your Z490 can still be fully resurrected if the BIOS is flashed externally (with a flash programming device). Such a device doesn't cost much, but it requires a bit of knowledge/research to use. If you don't want to deal with that (seeing how an RMA is too much hassle as well), you could try listing the Z490 for sale, saying that it's affected by a common BIOS problem right now, but would work completely fine again if the buyer were to flash the BIOS with the help of an appropriate device.

 

[Niska24]

Another one bites the dust. Oh how desperately I wish I knew about this thread before deciding to update for Windows 11... RMA was approved instantly and I have already shipped it via FedEx. Hopping for a quick turn around.

Date of failed flashing: January 20th, 2022
Affected board model: MEG Z490I UNIFY
CPU: Intel Core i9-10850K
Flashing method used: M-Flash
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C73v1A
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

So I've received a replacement board from MSI today, it arrived so poorly packaged that even the FedEx driver commented on the state of the box. Despite this the board was in good condition and seems to work just fine which I'm thankful for.

Interesting side note however, the current BIOS revision is not one listed on the MSI website.

 

[ewelinawireck151f02d1]

On the z690 it looks like the same thing is happening. I see more and more similar situations lately. After the bios flash, the board does not get up and the CPu diode is lit, interestingly, flashing the button often does not give anything. As here on the Polish forum:
https://forum.pclab.pl/topic/1349289-brick-z690-msi-tomahawk-aktualizacja-biosu/
There are also links to other people having the same problem. It seems MSI has a huge problem.

 

[citay]

I wouldn't automatically assume that it's the same cause. About the Flash BIOS Button / USB Flashback, the main problem is that it is extremely picky about the USB drive/stick you try to use for it.
Basically, people have to keep trying with different USB sticks until they find one that works (the cheaper the USB stick, the better, from the feedback i got). It should take around 5 minutes of a certain kind of blinking for the process to complete. If it keeps blinking for longer, then it failed. If it doesn't start the certain kind of blinking, then it also failed. Also see here.

Interesting side note however, the current BIOS revision is not one listed on the MSI website.

But it is, v1A: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MEG-Z490I-UNIFY/support#support-main-block-download

 

[pendulum.ad157602d6]

MSI Z490-A Pro bricked after upgrading to 7C75v2C .

Used CH341A - AsProgrammer to unbrick it.
Bios chip is located in the picture attached. (dont use the chip around the middle of the board that says winbond on it)

It is written MX 25l25673g on top of it.

Bought CH341A programmer from Amazon - $13
Use Asprogrammer - https://github.com/nofeletru/UsbAsp-flash/releases
Version 2.0.3 (2.1.0.13 did not recognize the chip)

Install drivers for Ch341A
https://www.onetransistor.eu/2017/08/ch341a-mini-programmer-schematic.html (first two)

Follow instructions from -

I have flashed E7C75IMS.2A0 which is in the bios update 7C75v2A from Msi support page.

Everything works now.

Date of failed flashing: Feb 24, 2022
Affected board model: Z490-A Pro
CPU: Intel Core i5 10400F
Flashing method used: MSI center
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C75v2C
Result:
Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Created a support ticket, waiting for their response.
Ticket#803937
I understand there is no solution to roll back the bios?
pulling out the battery and closing the jbat1 did not help

@ozer_erdemu156a02df thx bro

Hello everyone, I solved the problem through the programmer, this is the only solution. After flashing, jbat1 reset clears the board. CH341A programmer
the most interesting thing is that on the hotline they told me that it’s not worth updating the BIOS at all through MSI center, and they cannot remove this function from there. Central office is not listening.
thanks to the author of the topic for collecting so much information!
сукаблятьчтобыяещеразобновилбиосуебанойкомпанииМСАЙчертиебаные

 

[enric.agu155e02d7]

Date of failed flashing: Febrary 26th, 2022
Affected board model: Z490-A Pro
CPU: i5-10600K
Flashing method used: MSI Dragon Center
Attempted update to BIOS version: Newest
Result: Updated to 100% and rebooted, then stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU".

 

[lotust25155a02dd]

I thank the OP and all the helpful members . Is there an actual update for all the Aegis RS owners with the OeM boards who might want windows 11 at some point . My z490 works perfectly except no audio from the rear port . I use USB headphones so not huge deal but it should still work .

 

[citay]

Is there an actual update for all the Aegis RS owners with the OeM boards who might want windows 11 at some point

10TE-072US

Your BIOS updates are here: https://us.msi.com/Desktop/Aegis-RS-10th-GeForce-RTX-30-Series/support?sku_id=47199

There are much less BIOS updates for your PC, because you have a pre-built MSI with a custom BIOS. There's a way to flash the normal BIOS of your actual Z490 board, but with the current potential flashing problems, i wouldn't do that. Instead, you can do that normal update that's listed there. I've not yet heard of such a custom BIOS for pre-built MSI systems causing a problem during updating.

Then, for Win 11, you need to do this: https://www.msi.com/blog/How-to-Enable-TPM-on-MSI-Motherboards-Featuring-TPM-2-0

 

[ewelinawireck151f02d1]

I wouldn't automatically assume that it's the same cause. About the Flash BIOS Button / USB Flashback, the main problem is that it is extremely picky about the USB drive/stick you try to use for it.
Basically, people have to keep trying with different USB sticks until they find one that works (the cheaper the USB stick, the better, from the feedback i got). It should take around 5 minutes of a certain kind of blinking for the process to complete. If it keeps blinking for longer, then it failed. If it doesn't start the certain kind of blinking, then it also failed. Also see here.

Users don't care if it's the same cause or not. It is counted that the next chipset after the z490 has the same symptom, a black screen and a glowing CPU LED after a fully valid BIOS update. There is a year on the z490 and MSI laughs in our face, saying on the support that there is no problem and it's best not to update the BIOS and that's it. Hopefully the buyers they will stop buying these boards and MSI sales will drop below the crappy Asrock. They are owed for doing so.

What is it supposed to be, that you pay more from generation to generation for the same discs in terms of capabilities and in return we get some damn lottery under the title whether the computer will get up after updating the bios or not, and if not, look for a USB flash drive user who graciously treats the disc assuming the flashback mechanism is picky. If you have a flashback at all.

 

[echoE]

Can you guys not go to the Better Business Bureau? To see if there get MSI to get there handling of the boards malfucntions from bios updates?

 

[m.caper15b802e7]

MPG Z490 Gaming Plus Motherboard BIOS Bricked after Dragon Center Update


“I stupidly put my trust in MSI's Dragon Center to update my BIOS, and now my PC won't boot up. The CPU EZ LED is solid white and nothing shows up on either display. Is there a way to reset the BIOS without taking out the battery?” Oh lord this just happened to me. I should’ve know better. Can’t believe they haven’t fixed it with the newest bios that came out today.

 

[m.caper15b802e7]

MPG Z490 Gaming Plus Motherboard BIOS Bricked after Dragon Center Update


“I stupidly put my trust in MSI's Dragon Center to update my BIOS, and now my PC won't boot up. The CPU EZ LED is solid white and nothing shows up on either display. Is there a way to reset the BIOS without taking out the battery?” Oh lord this just happened to me. I should’ve know better. Can’t believe they haven’t fixed it with the newest bios that came out today.

Why is this the only motherboard of this brand (gaming edge series) that doesn’t have a reset bios button?

 

[echoE]

Why is this the only motherboard of this brand (gaming edge series) that doesn’t have a reset bios button?

Sorry to hear man. And no clue. Though interesting. The Z590 Gaming Plus has a reset bios/flashback button.

 

[VipeNess]

I wanted to report that this happened to me today. I decided to update my motherboard bios "MEG-Z490-UNIFY" (7C71vA9) to the latest bios available online "7C71vAB". After the bios update, my displays had turned off and never powered back on. Also noticed the computer was on and the white light on the motherboard said CPU and error code was 00.

I was lucky enough to have a reset bios switch on my motherboard so I downloaded the latest bios file on another pc, renamed the bios file to MSI.rom then transferred the file it to the USB root. With the computer turned off, I put the USB in the BIOS USB port then pressed the BIOS restore button. The computer powered on by itself and it took about 4-5 minutes. The computer shutdown a few times then back on and finally... the computer started working again.

Date of failed flashing: March 5, 2022
Affected board model: MEG Z490 UNIFY
CPU: i7-10700K
Flashing method used: Live Update 6
Attempted update to BIOS version: Newest
Result: Updated to 100% and rebooted, then stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU".

 

[ilkerberber52159302e2]

Does bios 7c73v17 safe to update for Gaming Carbon Wifi? I bought this mobo and wanted to use Resizable bar.

 

[citay]

Yes, it's safe. The potential problem can only occur while flashing the three newest versions.

 

[r.dircksen15a302e2]

Date of failed flashing:MAR/11/2022
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi
CPU: i5-10600
Flashing method used:MSI Center
Attempted update to BIOS vversion: latest offered (xxx2B)
Result: BRICKED! Black screen - ez licht on

 

[callum110915e002f0]

I am glad I looked up the new version of the BIOS because it looked funny to me. Going from 1.6 to 1.A0 just seemed weird so I decided to do a search and found out if I would have clicked install, I would have bricked my board. I wonder when or if MSI will fix this. How old is 1.6? Any new stable bios I could update to?

 

[citay]

Any new stable bios I could update to?

Well, what board model do you have?