The launch of Ryzen 3000-series CPUs and 500-series motherboards has gone fairly well for AMD thus far. However, as buoyed as they may have been by the platform's great performance being reflected in glowing reviews, one niggling issue has proved significant enough to justify opening up a new channel of support: 400-series motherboards sold recently as new but lacking the required UEFI BIOS for Ryzen 3000-series CPU support.
All 400-series motherboards (X470 & B450) shipped in the last few weeks should have been updated with a new UEFI BIOS that's compatible with the latest Ryzen CPUs. Some, however, may have fallen through the cracks or been purchased just prior to the platform's official launch. If that's the case then (in most cases) the motherboard would need a first or second generation Ryzen CPU installed to update to the latest BIOS.
In some instances retailers and Original Device Manufacturers (ODMs) will accept a board return under warranty to be flashed, but not always. Users could be out of luck (barring borrowing an older AM4 CPU from a friend), despite having spent a large stack of cash on a brand new CPU and no small amount of the motherboard itself. That being the case, AMD have now chosen to step in.
In an effort to mollify new platform owners AMD are offering 'boot-kits' consisting of an AM4 APU and thermal solution on loan for the expressed purpose of facilitating updating a 400-series motherboard to the latest BIOS. In order to be eligible 400-series motherboard owners will need to provide AMD with serial numbers of both CPU and motherboard, a copy of purchase invoices, and evidence of communication with the motherboard ODM stating clearly why they will not perform the service.
This solution echoes that of the Ryzen 2000-series CPU launch, when a limited number of X370 and B350 motherboards shipped during the launch window were incompatible and required similar Boot Kits.
As reported by DSOGaming AMD state the following:
Once you have submitted your claim for a processor loan boot kit, AMD will require pictures of your 3rd Gen Ryzen Desktop Processor and AMD Socket AM4 400 Series motherboard, which clearly shows the model numbers and unique serial numbers as well as a copy of the purchase invoice(s) to authorize the request. Additionally, a summary or copy of communication with the motherboard manufacturer is requested to indicate why support from the Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) is not suitable.
Once the RMA request is approved, the AMD Athlon 200GE processor will be sent with pre-paid return shipping. The processor is provided as a temporary loan to you for the sole purpose of updating the BIOS and must be returned within 10 business days of receipt. It is not necessary to return the provided thermal solution.
Once the RMA request is approved, the AMD Athlon 200GE processor will be sent with pre-paid return shipping. The processor is provided as a temporary loan to you for the sole purpose of updating the BIOS and must be returned within 10 business days of receipt. It is not necessary to return the provided thermal solution.
That's quite a few hoops to jump through, but if you're one of those affected it will be a godsend. Applications are made through the following form, supplying Ryzen 3000-series OPN number and serial number alongside 'Boot Kit Required' in the Problem Description field. As 300-series motherboards (A320 aside) have been out of retail channels for months they do not appear to be eligible for the program.
Hats off to AMD for offering the service, although hopefully retailers and motherboard ODMs will be picking up most of the slack.
SOURCE: DSOGaming
