bschimp
Dave,
 
Ok, I did get the firmware file, thanks.
 
When I attempted to run the batch file, I received the error message attached.  I then ran it as Administrator and a DOS box flashed for about 1/4 second.  I then installed the M.2 back in PE3 and I am getting the same Link Speed 2.5 Gbps out of 10 Gbps and only 836 Mbps Read speeds so I am unsure if the firmware was updated.  Before I pull video cards again, I wanted to send you this update.  Perhaps the M.2 needs to be in a specific PCIe slot?  Please advise.
 
Has anyone installed this firmware update and if so, what are your results?
 
Thank you. 

It does not sound like the change applied.  So far I have gotten favorable results.
Please be logged in with an account that has administrative rights, and run update.bat from the zip file I sent you.  It should work in a 64bit environment just fine.

Dave,
 
No joy here.  I am getting the same exact results as in post #40.  I am logged into my own computer - 1 user and not connected to a network.
 
The dates of the files in the PLX zip are 2013, 14 and 15.  This is the correct PLX zip?
 
Perhaps Nick was able to install the update.
 
At any rate, this is where I am currently at.
 
Thank you. 

Hmmmm.  Did the update appear to work this time?  Or did it just hang for a couple seconds again?
Can you let me know that, and I will pass it onto the engineers, as from your first reply on the update, it didn't sound like the update applied.  Let me know and I will pass it onto engineering either way.

Does it involve m.2 issues Dave? As I plan to get an m.2 driver soon such as the Samsung 950 or Intel 750 Pcie nvme ssd
 
 
If so wouldn't it be great for you guys to release it publicly ?

@bschimp
question, did you have slot 2 or below populated when you did the firmware update?  If you do not have a card in PCIE2/3/4/6 the PLX will not initialize and as such will not flash.
If you did, do you have a thumb drive you could make a DOS boot off of and flash in DOS mode, per the engineer it should work in Windows but they tested there on DOS.
 
If you are still getting an error, can you email me the pic if it is different than the one above as the engineer I am working with would like to see any additional errors.
 
@cdc951
It is a an update to the PLX firmware, to help it run at the correct speed when a SSD is plugged in.  Due to this fix taking a little bit of know how, and obviously there is some potential issues when done in the OS, I am talking with the engineering team about the possibility of integrating this into a different update, such as BIOS if possible.  First thing is getting the people who are having issues up and running correctly.  Also, we need to see if this issue persists on the Z170 Classified also, and if it is fixing that as well, which we are working on too.

Ok, Mr. DaveB, the firmware improves some functions, the drivers helps to be used. 
Please, have you a horizon to solve the issues with the firmware and a friendly solution to install?
Is it the right of all users to upgrade the firmware in the terms of compatibility or performance.
I have need this firmware and/or the new drivers for a new windows clean installation.
Thank you.

I am currently trying to come up with a way to install this that is more user friendly.  As it is obvious by the replies so far that Windows can really cause problems with the update.
 
Are you trying to install a M.2 drive through PCIE?  And you are doing this on a Classified board, if so, it will work, but not at full speed without the update.  If you run the SSD in the top slot, you will see much better speed than the lower slots.

EVGATech_DaveB
I am currently trying to come up with a way to install this that is more user friendly.  As it is obvious by the replies so far that Windows can really cause problems with the update.
 
If you run the SSD in the top slot, you will see much better speed than the lower slots.

What problems if you do not mind us asking?
 
 
also what did you mean by much better speeds? Is it not going to be running full speeds?

The slots running on the PLX are not delivering the M.2 speed they should.  Video cards run great, which was the focus when these boards were released, I was not aware of any mainstream M.2 drives then, so PCI-E to M.2 adapters were never tested.  Something in the PLX Firmware is not transferring data at the speeds it should be for on these adapters, so we got a firmware update for them which fixes it.  However sometimes Windows can cause issues with applying the patch.  Currently the DOS prompt is the only way to apply it, but we are looking into some other means of getting this to work.  Unfortunately, the BIOS team has more boards on their plate than this atm, but I am staying on top of it with them, no ETA, but I am hoping for a fix that applies across the board.

Ok thank you so much for clearing it up! No need to rush. just take your time guys, just please get this fixed please as this is the main reason why I went with your boards. To add Nvme ssds and run them at full speed with sli on the side in the future. Obviously with EVGA cards heheheee