Asus EZ flash 2 doesn't see usb I can't continue the BIOS update

Sara · 23 Jul 2016

Asus H 170 Pro is the Motherboard and I thought that is a good idea to update the bios (after that I've realised that was not)

I've copied the Bios update file (H170-PRO-ASUS-1803.cap) to a 4GB flash FAT32 and hit update. After the progress bar rich the end, I restarted following the bios update dialog.
At this point, all I have it's a black screen with the USB flash plugged in or If I remove the flash, I can access the UEFI but there is a single option: " to finnish BIOS update you have to select the same BIOS file (.cap file) again to continue updating the BIOS. "; sounds good enough but If I hit OK and choose via Storage devices option EZ doesn't see the flash.

I've read about the size of the flash and I've shrinked in cmd to 400MB formated again to FAT32 and after that I've copied the .cap file.

Unfortunately, the same result, the flash is not available using any of the USB mobo's ports.
Anyway, there is no SSD/HDD/optical drive plugged in.

Not so sure about the indicated File Path: fs0:\ where it is more exactly and if matter.
The stick should be bootable?

There is a second option using the internet but I don't have wifi and if I plug the Ethernet cable first I have to communicate the MAC to the provider (which is not possible as far as I know at this phase) in order to make it available.
Any advice? I appreciate it!

Kbird · 23 Jul 2016

Does that MB have USB Flashback? Overview say yes but specs don't include it any other info
https://www.asus.com/US/support/FAQ/1013998

There is usually a bios file on the Mboard CD which will tell you the correct naming convention for your MB to use the CAP file , you may need to rename it from the name you downloaded but Ezflash doesnt require that , at least not on my system , just the USBFlash back method.

Usually as long as it is formatted Fat32 in my experience the size does not matter , and yes it would be fs0 (file system 0) if everything else is unplugged

the USB Key just may not be compatible even if formatted correctly try a different one ,use a USB2 Key if you have one , some USB3 keys don't work at Boot, I just got a 3 pack of 8GB Verbatim-Go's that aren't seen.

sounds like you haven't built this system ? just powered the board to do the bios update ?

Asus H 170 Pro
https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards...Desk_Download/

essenbe · 23 Jul 2016

You don't copy the downloaded file, you extract it to the FAT32 formatted USB. Right click it and select extract and find the USB as the location to extract to.

If you downloaded the file from Asus for your specific board, the naming convention will be correct if done in BIOS.

If you are trying to use the port on the back of the board to flash without going to BIOS, you will have to rename the file. Your Manual should tell you what to name it.

Kbird · 23 Jul 2016

She says she was copying the .cap file to the USB Stick , so it must be already extracted , which is exactly what I do after unzipping the download with 7zip.

essenbe · 23 Jul 2016

Kbird said:

She says she was copying the .cap file to the USB Stick , so it must be already extracted , which is exactly what I do after unzipping the download with 7zip.

Yes, you can do it that way. I assumed she was copying the downloaded file, which is a .ZIP file. I just extract it straight to the USB, but your way should work just as well.

Here is the BIOS Update PDF for that board http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/...600.1466988277

Kbird · 23 Jul 2016

Handy file thanks

I've never had to use the CrashFree Bios but that should work from the DVD to or USB Key too.

https://www.asus.com/US/support/FAQ/1012219

https://www.asus.com/US/support/FAQ/103322

Use a USB2 Key if possible as I mentioned above....

Berton · 23 Jul 2016

To explain further about the use of USB 3 or USB 2, traditionally the BIOS has built-in support for Legacy USB [that needs Enabling] and that includes USB 2 ports. USB 3 needs drivers that are installed after the Operating System loads and is running.

Sara · 23 Jul 2016

First of all thank you for your feed-back.
-H170 Pro doesn't have USB Flashback but there should be CrashFree BIOS 3 utility (as far as I understand it's already builted? or something into the mobo)

-The system was up and running but I had a thought trying to solve an AMD Crimson driver problem like—why not to update the bios and all the drivers, reinstall the windows and so on? I ended up having this situation.

-In order to be sure, I'll use the USB 2 ports/sticks in the future attempts to continue the bios file installation FAT/FAT32, maybe I'll get a smaller thumb usb (no more than 1GB). Right now I am trying to use this technique (many thanks) described here on FAQ 103322 :

Recover the BIOS from the floppy disk or the USB flash disk:
1. Please download the BIOS file from ASUS official download site and rename it according to the screenshot illustrated in the manual under CrashFree BIOS 3 section. For example, please rename M3N78-EM BIOS to "M3N78EM.ROM", and copy the BIOS file to the floppy disk or the USB flash disk.
2. Insert the floppy disk into the floppy disk drive or the USB flash disk to the USB port.
3. After CrashFree BIOS 3 starts working, you will hear 2 short "beeps" sound indicating that the BIOS file is recognized. If you hear 5 short "beeps", it mean no BIOS file is found. Please check the floppy disk or the USB flash disk as well as the devices.
4. After hearing 2 short beeps, please wait 4 minutes for the CrashFree BIOS 3 operation to complete.
5. Restart your system.

Unfortunately, this motherboard doesn't have any signal generator and I just hope and pray that this will work somehow.
These are the screenshots.

Kbird · 23 Jul 2016

HI I have Fat32 4GB, 8GB and 16GB Keys and they all work . I can even use my card reader with an old SD Card formatted Fat32 , so my guess is that the particular drive you have just isn't seen for some reason , same as the 3 Verbatim GO drives I just purchased.

I have even made a folder called Bios on C:\ drive ( SSD) and copied the extracted zip file into it and installed from there before.

The beeps are made by the Case Speaker which must be connected to the 4 Pins in the 20 pin Quick link area ,where you connect the Case Pwr switch and Reset button.

To use CrashFree , the file on the USB must be named EXACTLY the same as the CAP file on the CD that came with the Motherboard or CrashFree Wont see it , in fact you can use the CD and CRASHFree is supposed to see it too at boot , once booted with that bios you can try loading the new one (1803) again , I would download it again incase it is corrupt and it is what lead to this problem originally.

***edit quick look in the manual says the file should be called H170P.CAP

on pg37 of 87

Sara · 23 Jul 2016

Thanks, I'll try that before the last option (to remove the mobo's battery and do try to solve things from there); not so sure how to check the filename on that CD because first I have to rich the DOS section to do that, am I right?

The case doesn't have a speaker. The last motherboard was with onboard buzzer as far as I can see (DP35DP). I'll try to buy ne these days it's pretty useful.

By the way, I have 2 thumb sticks 32GB and 4GB both formated FAT and FAT32 in the previous tests.
I'll download again the BIOS file to eliminate this corrupt file possible cause too.

Regarding the filename, yep I saw that too but on the other hand, in this table my mobo is missing that's why I've made some tests using both files (as is and renamed with that tool BRenamer)