Need some BIOS help - ASRock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3

[OldAnalogGuy]

Good Evening all,

It's been four (4) years since I've built a computer and I've decided to build another using the ASRock Z68 board, but I have a few questions.

I did buy the INTEL i73770K Ivy Bridge, so, of course, it won't post with the BIOS that the board was shipped with.

I've ordered another Sandy Bridge CPU so I can get the board to POST and upgrade the BIOS. But here is the question (s):

1. ASRock offers a 2.10 bios (which I probably have), a 2.20 BIOS and a 2.30 BIOS. It also offers an AXTM BIOS(?), An INTEL ME and a VGA Driver for WIN & x64. Will choosing just the 2.30 BIOS Load all of the previous bios upgrades, including AXTM, INTEL ME and VGA drivers WIN7 x64 or do I need to load them all?

In other words, would the 2.30 BIOS take care of everything?

2. I have all of the BIOS on a thumb drive, if the board does in fact post with the new sandybridge, is it possible to upgrade the bios without intalling the operating system? It looks like it can be done, but my past experience tells me that the USB ports aren't operative unless the OS is installed, yes? Also, the BIOS' are zipped, does the ASRock unzip them or do I need to do that first?

I'm an old analog guy and some of this new stuff flys by me so I would sincerely appreciate some guidance from you astute members.

Thanks!

-dave-
Medford, Oregon

[parsec]

The BIOS .zip file contains only the BIOS, nothing else. Everything else you mentioned (except AXTM BIOS) are drivers that you install with your operating system (OS), Windows, and are both on the disk that came with your board, or can be downloaded from your boards page at ASR's web site. You must unzip that BIOS file yourself before using it. On another PC, try right clicking on the file, and if you see Extract in the list, that will unzip the file.

The BIOS is stored on it's own CMOS chip, and is separate from the OS. The latest BIOS version will have all previous updates in it. I don't know what the AXTM BIOS is. If it's a beta or experimental BIOS, don't use it!

You did not mention all the driver and other files you need to load once Windows is installed. They are on the disk that came with the board, or can be downloaded from your boards page. Yes, you need to install all the things you mentioned, and more. Running the automatic installer on the disk will install everything you need, and likely a few things you don't, but you can remove them later.

You might be able to update the BIOS with the USB drive without an OS. Plug a USB drive into the rear I/O panel, and get into the BIOS and see if it is recognized. If not, check the manual about BIOS updates (read that anyway!!) for more information. Download the manual from your boards page, if they don't give you a hard copy.

[profJim]

Your motherboard might ship with a P1.x bios version which won't support your 3770K cpu.
ASRock > Products > Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 > CPU Support List shows that the 3770K is supported since the P2.10 bios.

You need to carefully read the bios flashing instructions on the web page for your motherboard.
In some cases, the usb drive needs to remain plugged in when the flashing completes.
When the system re-boots, the 2nd phase of the flashing needs to usb drive to remain installed.
In cases where the usb drive was removed too soon, they needed a replacement bios chip.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

[OldAnalogGuy]

Thank you parsec and profJim for the great info!

Parsec, you've confirmed what I remembered about BIOS upgrades, the latest contains all of the previous updates. What got me confused is that AR slipped in the choice(s) for the AXTM/INTEL ME/VGA drivers with the 2.2 upgrade. If they had put those in the driver section it would have made more sense (to me, anyway).

Thanks about the unzipping, too. I think I'll just eliminate all but the 2.30 BIOS on my thumb drive so as not to confuse myself, yes?

The actual stamp on the board's BIOS chip is P1.30-15b (yes, a one not a two), so I thought they may have meant 2.30, but no joy.

And profJim, thanks for the tip about leaving in the thumb drive between boots and being in no rush to remove it. Good tip!

Also, perhaps this no-boot speed-bump is good as I can read the manual and get some great tips from you experts.

My confidence is sure higher that it was yesterday thanks to you both.

-dave-
Medford, Oregon

[profJim]

You're welcome.
You shouldn't need to install an ssd or hard drive when you flash your bios.
I think that you can use the Instant Flash option and use the existing bios to update from a FAT32 formatted usb drive, where an installed o/s isn't needed.
There are different bios flashing instructions for each of the three update options.

Good luck.

[OldAnalogGuy]

Got it going.

I plugged in the new ($49) Sandy Bridge CPU, turned on the machine, went to the flash utility and it found the newest BIOS I had installed on a FAT32 formatted thumb drive stuck in a rear USB port and flashed. Done in maybe 10 minutes. You were right, it doesn't need an operating system to flash. Popped out the Sandy and installed the Ivy Bridge, booted right up and showed the 3.5gHz CPU! Without the help you guys gave me I'd still be agonizing over how to do it.

It seems stable. Ran 3D MARK11 and got a 9722. I think it can do much better. A strange note is that when I enabled AHCI instead of SATA, it would not boot until I loaded the 'basic, default' settings. So that puzzles me. Also, it's showing all 32GB of RAM, but they are listed as 1333 and not 1600. I'm getting some help on this matter from the G.Skill forum, but if anyone can suggest a tweak or a sticky with the best board settings, it would be appreciated.

Thanks to you all for being here to help. I sure wouldn't be this far along without it.

[profJim]

Check out how to enable ahci after windwos 7 installation and follow Lsdme's advice.
important note: the 3rd registry file setting is iaStorV, some don't notice the "V" at the end.
For more information, a web search using: switch to ahci after install will provide information.

The AHCI registry file hack is an option if you're not comfortable editing the windows registry, but the REG file must come from a reliable source!!

So far, so good
**edit** You're not getting better, you're getting older

[profJim]

Forgot to add:
With 32GB of memory, you'll probably need to apply some minor bios tweaks, such as:

• increase dram/dimm voltage slightly
• if available, use Profile1 or XMP for the memory profile setting
• you might need to increase the system agent voltage one click higher

You might not be able to run 32GB of memory at its full 1600MHz rated speed.
I'm not familiar with the ASRock bios settings, so let's see what some experienced ASRock owners have to say.

[OldAnalogGuy]

You're absolutely correct Mr. profjim, I am gettingolder and computer whizzes (you know who you are) really make me feel dumb. It's the pitts to peak when you're 30......sigh.

Thanks for the link and the info about the AHCI. I thought that I was the only guy that had aproblem with this. I'm going to researchit thoroughly. Hacking the registry is alittle out of my comfort zone, but what do I have to loose? I haven't registered Windows yet, so I couldwipe the drive and reinstall while I barbequing hamburgers, yes?

I think you're right on with the memory enhancements. I'm getting similar directions from thegentleman on the G.Skill forum.

I suppose the task on the top of my short-list should begetting the RAM to work correctly as I only have a limited time before I haveto return or exchange it, so I'll concentrate on that, then the AHCI puzzlement.

As always, your help and guidance are greatly appreciated.

-dave-
Medford, Oregon

[OldAnalogGuy]

Good evening all,

I think this box is working pretty well now.

I was able to get the 32GB of memory to run stable at 1800. Ran Memtest and prime95 with no errors.

I got a 7.7 out of a 7.9 on the Windows Performance Test and a 9827 on 3D Mark11, so it's working OK.

There's still a few little problems like the swapping to AHCI instead of IDE. But with a drive score a 7.9, maybe I wouldn't gain much(?). Must be because it's a SSD, yes? (?).

Anyway, I wanted to thank you for all of your help. Between you and Mr. Tradesman on the G. Skill forum, you saved my bacon and I learned a lot.

A sincere thank you and my best to you!

-dave-
Medford, Oregon