TUF 3080 Official Update Tool Bricked-Deleted 1/2 BIOS

[xdk]

Hello,
I tried to use Asus official update tool (v1) to update BIOS on RTX3080 TUF OC.
Bios switch was set on perf. bios.
I followed the app instructions, but finally popped window the update is failed.
The card and spec was completely gone from GPU-Z.
After restart, PC boot'ed with black screen. So turned it off and switched to second Quiet bios. PC Booted normally.
I tried to use nvflash when boot on working bios then switch to bricked bios.
Nvflash won't flash default and updated perf. bios again, there is error PCI Block corrupted.
I also tried boot nvflash in DOS but it not recognizing RTX Nvidia card.

So it looks like the official update tool got fail with unknown reason and instead of flash newer bios just deleted / f**ked already existing bios.
Is anything I can do to fix it avoiding RMA?

 

[PossumK]

Registered on this forum just now to say that the EXACT same thing happened to me today on my RTX 3080 TUF (non-OC). I just received and installed the card today. I went to the ASUS website to download the latest BIOS update dated 12/14/20 on their website, and ran the update before installing any drivers. BIOS update failed, just like in your case, and my computer wouldn't POST at all after a restart. At that time I had the toggle switch in the default Performance setting. Moved the switch to the Quiet setting, and the computer booted just fine. The BIOS update even completed successfully on this Quiet setting.

At this point, since this is a fresh new issue, I'll wait a few days to see if anything comes out to allow recovery by a user. I'm just relieved that I can at least use the card in one mode. I was so excited that I was able to fight off the bots and snag one on Newegg on Monday.

 

[Mtorrent]

Hi, I updated a few hours ago without any problem. I have the OC version and proceed with the update in OC Mode. I didn't take any caution. The app requested to close GPUTweak, then start the Bios update with some blank screens and the asked me to reboot. I came here just to know if someone have the opportunity to test some new features. I hope you can fix it change it the switch to the non-oc mode.

 

[PossumK]

xdk,

I can't post to your thread on the ASUS ROG forums yet since I just signed up, but I was able to flash the Performance BIOS back to an older version. I grabbed the latest version for my card from the link below, and made sure it didn't say "Quiet mode" at the bottom of the web page by the download button. I'm assuming that the .roms are probably specific to Quiet or Performance modes:

TechPowerUp

Extensive repository of graphics card BIOS image files. Our database covers submissions categorized by GPU vendor, type, and board partner variant.

www.techpowerup.com

Then after booting up in Quiet mode, I toggled the switch on the video card into performance mode. I used nvflash 5.67 to flash the older .rom file onto the Performance bios with this sequence:

nvflash --protectoff
nvflash filename.rom

The first command I believe is needed to allow for writing to the EEPROM, otherwise you'll see a message that the EEPROM couldn't be written and the flash won't work. If the flashing works, you'll see a progress bar of the flash write process. You can verify the Performance BIOS version before and after with something like GPU-Z. Reboot your computer afterwards to verify that it works. Just make sure your toggle switch is set to the right side before you do any flashing. I'm not sure what the original Performance BIOS version was, but I'll stick with the latest from the TechPowerUp site until I see more official info from ASUS.

 

[xdk]

xdk,

I can't post to your thread on the ASUS ROG forums yet since I just signed up, but I was able to flash the Performance BIOS back to an older version. I grabbed the latest version for my card from the link below, and made sure it didn't say "Quiet mode" at the bottom of the web page by the download button. I'm assuming that the .roms are probably specific to Quiet or Performance modes:

TechPowerUp

Extensive repository of graphics card BIOS image files. Our database covers submissions categorized by GPU vendor, type, and board partner variant.

www.techpowerup.com

Then after booting up in Quiet mode, I toggled the switch on the video card into performance mode. I used nvflash 5.67 to flash the older .rom file onto the Performance bios with this sequence:

nvflash --protectoff
nvflash filename.rom

The first command I believe is needed to allow for writing to the EEPROM, otherwise you'll see a message that the EEPROM couldn't be written and the flash won't work. If the flashing works, you'll see a progress bar of the flash write process. You can verify the Performance BIOS version before and after with something like GPU-Z. Reboot your computer afterwards to verify that it works. Just make sure your toggle switch is set to the right side before you do any flashing. I'm not sure what the original Performance BIOS version was, but I'll stick with the latest from the TechPowerUp site until I see more official info from ASUS.

Im glad you fix'd your card, unfortunately I tried did exactly what you say, with all possible bios versions, and ev erything reasoned error: pci block corrupted :/

 

[PossumK]

Sorry, completely forgot that you already tried that from your original post. I did a search for PCI Block Corrupted error and found one person with an older Nvidia card who experienced that message due to corrupt BIOS ROMs downloaded from TechPowerUp. They were able to get the ROM elsewhere and flash successfully.

 

[Caring1]

..due to corrupt BIOS ROMs downloaded from TechPowerUp. They were able to get the ROM elsewhere and flash successfully.

Unless they used an Unverified Bios, it's PEBKAC.

 

[W1zzard]

e due to corrupt BIOS ROMs downloaded from TechPowerUp. They were able to get the ROM elsewhere and

Which bios is that? Do you have a Link so i can investigate and remove if needed?

 

[Anonymous1243]

Instead of using the Techpowerup database for BIOS since it doesn't have them all, you can extract the Asus update tool .exe to another folder with 7zip (like we do to manually clean Nvidia driver packages) and it will have all the BIOS's in there, along with an .ini file telling you which BIOS's update to what, so you can do it manually.

Use GPU-Z Advanced tab dropdown to look at Nvidia BIOS Message
94.02.42.00.AS26 is the newest Performance BIOS for my 3080 TUF OC

 

[W1zzard]

(like we do to manually clean Nvidia driver packages)

Check out nvcleanstall

 

[Marmuc]

Hi. Have same issue with my brand new RTX 3080 TUF (non OC). Tried to apply Asus V2 BIOS using official tool but it failed just before 100% progress achieved. My Performance BIOS on TUF is now bricked . Have spent many hours to unbrick it with nvflash and official rom 94.02.42.00.AS28.rom or older one (AS15). Nvflash can see the latest rom version is somehow there and recognizes the card on low level, but GPU doesn't start (just a blank screen) in Performance mode. Still can use it in Quiet mode.

Reading the flash ends with 'PCI block corrupted '. Have tried all tricks described above but always failed with 'PCI block corrupted 1' just after flashing started.

Sounds like visiting Asus service (warranty) - hope it falls under FOC repair once bricked with official tool and official BIOS is somehow there.

Alternative to use external flash programming with a dedicated clips once the bricked chip is accessible somehow. In the meantime just Quiet mode - do not prefer to risk any more with second BIOS to have 100% bricked 3080.

EEPROM chip and the errors are identical for RTX 2080 story below :

I think I bricked my 2080TI when flashing a different ROM - EVGA Forums

So I did something dumb that I swear I will never do again if I get my card working again. So I have an EVGA RTX 2080 Ti XC GAMING card.After testing it, I decided to change out the stock cooler and attach an NZXT X62 AIO via the NZXT G12 Kraken mount.The temps were so good, I decided to see if...

forums.evga.com

 

[PossumK]

I'm not sure what the original Performance BIOS version was, but I'll stick with the latest from the TechPowerUp site until I see more official info from ASUS.

I was curious a few weeks ago and tried the 12/14/20 ASUS BIOS update tool again, just to see what happened. I felt like I could take the risk since the recovery worked for me last time. The BIOS update actually completed successfully and now the Quiet and Performance BIOS' were both up to date and bootable and functional. I can't say for sure, but maybe there was an issue with whatever version the cards shipped with in this batch.

 

[paum]

Latest BIOS has higher 8-pin Power limit(s) , but lower VRAM Power limit.

Anyone updated to latest BIOS and can get over 350W on TUF OC? Would be intresting to hear if the 375W limit can be reached with flashing.

 

[purecain]

So I need to flash the card's bios in both performance and quiet mode to update both? yes is the answer!

I just flashed my Tuf 3090 the the latest bios and also uploaded it to the tpu database. It needs verifying Wiz! 94.02.42.00.B1(Quiet mode)
and B2(Performance mode)

 

[Marmuc]

Hi. Have same issue with my brand new RTX 3080 TUF (non OC). Tried to apply Asus V2 BIOS using official tool but it failed just before 100% progress achieved. My Performance BIOS on TUF is now bricked . Have spent many hours to unbrick it with nvflash and official rom 94.02.42.00.AS28.rom or older one (AS15). Nvflash can see the latest rom version is somehow there and recognizes the card on low level, but GPU doesn't start (just a blank screen) in Performance mode. Still can use it in Quiet mode.

Reading the flash ends with 'PCI block corrupted '. Have tried all tricks described above but always failed with 'PCI block corrupted 1' just after flashing started.

Sounds like visiting Asus service (warranty) - hope it falls under FOC repair once bricked with official tool and official BIOS is somehow there.

Alternative to use external flash programming with a dedicated clips once the bricked chip is accessible somehow. In the meantime just Quiet mode - do not prefer to risk any more with second BIOS to have 100% bricked 3080.

Finally managed to disassemble nvflash.exe with IDA so that 'PCI block corrupted 1' and 'Failed to Merge InfoRom' exceptions were disabled and suceeded to flash Perf EEPROM with the latest TUF Non OC VBIOS .

The problem once occured is really serious because official Asus VBIOS upgrade tool just bricks your EEPROM and no way to deal with this without nvflash modded . The tool looks quite similar for all Asus RTX 30s ".

ASUS VBIOS tool prepares temporary batch file (attached - added with extra .txt extension) and relies on nvflash behind the scenes just calling it with right ROM image (based on upgrade "database" stored within testini.txt) .

Attached nvflash logs for errors met and successful flashing log with modded nvflash.

Once you have Windows Professional on the board you can just enable Remote Desktop connection to your PC , next set the BIOS switch to bricked position and then disable your card in Device Manager. You can even reboot the machine and still control it over RDP (do not worry the display is blank). That's the way I did it and avoided RMA .

 

[purecain]

@Marmuc - Congrats buddy. I have the same card. I used the bios tool and managed to get it working, but at least we now have a solution for when it fails. Great work BTW

 

[Marmuc]

Have realized despite the card booted smoothly with no issues after my repair InfoROM and cert part were missing in VBIOS (mod was not ideal one but did it's main work). Fortunately had InfoROM backup (also could drop from second EEPROM) and flashed it next with original nvflash. Next to add cert part flashed once again full ROM with original nvflash once again. The VBIOS was 100% the same after all.

 

[qubit]

I'm sorry, I can't fix your problem, but I can say that I used the official NVIDIA BIOS flash tool with an official update, on my RTX 2080 (see specs) to fix a glitch that some cards were experiencing and it worked ok. My heart was in my mouth while it was running, though.

What I'm wondering, is that while you used the official BIOS flasher, what BIOS where you trying to flash to it and why. That would really help to troubleshoot your issue.

It looks like an RMA may be in order here in the end, though.

 

[Marmuc]

I'm sorry, I can't fix your problem, but I can say that I used the official NVIDIA BIOS flash tool with an official update, on my RTX 2080 (see specs) to fix a glitch that some cards were experiencing and it worked ok. My heart was in my mouth while it was running, though.

What I'm wondering, is that while you used the official BIOS flasher, what BIOS where you trying to flash to it and why. That would really help to troubleshoot your issue.

It looks like an RMA may be in order here in the end, though.

Assume you answered my previous post. To clarify my issue is fully solved now so no need for RMA nor more help. My BIOS is latest TUF Non OC Performance one - 94.02.42.00.AS28.rom , and that's also the one which was unsucessfuly written by official Asus tool at the begining.

What I ensured is 'PCI block corrupted 1' error is NOT referring to the new image man tries to flash but the error is referring to what is saved on the EEPROM before flashing. Once current EEPROM state is incorrect eg. by flashing interrupted so that PCI block finally doesn't make sense, the original nvflash probably never continues and raises exception, never mind which image man is trying to write (that's why I needed to disassemble and prepare mod).

 

[MudockYatho]

Which bios is that? Do you have a Link so i can investigate and remove if needed?

Hello, I just currently updated my ASUS TUF 3080 OC's vBIOS today for the update that was released today (3/30) for Resizable BAR support. The current vBIOS listed on this page bricked my graphics card's vBIOS (Boots into black screen and cannot boot again). Since my graphics card has a vBIOS switch for performance and silent I tried switching and reinstalling an older vBIOS but the program states, "Your bios does not need update". (It believes the current vBIOS is more updated and doesn't need an update.)

I noticed there's two pages for the ASUS TUF 3080 OC for drivers & vBIOS. (This page has the broken vBIOS and this page has the working vBIOS and doesn't list the BAR vBIOS.)

I filed a support ticket as I ended up having the silent vBIOS brick on me as well. (Accidentally flashed the same BAR vBIOS to it )
(Had to make an account just to post this to inform others with the same graphics card.)

 

[PossumK]

Hello, I just currently updated my ASUS TUF 3080 OC's vBIOS today for the update that was released today (3/30) for Resizable BAR support. The current vBIOS listed on this page bricked my graphics card's vBIOS (Boots into black screen and cannot boot again). Since my graphics card has a vBIOS switch for performance and silent I tried switching and reinstalling an older vBIOS but the program states, "Your bios does not need update". (It believes the current vBIOS is more updated and doesn't need an update.)

I noticed there's two pages for the ASUS TUF 3080 OC for drivers & vBIOS. (This page has the broken vBIOS and this page has the working vBIOS and doesn't list the BAR vBIOS.)

I filed a support ticket as I ended up having the silent vBIOS brick on me as well. (Accidentally flashed the same BAR vBIOS to it )
(Had to make an account just to post this to inform others with the same graphics card.)

That's interesting, was your TUF 3080 OC already updated to the December vBIOS before updating to the new re-BAR BIOS? As you can see from earlier in this thread, my TUF 3080 (non-OC) initially was half-bricked from the December ASUS update, but I was eventually able to recover it and get it fully updated to the December version. I just used the ASUS update tool for re-BAR support today, successfully. I wonder if the BIOS that shipped with the cards somehow caused the issues and not the tool itself?

 

[MudockYatho]

That's interesting, was your TUF 3080 OC already updated to the December vBIOS before updating to the new re-BAR BIOS? As you can see from earlier in this thread, my TUF 3080 (non-OC) initially was half-bricked from the December ASUS update, but I was eventually able to recover it and get it fully updated to the December version. I just used the ASUS update tool for re-BAR support today, successfully. I wonder if the BIOS that shipped with the cards somehow caused the issues and not the tool itself?

Yes my card was on the December vBIOS (12/14/2020) and when I updated it to the BAR support it bricked it. Currently trying to use nvflash to flash the 3080 from my integrated, I'm not especially informed on the documentation for this, any chance you are?

 

[Anonymous1243]

So I had to manually extract the BIOS from the tool and update to the December 12/14/2020 BIOS myself and I have to again for this Resizable BAR one...
Both times said "Your graphic card no need to update VBIOS!"... ok, that's not true. Asus doesn't know how to make a simple program.

Again for anyone else with this problem use 7zip on the .exe, use the Testini.txt and GPU-Z > Advanced > NVIDIA BIOS > Message, to find out which .rom you have to use to manually flash with nvflash

 

[RJARRRPCGP]

Possibly a faulty BIOS chip, likened to a bad SSD!

 

[Elispion]

Hi folks, I have run into the same issue:
I tried to use the asus tool to update my vbios of my 3080 tuf oc card using this tool: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboard...Gaming/TUF-RTX3080-O10G-GAMING/HelpDesk_BIOS/

It bricked my performance bios. It finished successfully and required a restart. Boots into black screen.

Look, I'm not very good with computers so reading all this stuff is a bit confusing. Can someone break down step by step what I need to do to attempt to flash the performance bios. I am currently booted into the silent bios (version 94.02.26.48.41). I have never used nvflash. I tried to boot with in performance mode with my integrated graphics connected to another monitor but it doesn't connect. No idea how I can flash the performance bios with a black screen lmao.

Thanks in advance

quick edit: I managed to flash the original performance bios with a rom from 2020 - 11 - 26 (94.02.42.00.AS26). Unfortunately running the asus tool to try get the re BAR update resulted in the same problem (black screen on restart).