Opened bios update utility, bricked Z77 Extreme4

[EckyX]

This is adapted from an email I sent off to ASRock a few minutes ago:





CPU: i5 3570K
Mobo: Z77 Extreme4
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 1.25v DDR3 1600
Video card: 2x Radeon HD4870 512MB
OS: Window 7 64bit Home Premium
HDD: 80GB Intel X-25m G2, 1500GB WD Green




My problem: I have been running the 1.40 bios since I got the board, and today I decided to check for an update. I went to this page:


http://www.asrock.com/mb/<wbr>Intel/Z77%20Extreme4/?cat=<wbr>Download&os=BIOS


And downloaded the Windows 2.10 BIOS. I extracted the .zip file and opened the update utility. There was a disclaimer about using the utility with "yes" and "no" options, I clicked "yes" and my screen immediately froze (capslock/numlock keys didnt work either). I shut off my PC after waiting a minute, and when I turned it back on, the diagnostic LED screen gave code "d0". Looking it up in my manual, it says "CPU initialization error".


Google'ing this, people have suggested that "d0" as a code more typically means a corrupted bios, which makes sense in the context what I saw.


Now, I did not hit the "update bios" button because it (I believe) corrupted my bios before I even had a chance to.

What do you guys think? Probably a corrupted bios? Can I fix it locally or do I need to buy a new bios chip from ASRock?

[wazza300]

Re: Opened bios update utility, bricked Z77 Extreme4

you should do all bios updating through the bios screen and dos using a memory stick,its always risky updating from within windows,you can search on ebay for a replacement bios chip,ask them to update it for you to the latest bios for that motherboard

the bios chip itself just pulls out from the holder soldered onto the motherboard,then just plop in the new pre flashed bios chip and you should be good to go

you might be able to request a free chip from asrock aswell if you contact them

[EckyX]

Re: Opened bios update utility, bricked Z77 Extreme4

Thanks for the response!

ASRock's support site lists a bios chip at $15 + shipping, I sent them an email about it and we'll see if they'll give me a freebie but I'll definitely check out ebay.

The reason I didn't use the bios updater was because it wasn't seeing my flash drive, and the online updater (in bios) always threw a "cannot connect" error. I think I'll pass on updating my bios if a windows program is my only alternative... I can't believe it bricked my PC just by opening it.

[draxionangel]

Re: Opened bios update utility, bricked Z77 Extreme4

Same thing just happened to me. :( I was worried about updating the BIOS through Windows, but figured what the hell I have a clear cmos button, and it shouldn't be able to turn the mobo in to a brick. Sadly I was wrong.

Thankfully I just bought the mobo off newegg and they set me up with an RMA for it. Still a pain though, own new desktop for 2 days and already RMA'ing the mobo...

Would love to hear an update from you though and good luck solving this issue!

[wazza300]

Re: Opened bios update utility, bricked Z77 Extreme4

try with different brands of memory sticks,not all will work,and it has tbe formatted to fat32 and sometimes it has to be made bootable,google for free software to create a bootable usb stick,plenty shops on ebay will pre flash the bios chip to the latest bios version for you before they ship it out