Extreme7 Gen3 BIOS 2.03 Killed System!

[Undermoose]

Exteme7 Gen3. I installed BIOS 2.03 to prep for Ivy Bridge.

System would no longer work with XMP profile, it would go dead, click, power up, do that again two more times, then post the BIOS screen and if I entered the bios the memory would be at the defaults. Definately not recognizing the profile.

So using dram settings on auto I'd get a normal bios post, it would try to start windows 7 64bit, but just hang at the splash screen "starting windows". Done deal.

Can't flash back to previous BIOS, system dead until I get an updated BIOS apparently.

[Undermoose]

So I'm up and running...

Can't touch memory settings or system goes through the failsafe boot process 3 times and then reverts to a bootable bios config. So XMP is not working for my 4 x 4gb Mushkin Redline memory which has been working flawlessly on this mobo since inception via XMP until this new BIOS.

I think disabling Intel Smart Connect Technology is what finally made the system bootable again, not sure, and not willing to play around at the moment. The PC boots consistently now.

New BIOS version please!

[Aaron G Ring]

Where did you get this bios? I have same motherboard and would like a newer Bios. The one I have now can not cold boot.

[radier]

Where did you get this bios?

From ASRock website?

ASRock > Products > Motherboard > Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 > Download

[Aaron G Ring]

Thanks you I was using google to no advil!

[Aaron G Ring]

Wow! after having this bios for a little over an hour I am so impressed, omg its like having a totally differrent computer! I have been able to lower volts and cold boot on almost anything. PS my XMP profiles work perfect I have 1.2version if that has anything to do with it. This is the best bios i have used yet and has greatly restored my faith back in Asrock! if they keep this up then my next motherboard purchase will defiantly be another Asrock! i am so stoked overclocking just got fun again!

[Undermoose]

Not me, 4 x 4gb Mushkin Redline, which used to be flawless using its XMP 1.2 profile, will only post on auto now :(

I also use EFI boot to a 4 x 2TB raid 10 array (3.6TB usable array) being Sandy Bridge cached by an OCZ Vertex 3 60gb SSD.

Intel 2600K CPU
3 Asus 6970 vid cards
Antec HCP 1200 PSU

It's booting now, but auto mem config leaves me at 1333mhz and 9-9-9-24 timings :(, a far cry from XMP 7-8-7-24 1.65v 1600mhz.

[Undermoose]

Pretty confident at this point the new bios (2.03) really hates my ram :(

Worked flawlessly with 1.34 for months with XMP 1.2 profile...

I just spent the last hour trying all sorts of things to get the PC to boot with memory's specs of 7-8-7-24 CR2 1.65v 1600mhz... nada

In fact it went from bad to worse, the PC stopped booting entirely on auto. I had to set the timings to 9-9-9-24 manually and the PC boots again :(

Help Asrock! I realize the memory isn't on your supported list, but I've been using Mushkin ram for years and have faith in their product. It did work perfectly on the old bios...

Is there a way to revert to 1.34 BIOS? or can you send me an updated BIOS?

Thank you.

[radier]

Did you updated Intel ME software after flashing this new UEFI ?

[Undermoose]

Yes

It's not a software issue though.

Trying to use XMP or manually setting the dram configuration results in the same system boot failure at the BIOS post. It power cycles 3 times, making a clicking noise, then apprently reverts to bios defaults, posts, but comes up with the bios warning message that the system failed to boot, press F2 to enter system configuration or the UEFI will continue to post.

This is what happens when you have a bad bios configuration and the BIOS boot failure protection option is enabled (a good thing). It's usually needed by overclockers who push the limits beyond what the mobo can handle. In my case CPU & Memory speeds & voltages are not overclocked.

It's seems a new compatibility issue with my 4 x 4gb Mushkin Redline model 996999 ddr3-1600mhz 7-8-7-24 dram. This memory was tested and worked flawlessly with all previous bios versions, set XMP and forget, but now I can barely get the machine to boot with it at 9-9-9-24 @ 1333mhz.