Problems updating BIOS GA-890GPA-UD3H (Ver 2.1)

[furtive_hunter]

Hi,

I have GA-890GPA-UD3H (Ver. 2.1), and I tried to update BIOS to "FGF" version. Unfortunately I cannot install it.
The mother doesn´t start, and return to previos BIOS.

This one is an important update to those who has a bulldozer in mind, because it add AM3+ CPU support.

Anyone has the same problem, or has arrived to a solution??

[absic]

Hi there,

I have not come across this myself and am wondering how did you try to update the BIOS?  Did you try with the @BIOS software or the QFlash Utility?

I would suggest that you download the BIOS Update again, just in case there was an error in your previous download from here: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3516&dl=1#bios and try updating using the QFlash Utility.

If you tried that method before, then there may be an issue due to the size of the BIOS file being a little smaller than previous versions and you may do better trying to run the update with @BIOS.

[Dark Mantis]

I would also suggest clearing the CMOS first too.

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least one hour before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Optimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.

[blackie]

Version 2.1 of this board will NOT support Bulldozer. You need the 3.0 or 3.1 version. Bulldozer requires a new socket.

[absic]

@blackie

Sorry to say you are wrong but, you are wrong. The AM3 socket on teh Rev 2.1 motherboard will accept the new AM3+ Bulldozer processors (when they come along) but there may be a loss when it comes to some of the AM3+ CPU's advanced features.

Officially AMD do not support backwards compatibility but Gigabyte, along with other motherboard manufacturers are making this an option on some of the AM3 motherboards. In some cases, because of the size of the BIOS chip, this will mean that you lose some of the existing features such as Core unlock, BOOT from LAN etc.

You might like to look through this article for more information on the  backwards compatibly of AM3+ Processors: http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Questions-of-Compatibility-AMD-AM3-And-Bulldozer-Discussed/

[blackie]

I bow to superior knowledge. But of course the Gigabyte web site listing of the 2.1 revision does not (yet) mention the AM3+ support (only the 3.1 version does).

[virtualcrowbar]

absic is right.
If you check here: http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3516&dl=1#bios it says that the latest BIOS for this revision adds AM3+ CPU Support.

[blackie]

This is getting absurd - I already agreed that there was a beta BIOS that supported AM3+. The product spec only mentions AM3.

But more to the point - no one has told the original guy about the FGf BIOS. So I will:

I just updated my rig to the FGf BIOS and so far it seems to be running just fine. Upon initial operation I received a notice that over clocking failed and did I want to continue (or words similar to that). I hit enter to continue and booting continued - and here I am. HWiNFO64 says I am running FGf - and so did the POST message.

I will report back if any thing funny occurs.

[blackie]

OK - there are funny things happening. This BIOS does not seem to allow me to over-clock. Normally (for the last year) I have been allowing Core Boost to run at X19 (3.8 MHz) instead of the normal X18 (3.6). Also I have upped my memory timing to 1600 MHz (and yes I did test these settings with memtest86+ overnight).

Upon rebooting I obtained the following message:

"The system has experienced boot failures because of overclocking.
Last setting in BIOS setup may not coincide with the current H/W states.

Current CPU speed : 16.0 x 200 MHz
Current memory speed = 129 MHz
Current HT speed : 2000 MHz

Press <DEL> key to enter BIOS setup or press any rest of keys to continue."

Anyone care to comment?  [I will probably drop back to the FF BIOS otherwise].

[furtive_hunter]

Hi there,

I have not come across this myself and am wondering how did you try to update the BIOS?  Did you try with the @BIOS software or the QFlash Utility?

I would suggest that you download the BIOS Update again, just in case there was an error in your previous download from here: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3516&dl=1#bios and try updating using the QFlash Utility.

If you tried that method before, then there may be an issue due to the size of the BIOS file being a little smaller than previous versions and you may do better trying to run the update with @BIOS.

Absic, I tried to update with @BIOS, but accordin what blakie says , I seems safer to keep FF BIOS.

Dark Mantis:

I´ll keep that info as a guide to update. Thanks.

Blakie:
Thanks for the info.

I´ll try and report what result came along. Thanks

[absic]

If you check the download page  http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3516&dl=1#bios It does say that updating to the FGF will:

Remove boot PXE ROM & unlock CPU core function, please use previous BIOS version for full functionality.

as with all BIOS updates this might not be giving the whole picture and as it is still a BETA BIOS they might be ironing out some bugs.

@blackie: It would be worthwhile reporting your findings to GGTS here: http://ggts.gigabyte.com/tech.asp?ClassID=2&Country=U.S.A.&SourceWeb=B2C as they will be the best ones to advise you further.

[blackie]

The answer from Gigabyte to my over-clocking concern is:

"Dear Customer,

Unfortunately any overclocking results are not guarantee, if you better success overclocking with the older bios please revert back to it, if you wish to use the new AM3+ cpu on this board you will need to use the bios and sacrifice the overclocking results."

So you can use an AM3+ chip on this board - just don't try and do much with it.

Actually - since I do not have a Bulldozer CPU - I STILL am not sure it it will work - but I am sure you can not over-clock it.

[pup]

I can't see on the gigabyte website that it states any compatibility with AM3+ CPU. The only information on the FGF BIOS is "Beta BIOS
Note: Remove boot PXE ROM & unlock CPU core function, please use previous BIOS version for full functionality." I have no need for PXE and/or overclocking, but according to this thread AM3+ should be supported with FGF(?)

Any experience with adding a AMD FX-8150 8-Core on a revision 2.1 with FGF yet?

[Steve66a]

The 2.1 board does not support the FX chip - the 3.1 does
I don't see any FX listed = http://uk.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3516
2.1 = http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3516&dl=1#
3.1 = http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3785#bios

I'm confused.......... 

[zvonexp]

Where i can download Beta bios for this board with beta support for AMD FX support