H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

[Avi-K]

Hi everyone. I got an ASRock H61M-VS R2.0 motherboard with an i5 2500K processor. I was on bios version P1.50 and everything worked perfectly. I could slightly overclock the cpu with a max ratio of 37 and windows would report the correct clock speed. I then updated the bios to ver 2.10 then 2.20. After that was done, everything went back to the standard auto settings. I decided to update the drivers before I could push the ratio up. I downloaded and installed all the latest drivers from the Asrock site then started overclocking. If I try and set the ratio to any number, windows will always report the standard 3.3ghz.
If I use cpu-z, it will report a x16 ratio and under load report x34 (yes, 34 not 33). If I set the ratio to anything under 34, windows still reports 3.3ghz but under load cpu-z only goes up to the set ratio. If I disable speedstep, it will still idle at x16.
The gt frequency seems to be working fine. So is the ram settings.

Only things I could see not working is the ratio and disabling speedstep.

Some things I have noticed:
This new bios seems to support the new 3rd gen processors (the 3rd gen i5 K series runs at 3.4ghz and 850mhz gt frequency). In the new atxu, gt frequency is set to 850mhz standard (impossible as the 2500K has a 1100mhz minimum and 3.3ghz standard clock). But, as I said, gt frequency works as it should when overclocked.

Things I have tried:
Formatting the hdd and reinstalling windows. Clearing cmos. Removing cmos battery for 5min. Nothing works.
I have even tried to contact support from the Asrock website exactly a week ago but all I got was their automated message but no reply. They didn't even supply a ticket number for support like other manufacturers do.

Could the new bios think that there's a different cpu installed?
I liked that these boards are cheap and have a lot of potential but I see they haven't done enough testing and their customer support is a little slack.
I have been pulling out my hair for the past week over this. I still got more upgrading to do this month but this problem is holding me back.

SOMEONE HELP!!!

Sorry for the long message.

[Avi-K]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

Over 140 views...Anybody got any ideas?

[radier]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

I was on bios version P1.50 and everything worked perfectly.

So you tried to make perfectly working system to be more...perfect? Why then did you touch it?
Simply I don't get it.

[Avi-K]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

So you tried to make perfectly working system to be more...perfect? Why then did you touch it?Simply I don't get it.

2 reasons. 1. Later versions usually run more stable. 2. I'm using the onboard gfx for now and I could double the shared memory in the later version to 1024mb.

[radier]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

Ad. 1 So perfect system needed more stability?
Ad. 2 Do you really believe that integrated GPU could take any benefit from extra memory?

[Avi-K]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

Ad. 1 So perfect system needed more stability?Ad. 2 Do you really believe that integrated GPU could take any benefit from extra memory?

Its been proven that systems sometimes run on lower voltages with bios updates. Many people have experienced that. I said it "ran perfect". That doesn't necessarily mean it can't be better. If most cars have a little 4 pot engine, why do you be picky and choose one? Because its all different. Nothing is alike. Same situation with the bios. One can be different and be improved.As for the shared memory issue, some games are running much smoother with the doubled size at the exact same clockspeed. My WEI graphics score was 4.3 and now its 4.7. I only doubled the shared memory, nothing else. So for your question, yes I do think it benefits and windows 7 agrees.

[Avi-K]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

Ok. I seem to have sorted it out BUT there are some things I must point out.
I was on 2.20 then I downgraded to 1.70 using instant flash. The problem still stayed there. I tried reflashing the same version and I noticed that the instant flash still looked the same as 2.20 but it was different from 1.50. Since my problem didn't go away, I couldn't find a 1.50 instant flash bios but I did find the exact same version with an american megatrends loader that executes from windows. So I flashed 1.50 using the ami loader and the problem went away! It was working the way I wanted. I then instant flashed 1.70 over that and the problem came back. I again tried instant flashing 1.70 over the same 1.70 and it didn't do much, the problem stayed. This time I saw the same instant flash loader from 1.50 stayed in 1.70. Now I flashed 1.50 back using the ami loader and it works perfect. Only downside is that I'm back to 512mb shared memory.

So, in conclusion: 1. The problem started in 1.70. 2. The instant flash utility does not overwrite to the entire bios. It only writes over the major parts. The american megatrends loader is much more trustworthy. 3. The asrock support team is VERY slack. I still haven't gotten a response from them and I doubt I ever will. I even sent emily from asrock tsd a pm, and she didn't reply. I even saw her online yesterday but I got nothing.
I'm not bad mouthing anybody and I don't intend to offend anyone, but that's the way I see it. Maybe this thread might help someone in future. A mod may close the thread. Thanks.

[xixou]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

is that the one you are talking about amibios ?

[Avi-K]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

That's it. Beware, when they say to close all programs and when you click ok, it starts flashing automatically. Clicking ok is basically clicking start.
Btw, a small tip: there's a secret little asrock ftp server that you can get all the previous files from.

[xixou]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

Hi Avi-k,
This is not working for me,
the bios is not entirely erased.

[duskdrums]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

Avi-k,
I realize this thread is a bit old, but I figured i'd give it a shot. I'm using the ASROCK Z68M/USB3 motherboard with an intel sandybridge i3-2105 (with HD3000 graphics). I performed a similar bios update from stock 1.00 to 2.10 and then 2.20. For me, I now can no longer change my GT Overclock settings. It is stuck at the minimum (below the default of 1100mhz) of 850mhz. I had been overclocking to 1350mhz or 1400mhz before the change which is now no longer possible.

I've tried to flash back down to 1.00 but the instant flash will not even recongize that file to flash back to. Do you have any advice on where to go from here? ASROCK's customer service has been unresponsive. I am interested in your AMI loader. Where did you get that? Do you know if it will work for my motherboard?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

[Avi-K]

Re: H61m-vs R2.0 CPU Ratio not working after BIOS update

Are you trying to adjust the gt frequency from the ATXU app or from the bios? If you're using the app, use the bios instead. I figured out that ATXU sometimes doesn't change and sync settings properly with the bios. Also check if its running faster. I used to run 1500mhz and it pushed out 9500gt performance. Quite decent for low res gaming. If this doesn't help, let me know and I'll send you a link for the v1.00 bios with AMI loader.

I thought these problem would have been fixed months ago, but no, ASRock rather put fancy OC records all over the press instead of focusing on making their products and customer service better. From any customer service I had to deal with, ASRock takes the cake when it comes to being the worst. They don't reply to important emails, even PM'd a rep on this site, she ignored me, and their updates give more problems rather than fixing them. I'll be upgrading to a Z68/Z77 board soon and it will either be asus, gigabyte or msi. Never again will I buy an ASRock product.

[fiona34]

I recently updated the BIOS on my H61M-VS R2.0 motherboard, and now the CPU ratio settings aren't working. I've tried resetting the BIOS to default settings and even re-flashing it, but nothing seems to resolve the issue. Has anyone else experienced this problem, and is there a known fix or workaround? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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