Asus X99-E WS "b1" Error Code

[MoonPig]

Hey,

Recently bought a Asus X99-E WS motherboard with a Intel Xeon E5-2680V4 and 8x 16GB DDR4. Every time I boot the device I'm getting a "b1" error code on the motherboard. I've tried different PSUs, removing all USB etc device that aren't needed (literally only have PSU, DP cable and a USB keyboard attached), cleared CMOS, tried one stick at a time but can't pass the "b1" error code.

I don't have a spare stick of non-ECC DDR4 to test with but can only see that as the final option. Is there anything else I'm missing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Shou Miko]

Are you sure it's b1 and not 61?

61 = NVRAM Initialization
B1 = Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP End

Manual and debug codes / Q-Code table starts on page 39
Link: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/Socket2011-R3/X99-E_WS/Manual/E13676_X99-E_WS_UM_V4_WEB.pdf?model=x99-e ws

 

[MoonPig]

Ah, I think you're right. Clear CMOS doesn't seem to help the issue so would I need to look at flashing the BIOS? Is that even possible when the build doesn't even POST? (One thread relating to the "61" error code on google says their build takes over 20 mins to boot)

 

[Shou Miko]

Ah, I think you're right. Clear CMOS doesn't seem to help the issue so would I need to look at flashing the BIOS? Is that even possible when the build doesn't even POST? (One thread relating to the "61" error code on google says their build takes over 20 mins to boot)

It is possible that motherboards that doens't have the supported bios won't post sometimes you can be lucky it posts and shows Intel Unknown CPU.

For the Asus X99-E WS to run the Intel Xeon E5-2680V4 you need bios version 3004 when I look at the CPU support list: https://www.asus.com/uk/supportonly/x99-e ws/helpdesk_cpu/

The newest bios is version 4001 so if there ain't anything specific you need in a older bios update to the latest version and see if it helps.

Bios link: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/Socket2011-R3/X99-E_WS/BIOS/X99-E-WS-ASUS-4001.zip?model=x99-e ws
Bios & Firmware page: https://www.asus.com/uk/supportonly/x99-e ws/helpdesk_bios/

 

[MoonPig]

I've popped the 4001 BIOS onto a USB and left the comp idling for 40 mins, no signal on the monitor and it's just sat at "61" code on the motherboard. How can I flash the BIOS given this state?

 

[Shou Miko]

I've popped the 4001 BIOS onto a USB and left the comp idling for 40 mins, no signal on the monitor and it's just sat at "61" code on the motherboard. How can I flash the BIOS given this state?

Sorry for my late answer just got home, you need a supported CPU because the Asus X99-E WS doesn't have bios flashback as far as I can see on the product page.

So see if a friend or a local shop can help you out looks like you need a cpu like the Core i7-5820K or Xeon E5-1620 v3 which has been supported since bios version 0413 then you should be sure it can boot if the motherboard works.

Intel only lists ECC ram for the Xeon E5-2680V4 but non-ecc should work fine too.

 

[johnnypop]

Hi there
I have at home old X79 extreme11 fried bios in the past and now also had a problem with 4930k when it got released. It wasn't supported by bios so now I've got a few chips around original betas, and modded with updated roms and NVMe boot support. If you cannot get the CPU to do a bios flash you can order bios on ebay and tell the seller what version you want, I just had a look they are still there however I'm not sure if bios on your easy swap like mine pull with tweezers or soldered to the mobo. Either way should be an easy fix. Also before all that I would try removing cmos battery cmos reset, unplug pc from any power for a few mins, and try to boot without battery, giving it some time, as far as I can remember it used to be common on the platforms x79/x99.
Next thing I would ask is what GPU you have there? 3000 series had an issues booting on the older platforms like x79/x99.
Don't know why but when used x79extreme11 with 3080 12gb with bclk OC other than 100 or 125mhz I've got 61 and before it worked no problem with 1080 at 114.7 bclk, asus and asrock have almost the same debug codes. Coming back to 3080 when I had to do any changes in pc that included changes in pci-e slots wouldn't boot for 3-4 times

 

[Shou Miko]

Hi there
I have at home old X79 extreme11 fried bios in the past and now also had a problem with 4930k when it got released. It wasn't supported by bios so now I've got a few chips around original betas, and modded with updated roms and NVMe boot support. If you cannot get the CPU to do a bios flash you can order bios on ebay and tell the seller what version you want, I just had a look they are still there however I'm not sure if bios on your easy swap like mine pull with tweezers or soldered to the mobo. Either way should be an easy fix. Also before all that I would try removing cmos battery cmos reset, unplug pc from any power for a few mins, and try to boot without battery, giving it some time, as far as I can remember it used to be common on the platforms x79/x99.
Next thing I would ask is what GPU you have there? 3000 series had an issues booting on the older platforms like x79/x99.
Don't know why but when used x79extreme11 with 3080 12gb with bclk OC other than 100 or 125mhz I've got 61 and before it worked no problem with 1080 at 114.7 bclk, asus and asrock have almost the same debug codes. Coming back to 3080 when I had to do any changes in pc that included changes in pci-e slots wouldn't boot for 3-4 times

It doesn't look like on Asus' photo of the X99-E WS it has swapable bioses I wish it was a feature that came back so when a bios or chip goes bad you can just put a new chip in with the bios and you are up and running again but like debug led, post reader it's features that's too expensive until on 500USD boards.

 

[johnnypop]

It doesn't look like on Asus' photo of the X99-E WS it has swapable bioses I wish it was a feature that came back so when a bios or chip goes bad you can just put a new chip in with the bios and you are up and running again but like debug led, post reader it's features that's too expensive until on 500USD boards.

Yep it does have if the photo on ASUS website is actual I guess user would be lucky ! They are on ebay I think fella from Netherlands sells them postage is quick (UK)
Looked close it looks exactly as mine the bios chip, also I think I used x99 bios to extract NVMe driver and instered it to my x79

 

[MoonPig]

Sorry for my late answer just got home, you need a supported CPU because the Asus X99-E WS doesn't have bios flashback as far as I can see on the product page.

So see if a friend or a local shop can help you out looks like you need a cpu like the Core i7-5820K or Xeon E5-1620 v3 which has been supported since bios version 0413 then you should be sure it can boot if the motherboard works.

Intel only lists ECC ram for the Xeon E5-2680V4 but non-ecc should work fine too.

The cpu/mobo/ram were purchased from a seller on eBay as pulled working so i'd assume the BIOS was updated to run the CPU. I've been in touch with the seller since and they seem helpful so guessing it wasn't purposefully sold broken.

Also before all that I would try removing cmos battery cmos reset, unplug pc from any power for a few mins, and try to boot without battery, giving it some time, as far as I can remember it used to be common on the platforms x79/x99.

I'll give that a go and see if it works.

Yep it does have if the photo on ASUS website is actual I guess user would be lucky ! They are on ebay I think fella from Netherlands sells them postage is quick (UK)
Looked close it looks exactly as mine the bios chip, also I think I used x99 bios to extract NVMe driver and instered it to my x79

Are we looking at the chip inbetween PCI-E 2 & 3?

Is it worth getting a E5-2640 (Can get one delivered for £5.91) and one stick of DDR4 (again cheap) to test with?

 

[johnnypop]

Are we looking at the chip inbetween PCI-E 2 & 3?

Yes exactly bit odd place to put it but I'm pretty sure that is it, mine is on the other side close to ram slots and above the chipset.
Also I've read all the posts again and if still does not work I would try with single stick in A1 slot it it works then rest B1 C1 D1 needs to be tested just with 4 sticks, lastly when motherboard is so packed with components its easy to miss very simple things like one module not fully inserted, it happen to me and it was so easy to miss. Also I've looked on the photos again, all the memory stick are the same ? The one on the right I think A1 looks slightly different than others. Lastly I would recheck all the power connectors I guess that would be 2x 8pin above CPU and motherboard 24pin. When motherboard is packed with features tightly its easy to miss the simplest things at times, I missed many times while modding my x79extreme11. And if nothing of this works I would take take CPU out and look for potentially bent pins, with the heavy coolers cpu could move a bit and bent some pins, happen to me too, needle and magnifying glass to repair if its only few, but very odd if it worked for the seller and it does not for you.

 

[MoonPig]

I've removed the CMOS battery, cleared it, unplugged, booted without and it's the same.

Yes exactly bit odd place to put it but I'm pretty sure that is it, mine is on the other side close to ram slots and above the chipset.

Looks like it might be removeable but I can't see why the BIOS wouldn't be the 4001 (or something recent enough to work with the E5-2680) when it was "pulled working".

 

[johnnypop]

Looks like it might be removeable but I can't see why the BIOS wouldn't be the 4001 (or something recent enough to work with the E5-2680) when it was "pulled working".

Totally agree here, if it worked before why not now.... just edited my previous post, had some more ideas in the head, x79 and x99 used to be my area a decade ago

 

[eidairaman1]

I've popped the 4001 BIOS onto a USB and left the comp idling for 40 mins, no signal on the monitor and it's just sat at "61" code on the motherboard. How can I flash the BIOS given this state?

Take the nvram out

X99-E WS - Support

www.asus.com

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/Socket2011-R3/X99-E_WS/BIOS/X99-E-WS-ASUS-4001.zip?model=x99-e%20ws

 

[Toothless]

I've removed the CMOS battery, cleared it, unplugged, booted without and it's the same.



Looks like it might be removeable but I can't see why the BIOS wouldn't be the 4001 (or something recent enough to work with the E5-2680) when it was "pulled working".

Pulled working doesn't mean updated. I've gotten boards off eBay with old bios versions since they never needed to update. Sellers aren't there to care about buyers.

 

[eidairaman1]

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/Socket2011-R3/X99-E_WS/BIOS/X99-E-WS-ASUS-4001.zip?model=x99-e%20ws

Pulled working doesn't mean updated. I've gotten boards off eBay with old bios versions since they never needed to update. Sellers aren't there to care about buyers.

Yup happened to me with a modem out of tennessee. After getting no response from him after buying it I got ebay involved, then suddenly a day later I get a shipping date, once i got it and tested it, was failing I called him out on it and he sent full amount back because he knew if he didnt I would get ebay involved again. I bought 1 from italy that was an upgrade actually from the 1 i was sent from tennessee, It arrived in perfect shape.

 

[johnnypop]

They have their rep to lose and might get you money back, if was sent as bundle it should be working.
Last thing that comes to me is if the motherboard bundle was working and it is not now, what was the only change ? The cooler has been taken of for shipping, getting it back on could be the problem too, 2011 socket is big and tightening cooler wrongly could move the CPU slightly.
Coming back to bios it supports 2680 v4 since 3004 ans 2680v3 since 0401 by the website.

 

[eidairaman1]

They have their rep to lose and might get you money back, if was sent as bundle it should be working.
Last thing that comes to me is if the motherboard bundle was working and it is not now, what was the only change ? The cooler has been taken of for shipping, getting it back on could be the problem too, 2011 socket is big and tightening cooler wrongly could move the CPU slightly.

Too many negatives on said sites can actually get them banned and i believe it is even at the isp level

 

[johnnypop]

Too many negatives on said sites can actually get them banned and i believe it is even at the isp level

yep I've just had to do one negative after 700+ positives sellers selling samsung ssd evo 870 with chinese chip inside after reporting counter freight seller was gone for a while

 

[eidairaman1]

yep I've just had to do one negative after 700+ positives sellers selling samsung ssd evo 870 with chinese chip inside after reporting counter freight seller was gone for a while

Yeah the guy in tennessee had nothing but positive and that negative review knocked him down to 85%

It 's known as don't awaken the beast in me, you won't like it.

 

[MoonPig]

Sorry for the late reply guys, work's been crazy.

I've messaged the seller asking if they know the current BIOS version. I'm thinking I might just grab a E5-1620 for £6 posted and use it to test with. Before that though, is it worth trying to reseat the CPU? I completely forgot about the issues poor seating caused.

 

[Toothless]

Sorry for the late reply guys, work's been crazy.

I've messaged the seller asking if they know the current BIOS version. I'm thinking I might just grab a E5-1620 for £6 posted and use it to test with. Before that though, is it worth trying to reseat the CPU? I completely forgot about the issues poor seating caused.

Worth a shot as long as you don't kill the pins. I hope you mean 1620v3/v4

 

[johnnypop]

Yeah the pins on x79/x99 are a pain.... expensive platform but the socket 2011 is easy to damage, probably due to size of the cpu's, socket itself and almost twice as many pins compared to other boards in that time. Hopefully you get it sorted, but from my experience if it bios then having another chip around won't hurt, from my experience once pc froze and would not post up at all without any debug code or beeps. Not even asrock support had any idea so I bought another cpu and the mobo and after all this it turned out it was just a bios chip fried now over a decade my ASRock X79 Extreme11 still lives OC'd to max, and got to say ASRock support is or was great coz years after the chipset fan died, and ASRock provided another ones after warranty free of charge.

 

[MoonPig]

Just got round to testing this again, family stuff got in the way.

I got a new BIOS chip delivered however we seem to have developed a new problem. Popped the new chip in and now the board lights up for a second and turns straight off. Proceeded to burn my thumb on the BIOS. Quick googled suggested it was the wrong way round - swapped it and still the same - turns off instantly. Put the old chip back in and it's turning off the same.

I do have another PSU but it's in a build so i'm getting round to testing that.

The board has 2x 8pin CPU. There's no labelling for which would be "primary" - does this matter? I've tried it in both every step of the way and it doesn't seem to change anything.

Starting to lean towards the board dying....

 

[Shou Miko]

Just got round to testing this again, family stuff got in the way.

I got a new BIOS chip delivered however we seem to have developed a new problem. Popped the new chip in and now the board lights up for a second and turns straight off. Proceeded to burn my thumb on the BIOS. Quick googled suggested it was the wrong way round - swapped it and still the same - turns off instantly. Put the old chip back in and it's turning off the same.

I do have another PSU but it's in a build so i'm getting round to testing that.

The board has 2x 8pin CPU. There's no labelling for which would be "primary" - does this matter? I've tried it in both every step of the way and it doesn't seem to change anything.

Starting to lean towards the board dying....

The once to the left is the primary 2x8pins according to the manual