R7 BIOS Update Trashed my Gigabyte EP45-UD3R

[RonAKA]

I had installed the operating system and all my peripherals, when I decided to update to the latest BIOS. No I didn't have any problems, but I have always updated the BIOS on all my computers (mostly ASUS) without any issue. Not so in the case of this Gigabyte board. I used the Q-Flash utility provided in the BIOS as it appeared to be the safest way.

First I backed up the original BIOS using the utility. Then I installed the ep45ud3r.f7 version. All the screens looked just as they do in the manual, and I got the "Copy BIOS completed - Pass !!" message. However, on the restart it will not boot up to the BIOS screen. It keeps powering on the disk drives, and system power, and then after a few seconds it powers off for a few seconds and powers on again. It never comes out of this loop. The Auto recovery using the DualBIOS did nothing. Next I shorted the reset CMOS pins while the computer was unplugged. This did nothing.

Any suggestions to try before I take it back to the dealer to fight over warranty? They are making noises that BIOS flashing voids warranty. I have a problem with that, as it did flash and I got the confirmation screen. I followed the directions in the manual and I did not see any warning about warranty. Now as I look through the section on using the Windows @BIOS utility, I see there is a warning about waranty voided in the case of inadequate BIOS flashing. However, I did not use that method, and there is nothing to suggest the flashing was inadequate. What looks more likely is that there is something wrong with the R7 BIOS.

 

[RonAKA]

I think I found my problem. According to this list at the link below, there is only about 1 processor that can run the F7 (I mistakenly called this R7 in the original post). I had no idea that Gigabyte would release versions of the BIOS that were so CPU specific. I can't believe it! It would appear the only way out of this is to put in a Core? 2 Quad Q8200 and then change it back to F3.

Thoughts?

 

[lavaheadache]

my ep-ud3p has no trouble with f7 and a q6600

don't you have dual bioses anyways? can't you boot to the other one somehow? I have no idea just trying to give ideas



** edit just realized you did try to boot to the dual bios utility, this is a bummer

 

[RonAKA]

Just a bit of an update. I took the thing back to the shop where I got it (Honor Computer, Edmonton, Alberta). I ended up having to pay them $75 to get it working again. They were evasive about what they did and wanted to charge me for 4 hours of labor... On questioning, it appears they did all the same things as I did without success, and then as they said, "we removed everything from the board and put it back on again". That should have had no effect. Have not run it yet, but they claim they got the F7 BIOS to work. They agreed that the F7 BIOS should be backwards compatible to all the other processors. I examined it closely today, and what I can see they did differently was put the memory cards in slots 1 & 3. I had the memory in slots 2 & 4 to give more room for the HSF. The manual shows that either configuration is OK for dual channel mode. So it seems to be that there must be an issue with the F7 BIOS that only shows up with the memory cards in the even slot configuration, or somehow that configuration conflicts with the Q-Flash utility.

I now recall reading a review of the motherboard where the reviewer said something about needing to use the odd number slots. I had forgotten about that as I had got the unit to run just fine with the even numbered slots up until the BIOS was flashed.

In any case not so impressed with Gigabyte or the way this shop "honors" their warranty. I plan to contact Gigabyte and let them know what I think, and ask for my $$ back for the service work. I did nothing wrong according to their manual, and their product didn't work.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: RonAKA
In any case not so impressed with Gigabyte or the way this shop "honors" their warranty. I plan to contact Gigabyte and let them know what I think, and ask for my $$ back for the service work. I did nothing wrong according to their manual, and their product didn't work.

Why do you think that Gigabyte would give you a refund for your dealer service costs?

 

[RonAKA]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: RonAKA
In any case not so impressed with Gigabyte or the way this shop "honors" their warranty. I plan to contact Gigabyte and let them know what I think, and ask for my $$ back for the service work. I did nothing wrong according to their manual, and their product didn't work.

Why do you think that Gigabyte would give you a refund for your dealer service costs?

Not hopeful, but I think Gigabyte has an issue with the F7 BIOS and the memory slot configuration on this board. I don't know why that issue should be my problem (out $75), as I was simply following their directions on how to install the memory. Further, if they are a reputable company, I would think they would want to know that they have a BIOS bug that needs to be addressed. I may however be naive in thinking they care...

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: RonAKA

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: RonAKA
In any case not so impressed with Gigabyte or the way this shop "honors" their warranty. I plan to contact Gigabyte and let them know what I think, and ask for my $$ back for the service work. I did nothing wrong according to their manual, and their product didn't work.

Why do you think that Gigabyte would give you a refund for your dealer service costs?

Not hopeful, but I think Gigabyte has an issue with the F7 BIOS and the memory slot configuration on this board. I don't know why that issue should be my problem (out $75), as I was simply following their directions on how to install the memory. Further, if they are a reputable company, I would think they would want to know that they have a BIOS bug that needs to be addressed. I may however be naive in thinking they care...

Most board manufacturers state somewhere that the preferable slot configuration is usually 1 and 3 (except for Asus's P6T, where it is the second slot). It's not an issue, it's just how they did it. And the adding Q8200 is just stating they added support for that processor to the full list of supported processor for the F7 release, NOT that the F7 release is ONLY for the Q8200. You will pay when you deal with third-party dealer services. Next time just try more configurations, post here, or email Gigabyte support. Sorry you're out of $75, but it happens.

 

[zzmxj5]

I had the same problem. I have E8400 and tried to flash to R7. Same symptoms as yours. I tried several times and it worked for 2 days, then had checksum error and reloaded F5.(fortunately). I am staying on F5. I just thought it would be a good idea to be up to date. Not a good idea if you can't boot.
I am new to this board and haven't filled in my profile yet.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: RonAKA
On questioning, it appears they did all the same things as I did without success, and then as they said, "we removed everything from the board and put it back on again". That should have had no effect.

Actually, it can. Depopulating the system board and clearing the CMOS, then installing one (less often two) memory module in a "default" configuration for debugging purposes, has always been a last resort to BIOS updates that appear to have completed successfully but will not POST, prior to replacing the BIOS chip or having it flashed with a device programmer.

This remedy proved successful less often on the older LPC/ISA/FWH based flash BIOS. But for whatever reason, it seems to be implicated much more often with the newer SPI flash. I've seen FAQs from ASUS and other manufacturers detailing a procedure that calls for depopulating the entire board, clearing the CMOS, and installing one or two memory modules in a particular slot to bring the BIOS back up.

So yeah, you probably paid $75 for them to "remove everything and put it back in again". That can and has done the trick in many many cases.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

My new board came with the F6 bios installed and it did not recognize the e8400 correctly.
The current bios is F9. Works well.

Have you flashed with the F9 bios?

 

[PCTC2]

Holy Thread Revival Batman! A lurker!