Z370M Mortar M-flash can't find BIOS file

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I tried formatting a fresh USB to Fat-32, plugged usb in all the different USB ports, BIOS file is unzipped, changed file name to .ROM. I'm out of options. Why can't I update the bios to my MOBO? I noticed something strange on the M-Flash screen. It says its a EB916IMS model but on the motherboard itself it says its a MS-7B54. Was this board flashed with wrong BIOS and now I can't reflash with legit bios? See picture for details.
 

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That board is part of a complete MSI system, and thus, you have a different BIOS than the normal Z370M Mortar. You probably need this BIOS: https://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Infinite-X-9th

These complete PCs from MSI are easier than building your own PC, but they have several downsides, one of which you discovered already. They use special BIOS versions, and you don't get nearly as many BIOS updates as for the regular mainboards that you can buy seperately. Another problem, the hardware and the cooling system is designed exactly for the stuff that's in there. If you want to upgrade, you might run into problems when for example the PSU is too weak and it's not an ATX-size PSU (in their small "designer-case" PCs).

As to why M-FLASH couldn't find the BIOS file: It has a filename filter, it will only show the BIOS files that match the name of your board model before the dot. This way, it's impossible to flash a BIOS version meant for a different board and possibly brick your board.
 
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citay said:
That board is part of a complete MSI system, and thus, you have a different BIOS than the normal Z370M Mortar. You probably need this BIOS: https://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Infinite-X-9th

These complete PCs from MSI are easier than building your own PC, but they have several downsides, one of which you discovered already. They use special BIOS versions, and you don't get nearly as many BIOS updates as for the regular mainboards that you can buy seperately. Another problem, the hardware and the cooling system is designed exactly for the stuff that's in there. If you want to upgrade, you might run into problems when for example the PSU is too weak and it's not an ATX-size PSU (in their small "designer-case" PCs).

As to why M-FLASH couldn't find the BIOS file: It has a filename filter, it will only show the BIOS files that match the name of your board model before the dot. This way, it's impossible to flash a BIOS version meant for a different board and possibly brick your board.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply, I was able to update the BIOS with that link. I understand now that it’s a specific built system but when I use sysinfo or look on the physical board itself it says it’s a MS-7B54. I guess they flashed it with their special bios and now I’m stuck with that.
 
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citay said:
As to why M-FLASH couldn't find the BIOS file: It has a filename filter, it will only show the BIOS files that match the name of your board model before the dot. This way, it's impossible to flash a BIOS version meant for a different board and possibly brick your board.
Click to expand...

Since it has a filename filter, would it be possible for him to rename the latest bios for the Z370M Mortar to that of a EB916IMS then flash ( without bricking the board), or would some other "safety" feature prevent this?
 
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ryegrass said:
Since it has a filename filter, would it be possible for him to rename the latest bios for the Z370M Mortar to that of a EB916IMS then flash ( without bricking the board), or would some other "safety" feature prevent this?
Click to expand...

It has a secondary safety measure. Here's a user with a similar problem. His mainboard, being in a complete system, has been equipped with a custom BIOS. It wouldn't see the BIOS file with the original model name. When trying to rename the BIOS filename according to the custom model name, M-FLASH suddenly sees the file:

IMG-2243.jpg


However, if you look at the bottom, it still recognizes the real model name under "Selected BIOS". Consequently, it refuses to update with that file:

IMG-2245.jpg
 
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citay said:
It has a secondary safety measure. Here's a user with a similar problem. His mainboard, being in a complete system, has been equipped with a custom BIOS. It wouldn't see the BIOS file with the original model name. When trying to rename the BIOS filename according to the custom model name, M-FLASH suddenly sees the file:

Thanks citay, I always appreciate your clear and in-depth responses though, I'm not sure where you find the time.
Click to expand...
 
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ryegrass said:
Thanks citay, I always appreciate your clear and in-depth responses though, I'm not sure where you find the time.
Click to expand...

I don't know either, i guess it's the whole work-from-home situation that's got me sitting here a lot, haha. Anyway, i'm just glad when i can help. Knowledge you don't share is lost knowledge.
 
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Thanks For your replies Citay. I learned more about my system. One more question, if I wanted to upgrade the mother board down the road. These things are pretty much standard size and will fit in my case correct? I only have a 500 watt PSU and would like to upgrade to a 3080 Gpu. I would like to keep the CPU and everything else the same.
 
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As for the motherboard (one word), yes, it's a standard size, Micro ATX. Of course you can only put in a newer Intel mainboard, because your CPU water cooler is set up for the Intel mounting system. And you can't go overboard, that's what i mentioned before, the cooling and everything is laid out exactly for the hardware that is currently in it. Put in a more power-hungry CPU and the noise could swell considerably, for example.

For an RTX 3080, you would need a bigger PSU. A 3080 draws 320 to 340 W under load, so that doesn't leave very much for the rest of the system. If you get a good 80 PLUS Gold/Platinum/Titanium PSU for example from "be quiet!" or Seasonic, you might be able to make do with 600W. For cheaper models, 650W or 700W would be better.

One thing to consider, which i noticed when watching the Youtube video about the system. I don't know if you have the steel or the glass side panel:

Screenshot_2021-05-01 MSI Infinite X 9th Gaming Desktop Stand Above The Rest.png


Screenshot_2021-05-01 MSI Infinite X 9th Gaming Desktop Stand Above The Rest(1).png


The glass side panel looks better, but it doesn't have any ventilation holes for the graphics card to suck in fresh air. So with an RTX 3080, things could get louder than they need to be with the glass side panel. A vertically mounted card which can't get any fresh air is a bad design decision, they should've kept the holes in front of the card.
 
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citay said:
As for the motherboard (one word), yes, it's a standard size, Micro ATX. Of course you can only put in a newer Intel mainboard, because your CPU water cooler is set up for the Intel mounting system. And you can't go overboard, that's what i mentioned before, the cooling and everything is laid out exactly for the hardware that is currently in it. Put in a more power-hungry CPU and the noise could swell considerably, for example.

For an RTX 3080, you would need a bigger PSU. A 3080 draws 320 to 340 W under load, so that doesn't leave very much for the rest of the system. If you get a good 80 PLUS Gold/Platinum/Titanium PSU for example from "be quiet!" or Seasonic, you might be able to make do with 600W. For cheaper models, 650W or 700W would be better.

One thing to consider, which i noticed when watching the Youtube video about the system. I don't know if you have the steel or the glass side panel:

View attachment 148263

View attachment 148264

The glass side panel looks better, but it doesn't have any ventilation holes for the graphics card to suck in fresh air. So with an RTX 3080, things could get louder than they need to be with the glass side panel. A vertically mounted card which can't get any fresh air is a bad design decision, they should've kept the holes in front of the card.
Click to expand...
Wow great response!! Thank you. My system does have the glass side panel. I know what you mean about no ventilation. The glass in that area gets pretty warm.
 
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I would go for a full case swap if going to a 3080 not even sure if you could get one to fit in that case. and beef up the PSU as the New 3080 and RX 6xxx GPU power spike quite badly and ithe PSU has to be able to handle the microspikes power spikes to prevent shutdown. There are some claims that the new GPU will draw up to 900 watts for 10 to 20 microseconds not long but is enough to trip cheaper PSU or ones with less than a Peak over load protection of less than 900 watts for 20 to 40 microseconds And that is not the easiest of info to find on PSU specifications.
 
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citay said:
It has a secondary safety measure. Here's a user with a similar problem. His mainboard, being in a complete system, has been equipped with a custom BIOS. It wouldn't see the BIOS file with the original model name. When trying to rename the BIOS filename according to the custom model name, M-FLASH suddenly sees the file:

IMG-2243.jpg


However, if you look at the bottom, it still recognizes the real model name under "Selected BIOS". Consequently, it refuses to update with that file:

IMG-2245.jpg
Click to expand...
Wait so, will it let you attempt it anyway? im in this same boat, and even according to MSI my board is compatible but theres no new bios in the Z1 format. Id really like to use BAR.
 
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Well, that would be sir, and you're welcome, although i don't exactly know what i have done to achieve those accolades. 😄 Maybe you can explain what you did. But i'm glad it worked.
 
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citay said:
Well, that would be sir, and you're welcome, although i don't exactly know what i have done to achieve those accolades. 😄 Maybe you can explain what you did. But i'm glad it worked.
Click to expand...
Well you pointed me in the direction of a flash tool I felt semi safe trying out, I have a b460m and it was flashed with a 1.A1 bios and refused anything else, despite all my hardware being compatible according toe MSI's own PDF docu regarding Resizable Bar, anywho, using that tool allowed me to update to the latest CORRECT MSI bios and thus solving my last standing annoyance with starting with a prebuilt.
 
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