MoBo Bios flash crash

**Magefsx** · May 16, 2012, 02:30 PM

I have an MSI Z68A-GD55 motherboard. The original problem was that lucidlogix would only start in trial mode when the motherboard is certified for it. I found by looking on the internet that the motherboard bios did not come out with the "key" and a newer version with the key had been released. So I downloaded this. I used liveupdate, a program bundled with the motherboard to update the bios. This does the flashing while windows is on (Of course, I discover threads saying "Do not use livupdate in windows" only after my derp :/), and windows shuts down. The computer stays powered up, but does not do anything for a good 10 minutes with a black screen. Me, being impatient, decides to hold down the power off button and so the pc shuts down. On turning it back on, the same combination of LED's is on on the mobo and again there is no screen output. However, I notice that pressing keys like f2, esc and enter seem to change the number of LED's active, though only on the first press. These LED's are "CPU power phase LED's". When those keys were pressed, they all turned on as is normal when the pc was working as normal and remained on for a min or so afterwards before turning back off except for one.
I then went on to clear CMOS as instructions on the MSI forums said to do after a flash. After doing this, all 6 LED's are on but still black screen. Power button does not need to be held off to turn off computer now.

http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=119375.0
http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=116721.0
Is what I have read afterwards.

I tried Flashing by USB, but failed; though is probably my fault. I'll be trying again tommorow. But failing that, does anyone here have any pearls of wisdom to share before I take it to MSI land?

Edit: by black screen, I mean no output

**PoleCat** · May 16, 2012, 08:35 PM

From the tone of your post I'll bet you already know what the worst scenario is. From this side of the screen I'll say it's likely you'll be sending that board back. Sorry.

But just in case - what brand of BIOS was that board running? Award or ATI? It may make a difference and some quick searches found some that were able to recover from using LiveUpdate. Any info you can provide can get us closer. Good luck!

**Juli26** · May 17, 2012, 01:01 PM

before sending it back you should try to clear the CMOS by taking out the mobo battery and reseating it again after 10 minutes or more. if the board works you will have your bios with factory default settings.

**Magefsx** · May 17, 2012, 01:25 PM

I am led to believe the BIOS is AMI

before sending it back you should try to clear the CMOS by taking out the mobo battery and reseating it again after 10 minutes or more. if the board works you will have your bios with factory default settings.

Will give it a go
Also, I've taken out my graphics card and defaulted to onboard graphics. Good to do?

**irishron** · May 17, 2012, 02:20 PM

Good way to test it.

**Magefsx** · May 17, 2012, 02:29 PM

Juli26:
YOU DA MAN BLAD!!!
Thanks

and rep of course!
Will now try flashing with USB

Edit: Infact, it may also have just been taking out the VGA card too, as I had previously cleared CMOS (albeit perhaps badly) So rep for all

Edit2: And now, of course, windows fails to start. Could be the caching drive, so will try disconnecting it

Edit3: That does not work. Currently doing memory diagnostic, doubt that'll do anything for me. Likewise for windows restore, but I'll try it anyways.

Edit4: Realised that I needed to change the SATA mode back to raid (cache drive). All is well, at least on the surface

Edit5: A quick checkdisk has cleared several errors, and the bios seems to have been updated. Success!