Multiple security enhancements and Intel® Manageability Engine (Intel® ME) updates may have altered the BIOS update process for Intel® Desktop Boards DQ965CO, DQ965GF and DQ965WC. 

Contents

• Intel® Express BIOS Update
• iFlash BIOS Update
• BIOS Recovery
• Clearing the CMOS
• Reverting a BIOS to a Previous Release
• BIOS Update Errors

Intel® Express BIOS Update
Express BIOS update allows a BIOS update to be initiated from within a Windows* environment. 

Systems that have Intel® Active Management Technology (Intel® AMT) provisioned¹ must also utilize additional information to meet the enhanced security that prevents unauthorized BIOS updates.  To update the BIOS on a system with Intel AMT provisioned, use the following command line with the additional switches to launch the Express BIOS update utility:

CO96510J.86A.xxxx.EB.EXE -s -a force user admin pass password -s

• xxxx = BIOS revision number
• admin = Intel ME login name
• password = Intel ME password

For general instructions on using Express BIOS update, see Instructions for Express BIOS Update.

Iflash BIOS Update
Iflash is a DOS-based utility to update the BIOS regardless of operating system.  Due to enhanced security, Iflash can not be used to update the BIOS on a system that has Intel AMT provisioned¹. 

BIOS Recovery
BIOS Recovery may be used when other BIOS update methods have failed.  BIOS Recovery will unprovision Intel AMT and may reset BIOS and Intel ME values back to their default settings. 

For general information on the BIOS recovery process, see Instructions for Recovery BIOS Update.


Clearing the CMOS
In the event that the BIOS update process fails, you may need to clear the CMOS to restore the system to a functioning state.

1. Remove the CMOS battery
   • Turn off all peripheral devices connected to the computer.
   • Disconnect the computer's power cord from the AC power source (wall outlet or power adapter).
   • Remove the computer cover.
   • Locate the battery on the board. 
   • With a medium flat-bladed screwdriver, gently pry the battery free from its connector. Note the orientation of the "+" and "-" on the battery.
2. Wait five minutes and then replace the battery.
3. Set the onboard configuration jumper to Configuration (Maintenance) mode. (Refer to your board's Technical Specification for the location of this jumper.)
4. Reconnect all peripheral devices and AC power.
5. Boot up the system.  The Maintenance BIOS setup menu automatically loads.
6. Reset Intel ME to factory defaults.
7. Return the onboard configuration jumper back to Normal mode.

Reverting a BIOS to a Previous Release
Intel recommends always using the latest BIOS available.  However, it may sometimes be necessary to revert to a previous version of the BIOS for troubleshooting or test reasons.  Not all boards can be reverted to earlier versions of the BIOS.

BIOS Update Errors
Intel Express BIOS update and Iflash both fail with error message:

(flash update failed)
(08x0000007, 1278)

This may occur when trying to revert from a BIOS version CO96510J.86A.5595 or newer to BIOS version CO96510J.86A.5493 or earlier. BIOS recovery to the earlier version may be attempted. 

¹Provisioning refers to the process of configuring Intel AMT and Intel ME parameters in BIOS so the technologies may be utilized.

This applies to:

Intel® Desktop Board DQ965CO Intel® Desktop Board DQ965GF Intel® Desktop Board DQ965WC