Bios Flashing and Recovery

Question

BIOS FLASHING
We do not recommend using the MSI LiveUpdate tool to update your BIOS! It may be okay for updating your drivers, but please do not use it to flash the BIOS in Windows!
Windows-based flashing - If you REALLY insist on flashing the BIOS under Windows, if you encounter any error during flashing, whatever you do, DON'T restart your PC! Try again until the flash is successful, otherwise your board will not start! Disable any anti-virus program (along with any other programs) prior to flashing.
Boards with built-in M-Flash function - While M-Flash work's properly most of the time, it has still proved to be less reliable than the forum tool / manual flash.
Before flashing your BIOS, you must ensure your system is fully stable! Any instabilities can cause a bad flash and create an expensive paper weight. Included with the forum flash tool is MEMTEST, we recommend running this for 2 or more passes prior to a flash.
If you do not understand what your BIOS is, or what it does, please read: >> BIOS. What it is, and all you need to know <<
Our first choice we recommend you use is our own USB flashing tool, developed by Svet.
It is important to note, that the only way to flash the ME extension of the BIOS of modern Intel boards is through the use special processes. The bios versions posted by moderators here: >>BIOSes<< include the additional files to accomplish this. These bios are all official and are directly from MSI.
>>>MSI Forum HQ USB Flashing Tool<<<
If you are unable to use the MSI HQ USB BIOS Flashing Tool
>>How to create a dos bootable USB stick>>
It is important to note that if any BIOS, EC FIRMWARE or any other type of FIRMWARE downloaded from MSI for a manual flash contains an BAT file it must be used. Not doing so will cause the flash to fail and require RMA.
For Intel Users, flash via FPT
     Socket LGA 1150           : >>ME 9 FPT files & Instruction>>
Many of the bios versions posted here: >>BIOSes<< Contain a .bat file. All you need to do is extract all of the contents of the archive into the root directory of a DOS bootable USB stick and run the bat file from pure DOS.
     Socket LGA 1155 & 2011: >>ME 7&8 FPT Files and instruction<<
Linux users
See this topic: >>Flash your BIOS, the Linux way! [beware the dangers!!]<<
Modified and BETA BIOSes
Use only at your own risk! All BETA BIOS versions posted by the moderators of this forum are directly from MSI and will not effect your warranty.The use of user modified BIOS versions may damage the board and may void your warranty. Exercise extreme caution in regards to user posted BIOS versions. Please also be aware that MSI and this forum can not be held responsible if you trash your mobo by using a modded, beta or otherwise incorrect BIOS.
WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG...
BIOS RECOVERY
In many cases, provided the 'bootblock' of your BIOS is not corrupted during a bad flash, the BIOS can often be recovered by following the recovery procedures detailed below. NOTE: this recovery method should not be followed for normal practice of updating your BIOS!
For Modern MSI Systems, refer to:
<<Multi-Bios Equipped Mainboards>>
<<Single-Bios Equipped Mainboards>>
Legacy Systems:
 For Award BIOS
Make a bootable floppy disk*
Copy the Award flash utility & BIOS file to the said floppy disk
Create an autoexec.bat with "Award_Flash_Utility BiosFilename" in the content (e.g. awdfl823K w6378vms.130)
Sample on how to create an autoexec:
a. On Windows, open the notepad
b. On the notepad, write "awdfl823K w6378vms.130" (without the " ")**
c. Save the file as autoexec.bat
Boot up system with the said floppy (it will take less than 2 minutes before screen comes out)
Re-flash the BIOS & reboot.
*Need a bootable floppy disk? Look here: http://www.bootdisk.com
**Make sure you enter the correct filenames for your flasher program and BIOS ROM file!
 For AMI BIOS
Rename the desired AMI BIOS file to AMIBOOT.ROM and save it on a floppy disk. e.g. Rename A569MS23.ROM to AMIBOOT.ROM
Insert this floppy disk in the floppy drive. Turn On the system and press and hold Ctrl-Home to force update. It will read the AMIBOOT.ROM file and recover the BIOS from the A drive.
When 4 beeps are heard you may remove the floppy disk and restart the computer.
 For new boards with AMI BIOS core 8 (4MB)
Discovered by Jack The Newbie:
Of course, the steps are similar to the standard AMI BIOS Recovery Procedure for internal floppy drives (rename corresponding BIOS File to AMIBOOT.ROM, hit CTRL + HOME after starting the system).
What has to be done (tested on P45 Platinum):
1. An optical SATA Drive needs to be connected to one of the Intel ICH10R SATA ports. {After a lot of testing, I found that it does not work with the same optical drive connected to the SATA Ports hosted by the secondary JMicron Controller.  Also, using an optical drive on the JMicron IDE/PATA port does not help either.}
2. A proper BIOS File has to be renamed to AMIBOOT.ROM and burned on an empty CD.
3. CMOS-Clear with main A/C power cable removed from PSU has to be performed. {If this step is not done, the system will reboot after pressing CTRL + Home and will not proceed with recovery procedure.}
4. Press CTRL + Home to trigger BIOS Recovery.  -> The system should enter BIOS Recovery Routine. {Will basically work with both USB & PS/2 keyboard.  However, a PS/2 Keyboard is recommended as the system will respond earlier to PS/2 Keyboard than to USB Devices.}
What should happen now:
1. After pressing CTRL + HOME the LED Status should change to "Intializing Hard Disk Controller" and there should be access to the optical drive connected to the Intel ICH10R SATA ports.
2. It can take up to 30+ seconds until the BIOS File that was renamed to AMIBOOT.ROM is found. {Drive Bay can be opened to try a different CD without turning off or restarting the system.}
3. When the system finds the BIOS File, LED Status will change to "Testing RTC" and there should be a message on the screen indicating that the Flash Recovery Procedure has started.
4.  Since the BIOS File is 4MB in size, it will take a while until the BIOS is actually reflashed.
Its also possible that BIOS recovery on boards with AMIBIOS8 can be done using a FAT-formatted USB stick, containing the renamed BIOS file. Be warned, in some circumstances it may take several moments before recovery procedure actually begins. See Bas' reply below for further information.
BIOS recovery on Wind netbooks
See this post here:
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=130509.msg982711#msg982711
BIOS recovery on non-UEFI notebooks
In order to recovery this type of system you will need an FAT32 formatted USB stick.
Download the applicable bios from MSI's website and rename this bios.
It must be re-named to either AMIBOOT.ROM or xxxxIMS.ROM / xxxxAMS.ROM  You may need to try each way to determine which one is necessary.
Then place the renamed bios onto the root directory of the FAT32 formatted USB stick.
Now you are ready to cover the Notebook.
To do this, remove the AC power cord and battery. Once that has been completed, install the USB stick you prepared earlier.
Now, apply AC power (leaving the battery disconnected) and turn on the notebook. Recovery should begin after 5 minutes.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS...
Locate the BIOS chip on your mainboard. If it is soldered directly to the PCB like...
...then you have no choice but to return the board to your supplier, or to MSI, for replacement.
To request an RMA from MSI, open a support ticket at https://register.msi.com/ocss/
If your BIOS chip is in a socket, like...
...then you may be able to source a replacement BIOS chip, either from MSI, or from a website such as www.badflash.com
Updated 11/21/2013, original post by Stu

Answer 1

     A.) Download >>this<< bios archive and place it on your desktop. Do not decompress.
     B.) Download and install the >>MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<< .
     C.) Insert your FAT32 formatted usb stick.
     D.) Make sure that all win 8 options are disabled. (Fast Boot etc) Also make sure the legacy USB is enabled.
     E.) Start the forum flash tool and select option 1. Then point the tool at the compressed archive we downloaded earlier. Then to your USB Flash Drive.
     F.) Boot to the USB from working bios B.
     G.) Once it booted successfully switch to bios A without powering down or rebooting
     H.) Now follow the directions and let the tool flash bios A with desired version