AMD offer support for 2nd Generation Ryzen users with incompatible motherboards – boot kit available for BIOS updates

  

    In February 2018, AMD began introduction of the new 2^nd Gen Ryzen™ Desktop Processor with Radeon™ Vega Graphics. To enable support for this new processor, an updated BIOS is required. Due to the rapid pace of innovation, and strong demand for Ryzen Processors with Radeon Graphics, it may be possible that some users with an AMD Socket AM4 motherboard paired with a 2^nd Generation Ryzen Desktop introduced in 2018, may experience an issue where the system does not boot up during initial setup. 

The boot up issue likely means a system is running an early BIOS that does not have support for newer processors.  This can be resolved by updating the motherboard BIOS to the latest version, which can be performed by using any processor supported with the currently installed BIOS. For a list of supported processors per BIOS version, please refer to the CPU Support List document available on the motherboard manufacturer’s website.  BIOS download and installation instructions are also found on their websites.

BIOS updates are a big deal for AMD’s AM4 platform, not only providing support for new CPU models but also to offer performance optimisations and other beneficial tweaks. You can see the effects of some of AMD’s AM4 BIOS updates in our Ryzen Retest article, which compares our day-1 Ryzen performance with the performance of later BIOS revisions. 

  

Below are several potential methods that Ryzen buyers can use to update their AM4 motherboards with a compatible BIOS file. At this time it is unknown what AMD defines as a “qualified user” when shipping a “boot kit solution” for BIOS updates.  

    Workarounds

The following workarounds may be feasible for affected users, depending on their individual circumstances, and should be considered before applying the boot kit solution detailed below:

Update from Retailer

– If the motherboard was purchased through a computer parts retailer, check with the retailer to see if they can facilitate the BIOS update at their location. There may be a charge for this, or it may be offered at no cost.

– If you have access to a processor supported on the current installed BIOS, use it to perform the BIOS update, then swap out the processors when the update process is complete.

(For a list of supported processors per BIOS version, please refer to the CPU Support List document available on the motherboard manufacturer’s website. BIOS download and installation instructions are also found on their website.)

If these workarounds are not feasible, please see the sections below for a solution.

Original Manufacturer Replacement

The Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) of the motherboard will support affected end users with an RMA exchange for a compatible motherboard, upon request. Affected end users are recommended to contact their local representative for the motherboard manufacturer to exchange their motherboard.

Boot Kit Solution

AMD will provide affected and qualified users a boot kit to perform the BIOS update on their motherboard.

This solution is offered through AMD warranty services and is available only for affected and qualified users of this specific boot up issue. This boot kit is fee of charge.

To obtain the boot kit, please carefully follow these instructions:

– Go to the AMD online warranty claims page: https://support.amd.com/en-us/warranty/rma
– Fill in your full contact and product details
– In the Problem Description field enter “Boot kit Required” (without quotes)

NOTE: The product must be a valid AMD processor with authentic OPN and serial number.

Once the claim is received and approved, confirmation details and boot kit instructions will be provided in a follow up email.

 
AMD’s full support article is available to read here. 

You can join the discussion on AMD’s recommendations to users who purchase Ryzen 2nd generation CPUs with incompatible motherboards on the OC3D Forums.