ASUS Z170 Flash Back to Older BIOS How To
Credits for this guide go to elmor. Thanks for your work!
WARNING: This may cause your system not to start. Use at your own risk.
The procedure below allows you to flash an older BIOS on motherboards without USB BIOS Flashback feature. The lack of this feature means there’s no simple way to recover if things go wrong.
This will help to solve the error “selected file is not a proper BIOS”.
If you want to use non-K OC with recent ASUS boards, you often can’t flash back to an older BIOS the normal way. So you have to follow this guide to downgrade the BIOS.
First download the required tools here:
2.67 MB | 17649 downloads
2.79 MB | 39411 downloads
Prepare the BIOS file for use with FPT
- Get the BIOS for your motherboard in CAP format (in this case MAXIMUS-VIII-IMPACT-ASUS-0019.CAP)
- Open the CAP file in UEFITool
- Export to ROM (MAXIMUS-VIII-IMPACT-ASUS-0019.ROM)
Extract body
Using Flash Programming Tool to flash the BIOS on your system
- Open a command prompt with Administrator rights and navigate to your FPT directory (Note: There are DOS/EFI/Win32/Win64 versions, this guide uses the Win64 version.)
- Flash the BIOS by using the command fpt -bios -f BIOS_FILE.ROM
The BIOS is now flashed to the old version and you can do non-K OC 
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Worked great thanks.
I’m beyond lost. Everytime I enter any sort of key it just closes CMD. Can anyone help? This is so frustrating.
Doesn’t work for me. After I hit enter in the command prompt, it gives me the error “fparts.txt not found” even though its right next to it. Does anyone have a fix?
Please post a screenshot so I can see what exactly doesnt work
http://imgur.com/a/32xZA
I reinstalled it to see if that was an issue.
I think the problem is the way you enter the instruction.
The easiest way is to create a folder and move the flash programming tool, BIOS file and cmd.exe (find in windows/system32) in this fold.
Run the cmd.exe and just enter:
fptw64 -bios -f BIOS_FILE.ROM
Hello, i have a similar promlem.
run cmd.exe and enter:
fptw64 -bios -f Z170I-PRO-GAMING-ASUS-0227.rom
not help.
Guys, as an advice.
If you dont know how to use cmd you shouldnt flash your bios and overclock your CPU.
Be careful with it.
and how you did all the previous steps?
Don’t forget to extract the fparts.txt in the same directory than the main executable.
what do you mean extract the fparts.txt?? it already is in the windows64 folder?
please make a video
thank you out. and for the first time I went to a service to install. I did not know that so easily
Hi
So I flashed my Asus z170i and did as said in the guide and my 6500T will not go above its max core speed of 2.8Ghz, any suggestions? thanks.
Sorted it, disable turbo mode in cpu power.
Hi der8auer,
I understand the instructions but how do I get the older version of my BIOS in CAP format?
Finally got the nerve to try it and it works! Flashed from 1809 back to 9006. It was nerve wracking since the flash itself took a looonnnnggg time to complete. At one point I thought it froze or was stuck in an endless loop. The ‘erasing flash block’ message kept repeating for seems like forever.
It was so scary I dont think I want to try that again so Im sticking with 9006 for a while. For all the others who want to try it please make sure you know what your doing and remember the flash instructions and follow it to a tee. Thanks.
Hi when I type fpt etc it comes up as access denied on asus z170I pro gaming itx
Works fine with me, thanks a lot!
The point is to save cmd.exe and *.rom file EXACTLY in WINDOWS64 subfolder under the Flash Programming Tool directory
whatcmd.exe file are talking about Nik D? I get that youre supposed to save the .rom fie in the windows64 folder, but I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I get the error saying it is not an external or internal command.
Hi, what to do?
Error 368: failed to disable write protection for the bios space
FPT Operation Failed.
Asus z170-A, flash prog tool 11.0.0.1160 – bios 3007
Error 368: failed to disable write protection for the bios space
FPT Operation Failed.
Asus z170-A, flash prog tool 11.0.0.1160 – bios 3007
me too
Такая же ошибка выходит! Asus Z170-A BIOS 3007
The same error is out! Asus Z170-A BIOS 3007
Same here with the same 3007 bios 😀
The damn thing even broke my oculus rift.
https://gyazo.com/b0504803fb2013d787f5c914d7c0543b
same error – error 368 failed to disable write protection for the bios space
Me too
error 368…
A Video showing the steps would be great
Is there also such a flashback method for gigabyte z170 boards ?
Someone is there to answer ??
we all have this error: Error 368: failed to disable write protection for the bios space
FPT Operation Failed.
I have tried in the bios after this solution but still not able to downgrade to this bios i get this error:
Error 368: failed to disable write protection for the bios space
FPT Operation Failed.
Hi guys ! Please dont use these tools to flash from last 2002 official bios to 8002 overclock bios : It will beak your board just as I broke mine. Don’t know what happened but the tool did its job with no bugg or warnings. It ended normally the flash process but the fact is my board will not boot again. I just wanted to advise…
Well, im not getting very far at all with this.
After entering the command all i get is the following:
Error 368: failed to disable write protection for the bios space
FPT Operation Failed.
I have no idea how to solve this, help?
Have you moved the jumper on the MB ?
Is this needed? What jumper do we need to move?
What jumper?
I didnt read anything about a jumper in this tutorial.
And if you mean the CPU OV jumper, that obviously doesnt help with flashing an older BIOS version.
Has anyone spoken to Asus about this yet? I’ve emailed support but so far nothing.
Well Asus emailed me back. Confirmation we can’t flashback out Z170-AR boards despite the box, manual, website. RMA hell it is then.
“Hello Roger,
Good Day!
Thank you for your reply!
Thank you for bringing your issue to our attention. I am very sorry for any inconvenience that this issue may have caused
For your query, we are sorry but you cannot downgrade BIOS on your motherboard Z170-AR. Thank you for your understanding
In this case, it seems that you try all troubleshooting you can. We are so sorry but we need to do some tests directly on your product to find out the root cause. As per checking, your product is still in-warranty. Therefore, we highly recommend that you please contact your retailer for further test and RMA (Return Material Authorization) service.
Thank you for your cooperation and sorry for this inconvenience that caused”
Error 368: Failed to disable write protection for the BIOS space.
FPT Operation Failed.
How can i fix this?
same – error 368 failed to disable write protection for the bios space
https://gyazo.com/b0504803fb2013d787f5c914d7c0543b
Actually I have the latest bios (3016) from asus-website for Z170 Pro Gaming .
When I’m trying to downgrade to non-k-OC-bios 1301 from here, there is “error 368 failed to disable write protection for the bios space”, too
How can I fix it?
Regards
fptw64.exe -bios -f file name
fptw64.exe -bios -f file name
This is right !!
I think this would have worked but I got this message: Error 368: Failed to disable write protection for the BIOS space.
FPT Operation Failed. I wish you had mentioned this potential problem. I’m not sure there is a convenient workaround but just to mention you might encounter this would have been helpful.
I am having the same issue… Wish I had found that thread before upgrading. My issue is that my VD-T no longer works, hence: I cannot boot my VMs. Oups.
Will contact asus, but likely: I need a replacement/repair…
anyone tried on asus z170-A with 3007 bios?
downgraded to 0050 ?
downgraded from bios 1803 to 603 for Asus z170-k without any problem. Thanks!
oops, I meant 602
3*** bios has completely blocked downgrading so if you are on it and want non k oc you will need a new bios chip with older bios flashed. Unless some smart guy finds a work around.
On my z170-e with 3007 bios I could not flash back to 0050. Went to E-bay and bought a bios chip with 1203 bios on it for £12. No problems flashing back to 0050 after that.
tried to downgrade 3016 to 2002 successfully using AFUWIN. It works for me using this command:
C:\>afuwinx64 filename.rom /GAN
credit:
http://www.win-raid.com/t286f16-Guide-Flashing-modified-AMI-Aptio-UEFI-using-AFU.html
Please, tell me the version of this program. On latest v5.08.02 /GAN is unknown command
try 3.06.01. It is last support version from the forum I shared previously. Otherwise you may give me your email, I send the working one to you.
thanks a lot. sio2man@yandex.ru
Seems like the version which I used is 5.05.04. Sent it over to you anyway and please feedback if it is working correctly.
can you send me the tools? really need it so much! Thanks and appreciate your help!
email: secret.shyboy@gmail.com
can you sent me last version of this tool too pls
cernak.alfa@seznam.cz thx you so much
I tried to do this before any good guide and it failed, making my PC unusable for 3 weeks (until I got my replacement BIOS chip). Well, I’m dumb enough to do it again if it gives me any benefit and it worked perfectly!!! Also a good point to make in the guide would be to flash older version of the OFFICIAL bios, because it’s not quite clear.
Error 368: Failed to disable write protection for the BIOS space.
FPT Operation Failed.
How can i fix this? ? Help mee please
Your mobo is usb flasback.
My z170i is now on 3016. This method won’t help me downgrade it back to 9006. I would like to know if there another way or can a bios chip with 9006 can still help me overclock my 6400?
Okay , I have version 1904 version of the bios on my board , if I downgrade to suitable bios for a i5 6400 for overclocking , do I still have the option to flash with the latest bios at a later date , if I sell my board etc or decide to upgrade my chip for a K version ?
appreciate the work but the guide is very vague and confusing, cant come close to getting it right cant you help us all out??
None of the above methods work since bios v3202 . The Flash Programming Tool can’t pass the softlock, the AFU tool has issues with the format of the bios file. Managed to break the bios completely today 05.07.2017 with AFU .
Asus Z170 Pro Gaming has the bios flashback feature, however it cannot be used to downgrade bios. Once my bios was broken by AFU, placed the original bios file from the Asus CD onto a FAT32 formatted flashdrive, the mainboard refused to flash it. Using latest bios v3402 for recovery worked. The file has to be renamed Z17PG.CAP.
That leaves the only method is to use an SPI flash device .
Almost forgot, the issue why i wish to revert to an older bios is , my Corsair vengeance 3200MHz @16 CL RAM modules don’t work on their nominal frequency since bios v3202. These used to , with other bios versions. I had all bioses since v0908 , every single one of them had some issues, broken or bugged in some ways. Either voltage problems, or integrated VGA issues, problem with integrated audio, instability, whatnot. The latest bios doesn’t allow running memory above 3000Mhz and no lower CL than 17.
I’m considering to RMA it after all, while still in warranty period.
If anybody reads this , a few things to consider:
– *never* buy an ASUS product , these are fancy, expensive and broken. You never get with ASUS what you pay for
– a while back was working as an IT engineer, the most of the RMA’d boards consisted of ASUS, some defunct now manufacturers (DFI, Epox, etc), ECS, Asrock , Gigabyte,MSI in this order. Actually, i saw a single MSI board burnt, along all those years. My old Core2Duo with an MSI Nvidia 650i chipset still works after 10 years. Not a single issue with it. Same with my AMD 970 GAMING .
– ASUS customer support doesn’t give a tinker’s damn, they answer late, if at all, canned messages. Practically can’t reach a tech support person, by their regular support channels
I bought the Z170 Pro gaming for it’s connectivity options while a decent price tag, will never make same mistake again. As for me, this was the last and only ever acquired Asus product.
hi guys currently on Bios Version 3301 i am getting the 368 error on the Z170-A can anyone help with a work around thanks in advance
I’m getting the “failed to disable editor protection” error on my z170 pro gaming too. Any fix or update for this problem yet? Thanks in advance.
I’m getting the “failed to disable editor protection” error on my z170 pro gaming too. Any fix or update for this problem yet? Thanks in advance.
is there anyway to flash i bios to asus z170i pro gaming when it will not post no video etc…
so the pc wont show any video even with a gpu ?
does the pc boot loop etc ?
People are ASKING YOU ALL TO MAKE A STEP-BY-STEP on EXACTLY what you do in the cmd prompt portion of the tutorial but no one has decided to help in 12 months time? All theyve said was “if you dont know how to use cmd prompt dont flash” yeah, soo helpful
ive tried it but does not work on my current version of my bios so this guide is useless for me and anyone with an up to date bios
I have successfully done it on the latest bios on my Z170M plus. Please check my previous comments
I tried what you said and every time I turned on the PC it automatically went into the BIOS, and asked to put the .cap file back again. And even placing the .cap the bios asked again and again
can you sent me the tool? pls josoeolimpo@gmail.com
@hng: please send me the the tool. 3cc0oo7@gmail.com
I’ve the z170 Pro Gaming with 3016 BIOS and want downgrade to 1904. I hope thta possible with this tool.
Thank You.