Random computer freezes after updating BIOS to 1602 on Maximus X (wi-fi)

[JohnJohn222]

I was having some issues with 1602 Bios also. Was getting random freezing shortly after the update. I didnt change anything other than the bios flash. I didnt see any codes or anything else. Just freezing while playing a game sometimes, or a video. Sometimes audio would still come through. Every once in a while just the mouse would freeze as well. I went through usual TS steps. Power settings, re seat memory, I only have two sticks so I dont know about any issues if I populated all four. No idea what the problem was but I think I might be cured now. I re-installed some drivers, and increased my v core. Havent had any issues since then. Its been about two days. Standing by for it to hit again. Ive seen a few people having issues with the 1602 Bios. Anyone reading this that hasnt updated yet I would recommend waiting a little bit to do so.

[Phillyflyer]

What bios version did you upgrade from?..Bios 1602 may be buggy for some versions of boards and may work well with others causing no issues at all...Personally myself I have had to make minor adjustments through each bios update from bios 802 onward...one of those was upping the VCore as well... 0.005 to maintain a stable overclock.....that may be to the small degrading of chip...or the bios itself since that bios is in preparation for 9th gen cpu....dunno yet until I downgrade back to bios 1503 that I still have on usb with saved settings.
If you have not made any hardware change since the flash....suggest you clear cmos and reapply your same settings....prior to upping your Vcore...if issue still persists...then try upping the Vcore just a small amount....The new ME firmware with that bios 1602 may have had an affect on with how the SPD is being read as well...again...not 100% sure...so...you may need to make small adjustments to the SA /IO voltages.

[Mr. Fox]

What bios version did you upgrade from?..Bios 1602 may be buggy for some versions of boards and may work well with others causing no issues at all...Personally myself I have had to make minor adjustments through each bios update from bios 802 onward...one of those was upping the VCore as well... 0.005 to maintain a stable overclock.....that may be to the small degrading of chip...or the bios itself since that bios is in preparation for 9th gen cpu....dunno yet until I downgrade back to bios 1503 that I still have on usb with saved settings.
If you have not made any hardware change since the flash....suggest you clear cmos and reapply your same settings....prior to upping your Vcore...if issue still persists...then try upping the Vcore just a small amount....The new ME firmware with that bios 1602 may have had an affect on with how the SPD is being read as well...again...not 100% sure...so...you may need to make small adjustments to the SA /IO voltages.

That's really good advice. I had to make minor changes to overclock settings for the CPU as well with each BIOS update. I skipped the BIOS before 1602.

I was having some issues with 1602 Bios also. Was getting random freezing shortly after the update. I didnt change anything other than the bios flash. I didnt see any codes or anything else. Just freezing while playing a game sometimes, or a video. Sometimes audio would still come through. Every once in a while just the mouse would freeze as well. I went through usual TS steps. Power settings, re seat memory, I only have two sticks so I dont know about any issues if I populated all four. No idea what the problem was but I think I might be cured now. I re-installed some drivers, and increased my v core. Havent had any issues since then. Its been about two days. Standing by for it to hit again. Ive seen a few people having issues with the 1602 Bios. Anyone reading this that hasnt updated yet I would recommend waiting a little bit to do so.

I am one of them. It affected my ability to use all four sticks of my RAM. It runs 100% stable as long as only two are installed, and replacing the RAM under warranty didn't change anything. I am still working with ASUS to get it resolved. I think your suggestion to anyone that hasn't flashed it yet to avoid doing so is good advice.

Are you running it stock with BIOS defaults? If so, you should not be experiencing those issues. BIOS defaults generally gives the CPU far more voltage than it needs and it should be totally stable running stock with BIOS defaults.

If you are using custom overclock settings, the previous value might no longer be proper for the new firmware, so I would follow the advice above from Brother @Phillyflyer and bump your voltage a bit and see if it straightens out. The random freeze issues sounds like what one would typically encounter with voltage being too low. It could be quite a few other things not related to the BIOS, but if the only thing that changed is flashing 1602, it's not likely to be a problem unrelated to the BIOS version change.

[XYchromosone]

Yes, I agree with you. Sorry, I did not realize you were not replying to my post.

It is possible there is ME corruption. There could also be something about the ME that requires a change for the new 9-series processors that is not understood. Fortunately, my system still works excellent with only two RAM slots filled. It's just a bummer I cannot use all four sticks of my RAM until this gets sorted.

If you think it might be an ME problem there is a newer version of the ME firmware that you can try to flash your mobo. If you are unfamiliar with flashing the ME it is fairly straightforward and fool proof using the right tools. The latest version of ME firmware is 11.8.55.3510 where as BIOS v 1602 updates the ME to v11.8.50.3470.

For all the information you need, including the tool [FWUpdLcl64.exe] and firmware file go to win-raid;
https://www.win-raid.com/t596f39-Int...tem-Tools.html

The first post to the above thread provides information and the firmware flashing / FW Info etc. tools [use "Intel CSME System Tools v11 r14" ] including the FW file [use "Intel CSME 11.8 Consumer PCH-H Firmware v11.8.55.3510"] for Z370.

I have updated my ME to v11.8.55.3510 and my Max x Hero works fine, although I do not run 4 sticks of DRAM, so I can not help you there. Good luck.

[Phillyflyer]

If you think it might be an ME problem there is a newer version of the ME firmware that you can try to flash your mobo. If you are unfamiliar with flashing the ME it is fairly straightforward and fool proof using the right tools. The latest version of ME firmware is 11.8.55.3510 where as BIOS v 1602 updates the ME to v11.8.50.3470.

For all the information you need, including the tool [FWUpdLcl64.exe] and firmware file go to win-raid;
https://www.win-raid.com/t596f39-Int...tem-Tools.html

The first post to the above thread provides information and the firmware flashing / FW Info etc. tools [use "Intel CSME System Tools v11 r14" ] including the FW file [use "Intel CSME 11.8 Consumer PCH-H Firmware v11.8.55.3510"] for Z370.

I have updated my ME to v11.8.55.3510 and my Max x Hero works fine, although I do not run 4 sticks of DRAM, so I can not help you there. Good luck.

XYchromosone......I've been actually debating flashing the ME Firmware myself for a couple of weeks now from same link as you posted....last time I did was on the X79 chipset with a dual bios chip...virtually fool proof...any issues...could copy bios to bios....have tested all bios versions....only 2 that seem stable are 1003 and 1503...currently back to 1003 but with new ME Firmware version V11.8.50.3470..may try and flash V11.8.55.3510 on bios 1003.