Hallo!
Well, I have ASUS Maximus IX Apex. For flashing and testing I only use i5-7400 and 8GB @2400MHz. My goal is to run 2x 32GB @3600Mhz and my i7-9700KF(R0) + EVGA RTX 2070 Super ;o))) Currently I have the backup bios updated to offical non-modded version 1301. It was stupid to do so since it also updated ME. And I can't seem to get rid of it in any of my SW modding attempts. Both the chips must get downgraded. In primary chip I have the ported v2402 from Maximus X Apex, posted somewhere around here above and confirmed by many as working. I also tried CoffeeTime Tool 0.92 and created some modded files myself, but they dont work as expected niether.
So the problem seems to me, that even though my HW mods are fine and precise, they dont work at all!
1. the CPU insulation/connection made according to the user guides. You can see the tiny holes made by pins of the socket, no shortage no problem, one would say...
2. the #SKT0CC pin (by the smd resistor) to GND - I soldered 2 wires with a little switch between the #SKTOCC and GND pin near the Nuovoton chip, you know, to be able to "apply/remove" this mod without too much soldering. Unfortunately this did not work for me! It just makes nothing. No matter what BIOS I run I can boot with my i5 with pin mod both, on or off, with no problem, but once I fit in the i7 and press Start button, it just starts up for a second and tren shuts down and only the red "CPU" LED blinks once. But there is a matrix according to which this board is "compatible" with i7-9700K (both P0 and R0), tested and cnfirmed fully working.
3. Shortening of the 2 pins between the SMDs near the South Bridge cooler that should work as a HW BIOS unlock also made nothing. So I am using rather the software unlock patch.
4. The ASUS native Flashback button & small FAT16 formatted USB flash drives with either CREATIVE.ROM or M9A.CAP or M9A.ROM did not work for me either. So I use afudos 3.05.04 with /GAN parameter. I am able to flash any image with this tool.
Any ideas what can go possibly wrong? What am I missing? Any advise would be highly appreciated!
Cheers, regards! George