MS-A2 Firmware Update Procedure

Overview

This guide follows William Lam’s blog post methodology for updating MINISFORUM MS-A2 firmware. The latest firmware (F1WSA_FRG_1.02_250616a) has been extracted to the USB drive.

Pre-Update Status Check

Current Setup

• Firmware File: F1WSA_FRG_1.02_250616a.7z (extracted to USB)
• USB Drive: /dev/disk4 formatted as FAT32 “FIRMWARE”
• Blog Reference: https://williamlam.com/2025/07/quick-tip-updating-firmware-on-minisforum-ms-a2.html

Safety Precautions

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNINGS:

• Ensure stable power (use UPS if available)
• Do not interrupt the update process
• Have physical access to machine for recovery
• Update one machine at a time
• Backup current BIOS settings before updating

Step 1: Document Current Firmware

Before Starting (Both MS-A2 Units)

1. Power on the first MS-A2
2. Press DEL/F7 during POST to enter BIOS
3. Navigate to System Information
4. Document current settings:

MS-A2 Unit 1:
- Current BIOS Version: ________1.02_____
- EC Version: ___0.09__________
- BIOS Date: ___06/16/2025__________
- ME Firmware: _____________
- Serial Number: ____MD217LA29GQQMQA00134_________

MS-A2 Unit 2:
- Current BIOS Version: _______1.02______
- EC Version: ___0.09__________
- BIOS Date: ___06/16/2025__________
- ME Firmware: _____________
- Serial Number: ____MD217LA29GQQMQA00236_________

Step 2: Firmware Update Process

BIOS Update Method 1: EZ Flash (Recommended)

For MS-A2 Unit 1

1. Insert firmware USB into MS-A2 Unit 1
2. Power on and press DEL/F7 for BIOS
3. Navigate to Tool → EZ Flash (or similar flash utility)
4. Select USB drive (should show as “FIRMWARE”)
5. Browse for firmware file (look for .bin, .cap, or .rom file)
6. Confirm update - BIOS will warn about power loss risks
7. Wait for completion (5-15 minutes) - DO NOT POWER OFF
8. Automatic reboot when complete

Post-Update Verification

1. Enter BIOS after reboot
2. Check new firmware version
3. Load optimized defaults (F5 or F9)
4. Reconfigure critical settings:
   • Enable AMD-V (Virtualization)
   • Enable IOMMU
   • Enable SR-IOV
   • Set PCIe 4.0 for M.2 slots
   • Disable Secure Boot
5. Save and exit

BIOS Update Method 2: Recovery (If EZ Flash Fails)

If Update Fails or Machine Won’t Boot

1. Power off machine
2. Locate BIOS recovery jumper (check manual)
3. Set jumper to recovery position
4. Insert firmware USB
5. Power on - machine should auto-flash
6. Wait for completion
7. Reset jumper to normal position
8. Power on and reconfigure BIOS

Step 3: Repeat for Second MS-A2

1. Complete Unit 1 successfully before proceeding
2. Follow identical process for MS-A2 Unit 2
3. Document both firmware versions

Step 4: Post-Update Configuration

Essential BIOS Settings (Both Units)

CPU/Virtualization Settings

• AMD-V (SVM): Enabled
• IOMMU: Enabled
• SR-IOV: Enabled
• C-States: Disabled (for consistent performance)

Storage Settings

• SATA Mode: AHCI
• M.2_2 PCIe Mode: PCIe 4.0 x4
• M.2_3 PCIe Mode: PCIe 4.0 x4
• NVMe Support: Enabled

Boot Settings

• Boot Mode: UEFI
• Secure Boot: Disabled
• Fast Boot: Disabled
• CSM: Disabled

Network Settings

• 10G SFP+ Controllers: Enabled
• 2.5G LAN Controllers: Enabled
• PXE Boot: Enabled
• Wake on LAN: Enabled

Power Management

• Power Profile: Performance
• Fan Profile: Performance (or Custom)
• Restore on AC Loss: Last State

Step 5: Hardware Installation Readiness

After firmware updates are complete, proceed with:

Memory Installation (128GB DDR5 per unit)

• Slot A1: 64GB DDR5-5600
• Slot B1: 64GB DDR5-5600

NVMe SSD Installation

• M.2 Slot 1: Samsung 980 Pro 500GB (Boot)
• M.2 Slot 2: Samsung 990 PRO 4TB (Primary Storage)
• M.2 Slot 3: WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB (Secondary Storage)

Step 6: Post-Hardware BIOS Verification

After installing hardware:

1. Power on each unit
2. Enter BIOS setup
3. Verify detection:
   • All memory modules (128GB total)
   • All three NVMe drives
   • All network interfaces
4. Check temperatures at idle
5. Run memory test if available

Troubleshooting

Update Fails

• Try different USB port (prefer USB 2.0 for BIOS updates)
• Reformat USB as FAT32 with smaller cluster size
• Try BIOS recovery method
• Check firmware file integrity

Post-Update Issues

• Clear CMOS (jumper or remove battery for 30 seconds)
• Try single memory module
• Reset to factory defaults
• Check all connections

Boot Failures

• Verify all cables connected
• Try minimal configuration (single RAM, no storage)
• Check for bent pins or damaged components
• Use BIOS recovery if available

Documentation Template

Firmware Update Log

Date: _____

MS-A2 Unit 1:

• Serial: _____
• Old BIOS: _____
• New BIOS: F1WSA_FRG_1.02_250616a
• Update Status: ✅ Success / ❌ Failed
• Notes: _____

MS-A2 Unit 2:

• Serial: _____
• Old BIOS: _____
• New BIOS: F1WSA_FRG_1.02_250616a
• Update Status: ✅ Success / ❌ Failed
• Notes: _____

Expected Improvements

Firmware 1.02 Benefits (typical)

• Enhanced memory compatibility (DDR5-5600 support)
• Improved NVMe drive detection
• Better thermal management
• Network controller optimizations
• AMD AGESA microcode updates
• PCIe 4.0 stability improvements

Next Steps

After successful firmware updates:

1. Install hardware components
2. Run POST verification
3. Update SSD firmware
4. Create ESXi installation media
5. Install ESXi 8.0.3
6. Configure networking
7. Add to vCenter

Resources

• William Lam’s Blog: https://williamlam.com/2025/07/quick-tip-updating-firmware-on-minisforum-ms-a2.html
• MINISFORUM Support: https://www.minisforum.com/support
• AMD AGESA Release Notes: Check AMD website for microcode details
• ESXi Compatibility: VMware HCL for AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX

Notes

• Firmware updates are cumulative (includes all previous fixes)
• Some settings may reset to defaults after update
• Network boot order may change after firmware update
• USB device detection order may change
• Consider creating BIOS settings export if supported