I used the windows express method to install the BIOS update, and was told it took place successfully. It did not fix the problem of not reading the RPM of some Corsair fans. Before I could test the other effects of the BIOS update, I had to go into the BIOS. However, when I used F2 to go into the BIOS, there was only a black screen! Repeated restarts, with F2, always gave a black screen.
I then used the F7 method, with the file "KL0451.BIO" (downloaded on another "known good" computer) on a USB drive, to update the BIOS, and was again told it was successful. When restarting the computer, and pressing F2 to enter the BIOS, still only a black screen appeared, with no response to mouse or keyboard.
Using the F7 method again, I have returned to "KL0450.BIO", successfully. It is now again possible to enter the BIOS, although the various problems remain:
It cannot play a DVD if the memory is set to an XMP setting. The XMP values are not loaded correctly, compared to what is shown by AIDA64. Desktop Utilities shows that the memory voltage is not the same (less) than what the setting is in the BIOS. When the memory is set to an XMP profile (DDR3 2400), the hard drive becomes corrupted in a few hours. I was hoping this update would resolve more than the fan problem for me, but that is not the case.
Perhaps it is time to conclude that my motherboard is defective and should be returned. Please advise.