New board CPU and RAM

[ICIT2LOL]

Have an Ivy Bridge running on an Asus P8Z77-V board with an i5 3570K and 16GB of 2133Mhz RAM.
Now I think the BIOS is up the Swanee because for a very long time now I have not been able to set the boot options and leave them because the BIOS has a mind of it's own and changes back the settings after each power down.
It has other oddities too like having my printer listed as boot device and it is hooked up via USB and wifi and to get out o that I have to use the Optimised defaults to get the hard drive back as a choice it also lists a small SD card I sometimes use and even when it is not in the machine so all in all I reckon the BIOS chip is southbound.

Now my only option I think is to replace the board and keep as much hardware as I can from this build but getting stuff for use with a 1155 socket and DDR3 RAM is just not going to happen I am thinking.

So ideas please I am just a very average user nothing fancy like games and photoshopping I just want something that is going to be quick and not cost a great deal of money.
I am a fan of Intel and would like to have an i7 CPU if possible and I am also a fan of Asus gear even though this board is letting me down.

I am asking because I have no idea where chipsets are up to now or what boards support in the way of hardware. As I said I would like to be able to use my existing hardware but if not then I shall have to go for the new gear and salvage what I do have like my liquid cooler and new GPU.
I have to mention I am not looking at going super cheap either but still stay within a reasonably tight budget.

 

[MeOnMine]

Hi, you can replace the BIOS chip.
You can order them pre programmed of Ebay.
You just tell them what BIOS version you want.
The last time I did this it was about $15 AUD.
The old chip will be socketed so you pop it out and put the new one in.

Wayne

 

[MeOnMine]

I downloaded your manual and if I have the correct one then this is your M/B picture and I have circled your BIOS.
You need to read the chip number and you can even find the blank chip on ebay.
Then get it programmed here in Oz. (ebay is example only)
What I'm getting at is that you don't need to retire the M/B to holding the door open on a windy day, there are other options.
Throw me over the IC number and we can look further, if you are like me and it is difficult to see the number take a high res photo and blow it up in one of your other computers.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok thanks mate I thought they were all soldered instill I will have a look and see if I can find it - the number that is. I was just about to flash the BIOS with the version it has on it now - the latest one because since posting the original post I have priced up some of the gear I would need and I nearly fell off the chair when I saw the price of DDR4 RAM some of it more than a new board and CPU put together!!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok MeonMine mate I cannot get a real good shot of that chip but with a magnifying glass and strong light I could just make out the numbers on the top.
Now reading fromnthe "top"
cFeon
EN25FG4
1040IP
1181088
121170A

Now this might make some sense to you and the numbers and letters may be a little different ie the zero may well be a O and the I a 1 or the 8 a B but I am pretty sure that is what they are.

While I am thinking of it does it need a special tool for gripping it as I remember doing some electronic work (at home) a long time ago now and with the chips like the old 555 timer you needed a tool that gripped the device to get it out. I did try with my fingers but in such a tight space as you can see in the pic it is quite hard to get to.

 

[MeOnMine]

Hi. thanks for the picture and it is not higher enough resolution for me to make any extra headway with the numbers that you have given me.
Google shows no connection either with these numbers, when we can get the numbers right it will show results.
Before we do take the path I am thinking of, lets try something a little less aggressive.
You mentioned a tool to remove the IC, You only need a small flat blade screwdriver at each end of the IC, under the body section and don't short the pins. Lever from the socket under the IC.
Then the other end of the IC lever the same. Just work it up but not out, push it back down and then do it again, and then push it back down again.
Why, because when the mother board was first put over the wave solder machine to be soldered all the threw hole components in one motion. It was sprayed with liquid flux, and this sometimes blooms over the top onto the components, this can settle into the IC socket legs and once the IC is pressed in it can later cause corrosion.
This corrosion if it is present can be causing your issues, so moving the IC will make new contact and perhaps fix the issue.
Resistance through contact would be one of the biggest electronic faults we as humans have ever created.
Do you really know where fibre optics came from (don't start me on this topic please)
So turn off the PC, hold down the power button for 10 seconds and then move the BIOS IC up and down in its socket. Re-boot and see, then we will take the IC number to the next stage.

Wayne

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok Wayne firstly thank you for the time and patience my friend I do know what you mean by problems with the connections and the effects of flux as I have been mucking around with small scale electronics since I was kid but mainly audio stuff nothing like IC's involved. Plus I spent a good few years plumbing and yes I have seen some of the effects of flux on even copper pipes if you don't remove quickly luckily today I think they braze rather than solder joints for metal work that is.

But I did manage to feel some movement last night with just my fingers and so I can see where you are coming from. As another measure I have emailed Asus Australia support to see if I can get a new chip which of course would solve the problem hopefully. Now do you think that as an extra precaution to removing the chip with the screwdriver would be to shut off the power hold the power button down to dissipate what is in the PSU and remove the CMOS battery that I am guessing lessens any possibility of shorting the outer terminals?? I know there is the possibilty perhaps of soem electrons being left behind in the chip but I do think the extarprecautions would be good but will be guided by what you think.

The numbers of course could be down to me seeing B's as 8"s and 1 as I or 4 as an A etc There are a few on EBay but not for the board mate I don't know if all chips come equal if they did it would be a simple matter of putting it in and reflashing the darn thing. I am also going to check EBay for the removal tool as it might come in handy later but if I can solve the BIOS problem it would be a great relief after costing a new board CPU and especially the RAM - the latter just blew me away I didn't know it was that costly now as I recently slipped in a matched set of four sticks of DDR3 which has made all the diffeence in the overall performance.

Again thank you so much for the help because it is the BIOS that is my problem not the board really I do really appreciate it.
John

 

[MeOnMine]

Hi John,
Yes I was going to talk about discharge and electrostatic handling of off board Eprom devices when we are to remove and replace, but yes to all your suggestions even though the device was not to be removed just mechanically made a new contact if corrosion was indeed there.
Your aproach to Asus is the next best thing if we can't get the correct numbers of the BIOS ic that you have there.
Once we have the numbers I am sure we can obtain it from RS electronics of Farnell or someone.
Then we only need to find someone nice enough to put it in their programmer and flash it for us.
I could have done all this in minutes years ago.
The ironic part is that on Monday I start a new job as a computer tech for Asus service. (I will see what I can do there later).
John, can you borrow some young eyes to get that number of the ic ?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hiyya Wayne no mate I don't have any younger eyes at hand the only thing I can think of is to take it out and get a really good look at it with a strong light but I am guessing that will default everything back - or not?? If you think it is ok to take out the chip and look then I will but I would really appreciate your opinion on doing that.

Now in the meantime Wayne I have found two places on eBay that are selling the chip for the P8Z77-V model board one in Germany and one in the US at a place callled BIOS - Depot so I have gone ahead and bought one from each as they were onlly $15 a pop.
I have also found a USB device that you can put the chip in (saw it in youtube) and plug it in and either erase the chip and then install the BIOS version off a download so I have two of those coming too - I bought two in case one was a dud and at $3 a pop not expensive. I will link the YouTube for you at the end.

Oh as a by the by the US guy sounded like he knew what I was after as I asked about the -V PREMIUM board and he told me no it was not the right one and linked me to the one I need.

I also emailed Asus Australia too regarding my problem but have not heard from them yet but I do know from a while back they were at Silverwater in Sydney and were very helpful back then with another problem I had so there are a few options around.

Congratulations on getting the job by the way I am really pleased for you and I hope it is what you wanted if so it is nice to land a job that one likes eh??

Now this fellow does carry on a bit nbut I thought it looked interesting

 

[MeOnMine]

Hiyya Wayne no mate I don't have any younger eyes at hand the only thing I can think of is to take it out and get a really good look at it with a strong light but I am guessing that will default everything back - or not?? If you think it is ok to take out the chip and look then I will but I would really appreciate your opinion on doing that.

Now in the meantime Wayne I have found two places on eBay that are selling the chip for the P8Z77-V model board one in Germany and one in the US at a place callled BIOS - Depot so I have gone ahead and bought one from each as they were onlly $15 a pop.
I have also found a USB device that you can put the chip in (saw it in youtube) and plug it in and either erase the chip and then install the BIOS version off a download so I have two of those coming too - I bought two in case one was a dud and at $3 a pop not expensive. I will link the YouTube for you at the end.

Oh as a by the by the US guy sounded like he knew what I was after as I asked about the -V PREMIUM board and he told me no it was not the right one and linked me to the one I need.

I also emailed Asus Australia too regarding my problem but have not heard from them yet but I do know from a while back they were at Silverwater in Sydney and were very helpful back then with another problem I had so there are a few options around.




If the new Eprom (BIOS chip) is already programmed with a new BIOS Then that is all you need.
No, A already programmed BIOS Chip will not lose its memory after it has been extracted from its socket.
But it will not hold settings made after its install.
You do NOT need any other programming device/device/s if your purchased chip is already programmed.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks Wayne sorry the late reply have had some broadband issues.

But it will not hold settings made after its install.

By this you mean I would to reflash that chip or it will have the same BIOS version but not my persnal settings ?? I have a feeling you mean the latter sorry mate but I need to know before I do anything else as it has been a couple of days with mistake after mistake

 

[MeOnMine]

Hi, when you take out the BIOS battery what happends ?
The BIOS loses its settings and defaults.
It does not lose its programming.
You could try re-flash with the same BIOS version (new download in case the first is corrupt) or flash to an earlies version.
ALLWAYS flash from within BIOS not Windows.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello Wayne mate I took it out a fair while ago and frankly I cannot remember what happened I can try it again and reflash the chip using that Asus feature I suppose the worst thing that can happen is that it will drop it's bundle but with the new chips coming eh??

Plus I think that is a good idea too would be to make a new stick for the flash function.

 

[Megahertz07]

John, BIOS has two parts: A EEProm and a RAM memory.
The user configuration is stored on the RAM and is kept by the CMOS battery.
Normally if BIOS reset to defaults after a power off, it's a dead CMOS battery.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok Juiz mate it isn't that it is returning to default just the boot order keeps changing and also the RAM timings.
So for example if I set the hard drive as first boot it works on power up but the next time I turn the machine on it has reverted to the optical drive.

Same with the RAM set it to 2133MHz and next boot will be 1907MHz or some really odd number.

Look I may just replace the battery perhaps it has gone south but it really isn't that long since I replaced the darn thing.

Anyway I have some chips coming and I suppose if I am going to use a new one it might be an idea to replace the battery and now is as good a time as ever. :huh:

 

[Megahertz07]

John, try to re flash the BIOS with same version or a new version, if there is one.
Have seen some cases that the BIOS corrupts.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

John, try to re flash the BIOS with same version or a new version, if there is one.
Have seen some cases that the BIOS corrupts.

Actually Juiz mate I have toyed with this idea but wasn't sure because the version on the chip is the current one but I suppose if it is corrupted maybe it might just jerk it back into line.

Things is that the BIOS is seeing things as boot options that clearly are not there for example a 4GB stick /SD card with EUFI splashed across it anyway when I have a minute I shall just flash it and hope for the best I have the other build back up to scratch again now if I get depsperate.

 

[Megahertz07]

John, did you find out what was / is the problem?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

John, did you find out what was / is the problem?

Not yet Juiz mate am waiting on a couple of new BIOS chips - ordered two in case I get a dud so when they get here we shall soon see. I have flashed it twice now in the hope that it might jolt it back into reality but no go.

Personally I think the BIOS chip was probably not much good from the day I built the machine I just wasn't aware of it until heaps of things started going wrong

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok have a new BIOS chip in the machine has made no difference to how I select the boot order it still reverts back to the optical drive as first boot option whatever I check as that function. I am beginning to think that Asus have built in the optical drive to be the first boot option unless one changes t for any special purpose ie a stick.

Otherwise the machine is working as normally is under the circumstances and whetehr it is my imagination or not slightly quicker.