Good afternoon,
I have ran into a problem with my motherboard. I was attempting to build my first computer, and after some repeated crashes, finally got it running good. It updated everything and ran a benchmark. However after one last update for Vista, it had to reboot. However: after rebooting, the bios wouldn't post at first, and then after about 30 seconds it did, and then windows crashed while loading. After a hard reboot, the bios wouldnt even post this time.

After running through any options my novice knowledge could come up with, I decided to take it to a computer repair place, who told me all my other parts worked on the motherboard that they used (an ASUS P5K). They also said that I was getting "post code 21."

However, one thing I noticed, was that the box for my motherboard has a sticker that says "Due to the NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI chipset, ASUS only guarantees DIMMs on the memory QVL (Qualified Vendor List). Other DIMMs may cause system instability."

My memory is not on that list, and I am wondering if anyone has any insight, as to whether I wasted money on this RAM or, if there is a motherboard that is compatible, or anything along those lines.

Of course, they used an ASUS P5K and it worked, however that is not an SLI board, and I have been told that I should get an SLI board, for future proofing reasons.

Here are some of my specs:

Motherboard: ASUS P5N32-E SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131073

Memory: Kingston KHX6400D2K2/4G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104001

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115028

Video Card: EVGA NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130300

Power Supply:RX950-S-B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182096

Also, one of the replacement motherboards I was looking at for a little bit was a: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188024

^however, this motherboard also does not support my memory, so I am probably counting it out.


Thanks a ton for any help you can provide, sorry for the long post and if some of it seems jumbled, Ive been calling so many tech supports and getting so many unclear answers that I'm a little frustrated.

-A

Your symptoms are very similar to RAM issues.

First off let's verify you installed them in the proper dual channel slots?

Next have you tried only using one stick?

Have you tried MemTest?

Just for the future clearing the CMOS is a good attempt when a no post occurs.

As to RAM lists by the mobo manufacturer they list just a few tested options. The variety of RAM is so extensive it would be near impossible to list them all.

By the specs you should be able to run that RAM. Know also that unless you run a 64 bit OS you will only ever use 3GB of that RAM.

Also verify your voltage in the BIOS setup. Many defaults are set different from the RAM itself.

Anyway try MemTest to see if the RAM itself is bad.

Also try just one stick.

Also get the latest BIOS for that board.

Jephree,
I have tried using only one stick (in fact, this is how the way I started due to VISTA not recognizing anymore without a hotfix), and I due have a 64bit OS (Vista Home Premium 64).

As to RAM lists by the mobo manufacturer they list just a few tested options. The variety of RAM is so extensive it would be near impossible to list them all.

I see, where you said "by these specs you should be able to use this RAM" what exactly are you looking at? Might be a stupid question, just tryin to become more computer knowledgable.

Also, tomorow I finally get a break in my day and will be able to call ASUS tech support back and hopefully be able to actually talk to a representative this time.

I will post here tomorro with and update.

Thanks again!
-A

P5N32-E SLI

http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?mo...11&l3=397&l4=0

Dual channel memory architecture
4 x DIMM, max. 8GB, DDR2-800/667/533, non-ECC, unbuffered memory

=====================

KHX6400D2K2/4G

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/conf...KHX6400D2K2/4G

4GB 800MHz DDR2 Non-ECC CL5 (5-5-5-15) DIMM (Kit of 2)
Detailed Specifications: Standard 256M X 64 Non-ECC 800MHz 240-pin Unbuffered DIMM (SDRAM-DDR2, 2.0V, CL5, Gold)


http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX6400D2K2_4G.pdf

Kingston's KHX6400D2K2/4G is a kit of two 256M x 64-bit 2GB (2048MB) DDR2-800 CL5
SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) memory modules, based on sixteen 128M x 8-bit DDR2 FBGA
components. Total kit capacity is 4GB (4096MB). Each module pair has been tested to run at DDR2
800MHz at latency timing of 5-5-5-15 at 1.85V. The SPD is programmed to JEDEC standard latency
667Mhz timing of 5-5-5-15 at 1.8V. Each 240-pin DIMM uses gold contact fingers and requires
+1.8V.

======================

Verify in the BIOS Setup that your RAM is running at 1.8 Volts.