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Help: Ivy Bridge-E not recognized by X79 Board

1K views 26 replies 6 participants last post by  HelpDatBIOS 
#1 ·
4930K
Asus Rampage IV Gene

I can't get my new system to post, just black screen. I had a non-Ivy Bridge-E BIOS so my 4930k wasn't recognized. No problem. So I updated with the ROM-to-CAP Conversion which seemed succesfull (USB blinking for 1 minute or so then ROG connect button light turned off) using USB flash (the one when the system is off but still powered). Great! However, when I then try to update to the latest BIOS CAP, the USB only flashes like 3 or 4 times then turns off which means it doesn't work.

I watched videos, read and followed all the instructions (format USB, rename files, try with everything unplugged and no CPU besides 24-Pin and 8-pin power, try with everything plugged including CPU and CPU fan header, etc. etc.) and the new CAP BIOS just won't install, again, even though the ROM-to-CAP Converter looked like it installed great (other than the 2 reboots it's supposed to do but I think that's only for people that are doing the BIOS update from inside the BIOS rather than the USB update while the system is off and only powered).

This is very frustrating and should be a 5 minute procedure. I've been at it a solid 10 hours now.
 
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#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by billbartuska View Post

What motherboard and what BIOS version are you trying to install?
Second line in the post
smile.gif
Rampage IV Gene. I'm trying to install any of the newer BIOS, anyone that supports the 4930k basically. I tried the latest one (ai think it's 4909 if I remember correctly) but the USB only flashes for a few seconds rather than the minite or 2. I have a feeling the ROM-to-CAP Converter BIOS doesn't actually work using Asus's USB flash mode but that would be kind of ridiculous as that defeats the whole purpose of Asus's USB flash mode (to be able to update BIOS without turning the system on and without having any components installed).
 
#5 ·
As I stated in the OP, I can't go in the BIOS, I have a 4930K.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by spin5000 View Post

I can't get my new system to post, just black screen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by billbartuska View Post

can you still do an online update?
Woops. You have to be in windows to do that.
 
#7 ·
Since the USB Flashback is a hardware based feature, it shouldn't care which bios version you have currently installed. Therefore I would suggest you start from the scratch.

- Download the converter: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA2011/Rampage_IV_GENE/Rampage-IV-Gene-CAP-Converter.zip
- Rename "Rampage-IV-Gene-CAP-Converter.ROM" to "R4G.ROM"
- Place it to the root of freshly formatted (FAT32) USB stick
- Put the USB stick into the Flashback port (white contact tab) and press and hold the ROG connect button (immediately above the white Flashback port)

If that doesn't work (the blinking terminates after few seconds) then try the same using the newest available bios, in proper format.

- Download the newest bios 4901: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA2011/Rampage_IV_GENE/Rampage-IV-Gene-ASUS-4901.zip

If both of these fail, try again with a different USB drive. If it still gets you nowhere then your motherboard is quite certainly broken.
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Stilt View Post

Since the USB Flashback is a hardware based feature, it shouldn't care which bios version you have currently installed. Therefore I would suggest you start from the scratch.

- Download the converter: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA2011/Rampage_IV_GENE/Rampage-IV-Gene-CAP-Converter.zip
- Rename "Rampage-IV-Gene-CAP-Converter.ROM" to "R4G.ROM"
- Place it to the root of freshly formatted (FAT32) USB stick
- Put the USB stick into the Flashback port (white contact tab) and press and hold the ROG connect button (immediately above the white Flashback port)

If that doesn't work (the blinking terminates after few seconds) then try the same using the newest available bios, in proper format.

- Download the newest bios 4901: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA2011/Rampage_IV_GENE/Rampage-IV-Gene-ASUS-4901.zip

If both of these fail, try again with a different USB drive. If it still gets you nowhere then your motherboard is quite certainly broken.
Unfortunately i've done all that and fortunately I'm 99% sure the motherboard isn't broken.

From all the research I've done the last 2 or 3 days, it looks like the CAP Converter cannot be used with Asus' USB Flashback but needs to be done from the BIOS because it needs to do a reboot in-between the install which cannot be done when in USB Flashback mode. Apparently Asus could have easily remedied this by including the Ivy Bridge-E microcodes in the CAP Converter but they ridiculously never did so and never released an update of the tool that included them. So it looks like the only way to get the CAP Converter to work in the first place is to get a Sandy Bridge-E chip in order to boot into the BIOS and start the update/flash procedure.

It looks like I'm screwed and have a non-working product/products (CPU and board) and have to buy a 2nd CPU, then try to re-sell it, just so I can get my first CPU/motherboard to work. Most companies go out of business for pulling crap like this.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Stilt View Post

So what is the newest bios version you can flash in with the USB Flashback?
Anything in ROM format seems to complete fine (ROG Connect light blinks for 1 minute or so, blinks faster near the end, then light is off once done) and the CAP Converter also seems to finish but it can't do the reboot process since ASUS never updated the CAP converter to support Ivy Bridge-E chips.
 
#18 · (Edited)
If that's the case, then try if USB Flashback will program this: https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ag6oE4SOsCmDhEvnijMKTvyfqaOF

If it does, then the board should boot right up with IVB-E.
SOS HELP NEEDED

I got the EXACT same prob as the OP - except that mine is a X79 Sabertooth not a Rog, so your file won't help

same problem but I'll elaborate:

got a second hand x79 (apparently never been used either) with bios 1104, as well as a 4930K cpu (so currently not supported by this board with this bios version)

without boot, the only way to update is Flashback

1) flashback instructions say, gotta first convert rom to cap by putting a special rom file SABERTOOTH-X79-CAP-Converter.ROM on a FAT formatted usb stick, which I did, then rename it to SABER79.ROM, which I did, then push the flashback button a few seconds, which I did: the button blinked for several long minutes, then went off (which means, all good right?)


BUT instructions also say, rom to cap conversion will be complete after a reboot (or two?). which obviously I can't do since I can't boot with that cpu in the first place. as I said, Flashback is the only option


2) never mind, I thought, just erase the usb drive, download bios 4701 (this time it's a cap file with a long filename SABERTOOTH-X79-ASUS-4701.CAP, renamed it to SABERX79.CAP), put that one on the usb drive, and try the same thing with flashback:

except this time, the light only blinks a few times for about a second, then STAYS ON (which means, failed right?)

so yeah that's cause the cap conversion wasn't complete (because I didn't boot, which is impossible because cpu not supported which requires newer bios, which requires a rom to cap conversion, which requires a boot or two etc. vicious circle)

since the second update (with the cap file) fails after only a second of blinking my guess is, flashback doesn't modify the bios (hopefully) : it just reads the usb stick, looks at the cap file, and determines that it's not a viable update


>> the difference with the OP is, I didn't try flashing other non-cap (ie. rom) files after that failure. that's cause I've read that force-flashing a rom file on a .cap bios (by renaming the .rom file to .cap) can brick a board for good. yes I know as of know the rom to cap conversion isn't complete (so it's still a .rom?) but don't wanna take risks


so comrade can you help & perform a miracle again? again mine is a Sabertooth x79 board. the bios I want to put is 4701 (latest non-beta for that board)

btw I did it all exactly like the OP, without a cpu or anything, just the board & of course a PSU

PS. if you help & it works I'll build a shrine in your (nick)name :|



edit> looking at the file you posted I compared that rom file with the cap file for bios of the same version for that other board (version 4901). apparently the only difference is the cap file has exactly 2 kilobytes of data at the start of the file, the rest is identical between the 2 files. does that mean all I have to do is remove the first 2048 bytes & rename the file to .rom ? sounds too simple & don't wanna risk it without someone else's input
(also remember I already flash the converter .rom so the bios is already "partially" flashed to cap format, without the reboot to complete it)
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Stilt View Post

If that's the case, then try if USB Flashback will program this: https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ag6oE4SOsCmDhEvnijMKTvyfqaOF

If it does, then the board should boot right up with IVB-E.
Cool, I'll try that in an hour or so as soon as I get home. Can you explain what that is? It looks like a ROM file but I thought there weren't any ROM BIOS's that support IB-E, only CAP?
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Stilt View Post

CAPs can be stripped from the encryption header which makes them a (cap)sule. A capsule without it's header is just a normal ROM. And that's exactly what it is, based on 4901 bios.
Sounds good. I never heard of that on any of the ROG forums with all sorts of people who have had the same problem the last couple years but I will let you know in 1 hour if it's succesful
smile.gif
 
#15 ·
The Stilt, you're a genius. The USB Flashback with your modified file worked like a charm the first time out. I almost couldn't believe it.

I searched forum after forum for people with the exact same issue - and there are tons (prob 10 threads just on the Asus ROG forums alone) - and noone could provide a fix other than advising to use a Sandy-E chip or buying an already updated BIOS chip (some even went as far as to RMA their board for Asus to update it).

Thank you and your gem of skills!

Do you think it would be a good idea for me to go update a bunch of threads on the ROG forums with your fix?
 
#17 ·
I will do so, thank you again!
smile.gif
 
#19 ·
Yes, cap removal to .rom/.bin file is remove the first 2KB capsule. This can be done with hex editor, or UEFITool open cap BIOS file, right click on the capsule in middle area, choose extract body and that's your rom/bin file.

I am unsure how to move you forward due to not knowing exact state of current BIOS after step one without it being able to reboot?.

What I can do for you that will help is make the last .rom file compatible with the CPU's you want to use. That way you can boot to BIOS, do the cap conversion etc again and be able to go through that reboot, then update to latest BIOS the normal way.
Please upload latest .rom version of the BIOS (No cap/rom converter, you use that as needed on your end), and the latest .cap BIOS you want to use that you know is compatible with your CPU.
I will send back old .rom BIOS with updated Intel ME and CPU micrcodes so it will be compatible with your CPU so you can do the cap conversion etc with CPU installed and bootable.

All this is much easier, and you'd be done days ago, if you had a $3 tool, purchase one now to save yourself headaches in the future.
All you need CH341A Flash programmer, they are $3 on ebay but take long shipment 3-5 weeks, but you can find locally usually for 3-4x more $$
 
#22 ·
this sort of tool likely not available in old Europe :/

so I got all them files from there: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_X79/HelpDesk_BIOS/



v1203 this is the latest .rom bios for the board

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA2011/SABERTOOTH-X79/SABERTOOTH-X79-ASUS-1203.zip

(but I didn't flash that one I only flashed the converter)

and this is the .cap bios I need to flash but can't :

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA2011/SABERTOOTH-X79/SABERTOOTH-X79-ASUS-4701.zip

(it's the latest non-beta bios)



remember tho I already did a flash with the rom to cap converter (it's a .rom file too & same size as other rom files for that board but apparently it's a very special rom file not like other rom's)

but I get the impression the flash is in a "transition" stage & it ain't complete since that requires a boot - so right now I'm not even sure what sort of bios is on my board: is it cap or still rom bios??

btw I still haven't put the cpu on the board cause I don't have a compatible socket 2011 HSF yet
 
#21 ·
This thread reminds me of the pain I went through to get my e5-1680 v2 working as well on an ASUS X79 board.
 
#23 ·
You can order on ebay from China seller then, just takes a few weeks to get to you, but it's the cheapest way ($3 shipped, if you need a link example let me know)
Capsule is just security, used by the built in flash tools as a check, rom/bin is all the actual BIOS contains even after a cap update to all cap BIOS. What gets updated is the built in flash and security check parts of the BIOS used when updating the BIOS.
But yes, I agree, we still don't know what type of files in the current onboard BIOS chip is now since you went through the cap convert process partially. I think not cap yet due to 4701 flashback doesn't run properly.

Get a heatsink on there already, it could be booting to BIOS right now!


ME8 is required for your CPU, almost certain of this, and I know you usually cannot update ME major version 7 to 8 in BIOS freely without manufacturer initially doing it first because many other BIOS modules are changed too.
So me modifying a BIOS is not needed right now, since I can't update you to ME8 on older BIOS, microcode only edits wont help. You need to get CPU installed and booting so you can complete the conversion.
If that fails once you do have CPU installed I can update first 2002 cap BIOS for you with microcode, and maybe that will keep CPU running enough to where you can do further USB Flashback to 4701

Due to ME 7 to ME8 required for your CPU, and a running CPU required to complete the cap conversion, you may need to purchase some other mid-way CPU that is compatible with old BIOS, some are VERY cheap on ebay these days.
For example $8-10 Xeon's E5-2603 (v1's), or e5-2620 (also v1) for $15-20 usually, make sure you get V1's if you look at these = Sandy Bridge. Those are compatible with 1203 BIOS even, but not in the CPU list.
Or you may need to borrow a 3820 or something from a friend if you cannot afford to pickup another CPU.

In the end, due to how you did this, your only and cheapest option to correct may be to use flash programmer, so order one now so it's on the way instead of later leaving you to wait even longer for it to arrive.
 
#24 ·
no way it could be booting to bios cause I never put a cpu on it yet

getting exotic tools like flash programmer (this is old europe not america), or ordering by internet, aint no option for me (I shouldve mentioned this from the start I know)



any alternatives? like, since I described the symptoms & their the EXACT same symptoms as the OP so maybe I could do the same thing he did, get a modified bios in rom format & flash it. but I can't use the provided file (R4G.rom) cause it's for a different mobo
 
#25 ·
I said get a heatsink on there, obviously with CPU below that :D
As for the flash programmer, you are closer to where I order mine from than I am, Korea or China, it's just a long wait for them to arrive. You get mail delivered correct?
And you can likely order from closer location too probably, on whatever site you guys have there like Amazon or Newegg here, cost will be much higher that way though.

I can make you a BIOS however you want, but as I explained above there are some limitations to what parts of the BIOS works with what CPU's and BIOS versions (@ Intel ME)
My best advice for you now is to put the CPU in and get a heatsink on there and test the outcome, then test USB Flashback w/ latest BIOS while CPU is installed.
If you need a BIOS after that I can create, but ME8 can only be in CAP version BIOS, and ME8 is required for your CPU to run, so the CAP conversion has to be done first.

OK, sorry I did not do this previously, I stopped due to how you were stuck mid-conversion and was unsure what is there now.
I should have realized it's still rom since you said you tried flashback with latest CAP and it didn't run properly.
Now I read back again, here you can try this with USB Flashback and see if it flashes properly (Blinking LED for a minute or two)
If it does, then you're all updated to latest BIOS and can put in your CPU and heatsink and boot right up!
http://www.filedropper.com/4701rom
https://www.sendspace.com/file/26qumq
 
#26 ·
ok thx

but actually I was too impatient & did it myself yesterday: truncated the 4701 cap file by removing the first 2048 bytes & renaming it to rom, then did flashback - this time the flashback worked flawlessly, pc booted with the 4930K & apparently I didn't even have to do a reflash with the cap version of 4701: the PC just said "updating bios please wait" (was probably finalizing conversion from rom to cap - and since the rom portion was already 4701 no need for further update) and then I was able to boot straight to a livecd version of windows 8.1 (which requires a .cap type bios)

so in the end it's as I suspected I had the exact same prob as the OP & solved it the same way

special thanks to "the Stilt" who gave me that idea I compared his .rom file to the original .cap file & that's how I found out that the only difference was the extra 2k header but in the beginning I was too wary to test it, finally took the risk yesterday & it paid off hehe

dunno why Asus didn't include the .rom versions of their latest bioses along with the .cap versions but at least the problem's easily solved with a hexeditor
 
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