I think I killed my MSI Z97 U3 PLUS Motherboard!!!

[Sasqui]

Working on installing a brand new Vega 64, and 34" monitor to complete my dream machine.

First step, hook up the 34" to the on board graphics. PC will boot into windows, but won't show the UEFI Bios screen. I plug my 24" Dell monitor and it works fine. I noticed that the BIOS on my MSI Z97 was way old (first version).

I download the BIOS, put it on a USB thumb drive and run M-Flash. Goes through the BIOS ME update, then 100% through the BIOS update itself. Says success and says I can wait 5 seconds or reboot myself.

I wait 5 second and let it reboot on it's own... fans spin up, no beep, no nothing. No signal on the screen.

Take out battery, unplug, reset CMOS, wait 15 minutes, same thing. Fans spin up, but no beep and absolutely no signal to the monitor. Tried 3 different times.

This board has a soldered on BIOS chip and no second BIOS. I'm sooooo pissed. My new toys (over $1,000 worth) are sitting next to a dead box.

 

[jsfitz54]

What monitor is connected, Dell or newest?

look at this: https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=180978.0

 

[Sasqui]

What monitor is connected, Dell or newest?

Tried both, Dell with DVI and LG with HDMI. No signal. They were working before the flash.

 

[steen]

Typical Asus behavior. Remove all USB, PCIe devices. Use igpu & Dell display. Boot with a single RAM module. Try different slots. When clearing CMOS via jumper, remove battery & short out battery terminals too - belt & braces...

 

[jsfitz54]

See edit LINK above and https://www.bing.com/search?q=MSI+Z97+Bios+recovery&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IESR4A&pc=EUPP_

Says to wait 30 min for bios recovery.

 

[Sasqui]

See edit LINK above and https://www.bing.com/search?q=MSI+Z97+Bios+recovery&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IESR4A&pc=EUPP_

Says to wait 30 min for bios recovery.

Worth a shot, put the USB stick back in the 2.0 slot, turned it on. No monitor signal same as before, guess I'll check in the AM

 

[Jetster]

That sucks

 

[Solaris17]

do you have a eeprom flasher?

 

[jsfitz54]

Typical Asus behavior. Remove all USB, PCIe devices. Use igpu & Dell display. Boot with a single RAM module. Try different slots. When clearing CMOS via jumper, remove battery & short out battery terminals too - belt & braces...

Make sure to use the iGPU and Dell. I read somewhere that the new monitors can have an issue if not on Windows 10 and I see your on W7 per specs.

That MSI Flash said something about hitting F2, https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=180978.0

 

[Sasqui]

Make sure to use the iGPU and Dell. I read somewhere that the new monitors can have an issue if not on Windows 10 and I see your on W7 per specs.

That MSI Flash said something about hitting F2, https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=180978.0

The keyboard and mouse isn't initializing, no lights. Tried letting it sit, it even turned itself off after a while (no idea how long).


@Solaris17 pointed me to an eprom device that specifically works on MIS boards. Going that route next.

 

[jsfitz54]

There are some other links/ resolutions in the second search that might be useful.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=MSI+Z97+Bios+recovery&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IESR4A&pc=EUPP_

Did you disconnect SSD's, VEGA and other non essentials?

Hope you have success.

Perhaps a different flash utility from MSI, https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/printer/user-guide-for-msi-hq-forum-flash-tool

 

[Sasqui]

There are some other links/ resolutions in the second search that might be useful.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=MSI+Z97+Bios+recovery&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IESR4A&pc=EUPP_

Did you disconnect SSD's, VEGA and other non essentials?

Hope you have success.

While I wait for the gadget to arrive, I'm going to try those. I wanna play games over the holiday weekend!

 

[jsfitz54]

Perhaps a different flash utility from MSI, https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/printer/user-guide-for-msi-hq-forum-flash-tool

I made an edit above: https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/printer/user-guide-for-msi-hq-forum-flash-tool

I used this flash tool on a MSI Z68A-GD65 (G3) had to search MSI Forums for updated Bios due to B3 error when trying an external GTX1050, it only wanted to use the iGPU. It would not boot at all with the gtx1050 as primary, Black screen with small B3 in upper left corner. After I found the correct bios and it worked, I also had to change a bios setting that was obscurely explained for the gtx1050 to work, due to the iGPU.

I'm crying with you, what a PITA.

 

[jboydgolfer]

What does Dr. debug say when you power on?

I only buy asrock motherboards (so excuse me) is it not common for all motherboards to come with Dr. debug nowadays?

 

[Sasqui]

What does Dr. debug say when you power on?

I only buy asrock motherboards (so excuse me) is it not common for all motherboards to come with Dr. debug nowadays?

From all the googling and whats on my board, most mid range MSIs come with a blue LED that give a clue. If I power down with a power button hold down, sometimes the LED will flash about 10 time or so (I didn't count)... That's all I can find for any kind of diagnostics.

 

[jboydgolfer]

From all the googling and whats on my board, most mid range MSIs come with a blue LED that give a clue. If I power down with a power button hold down, sometimes the LED will flash about 10 time or so (I didn't count)... That's all I can find for any kind of diagnostics.

Maybe see if there is something in the manual?

http://download.msi.com/archive/mnu_exe/7922v1.0_ASIA.zip

 

[Sasqui]

Maybe see if there is something in the manual?

http://download.msi.com/archive/mnu_exe/7922v1.0_ASIA.zip

I didn't see anything last night, I'll check again

 

[jboydgolfer]

it seems like theres nothing. i read the manual, i saw NOTHING regarding any diagnostic info.....thats another reason im glad i buy asrock.....i suggest you do the same from now on....DrDebug is a must have. rarely you need it, but when you do, like a sweater its invaluable.

it just sucks when this shit happens....after SO much preperation, and purchasing.....im sorry man, i hope it gets worked out Quickly

 

[Vario]

Its probably not permanently bricked, EEPROM flasher should get it or buy another bios chip, flash it, then solder that on. Will probably be a hassle though.

 

[EarthDog]

Just a side note, asrock has plenty of boards without a debug led display. Its more about the tier of board than it is brand.

To the op, a "msi z97" in your system specs tells us a little above nothing since they had around half dozen plus boards (it is in teh title though, I see now).

 

[silentbogo]

No need to solder anything. There is an SPI breakout right on the motherboard for easy servicing( JSPI1, right below the front panel USB3.0 connector).
If @Solaris17 suggested our favorite Flashcat as a tool for the task, then you should get some 2mm dupoint jumpers in the bundle instead of the normal 10-pin ribbon cable.


Haven't found the pinout in the manual, so just in case:

I have a few broken MSI boards in the office. Wait a few hours, and I will confirm the proper pinout for JSPI1

 

[Sasqui]

No need to solder anything. There is an SPI breakout right on the motherboard for easy servicing( JSPI1, right below the front panel USB3.0 connector).
If @Solaris17 suggested our favorite Flashcat as a tool for the task, then you should get some 2mm dupoint jumpers in the bundle instead of the normal 10-pin ribbon cable.


Haven't found the pinout in the manual, so just in case:

I have a few broken MSI boards in the office. Wait a few hours, and I will confirm the proper pinout for JSPI1

Bingo... MSI does have a backdoor into the EEPROM chip! I just ordered this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F2P9AS6/?tag=tec06d-20

and this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015W4PKR6/?tag=tec06d-20

 

[ShiBDiB]

Why not just RMA the board and get a new one before you go down roads that could void any future RMA requests.

https://service.msicomputer.com/msi_user/support/rma_form.aspx

 

[EarthDog]

He 'wants to play games' this weekend...

 

[silentbogo]

Well, your kit does include 2mm jumpers, so you don't really need a clip.
I've checked the pinout on Z97 MPOWER board and it seems to be exactly the same (of course, except the ChipSelect switch for dual BIOS).
Good luck flashing! Let us know how it goes.