MSI mobo owners

[MrGrim999]

I built a new gaming rig a few months ago and I want to make sure I'm getting the most out of it. The only thing I haven't done is update the bios. It came with version 2.2 and it's up to 2.7. I've been reading online about more and more people bricking their boards because apparently MSI has issues flashing bios. Even when I called MSI tech support they didn't recommend it haha. THe only issue I've seen so far is that the option to enable XMP is not available in bios. And yes, my ram does support this.

Any thoughts or opinions?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I built a new gaming rig a few months ago and I want to make sure I'm getting the most out of it. The only thing I haven't done is update the bios. It came with version 2.2 and it's up to 2.7. I've been reading online about more and more people bricking their boards because apparently MSI has issues flashing bios. Even when I called MSI tech support they didn't recommend it haha. THe only issue I've seen so far is that the option to enable XMP is not available in bios. And yes, my ram does support this.

Any thoughts or opinions?

Find out where the BIOS chip is located for that board -- what had been called in previous generations a PLCC chip. Find out if it isn't the old-style IC that looked like a cyborg caterpillar -- with little gray metal pins that fit into a socket.

Then check the mobo maker's accessory store and see if you can't order the chip -- programmed with the specified BIOS version. There are also independent outfits that will sell you the chip and bundle a small, spring-loaded plastic chip-puller.

Pull out the CMOS battery -- the wafer battery. Replace the old BIOS chip. Replace the battery. Then go through the steps for an "initial boot," enter BIOS, -- you know the rest.

 

[Tsavo]

Ahh yes. The OLE F*$&*#* it's bricked MSI flasher (I had an MSI BIOS flash brick a board for me a few years ago).

It really shouldn't be a problem these days IF you use the MFLASH utility in the BIOS to do it. Using the Windows flasher is just begging for a swift kick in the nuts. TO be on the safe side, set the BIOS to defaults...no OC'ing or anything.

Next thing is to cross your fingers.

Cross your fingers and bend over.



Oh YEAH...also QUADRUPLE TRIPLE check you have the correct BIOS. Also, have another copy of the current BIOS on the same thumb drive as the new BIOS. Read the instructions three times, too.

 

[Batmeat]

Guess I'm lucky, I've never had issues. Flash your bios thorough the motherboard built in utility.

 

[smakme7757]

Most people won't advise a BIOS upgrade unless you actually need to upgrade. Be it for features or bug fixes.

Personally I've never had any problems with my MSI boards (have 3 atm). I had Acronis butcher my UEFI BIOS and the MSI dual BIOS systems saved my bacon. So I'm a happy customer

 

[suklee]

I had some issues when I first got my MSI mobo (bricked my main BIOS) but luckily it had a second BIOS that can be selected via a switch. Eventually I got it to flash.

Few days ago I bit the bullet and decided to flash to the latest version, within Windows this time, and it worked without any hiccups.

 

[MrGrim999]

Since it was bothering me , I clenched my butthole and flashed through bios. Alas, I'm still here hehe. Of course, the very next day , MSI posts the 2.8 bios update I'm not gonna bother with that one though since it was meant for 5th generation cpu's which doesn't effect me.

 

[suklee]

Since it was bothering me , I clenched my butthole and flashed through bios. Alas, I'm still here hehe. Of course, the very next day , MSI posts the 2.8 bios update I'm not gonna bother with that one though since it was meant for 5th generation cpu's which doesn't effect me.

Lol, I noticed a new release also for my mobo, the only new feature was support for 5th-Generation Intel Core Processors so I don't need to upgrade (for now...)

 

[Leyawiin]

Ahh yes. The OLE F*$&*#* it's bricked MSI flasher (I had an MSI BIOS flash brick a board for me a few years ago).

It really shouldn't be a problem these days IF you use the MFLASH utility in the BIOS to do it. Using the Windows flasher is just begging for a swift kick in the nuts. TO be on the safe side, set the BIOS to defaults...no OC'ing or anything.

Next thing is to cross your fingers.

Cross your fingers and bend over.



Oh YEAH...also QUADRUPLE TRIPLE check you have the correct BIOS. Also, have another copy of the current BIOS on the same thumb drive as the new BIOS. Read the instructions three times, too.

Years ago I bricked a socket 754 board using their online Windows flash utility. After I did it I was looking all over the internet for a fix and discovered it was widely known using it was the quickest way to brick an MSI board. Had to use a floppy and blindly typed in commands to salvage it. This past spring I bought a Z87 MPower Max board and flashed it to use a G3258. As you said, used the MFlash utility in the BIOS and it went off without a hitch.

 

[Namisecond]

Ahh yes. The OLE F*$&*#* it's bricked MSI flasher (I had an MSI BIOS flash brick a board for me a few years ago).

It really shouldn't be a problem these days IF you use the MFLASH utility in the BIOS to do it. Using the Windows flasher is just begging for a swift kick in the nuts. TO be on the safe side, set the BIOS to defaults...no OC'ing or anything.

Next thing is to cross your fingers.

Cross your fingers and bend over.



Oh YEAH...also QUADRUPLE TRIPLE check you have the correct BIOS. Also, have another copy of the current BIOS on the same thumb drive as the new BIOS. Read the instructions three times, too.

I recently bricked my MSI H81I mobo while flashing through the bios MFLASH ultility. The flash actually looked like it was completed, then the motherboard wouldn't boot up ever again. So yah, even the MFLASH is suspect now in my mind. No removable bios chip on this motherboard either or I would have run it through the eeprom programmer at work.

Created a case with MSI, their tech support is slow and not very on the ball. It took almost a week back and forthing with them by email to eventually get an RMA. (I had already replaced that mobo with a similar Gigabyte model with dual bios) Now I'm wondering if it will be worth the pain and hassle of sending in the mobo for RMA...it only cost me $50 and the shipping costs will be over $12...

I've basically sworn off MSI motherboards for the time being.

 

[gammaray]

don't you guys have a jumper on the mobo to reset the bios to it's default? if you don't, remove the cmos battery and get a new one. if the battery can't be removed and there are no jumpers, well, you're screwed!

 

[MrGrim999]

I recently bricked my MSI H81I mobo while flashing through the bios MFLASH ultility. The flash actually looked like it was completed, then the motherboard wouldn't boot up ever again. So yah, even the MFLASH is suspect now in my mind. No removable bios chip on this motherboard either or I would have run it through the eeprom programmer at work.

Created a case with MSI, their tech support is slow and not very on the ball. It took almost a week back and forthing with them by email to eventually get an RMA. (I had already replaced that mobo with a similar Gigabyte model with dual bios) Now I'm wondering if it will be worth the pain and hassle of sending in the mobo for RMA...it only cost me $50 and the shipping costs will be over $12...

I've basically sworn off MSI motherboards for the time being.

I totally agree with you about MSI tech support. I built this rig back in January and still have an unresolved issue with XMP. Each rep that I've spoken to spent more time flipping through their tech support handbook pages and putting me on hold than helping me. I've gotten more help from you guys here. This is also the first company that repeatedly instructed not to update their bios because of the high risk of bricking the board. Oh well, we live and learn

 

[VirtualLarry]

don't you guys have a jumper on the mobo to reset the bios to it's default? if you don't, remove the cmos battery and get a new one. if the battery can't be removed and there are no jumpers, well, you're screwed!

The jumper is for CMOS settings reset. Not for a bad BIOS flash.

 

[vailr]

the MSI dual BIOS systems saved my bacon.

What MSI board has dual bioses? AFAIK, only Gigabyte boards offer that feature.

Side note:
UEFI BIOS Updater 1.27
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/uefi_bios_updater.html
Even the very newest bios release may not include all of the latest available device firmwares. This software can update the AMI UEFI bios so that the latest firmware versions are included within it.
Also: the Intel MEI firmware is another separate update that can then be optionally applied afterwards.

 

[gammaray]

The jumper is for CMOS settings reset. Not for a bad BIOS flash.

Ok, thx for clarifying.

i have used and owned MSI boards for eons. Admittedly, high-end ones, like GD65 and GD70 and never had a problem updating the bios whatsoever.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Asus top board's all have dual bios chips, the rampage,lol@ only gigabyte

 

[smakme7757]

What MSI board has dual bioses? AFAIK, only Gigabyte boards offer that feature.

Side note:
UEFI BIOS Updater 1.27
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/uefi_bios_updater.html
Even the very newest bios release may not include all of the latest available device firmwares. This software can update the AMI UEFI bios so that the latest firmware versions are included within it.
Also: the Intel MEI firmware is another separate update that can then be optionally applied afterwards.

Z77A-GD65 has a switch to switch between two independent BIOS images. I'm pretty sure most mid-range and high end MSI motherboards have that feature. Actually I'm pretty sure most manufacturers have that feature. It would save then a ton on RMA costs for failed BIOS updates ect.

 

[computershop]

Personally I've never had any problems with my MSI boards