ASRock L2.03 & L2.04 BIOS

[FAUguy]

I saw that a new beta BIOS L2.03 is listed on the ASrock site for many of the Z68 boards. It is to support the new Ivy Bridge chips. I downloaded the one for my Fatal1ty Z68 Pro Gen3 and updated the BIOS, even though I still have a 2600k CPU. The new version has colored icons across the top, and there are a few new settings. I wrote down my old settings first, so I could enter them back in after the update. It still has the CPU OverClock with pre-sets. I use the 4.4Ghz setting, and noticed it now draws a little less voltage (1.312v) compared at 1.336V with the older BIOS 1.30. The 4.6GHz and 4.8GHz are also slightly less on their voltage with the new BIOS, but doesn't really effect the temps.

UPDATE:
I've noticed one issue with the L2.03 BIOS.
When I shut down my PC at night, and go to turn it on the next day. there is no response. I have to turn the power switch on the back of the power supply to off, wait a few seconds, turn it on, then press the power button on the front of the case.
I've tried it a few times, and it does it every time I turn my system off.

I'm going to revert back to the 1.30 BIOS for now.

UPDATE 4/24/2012:
They now have the L2.04 BIOS up for the Z68 boards and it fixes the power-down/power-up issue that I had with the L2.03 BIOS. Just remember to download the correct L2.04 BIOS for your Z68 motherboard model, as each one is made to work with that specific model.

UPDATE: The official non-beta 2.10 BIOS has been out for over a week now. No issues using it.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

The bios face lift was definitely nice. Just flashed both my Extreme3G3 and my M4's firmware. No ill effects... yet.

 

[FAUguy]

I've been using the new BIOS for 3 days without any problems, but noticed today they've removed it from their site. Maybe they have to wait until the official launch of IB before posting the BIOS?

 

[Smoblikat]

I've been using the new BIOS for 3 days without any problems, but noticed today they've removed it from their site. Maybe they have to wait until the official launch of IB before posting the BIOS?

Do you still have the BIOS? I would really like to try it out.

 

[FAUguy]

Do you still have the BIOS? I would really like to try it out.

This is the one I downloaded for my Z68 Fatal1ty Pro Gen 3
http://home.comcast.net/~fau23/Fatal1ty_Z68_Professional_Gen3%28L2.03%29ROM.zip

 

[Smoblikat]

This is the one I downloaded for my Z68 Fatal1ty Pro Gen 3
http://home.comcast.net/~fau23/Fatal1ty_Z68_Professional_Gen3%28L2.03%29ROM.zip

Do you know if there is one for my E3 gen 3?

 

[FAUguy]

Do you know if there is one for my E3 gen 3?

I did check the other Z68 board at that time (3 days ago), and remember seeing the new BIOS posted for them as well. Each one was different, so I don't think you can use the Fatal1ty Z68 Pro Gen 3 L2.03 BIOS on a Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3. I'm sure it's only a matter of time until they are posted on the ASRock site again. The L2.03 was listed as a Beta BIOS, so maybe they'll have the "non-beta" BIOS up.

 

[FAUguy]

I've noticed one issue with the L2.03 BIOS.
When I shut down my PC at night, and go to turn it on the next day. there is no response. I have to turn the power switch on the back of the power supply to off, wait a few seconds, turn it on, then press the power button on the front of the case.
I've tried it a few times, and it does it every time I turn my system off.

I'm going to revert back to the 1.30 BIOS for now.

 

[Smoblikat]

I've noticed one issue with the L2.03 BIOS.
When I shut down my PC at night, and go to turn it on the next day. there is no response. I have to turn the power switch on the back of the power supply to off, wait a few seconds, turn it on, then press the power button on the front of the case.
I've tried it a few times, and it does it every time I turn my system off.

I'm going to revert back to the 1.30 BIOS for now.

That might have somthing to do with why its taken down. Probobly more glitches than they realized.

 

[bankster55]

Asrock, unlike ASUS seems to be waiting for CPU
First was 201B then 203B
@FAUguy

Be sure and let us know what happens when you try to downflash to 1.3. I am dying to know if its possible to do it.

 

[FAUguy]

I did the re-flash to 1.30 tonight, did the CMOS clear on the back, and the BIOS reset jumper pins on the board. It went OK, but now it shows a error about Mouse Mismatch HECI after the system powers on, but it doesn't effect anything.
After Win7 loaded, I powered down, and was able to start the PC back up just fine. So the issue with the L2.03 BIOS not wanting to start the PC after being powered down is gone. Hopefully they'll have a 1.40 BIOS up soon.

 

[bankster55]

Hmmm. Interesting
Thnx for feedback.
I guess you know the 3XXX ASUS bios do not downflash using normal ASUS methods, or normal AfuDos.. There is also a prob with corrupted flashes and incomplete flashes (97%). Things wind up missing with other than expected bios options

As far as your issue, I think its because the bios upgrade also changed Intel MEI to vers 8 from 7, so you should first remove it from Dev Man/system/Intel MEI, reboot to Win 7, install MEI 8.0.4.XXXX, reboot again (which will actually install 8.0.2.1262) . I would not overwrite the old. As a matter of fact, tho I am only familiar with ASUS, a fresh install of Win 7 is a very good idea in this situation, since the bios now has microcode for two dif CPU, updated MEI PCIe 3 USB 3 and MCH modules and prob RST oprom also.

Its not a traditional bugfix "lite" update, but a total makeover.

The ASUS also has the powerdown, no restart issue (also monitor) with new bios, seems to be a sleep/shutdown issue - cache not being able to be saved because trad RAM table allocations are busy with other things now. Seemingly a simple issue to fix.
Dunno.

So, its new Win 7, then Intel chipset drivers, then RST 10.8 or higher, then the other stuff.
If you wish to play safe - lol

 

[FAUguy]

They now have the L2.04 Beta BIOS up. I'll give it a try later and see if it has the same power down/ power on issue that was on the L2.03.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/beta.us.asp?Model=Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3

 

[Smoblikat]

Can i use teh L2.04 BIOS with my 2500K? Or do i hve to have n ivy bridge.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

You should be able to. I was able to flash 2.03 with a sandy bridge.

 

[FAUguy]

You should be able to. I was able to flash 2.03 with a sandy bridge.

Since you have the L2.03 BIOS, did you also experience the problem that I listed above in post #8? That after the PC is powered down, I can't get it to power up without first turning off and on the power supply .

 

[FAUguy]

Got the L2.04 BIOS installed. So far I haven't experienced the power-on issue that I got with the L2.03.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Since you have the L2.03 BIOS, did you also experience the problem that I listed above in post #8? That after the PC is powered down, I can't get it to power up without first turning off and on the power supply .

No. I didn't have any problems on my Extreme3 Gen3.

Just flashed up to 2.04. I'll let you know if anything goes up in smoke...

 

[mjavid]

I downloaded and installed L2.03 on my Extreme3 Gen3. Maybe I got lucky, but I have not had the power problem which FAUGuy had.
Really like the new colorful UEFI.
Also seems to overclock better (currently running 2500K at 4.6 with offset 0.005) VCore at full load is 1.28 V.
In fact I like this BIOS so much, I've decided not to upgrade to Z77 Extreme 4!

 

[FAUguy]

I downloaded and installed L2.03 on my Extreme3 Gen3. Maybe I got lucky, but I have not had the power problem which FAUGuy had.
Really like the new colorful UEFI.
Also seems to overclock better (currently running 2500K at 4.6 with offset 0.005) VCore at full load is 1.28 V.
In fact I like this BIOS so much, I've decided not to upgrade to Z77 Extreme 4!

Yes, the auto overclocking settings seem to be better with less voltage used. I have mine set to the Auto 4.4GHz and uses a little less voltage. With the 1.30 BIOS the voltage was 1.336v with the 4.4GHz Auto OC, but with the L2.04 BIOS the voltage is now 1.312v.

If you have the L2.03 installed on your Extreme 3 Gen3, then you might as well update it to the new L2.04 that came out earlier this week:

ftp://174.142.97.10/bios/1155/Z68%20Extreme3%20Gen3(L2.04)ROM.zip

 

[Smoblikat]

Just updated my E3G3 to 2.04.......................motherofgod, the new features are awesome and so is the colorful new UEFI. Plus my OC is stable at lower volts now.

 

[FAUguy]

Just remember to download the correct L2.04 BIOS for your Z68 motherboard model, as each one is made to work with that specific model.

 

[ckoons1]

are these beta?

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Currently yes. No problems so far though...

 

[FAUguy]

I wonder if with the newer BIOS and an Ivy Bridge chip, if memory faster than 2133 MHz could be installed, or if it's a limitation of the Z68 chipset and would need a Z77 board?