This isn't such old hardware (2017) and I couldn't find a true solution to the problem anywhere else, so here it is, a patch to bypass the problem.

ASUS ROG Zenith Extreme x399
a Threadripper mainboard with some led headers, onboard mainboard rgb leds and a tiny oled display and the annoying problem of getting the message on bootup

1BIOS is updating LED firmware.
2Do not shut down or reset the system to prevent bootup failure

for approximately 85 minutes before the operating system gets loaded.

I don't know when it started, the computer isn't mine but due to the long boot time, 85~86 minutes, sometimes double that, this computer has been left powered on.

I tried going back with different bios version, tried 2501, 1402, 0503.
All gave the same message and wait time.

What the exact cause is or how to fix it properly, I do not know.
The mainboard has a bios flashback button but that doesn't work anymore. turn the computer off, press the button and nothing seems to happen, except that now you have to powercycle the machine to turn the machine back on since the power button is no longer responsive. I was thinking maybe the flashback also suffers from the 85minutes wait time... but I didn't test it :-p
the onboard leds are also no longer programmable. they are stuck on the changing rainbow pattern for the top side leds and the bottom side is stuck on a partial blueish hue.

edit: funny thing is that the rgb headers also light up with a rainbow pattern, whilst, according to the manual they should only light up when the software is active.
nevermind, the mainboard leds turn on when power is applied, but the strips only turn on after the power on button gets activated.

What do you require to patch it.
- a means to program the bios.
I used a T48 with an 8pin gator clip directly to the bios eeprom.
- UEFItool
- the bios image. either read it from the chip using the eeprom programmer, or download from the asus website.
If you download from the website, you'll need a hexeditor as well, I used HxD, to cut 0x800 bytes (2048) from the beginning of the .CAP file.

run UEFItool and open the bios image
in the menu File, search , text, type "LED firmware" , make sure Unicode is selected, press ok

in the UEFItool message window will appear
"Unicode text "LED firmware" found in PE32 image section at offset ...."
double clicking on this text will bring the offending part up in the Structure window of UEFItool.
Remove this section.

Save the image file.
Burn it to your troubled mainboard
and boot
without having to wait for 85 minutes.

This doesn't solve the cause of the problem, it just bypasses the cause of the wait.

enjoy.

PS. If anyone knows how to actually fix the led firmware message, mainboard leds and/or flashback button function. Do tell !

edit: apparently windows no longer activates on this machine. sigh. fixed by modifying the eeprom read out bios in stead of the website bios.

#asus #x399 #boot #wait #fix #remedy #solution #patch