Very Slow Bios Update. Should I restart?

mclaren85 · Apr 10, 2024

Since for last couple of days I got the error code "94" I've decided to update my bios. But now, it is flashing very very slow as it has been roughly 2 hours since I started the procedure.
And I'm pretty sure why it is so slow. It's because of I use pci gen 3 compatible riser cable albeit my computer supports gen 4. And before the bios update, I clear the CMOS. The default values are set for gen4 so the image loads very slow than anything.
My motherboard's support link is down below, and I do need your help now. Should I wait for couple of hours, or just press the reset button?

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MEG-X570S-ACE-MAX/support

VuurVOS · Apr 10, 2024

Restarting the system while doing a bios update is always a bad idea since it will very likely brick your system.
Luckily you have a bios flash button on the rear I/O panel so it should be recoverable when you power off the system.

These are the instructions mentioned in the manual of your motherboard:

Updating BIOS with Flash BIOS Button
1. Please download the latest BIOS file that matches your motherboard model from the MSI® website.
2. Rename the BIOS file to MSI.ROM, and save it to the root of the USB storage device.
3. Connect the power supply to CPU_PWR1 and ATX_PWR1. (No need to install CPU and memory.)
4. Plug the USB storage device that contains the MSI.ROM file into the Flash BIOS Port on the rear I/O panel.
5. Press the Flash BIOS Button to flash BIOS, and the LED starts flashing.
6. The LED will be turned off when the process is completed

GerKNG · Apr 10, 2024

errors, broken bios flashing?
RMA it. it's too expensive to play around with.

ir_cow · Apr 10, 2024

BIOS flash takes around 5-10 minutes at the most. Something froze up. Only option now is to flash from the rear I/O port since the BIOS will be corrupted from the failed update.

mclaren85 · Apr 10, 2024

After couple of hours (5-5,5) the update is completed without fault.
Yet I still don't know why the system had given me the 07 and 94 post codes errors prior the update.

A Computer Guy · Apr 10, 2024

Did you flash using USB stick? Perhaps something is wrong with your USB stick but you managed to get though it anyways.

remixedcat · Apr 10, 2024

the first stage on bios updates is always quick but the 2nd where it flashes the intel extras always tends to take longer than the manufacturer's suggested times... on this latitude 5400 the 1st phase was done in 1 minute and the intel part where it flashes all the management engine and vpro and other features took 5 minutes. same on my other laptops too that are intel based. My inspiron that has insyde h20 took 4:45 to flash.

LabRat 891 · Apr 10, 2024

mclaren85 said:
After couple of hours (5-5,5) the update is completed without fault.
Yet I still don't know why the system had given me the 07 and 94 post codes errors prior the update.

A Computer Guy said:
Did you flash using USB stick? Perhaps something is wrong with your USB stick but you managed to get though it anyways.

I may be incorrect but, I believe most boards will 'handshake' USB 1.x 1.5 Mbit/s 'low-speed' for BIOS flashing.
That limitation + an especially slow/troublesome USB stick, absolutely could be at (partial) fault.

For an example:
I have a 16GB SanDisk 'cheapie*' flash drive - it's about as slow as a floppy for file transfers. Never has thrown an error, just obscenely slow from Day1.
(*purchased Back-To-School sometime while Windows 7 could still be purchased on a new PC)

w/o looking up the post code errors:
I'm guessing you had either a corrupt or semi-compatible firmware on the board. (IIRC, moving to/from a UEFI/BIOS w/ Legacy Ryzen support can take 'extra long', too)
Perhaps, may have been part of the reason for the long flashing procedure.

(hopefully unrelated) I wonder if a failing flashROM would produce a similar 'issue'?

ir_cow · Apr 10, 2024

mclaren85 said:
After couple of hours (5-5,5) the update is completed without fault.
Yet I still don't know why the system had given me the 07 and 94 post codes errors prior the update.

Praise the BIOS Gods! Time to play the lottery, your a lucky person.

mclaren85 · Apr 10, 2024

The problem came out to be a faulty riser cable (gen4). Even after each vibration, the mainboard thinks there is a new hardware found and load optimized settings for BIOS. However as my riser cable only supports for gen 3; it freezes because of synchronization issue between gen3/gen4.
After removing the faulty part, it is working as it should.

Btw, I triple check my riser cable because I couldn't believe the cable is faulty since it is an ROG cable..

I hope why pci slot won't sag after using like this:

ir_cow said:
Praise the BIOS Gods! Time to play the lottery, your a lucky person.

I deserved it, cause I've waited with patience

*Update: After installing without riser cable, I just wanted be sure, so I re-update my BIOS. This time, it completed under just 2 minutes.

LabRat 891 · Apr 10, 2024

mclaren85 said:
The problem came out to be a faulty riser cable (gen4). Even after each vibration, the mainboard thinks there is a new hardware found and load optimized settings for BIOS. However as my riser cable only supports for gen 3; it freezes because of synchronization issue between gen3/gen4.
After removing the faulty part, it is working as it should.

Btw, I triple check my riser cable because I couldn't believe the cable is faulty since it is an ROG cable..

I hope why pci slot won't sag after using like this:

View attachment 342932

I deserved it, cause I've waited with patience

Wow! That's a new one (for me); that's going in my mental toolbox.

Also, 'goes along with' my experiences w/ 'that style' of riser. I've had both a 'well-built generic Gen3' and a Lian-Li Gen4 x16 riser "fail" after only a few uses.

If I ever have to riser-out/off an x8-x16 lane GPU (again), I'll be investing in Oculink or another Server/Industry SFF-# 'spec' interface.
[My MaxCloudOn risers, have been mostly-reliable but, they're Gen2-Gen3 spec. Oculink, etc. 'should' allow Gen4]

These 'high-frequency ribbon-like' risers, seem to get damaged solder joints from just looking at them wrong. :laugh:

mclaren85 · Apr 10, 2024

LabRat 891 said:
Wow! That's a new one (for me); that's going in my mental toolbox.

Also, 'goes along with' my experiences w/ 'that style' of riser. I've had both a 'well-built generic Gen3' and a Lian-Li Gen4 x16 riser "fail" after only a few uses.

If I ever have to riser-out/off an x8-x16 lane GPU (again), I'll be investing in Oculink or another Server/Industry SFF-# 'spec' interface.
[My MaxCloudOn risers, have been mostly-reliable but, they're Gen2-Gen3 spec. Oculink, etc. 'should' allow Gen4]

These 'high-frequency ribbon-like' risers, seem to get damaged solder joints from just looking at them wrong.

Just Relax

I have some reasons why my riser failed on me. One of them was excess heat. My Riser cable was too long that I had to bend it. And it was being touching to nvme all the time which is constantly above 50 degree of celcius. The other reason was forcing the gpu back and forth while cleaning inside. That my well harm to soldered joints as you mentioned earlier on.

I don't think I will ever invest in riser cables again.

Chrispy_ · Apr 10, 2024

Glad you sussed it.
I hate risers; I've used them for gaming builds, mining rigs, and compute servers and no matter how much you spend they all seem to suck!

I've had enough issues with Gen3 cables that I wouldn't consider a Gen4 build with risers any more. I'm sure the right combination can work but it just adds an additional layer of complexity and some of the case designs that call for riser cables also bend those cables with a horrible radius, which is just asking for trouble. At least you're not NZXT having to deal with a riser cable incident so bad that two separate governments had to step in and mandate a recall (https://www.pcgamesn.com/nzxt/h1-case-fire-hazard-recall)

ThrashZone · Apr 10, 2024

Hi,
Yeah my asus x99 used to toy with me a bit and show no activity or anything on the screen
I usually tongue in cheek and pushed the start button and it comes on telling me the usual, down power off blah....
Pretty annoying thankfully it's the only board ever to do that nonsense hehe

dgianstefani · Apr 11, 2024

With risers if you don't have one the same standard as your motherboard, just manually set the PCIe link speed in bios.

I run a gen 4 riser for my GPU since I have a sandwich case. Previously had a gen 3 riser. Zero issues with either.

A Computer Guy · Apr 11, 2024

Chrispy_ said:
Glad you sussed it.
I hate risers; I've used them for gaming builds, mining rigs, and compute servers and no matter how much you spend they all seem to suck!

I've had enough issues with Gen3 cables that I wouldn't consider a Gen4 build with risers any more. I'm sure the right combination can work but it just adds an additional layer of complexity and some of the case designs that call for riser cables also bend those cables with a horrible radius, which is just asking for trouble. At least you're not NZXT having to deal with a riser cable incident so bad that two separate governments had to step in and mandate a recall (https://www.pcgamesn.com/nzxt/h1-case-fire-hazard-recall)

Do PCB risers have the same problems as cable risers?

c2DDragon · Apr 11, 2024

I didn't read everything !

Should I restart during a BIOS update ?

NO

Go do your stuff. Don't do anything unless your motherboard is dual bios. :3

Ok now I will read everything

LabRat 891 · Apr 11, 2024

A Computer Guy said:
Do PCB risers have the same problems as cable risers?

Considering their ubiquity in Industrial PCs, Servers, and Point of Sale machines...
No, But:

Some of Supermicro's risers are not PCIe standard pinout. (Thankfully didn't kill anything finding that out)
Some 'trustworthy' brands like Silverstone, *may* pull just a little too much current over the traces. (Power traces on my Raven's riser overheated and started pulling away from the PCB)
Some 'generic' PCB risers have horrific solder joint quality and/or are missing smoothing caps or, have poorly laid-out traces (limiting use to Gen1.x-2)

Chrispy_ · Apr 11, 2024

A Computer Guy said:
Do PCB risers have the same problems as cable risers?

I've never had an issue with server PCB risers, which are usually just part of the motherboard and designed-in from the start. Servers with 7 GPUs in them still use cable risers though

LabRat 891 · Apr 11, 2024

Chrispy_ said:
I've never had an issue with server PCB risers, which are usually just part of the motherboard and designed-in from the start. Servers with 7 GPUs in them still use cable risers though

Indeed.

Quality Cable Risers (as used in servers) are built very little like the ones commonly consumer-available, sold w/ cases, etc.

U.2, Mini-SAS, and Oculink PHY 'import' risers should be much more durable, as well.

Calenhad · Apr 11, 2024

mclaren85 said:
The problem came out to be a faulty riser cable (gen4). Even after each vibration, the mainboard thinks there is a new hardware found and load optimized settings for BIOS. However as my riser cable only supports for gen 3; it freezes because of synchronization issue between gen3/gen4.
After removing the faulty part, it is working as it should.

Btw, I triple check my riser cable because I couldn't believe the cable is faulty since it is an ROG cable..

I hope why pci slot won't sag after using like this:

View attachment 342932

I deserved it, cause I've waited with patience

*Update: After installing without riser cable, I just wanted be sure, so I re-update my BIOS. This time, it completed under just 2 minutes.

If you attempt to run a gen3 riser cable at gen4 speed, you are literally trying to run it at twice the speed it is designed for. That is not a faulty cable, that is using it wrong. You have to reduce the max speed to gen3 in bios to have any chance for that to work properly.

Your Suprim card came with a GPU support in the box btw. You could use that to prevent sagging.

Chrispy_ · Apr 11, 2024

Calenhad said:
Your Suprim card came with a GPU support in the box btw. You could use that to prevent sagging.

Those MSI ones that come in the box are useless if they're the ones that attach using the PCIe slot covers underneath the GPU.
I had those included with my 3070 and 3090 and it didn't do much for the 3070, the 3090 was too heavy and needed a foot down to the PSU shroud like OP is using.

Calenhad · Apr 11, 2024

Chrispy_ said:
Those MSI ones that come in the box are useless if they're the ones that attach using the PCIe slot covers underneath the GPU.
I had those included with my 3070 and 3090 and it didn't do much for the 3070, the 3090 was too heavy and needed a foot down to the PSU shroud like OP is using.

The Suprim cards have a free standing "pillar" support in the box. If you look at the product page you can see it in action. I would not say it wins any design contests, but it is a simplistic, working support that does not come with tons of RGB and what not.

Chrispy_ · Apr 11, 2024

Calenhad said:
The Suprim cards have a free standing "pillar" support in the box. If you look at the product page you can see it in action. I would not say it wins any design contests, but it is a simplistic, working support that does not come with tons of RGB and what not.

Ah okay, they've learned from their mistakes - the 30 series cards I had were gaming x series and had these useless things in them:

RJARRRPCGP · Apr 11, 2024

mclaren85 said:
just press the reset button?

No, don't! I suspect that's why there are stories on the internet of MSI motherboards getting bricked with BIOS updates easily! (people not waiting and assume it's crashed)

But in my case, for my MAG Z490 Tomahawk, it didn't take long like you describe.

I flashed a bunch of BIOSes this year. I was able to get the MAG Z490 Tomahawk to a 2023 version. All my ASRocks to a 2024 version (all socket AM4) and the same for my socket AM4 ROG.

The MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk was the only one however, where there's no supposed "LogoFail" fix, MSI didn't mention that for the MAG Z490 Tomahawk, and it's from before 2024.

System Name	MSI-MEG
Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Motherboard	MSI MEG X570S ACE MAX
Cooling	AMD Wraith Prism + Thermal Grizzly
Memory	32 GB
Video Card(s)	MSI Suprim X RTX 3080
Storage	500 GB MSI Spatium nvme + 500 GB WD nvme + 2 TB Seagate HDD + 2 TB Seagate HDD
Display(s)	27" LG 144HZ 2K ULTRAGEAR
Case	MSI MPG Velox Airflow 100P
Audio Device(s)	Philips
Power Supply	Seasonic 750W 80+ Gold
Mouse	HP OMEN REACTOR
Keyboard	Corsair K68
Software	Windows10 LTSC 64 bit

System Name	Ryzen7700
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7700
Motherboard	Asus ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI
Cooling	NZXT Kraken X62
Memory	Patriot Viper Venom PVV532G700C32K (32GB @ 6000CL28)
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon RX 6800XT Midnight Black

Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Motherboard	ASRock B850M PRO-A
Cooling	Corsair Nautilus 360 RS
Memory	2x32GB Kingston Fury Beast 6000 CL30
Video Card(s)	PowerColor Hellhound RX 9070 XT
Storage	1TB Samsung 990 Pro, 2TB Samsung 990 Pro, 4TB Samsung 990 Pro
Display(s)	LG 27GS95QE-B, MSI G272QPF E2
Case	Lian Li DAN Case A3 Black Wood Edition
Audio Device(s)	Bose Companion Series 2 III, Sennheiser GSP600 and HD599 SE - Creative Soundblaster X4
Power Supply	Corsair RM1000X ATX 3.1
Mouse	Razer Deathadder V3
Keyboard	Razer Black Widow V3 TKL
VR HMD	Oculus Rift S

System Name	MSI-MEG
Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Motherboard	MSI MEG X570S ACE MAX
Cooling	AMD Wraith Prism + Thermal Grizzly
Memory	32 GB
Video Card(s)	MSI Suprim X RTX 3080
Storage	500 GB MSI Spatium nvme + 500 GB WD nvme + 2 TB Seagate HDD + 2 TB Seagate HDD
Display(s)	27" LG 144HZ 2K ULTRAGEAR
Case	MSI MPG Velox Airflow 100P
Audio Device(s)	Philips
Power Supply	Seasonic 750W 80+ Gold
Mouse	HP OMEN REACTOR
Keyboard	Corsair K68
Software	Windows10 LTSC 64 bit

System Name	Still not a thread ripper but pretty good.
Processor	Ryzen 9 7950x, Thermal Grizzly AM5 Offset Mounting Kit, Thermal Grizzly Extreme Paste
Motherboard	ASRock B650 LiveMixer (BIOS/UEFI version P3.08, AGESA 1.2.0.2)
Cooling	EK-Quantum Velocity, EK-Quantum Reflection PC-O11, D5 PWM, EK-CoolStream PE 360, XSPC TX360
Memory	Micron DDR5-5600 ECC Unbuffered Memory (2 sticks, 64GB, MTC20C2085S1EC56BD1) + JONSBO NF-1
Video Card(s)	XFX Radeon RX 5700 & EK-Quantum Vector Radeon RX 5700 +XT & Backplate
Storage	Samsung 4TB 980 PRO, 2 x Optane 905p 1.5TB (striped), AMD Radeon RAMDisk
Display(s)	2 x 4K LG 27UL600-W (and HUANUO Dual Monitor Mount)
Case	Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic Black (original model)
Audio Device(s)	Corsair Commander Pro for Fans, RGB, & Temp Sensors (x4)
Power Supply	Corsair RM750x
Mouse	Logitech M575
Keyboard	Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2
Software	Windows 10 Professional (64bit)
Benchmark Scores	RIP Ryzen 9 5950x, ASRock X570 Taichi (v1.06), 128GB Micron DDR4-3200 ECC UDIMM (18ASF4G72AZ-3G2F1)

System Name	RemixedBeast-NX
Processor	Intel Xeon E5-2690 @ 2.9Ghz (8C/16T)
Motherboard	Dell Inc. 08HPGT (CPU 1)
Cooling	Dell Standard
Memory	24GB ECC
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte Nvidia RTX2060 6GB
Storage	2TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD//2TB WD Black HDD
Display(s)	Samsung SyncMaster P2350 23in @ 1920x1080 + Dell E2013H 20 in @1600x900
Case	Dell Precision T3600 Chassis
Audio Device(s)	Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 // Fiio E7 Amp/DAC
Power Supply	630w Dell T3600 PSU
Mouse	Logitech G700s/G502
Keyboard	Logitech K740
VR HMD	Linktr.ee/remixedcat // for my music ♡♡
Software	Linux Mint 20
Benchmark Scores	Network: APs: Ubiquiti Unifi AP-AC-LR and Lite Router/Sw:Meraki MX64 MS220-8P

System Name	Metalia
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	Asus TuF Gaming X570-PLUS
Cooling	ID Cooling 280mm AIO w/ Arctic P14s
Memory	2x32GB DDR4-3600
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT
Storage	Optane P5801X 400GB, Samsung 990Pro 2TB
Display(s)	LG ‎32GS95UV 32" OLED 240/480hz 4K/1080P Dual Mode
Case	Geometric Future M8 Dharma
Audio Device(s)	Xonar Essence STX
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus GX-1000 Gold
Mouse	Attack Shark R3 Magnesium - White
Keyboard	Keychron K8 Pro - White - Tactile Brown Switch
Software	Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021

System Name	Bragging Rights
Processor	Atom Z3735F 1.33GHz
Motherboard	It has no markings but it's green
Cooling	No, it's a 2.2W processor
Memory	2GB DDR3L-1333
Video Card(s)	Gen7 Intel HD (4EU @ 311MHz)
Storage	32GB eMMC and 128GB Sandisk Extreme U3
Display(s)	10" IPS 1280x800 60Hz
Case	Veddha T2
Audio Device(s)	Apparently, yes
Power Supply	Samsung 18W 5V fast-charger
Mouse	MX Anywhere 2
Keyboard	Logitech MX Keys (not Cherry MX at all)
VR HMD	Samsung Oddyssey, not that I'd plug it into this though....
Software	W10 21H1, barely
Benchmark Scores	I once clocked a Celeron-300A to 564MHz on an Abit BE6 and it scored over 9000.

System Name	Ghetto Rigs z490\|x99\|Acer 17 Nitro 7840hs/ 5600c40-2x16/ 4060/ 1tb acer stock m.2/ 4tb sn850x
Processor	10900k w/Optimus Foundation \| 5930k w/Black Noctua D15
Motherboard	z490 Maximus XII Apex \| x99 Sabertooth
Cooling	oCool D5 res-combo/280 GTX/ Optimus Foundation/ gpu water block \| Blk D15
Memory	Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb \| Trident-Z 3200c14 4x8gb
Video Card(s)	Titan Xp-water \| evga 980ti gaming-w/ air
Storage	970evo+500gb & sn850x 4tb \| 860 pro 256gb \| Acer m.2 1tb/ sn850x 4tb\| Many2.5" sata's ssd 3.5hdd's
Display(s)	1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
Case	D450 \| Cherry Entertainment center on Test bench
Audio Device(s)	Built in Realtek x2 with 2-Insignia 2.0 sound bars & 1-LG sound bar
Power Supply	EVGA 1000P2 with APC AX1500 \| 850P2 with CyberPower-GX1325U
Mouse	Redragon 901 Perdition x3
Keyboard	G710+x3
Software	Win-7 pro x3 and win-10 & 11pro x3
Benchmark Scores	Are in the benchmark section

System Name	Silent/X1 Yoga/S25U-1TB
Processor	Ryzen 9800X3D @ 5.4ghz AC 1.18 V, TG AM5 High Performance Heatspreader/1185 G7/Snapdragon 8 Elite
Motherboard	ASUS ROG Strix X870-I, chipset fans replaced with Noctua A14x25 G2
Cooling	Optimus Block, HWLabs Copper 240/40 x2, D5/Res, 4x Noctua A12x25, 1x A14G2, Conductonaut Extreme
Memory	64 GB Dominator Titanium White 6000 MT, 130 ns tRFC, active cooled, TG Putty Pro
Video Card(s)	RTX 3080 Ti Founders Edition, Conductonaut Extreme, 40 W/mK 3D Graphite pads, Corsair XG7 Waterblock
Storage	Intel Optane DC P1600X 118 GB, Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB
Display(s)	34" 240 Hz 3440x1440 34GS95Q LG MLA+ W-OLED, 31.5" 165 Hz 1440P NanoIPS Ultragear, MX900 dual VESA
Case	Sliger SM570 CNC Alu 13-Litre, 3D printed feet, TG Minuspad Extreme, LINKUP Ultra PCIe 4.0 x16 White
Audio Device(s)	Audeze Maxwell Ultraviolet w/upgrade pads & Leather LCD headband, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Razer Nommo Pro
Power Supply	SF1000 Plat, 13 A transparent custom cables, Sentinel Pro 1500 Online Double Conversion UPS w/Noctua
Mouse	Razer Viper V3 Pro 8 KHz Mercury White w/Pulsar Supergrip tape, Razer Atlas, Razer Strider Chroma
Keyboard	Wooting 60HE+ module, TOFU-R CNC Alu/Brass, SS Prismcaps W+Jellykey, LekkerL60 V2, TLabs Leath/Suede
Software	Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 24H2
Benchmark Scores	Legendary

Processor	i7 12700K
Motherboard	MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4
Cooling	Noctua NH-U14S
Memory	G.Skill Ripjaws V 32GB 4400Mhz CL19 1T
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon 6700 XT
Storage	970 EVO 250GB\|Crucial m4 128GB\|MX300 525GB\|MX500 1TB\|PNY XLR8 2TB\|Kingston NV2 2TB\|14TB HDD\|4TB HDD
Display(s)	Acer XG270HU 27" 1440p 144Hz
Case	Fractal Design DEFINE R4 Black Pearl Window
Audio Device(s)	Creative Sound Blaster Z
Power Supply	Corsair RM850x
Mouse	Razer Naga Trinity
Keyboard	EVGA Z15 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Software	Windows 11 Pro 64bit

System Name	KHR-1
Processor	Ryzen 9 5900X
Motherboard	ASRock B550 PG Velocita (UEFI-BIOS P3.40)
Memory	64 GB G.Skill RipJaws V F4-3200C16D-64GVK
Video Card(s)	Sparkle Titan Arc A770 16 GB
Storage	Western Digital Black SN850 1 TB NVMe SSD
Display(s)	Alienware AW3423DWF OLED-ASRock PG27Q15R2A (backup)
Case	Corsair 275R
Audio Device(s)	Technics SA-EX140 receiver with Polk VT60 speakers
Power Supply	eVGA Supernova G3 750W
Mouse	Logitech G Pro (Hero)
Software	Windows 11 Pro x64 23H2

Very Slow Bios Update. Should I restart?

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