Help with flashing bios 16MB problem

[Mazer]

I currently have a b360 a-pro trying to upgrade the bios, the problem is I can't flash the new bios no matter how I try it says the ROM size doesn't match the bios that I have but they are both the same size 16MB, tried to download a older bios from the list and it doesn't flash either Couple of things I tried: Renaming the bios file doesn't work, Used a different flash drive still doesn't work, removed and replaced cmos battery still nothing. The reason I need to update is because the one I have now from 2018 is a beta bios and it's causing boot problems where it gets the priority all mixed up upon restarting.

 

[VuurVOS]

I currently have a b360 a-pro trying to upgrade the bios, the problem is I can't flash the new bios no matter how I try it says the ROM size doesn't match the bios that I have but they are both the same size 16MB, tried to download a older bios from the list and it doesn't flash either Couple of things I tried: Renaming the bios file doesn't work, Used a different flash drive still doesn't work, removed and replaced cmos battery still nothing. The reason I need to update is because the one I have now from 2018 is a beta bios and it's causing boot problems where it gets the priority all mixed up upon restarting.

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Why aren't you using m-flash?

 

[Mazer]

M-flash doesn't work with it nothing pops up in the usb flash drive I have 4 all show nothing up even though it's on the flash drives.

 

[VuurVOS]

M-flash doesn't work with it nothing pops up in the usb flash drive I have 4 all show nothing up even though it's on the flash drives.

How large is the usb drive? Do you have a smaller drive? Is the filesystem on the drive FAT32?

 

[Mazer]

How large is the usb drive? Do you have a smaller drive? Is the filesystem on the drive FAT32?

two of them are 8gb and two 32g. Yes formatted to FAT32.

 

[VuurVOS]

It seems your motherboard is/was part of a prebuild (PowerSpec G223):

MSI Global English Forum

...

forum-en.msi.com

The reason the bios file isn't displayed by M-Flash is that the file name isn't matching.
You can try to rename E7B22IMS.240 to E7B22IZ1.240 at your own risk.

 

[Mazer]

I hate OEM boards so much you have no idea, this is the reason why it's always a toss if it works after flashing it or not...

Thanks @VuurVOS

Edit: The renaming didn't work either.

 

[VuurVOS]

I hate OEM boards so much you have no idea, this is the reason why it's always a toss if it works after flashing it or not...

Thanks @VuurVOS

I hope renaming the bios file will work for you when using M-Flash.

 

[Mazer]

Do you know why it's complaining about the size of the bios not being the same size of the update bios?

 

[Solaris17]

Do you know why it's complaining about the size of the bios not being the same size of the update bios?

OEMs generally customize the verification so normal BIOSs sometimes do not function.

 

[VuurVOS]

Do you know why it's complaining about the size of the bios not being the same size of the update bios?

Does it complain in M-FLASH about the size as well? Can you make a screenshot/photo?

When you put the orginal E7B22IZ1.2M4 on the usb stick, is it visible in in M-FLASH?
If it is visible, can you rename E7B22IMS.240 as E7B22IZ1.2M5 and put it on the usb stick and try again?

Can you also share a screenshot of the content of the USB stick?

 

[Night]

Can you post a photo of the currently installed BIOS version?
I would also try formatting the USB stick again (FAT32), and including nothing else except the BIOS file before flashing.

Also, are you sure that your motherboard is indeed MSI B360-A-PRO? https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B360-A-PRO/Specification
That is probably the only thing that would explain to me why it's reporting that the BIOS filesize doesn't match.

 

[Mazer]

Does it complain in M-FLASH about the size as well? Can you make a screenshot/photo?

When you put the orginal E7B22IZ1.2M4 on the usb stick, is it visible in in M-FLASH?
If it is visible, can you rename E7B22IMS.240 as E7B22IZ1.2M5 and put it on the usb stick and try again?

Can you also share a screenshot of the content of the USB stick?

It shows up with the original name but not when it's renamed

Can you post a photo of the currently installed BIOS version?
I would also try formatting the USB stick again (FAT32), and including nothing else except the BIOS file before flashing.

Also, are you sure that your motherboard is indeed MSI B360-A-PRO? https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B360-A-PRO/Specification
That is probably the only thing that would explain to me why it's reporting that the BIOS filesize doesn't match.

If it's any help I got the bios file if I could upload it...

 

[Assimilator]

There is zero chance of an OEM board accepting a standard BIOS flash. Contact the OEM.

 

[VuurVOS]

It shows up with the original name but not when it's renamed

I just tested with my MSI B350 Tomahawk and "tried" to crossflash it to a MSI B350 PC Mate. M-Flash was able to detect the file which has the bios content of the MSI B350 PC Mate.
See this video with explanation:

Please make a screenshot of the usb stick since I really think the file is not properly named.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

Using m-flash, put the new bios file without a rename to the C: drive. Right to the C:, not in a folder.

Select m-flash, the pc should restart into m-flash mode. Select the new file from the C: drive and continue with the flash.

I do this exact procedure for both Asus and MSI boards.

It won't matter if it's an OEM board, you just need the bios file from the OEM manufacturer.

GL!

 

[VuurVOS]

Using m-flash, put the new bios file without a rename to the C: drive. Right to the C:, not in a folder.

Select m-flash, the pc should restart into m-flash mode. Select the new file from the C: drive and continue with the flash.

I do this exact procedure for both Asus and MSI boards.

It won't matter if it's an OEM board, you just need the bios file from the OEM manufacturer.

GL!

It seems you dont understand the reason behind the crossflash.

Mazer already have the latest bios which can be found on the internet (MSI forum). On the website of PowerSpec they dont provide any bios updates at all.
E7B22IZ1.2M4 is more than 5 years old while MSI themselves supported the same board until last year.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

It seems you dont understand the reason behind the crossflash.

Mazer already have the latest bios which can be found on the internet (MSI forum). On the website of PowerSpec they dont provide any bios updates at all.
E7B22IZ1.2M4 is more than 5 years old while MSI themselves supported the same board until last year.

Then it's not the same board.

He'll need to crossflash with a programmer, it won't flash with software.

GL!

 

[Mazer]

I can take more pictures of the board it's in my PC might be little dark, but it's the exact same looking board it even says msi b360 a-pro on it.

I do have a cha program thingy since I bricked a amd board years ago but I forgot how to use it it's been awhile lol.

 

[VuurVOS]

Then it's not the same board.

I would say, that is your assumption? Physical it should be the same board since it shares the same board ID (MS-7B22). It is just not supported by MSI due the custom bios.

He'll need to crossflash with a programmer, it won't flash with software.

I dont think a programmer is needed. I could even display PowerSpec bios (E7B22IZ1.2M4) with the adjusted name (E7A34AMS.1R1) in M-FLASH on my MSI B350 Tomahawk board.
It should be a naming issue for M-FLASH

 

[ShrimpBrime]

I would say, that is your assumption? Physical it should be the same board since it shares the same board ID (MS-7B22). It is just not supported by MSI due the custom bios.


I dont think a programmer is needed. I could even display PowerSpec bios (E7B22IZ1.2M4) with the adjusted name (E7A34AMS.1R1) in M-FLASH on my MSI B350 Tomahawk board.
It should be a naming issue for M-FLASH

Not sure about "naming issue".

Have never, not once, ever, needed to rename a bios. And I don't even know why cause everyone else makes this common practice.

If he didn't need a programmer, he'd already have this flashed and wouldn't need this help thread.

That is my assumption.

GL!

 

[Mazer]

I just tested with my MSI B350 Tomahawk and "tried" to crossflash it to a MSI B350 PC Mate. M-Flash was able to detect the file which has the bios content of the MSI B350 PC Mate.
See this video with explanation:

Please make a screenshot of the usb stick since I really think the file is not properly named.

I will try this again and post pics when I get home

@VuurVOS Like this?

 

[VuurVOS]

I will try this again and post pics when I get home

@VuurVOS Like this?

It looks good, M-FLASH should display this file. Can you confirm there is no double file extension like E7B22IZ1.2M5.2M5?

 

[Mazer]

Can you confirm there is no double file extension like E7B22IZ1.2M5.2M5?

@VuurVOS Alright sorry for another delay as I am nervous doing this, I needed to ask about using a programmer CH341A would it be okay to use this in case it bricks the motherboard it's the one I have somewhere need to find it.

https://www.amazon.com/SMAKN-Programmer-CH341A-Burner-EEPROM/dp/B013Q5P3ES

 

[VuurVOS]

@VuurVOS Alright sorry for another delay as I am nervous doing this, I needed to ask about using a programmer CH341A would it be okay to use this in case it bricks the motherboard it's the one I have somewhere need to find it.

https://www.amazon.com/SMAKN-Programmer-CH341A-Burner-EEPROM/dp/B013Q5P3ES

I understand that it might go wrong. You need to buy a 1.8V adapter as well or you must buy a CH341A programmer version 1.7 separately which support multiple output voltages

CH341A programmer (old version) kit with 1.8V adapter, 8SOC Clip

https://www.amazon.com/MELIFE-EEPROM-Adapter-Programmer-Module/dp/B091Y7QSJJ

CH341A programmer version 1.7 only:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805548211365.html

It is wise to make a dump of the DMIData. If the motherboard is bricked after the flash, you still need to restore parts of the DMIData. DMIData is used by Windows activation.
You can download DMIEdit from here. It also explains how to use it: https://support.ctouch.eu/hc/en-us/articles/360000645679-GUID-UUID-TOOL

I recommend to make a backup of DMIData first before flashing. Just start "run_me.exe" and "Save All" to a file.