Greetings all,

I am doing a new PC build with the ASUS ROG Maximus Hero Z790, and I noticed on the BIOS page, I saw this message:

“Before BIOS update, please download Intel ME update tool from ASUS support site, and update ME firmware to Version 16.1.27.2176 to ensure optimized system settings.”

What I've gathered from the internet is the following:

1. Don't install M.2 OS SSD in M.2_1 slot on motherboard, use any other slot you have.

2. Intel ME Firmware. This is flashed to your motherboard and is independent of the OS. It remains in place unless updated.

3. Install Windows 11 OS as you normally would.

4. Intel ME interface drivers for Windows. These will need to be installed every time you do a fresh install of Windows.

5. Switch M.2 installation to M.2_1 slot on motherboard

6. Flash the BIOS.

Would this order be correct to follow, if I want to ensure things are smooth sailing?

This is the order I have found people doing. I wasn't too confident in understanding why people were swapping M.2 slots on their motherboard for the Intel ME stuff. Is that something I should do, or do I not have to?

One other question I had was for step 2. I have the files for the Bios update I need to flash in step 6.

So, for step 2, what exact files are the "Intel ME Firmware"? I wasn't exactly sure which file I would put on a flashdrive to flash to the motherboard.

I think Step 4's files and Step 2's files are both found on the ROG Bios website, but I just want to make sure I'm looking in the right place for those 2.

For reference, I'm talking about this website, for all the bios and intel me information: https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-z790-hero-model/helpdesk_bios/

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TLDR:

Are these the correct order of events to follow for proper installation, in step 2 what files would be for "Intel ME Firmware" and do I need to swap the M.2 SSD slots during Intel ME installation? Thanks for reading, have great rest of your day.

Exactly as the title said, I updated my mother board, but I missed the drop down under it. "Before running the USB BIOS Flashback tool, please rename the BIOS file (MZ790H.CAP) using BIOSRenamer."

Link to BIOS page: https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-z790-hero-model/helpdesk_bios/

The ai assistant told me:"If you have started the BIOS update without renaming the BIOS file as required, your motherboard is not necessarily bricked. The ASUS EZ Flash 3 utility is designed to safely update the BIOS, and if the file name is incorrect, the update process typically will not proceed or will notify you of an error. To resolve this, you can restart the update process by preparing a USB flash drive formatted in FAT16/32, download the correct BIOS file for your motherboard model, rename it using the BIOSRenamer tool as instructed, and then perform the update again via ASUS EZ Flash 3. If you encounter any issues or the system does not boot properly, it is recommended to contact your local ASUS customer service center for further assistance."

So is this good advice?

Hello,

i can't get my PC running after updating bios either to v3001 or v.3107 with 4 sticks of memory installed. It will let me boot if i only use 1 or 2 sticks of memory. I don't know why iam stuck in a boot loop and can't even get my system to post. Yes i have testet every single stick and it postet and booted to windows.

The only thing that works right now is rolling back to bios v.2801 and all 4 sticks let me post and boot to windows.

I am kinda frustrated and don't know what to do next. Does anyone have a solution and no i do not want to just use 2 sticks.

My Specs:

Board (see title) Bios v.2801

CPU: Intel i9 14900k (second one, first was part of the issues from last year and got replaced)

Memory: 4x16GB Corsair Dominator 6000Mhz running at stock speed with no XMP @ 4200Mhz.

GPU: ASUS Strix RTX 4090