Solved ASUS "selected file is not a proper BIOS"

[chaosrealm93]

has anyone else come across this before? i cant upgrade or downgrade my BIOS, even loading the same version as i have now gives me the same error. is this specific to ASUS? any fixes?

 

[HAVOC]

What file extension does the update have? Do you need to unzip the file first?

 

[chaosrealm93]

its a ".CAP" file extension and yup i unzipped it and placed the file on an empty FAT32 usb drive

 

[HAVOC]

what motherboard are you using?

 

[chaosrealm93]

6700k
ASUS Z170-A
kingston 2x8 16GB 2133mhz

 

[AddRAM]

You can update the bios directly from the bios, you don`t have to save it on a flash drive.

The program in the bios goes out to the net and finds the update itself.

 

[chaosrealm93]

You can update the bios directly from the bios, you don`t have to save it on a flash drive.

The program in the bios goes out to the net and finds the update itself.

i know, its one of the options, but whats simpler than using the USB right?>

 

[AddRAM]

Well you haven`t been able to do it with a usb stick so.......

 

[chaosrealm93]

Well you haven`t been able to do it with a usb stick so.......

true, but do you know if it will only find the latest BIOS or will it let you choose from the history of releases? i think theres something buggy with the latest one....

 

[AddRAM]

Nope, it`ll install the latest Bios.

Why do you think it`s buggy ??

Where`s your evidence ?

 

[chaosrealm93]

i just tried the online option and it told me i have to latest BIOS

i have no evidence, but i've had it happen in the past where updating something like the BIOS can screw something up inadvertently. the whole "if it aint broke, dont fix it" certainly rings true

 

[SIW2]

Just updated an Asus bios using a .rom file.

For M3A79-T Deluxe listed in your specs.

1801 version

Win7x64 Global


Not sure why it is a .cap. for Z170-A
Access Denied

 

[chaosrealm93]

yea i know..... idk why they changed the file type

anyways its not about my m3a79-t

so theres no fix for this? broken board?

 

[AddRAM]

So what exactly is the problem ????


The latest for mine is 2202, and I`ve had no issues with it.

What version does the board have and which version are you trying to install ?

The latest for a Z170 A is 2202

 

[chaosrealm93]

i cant boot into the hard drive. ive tried everything,

installing from DVD
installing with win 7 + USB drivers
changing secure boot, fast boot and CSM settings in BIOS

but its all the same, it would try to boot and either get a black screen and stay there indefinitely or crash halfway through booting into win 7

i updated the BIOS from the very start and its the one thing i havent/been able to change this whole time and im guessing either the board is broken or the BIOS broke the board

the board has the latest 2202, but im trying to install any other version to see if it makes a difference, its the one variable that hasnt changed through all this. this BIOS stuff isnt an isolated question, but part of a bigger problem:

ASUS Z170-A, red LED near southbridge on and crashing on boot

 

[SIW2]

Is the SATA configuration set to ahci?

 

[Megahertz07]

Did you checked BIOS settings?
On the Info tab, what MB model you have? What BIOS version you have?
Did you detached the other disks before installing Win 7?
Did you installed as UEFI or Legacy?

This is how I would install (as UEFI)
Detach ALL other disks, leaving on only the disk you want to install on.

On BIOS

Set SATA=AHCI

Disable fast boot (you can enable it after installation)

You have to use a Win 7 64 bits installation disk. Win 7 32 bits isn't compatible with UEFI

Disable secure boot
OS type Windows UEFI = Secure boot, so if OS type = Other, secure boot is disabled.

for CSM, here are the settings (in bold)
Launch CSM.......................................(Auto, Enabled, Disabled)
Boot Device Control.............................(UEFI and Legacy OPROM, Legacy OPROM only, UEFI Only)
Boot from Network Devices...................(Ignore, Legacy Only)
Boot from Storage Devices....................(Ignore, Legacy Only, UEFI Driver first)
Boot from PCIe/PCI Expansion Devices....(Legacy Only, UEFI driver first)

Boot from the Win 7 installation disk ON UEFI MODE (important). If you are using a USB flash disk, make sure it has the \efi\boot folder or it wont boot as UEFI.
During POST, launch the Boot menu (F12?). There will be 2 options Legacy and UEFI. Choose CD/DVD UEFI or USB UEFI.
Go to Install - advanced - delete all partitions - Create new - Win 7 will create 3 partitions
- 100 M Fat 32 - UEFI
- 120 M RAW - MSR
- a large NTFS
Install on the large NTFS

For the updates MS releases SP2 for Windows 7

 

[AddRAM]

Well, if you think the board is bad either return it to the seller, if it hasn`t been 30 days, or start an RMA with Asus.

You will get e recertified board (used) from Asus, which sucks.

 

[chaosrealm93]

Is the SATA configuration set to ahci?

yes, well they are set to AHCI be default and i havent changed it

there are only 2 options, AHCI and RAID

 

[chaosrealm93]

Well, if you think the board is bad either return it to the seller, if it hasn`t been 30 days, or start an RMA with Asus.

You will get e recertified board (used) from Asus, which sucks.

i have the direct replacement plan from canada computers, they should sort me out with a new board