MSI Ready-to-Build PC (B450 Pro VDH Max)
MSI Ready-to-Build PC (B450 Pro VDH Max)
Hey everyone, I just transferred all my parts to a new NZXT case for future upgrades. The only issue is that the motherboard still has the OEM BIOS firmware instead of the latest retail update. When I try to flash the retail version using M-Flash, it doesn’t appear because the version names don’t match. Do you know if there’s a way in MSI to load the retail version on the board itself? The original name is built into the hardware.
These pre-installed setups typically include a secured BIOS firmware that prevents updates. It's possible adjustments were made to lock it down, making it impossible to install a new BIOS. Confirm whether this is the MAX model rather than the V2 or PLUS variant.
Paging @Somerandomtechyboi and @Hinjima, though SPI is mostly a last-ditch advanced feature. Don't forget to hit quote for a reply.
It's really straightforward—just use a budget ch341a and some Dupont female jumper cables for the SPI port. I don't think it's that complicated overall. The main change is swapping out the BIOS chip for a header, which avoids dealing with the bios chip itself in the programmer. This means you won't have to worry about bios corruption, so if a flash fails and no flashback works, you can just re-flash externally. It also gives you the flexibility to update any BIOS you want, though this is mainly useful for overclockers as a last resort. If the SPI header doesn't work, you might need to desolder and re-solder the chip, which can be quite messy.