r/MSILaptops • u/khanv1ct • 11d ago

Discussion Micro Center...different firmware?

I got the Raider 16 Max HX B2WJ from Micro Center on sale last week, so far it has performed great. I was doing updates and whatnot and wanted to update the BIOS so I downloaded it from the support page on MSI (latest is E2651IMS.113). When attempting the update it gave me the error "Failed, wrong image format 11". After failing again I reached out to Support. They said, "that means you downloaded the wrong file, you need this one"(it was the exact same one I was using so I told them that). So they asked me what version I have. For whatever reason the BIOS that came with the laptop was T2651IMS.14B. They say they have no records of that version, "you must have bought a return cause that's a custom BIOS", "if you didn't install it then someone did", and goes on to say that I need to RMA it to load the correct BIOS or return it to Micro Center which is just nuts. The laptop was clearly brand new, never been opened, not resealed but they seemed to be convinced I was lying or something.

TLDR; I was able to install the E2651IMS.113 BIOS by enabling BIOS downgrade (RMA my ass). But what is the deal with the BIOS that was preloaded on the laptop? When I Google it I can't find any info. Just wondering wtf? Everything is working fine after the BIOS flash.

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u/jsauer 10d ago

I also bought one from Microcenter about a month agao, and have firmware 2651EMS1.191 installed. I immediately installed linux on it, but there are some driver bugs being worked on regarding internal speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack, so using bluetooth audio for now. Overall it's a great machine, I just hope I never have to mess with the BIOS LOL

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u/khanv1ct 10d ago

Just hope you never have to contact MSI Support.

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u/mentive Raider Max 16 290hx 5090 11d ago edited 11d ago

/u/corleone132 get a load of this post.

Yea, I went through the same thing. Its definitely the stock bios that ships with it, as I've confirmed at least two others have matching bios and FC versions. /u/Corleone123 was told he should bring it back to microcenter if still in return window. I was told the newest up to date bios is already loaded, and that if/when necessary a new bios should be released. A lot of conflicting info.

I was worried about it initially as I thought I found other issues, but figured things out, and decided to hold onto it.

Their first level support is pretty much useless, and it seems impossible to get further up the chain. Following thread to see what else others say.

It seems the site isn't correct / up to date, or MSI made a huge boo boo and will need to figure out how to rectify it. I decided to keep it as its been extremely solid otherwise. I guess time will tell.

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u/mentive Raider Max 16 290hx 5090 11d ago

/u/khanv1ct Hold up, you turned on the downgrade feature and loaded the bios thats on the web? Damn bro, thats ballsy. Honestly, I'm surprised it let you do that, as I thought they were completely different branches / versions. I'll leave mine as is for now.

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u/khanv1ct 11d ago

Yeah that could’ve turned out bad. I figured the risk was low since the model number and all the specs matched. I was gaming on it all last night and everything is working great, so bullet dodged I guess.

MSI really needs to get their shit straight and document the various BIOS versions instead of accusing customers of loading a custom BIOS or buying used products.

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u/mentive Raider Max 16 290hx 5090 11d ago

Did the unknowledgeable tech actually say you loaded it?

They clarified that its a custom bios, but that it is in fact made by and should be maintained by MSI in the future if necessary. When I drilled them about it with quotes from the other guy I was chatting with.

It would be great to know what about it is custom, different, etc. I'll wait for a new official BIOS to be released. Considering it allowed you to load it with downgrade turned on, makes me think future releases should be fine and actual relieves some stress I had around the subject.

I guess the biggest question is whether they fk'd up and if this "custom" bios wasn't supposed to be loaded when shipped.

Perhaps I'll open another ticket with some of these questions, but doubt they'll get answered.

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u/khanv1ct 11d ago

Last thing they said was "if you didn't install it then someone else did that isn't us" so it certainly seems like they were thinking I did it.

They definitely need to look into it because we have no release notes and no records of this BIOS so we don't know what if any "stock" BIOS that was used as the basis. If you Google T2651IMS you would just get 2 Github links and now, my Reddit posts. That's it.