BIOS
Intro:
Posts here should include discussions of any hardware or software relating to the BIOS.
The BIOS is nearing extinction. This is not good news for retro OS compatibility in the future. When full UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) begins and the BIOS CSM (Compatibility Support Module) no longer exists it will mean the end of booting to DOS which includes every Windows up to Windows 10 for all 32-Bit versions and including XP/2003 64-Bit versions. Vista 64-Bit SP1 and later such as Windows 7-10 64-Bit versions will work. This effort is lead by Intel to kill the legacy BIOS off by 2022. When this happens running legacy operating systems on modern hardware may no longer be possible or done natively. 16-Bit applications may no longer be possible. Hopefully Intel is intelligent enough and motherboard manufacturers understand their consumer wants motherboards that still contain the BIOS for legacy support. If motherboard manufacturers completely abandon the BIOS and go pure UEFI it will be the end of the road and hopefully others will revolt by abstaining from purchasing these UEFI only motherboards putting a dent into their profits and hopefully reversing the course.
There isn’t any significant advantage to drop the BIOS since it can run DOS through Windows 10 without a problem even on Coffee Lake. It’s all about profits and they want to get rid of the BIOS so they don’t have to test for compatibility and can claim better security as the only incentive. If a compromise could be achieved it would be making a motherboard that has dual BIOS sockets one for pure BIOS or UEFI/CSM and another for pure UEFI that is selectable by a switch. I don’t see motherboard manufacturers making two separate motherboards specifically for BIOS and UEFI models. Another plan could be forcing UEFI only for server class motherboards of X499+ where it makes more sense if they need the security. Consumer motherboards as long as backward compatibility and retro nostalgia are still around will be a strong force of support for the old legacy BIOS to remain.
Please read the RULES here before posting.
Retro Hardware and Software Topic Rules
AsRock Motherboard BIOS Error Codes
[Z68]
CPU installed
No installed memory
53
CPU installed or CPU Microcode Not Supported - Needs Updated BIOS Version
Can’t Boot - Bad Memory Module detected
55
Display Output not working - Integrated Intel HD Graphics not functional
d6->A9
Instant Flash - Auto BIOS FILE search and Flash process - using F6 at Power On
A9
BIOS Menu - Display Output working
Ab
Wrong Chipset BIOS - Swapped Z77 BIOS into Z68 Motherboard
29
Typical Flashed BIOS still not working - Reboot - Tapping F6 to Trigger Instant Flash
Verify Error: FFC789D0 = 32
4F
59
20
Only F6 method allows Hot BIOS Flashing, otherwise if inside main BIOS Menu, removing the BIOS causing it a possible freeze as if it’s still accessing the BIOS. The F6 method seems to not need the BIOS present.
Flashing BIOS
64
Flashing BIOS to newer version
b6
Intel’s Management Engine Versions as it relates to chipsets:
[ME Version 7]
Z68 v1.10
Full size: 3F0000h (4128768)
Management Engine Version: 7.1.10.1065
[ME Version 8]
Z68 v2.20
Full size: 3F0000h (4128768)
Management Engine Version: 8.0.2.1410
Z77 v1.00
Full size: 1FF000h (2093056)
Management Engine Version: 8.0.2.1410
Z77 v1.70
Full size: 1FF000h (2093056)
Management Engine Version: 8.1.0.1248
[ME Version 9]
Z87 v1.00
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 9.0.2.1345
Z87 v2.10
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 9.1.2.1010
Z97 v1.30
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 9.1.2.1010
Z97 v2.50
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 9.1.2.1010
Z97 v2.60
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 9.1.25.1005
[ME Version 11]
Z170 v1.00
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.0.0.1168
Z170 v7.30 - Digital PWM - 12 Power Phase design - Fatal1ty Z170 Professional Gaming i7
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.6.0.1126
Z170 v7.50
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.8.50.3425
Z270 v1.10 - Digital PWM - 12 Power Phase design - Fatal1ty Z270 Professional Gaming i7
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.6.0.1126
Z270 v2.30
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.8.50.3425
Z370 v1.10 - i5-8400 Coffee Lake Hexacore Digital PWM - 12 Power Phase design - Fatal1ty Z370 Professional Gaming i7
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.7.4.3314
Z370 v1.70
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.8.50.3425
Z370 v3.10
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.8.50.3470
Z370 v3.20 - i9-9900K Coffee Lake Octacore - Digital PWM 12 Power Phase design - Fatal1ty Z370 Professional Gaming i7
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.8.50.3470
Z370 v3.30
Full size: 1FD000h (2084864)
Management Engine Version: 11.8.55.3510
Z390 v1.10 - 10 Power Phase Design - Z390 Phantom Gaming 4
Full size: 2FD000h (3133440)
Management Engine Version: 12.0.6.1120
Z390 v1.20
Full size: 2FD000h (3133440)
Management Engine Version: 12.0.8.1123
Z390 v1.10 - Digital PWM, 12 Power Phase - Z390 Phantom Gaming 6
Full size: 2FD000h (3133440)
Management Engine Version: 12.0.8.1123
Z390 v1.30
Full size: 2FD000h (3133440)
Management Engine Version: 12.0.8.1123
Z470
Extract your own ME version using this program and opening your BIOS file:
https://github.com/LongSoft/UEFITool/rel…25.1_win32.zip