Can’t Flash BIOS.. MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk

[jeffpmaxs6]

I put the PC together a few months ago and had zero issue and runs fine. 5800x3d - 6950xt. My res is 3440x1440 and I’m trying to get more fps. I think a 7900xtx would help. My temps are 50-60c, but I heard undervolting the cpu lowers heat and may give more fps. So I enable this thingy Kobo strike and set a # to 3 that either was going to lower the volts or raise them. Lol. Idk. I would have to write down #’s to compare, to tell if there is any difference. Any input welcome, since it’s new too me and I’m learning the mobo. If my gpu is holding me back I think I barked up the wrong tree going into the BIOS, since that is more for the CPU and ram. : / CPU goes to 4.5Ghz 50-60c and ram running @ 3600 and the timings where they should be at.

Nothing seems broke, but I figured I’d flash the BIOS and undated the drivers, just to do it. Pretty much ran out of the box. I install the AMD drivers for the software and a few days later a AMD chip. Seem optional. But, hey lets fix it anyways. So I get a couple diff usb device with the latest BIOS version on them and when I go to Flash I get entering bios flash, then blank screen. Tried 2 diff usb device, plug into back of mobo, switching the monitor cable on the gpu and also plug it into the mobo. Now if that’s enabling in the BIOS Idk. I heard clear the cmos, take battery out, take pc apart, lol and do this and that in the BIOS. I put the BIOS to default and that didn’t help and then my ram wouldn’t run at 3600, even when I manually changed it. But, last boot it went back to 3600. I didn’t try any other BIOS version, because I figure something should still pop up. I tried Flashing it when I first got it and had no luck. Recognize my cpu, so not sure what I would be fixing anyways.

[jeffpmaxs6]

Originally posted by Illusion of Progress:

If you're going to update at all (staying on the current one if it has no known issues that are affecting you/a risk to you is also an option), then the latest non-Beta version should be your choice. There's no reason to update but choose a less than latest one unless you have a specific reason to.

I think I’m good with my BIOS for now. It has support for my 5800x3d and a couple tweaks for it. Other updates seem more towards Win11 and something about windows installing MSI drivers. Couple security patches and something about the PCi and saving power or something. The next time I clean my PC I might clear the cmos and try to flashing the BIOS again. Or at least see if it will allow me to. Thanks again.

[Illusion of Progress]

BIOS updates usually update the AGESA version, add microcode patches (these can be done in the OS as a fallback), improve RAM or general stability, or add options.

The very latest one from the last week that mentions an updated AGESA and security is, if I had to take a guess based on timing, the one to address the "Zen Bleed" issue with Zen 2 (3000 series, mostly)? But Zen (1) and Zen 3 (your 5800X3D is Zen 3) have also had security issues identified somewhat lately (sort of everything modern did middle of this year) so it might be worth keeping tabs on considering updating, though I know you're having issues attempting to do so.

Oh, and small correction to something I said earlier, but it's F6 not F5 to reset to optimized defaults in the BIOS for these MSI motherboards. I just had to do this and noticed it (F5 brings the quick menu for RAM speeds or something it seems).

[jeffpmaxs6]

I tried one last time resetting the bios with a usb stick in the front and back. It says going into Flash mode then black screen. It’s not like I’m changing a lot of things and makes me doubt clearing the cmos will help and maybe it’s the usb stick. Only one way of finding out and sorry to leave you hanging.

I don’t think Flashing the BIOS will hurt, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to change much either. Will those patches to the ram give me more fps as less heat? Lol My gpu can reach 99%, so tweaking the ram and cpu doesn’t seem like it would do much. If I’m wrong, then I would be more eager and determine to flash the BIOS. At the same time I feel like I’m missing out and if I can go back to any BIOS I want then it won’t hurt. It’s just experimental and no rush at this point, since it’s being difficult. I might try another usb before taking the card out. I‘ll dig the post back up to update.

[Illusion of Progress]

Do you by chance have a different display, a different display cable, or different video output on the GPU/input on the display you can try?

This sounds much more like "something may be preventing M-Flash in particular from being shown" than "the feature on your particular board is broken" to me, but you never know. Id' certainly try another output/cable/display though if it were me. Chances are it's working... but not showing anything.

You could simply use the "BIOS" USB port and do it the intended blind way too if you want.

[jeffpmaxs6]

I use two monitors, so I tried them both, plus plugging them into the mobo video. I tried 2 of the 4 ports on the gpu and there’s still 2 more I could try. Lol. I did have no picture either when I got the card or the new build and I had to move the cable to the card to another slot to get the picture. Also I think while watching a video or just searching I’d lose picture and I either waited a minute or moved the cable. That was in the beginning and no biggy. So I would wonder if it’s my card and in that case would put my 980Ti in.

The blind way could have a better name. lol. I rather have two ways to Flash the BIOS and figure out what the problem is. I’m curious now. I’ll try my 980Ti and crt monitor if I have to.

[Illusion of Progress]

The 5800X3D doesn't have integrated video so the motherboard outputs won't ever get you a picture.

You could try another video card if you find it worth the effort. I would think that if you get video in BIOS, you should get video while it's doing its M-Flash thing, but... my only guess is that it's operating but not being displayed. Just seems strange your BIOS would be fine bu the M-Flash is corrupt, but that might be possible.

You always have the blind method fallback, and if you successfully flash it that way and the M-Flash still refuses to show something, then that suggests that M-Flash itself is probably fine (unlikely to be corrupt on two different flash attempts) and that the issue is just something is preventing it from being displayed.

[jeffpmaxs6]

Yeah your right the integrated video doesn’t work. Lol.

I have a USB 2- 2 gb and a USB 3- 32 gb stick. I tried pushing the flash button while the PC was running and nothing. I tried both stick pushing the button when the PC was off. The mobo blinks a few times then goes soled. It doesn’t seem like it’s doing anything. I wanted 5 minutes the first time, before I turn the PC back on.

I have a question. If you go to Flash thru the BIOS and you don’t have any USB stick plugged in will it still bring up that menu I’m not seeing?

[pasa]

BIOS have settings on primary video and usually it's set to prefer the card if present. Making the integrated "work" only if you pull the other. Then, certainly you can set it to prefer the internal.

How to operate the flash button correctly is in the manual. If you can't read manuals you better not touch it.

When you flash from inside the bios it shows you the drive with the image and you confirm the action. And instructions are pretty clearly written on the web page where you DL the image.

[Illusion of Progress]

Originally posted by jeffpmaxs6:

I have a question. If you go to Flash thru the BIOS and you don’t have any USB stick plugged in will it still bring up that menu I’m not seeing?

Yes, it should bring up your entire storage directory (at least it does for me).

[jeffpmaxs6]

Okay thanks. So I guess changing the BIOS names isn’t going to help either. Lol.

The storage directory might be there, but I get a black screen. Can I guess and push the arrow button down 1-2 times and hit Enter and cross my fingers? Lol.

I guess clearing the cmos and taking the battery out is next. I have a 3rd monitor, but it’s a crt and I’ll have to use my 980ti.

[Illusion of Progress]

I wouldn't do it blind through M-Flash.

I mean in theory, it might be relatively low risk because if it's not working, then nothing bad is likely to happen by pressing those keys, and if it's working but just not displaying video, then it should do its thing and restart automatically after (presuming you have your sequence correct).

But that's still a risk. I don't think I'd risk it blind. The "BIOS" USB port is meant for doing it blind (or for going backwards in version).

Have the PC off but plugged in (doesn't even need a CPU or RAM connected), put a FAT32 formatted USB drive the BIOS in the main directory on it, plugged into the specific USB port labeled "BIOS" (the BIOS file might need to be named a certain way too, so look up the proper procedure in the manual or online), press and hold the button above that USB port for a few seconds, and it should start doing its thing. The LED will indicate what its doing/when its done.

[jeffpmaxs6]

I tried defaults settings and taking the battery out. I would have cleared the cmos, but I wanted to be 100% sure I had the right pins. I tried a HDMI cable, UEFI/CSM and a 580 card, since IO couldn’t find my 980TI. Found the 980ti and that didn’t work either and tried 3 different monitors and the HDMI cable.

What do you mean put the BIOS in the main directory? I feel like I should being using DOS and doing something with this USB drive, besides just pasting the BIOS to it. Lol. The BIOS is the only thing on the USB drive. And it sounds like I should be getting the Flash clean directory to pop up regardless if I have a USB disk in or not. I know how to set boot priorities, but not so much making things bootable or more then pasting. It doesn’t look like it’s suppose to be anymore complicated that pasting it on the disk.

Changing the name I think is if you’re using MSI Dragon Center. Which could be for Intel for all I know. I think I give up. The PC has been trouble free, besides trying to update the BIOS. My games play fine, but now that I’m using 34” a 7900xtx would be nice. I can survive with out it though and being in the BIOS isn’t going to boost my performance, if it’s the GPU hitting 99% usage anyways. And I don’t see any boost or anything I can’t do with out it in the updates.

I’m pretty much for if it isn’t broke don’t fix it. I was more curiosity if anything and I didn’t want to leave you hanging. I gave it all I can give and then some.

Only other question is should I get a PS or Xbox. Lol.

[emoticorpse]

Is your pc a Corsair Vengeance brand one?

[jeffpmaxs6]

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

Is your pc a Corsair Vengeance brand one?

The Ram is Corsair Vengeance on a MAG B550 Tomahawk mobo.

[emoticorpse]

Originally posted by jeffpmaxs6:

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

Is your pc a Corsair Vengeance brand one?

The Ram is Corsair Vengeance on a MAG B550 Tomahawk mobo.

Oh ok, but not a pre-built never mind then.