Gene-Z wont POST, Code 38

[Retired]

I'm assembling a new system and I cant get it to POST if there is memory in slots A1 or B1. The board just hangs with debug code 38 and the dram_led on. I can get into the BIOS fine if I've got a stick in A2 or B2 (or both). I Flashed the BIOS to 0706, but the problem still persits. I've also reset the CMOS by taking the battery out and flipping it over to short the terminals.

Currently I've got the following setup:
Maximus IV Gene-Z
i7-2600K
Coolermaster 212 EVO
Corsair Vengance 8 GB (2x4GB) CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9R
Corsair HX850

My questions are:
1. Is there anything else I can try or is there an RMA in my future?

2. When I've got the sticks in A2 and B2 all 8 GB are detected. I know you're supposed to run RAM in the same channel, but what is the harm in running them separate? Is it a performance thing? I'm thinking I can continue to setup the system (or play BF3) with this config temorarily.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Raja]

Use a single memory module in the slot furthest from the CPU and update to the latest UEFI build if you have not done so already. The remove all power from the board, remove the CPU from the socket and clear CMOS. Replace the CPU and mount the cooler and use a single memory module in one of the non working slots and see if the board will POST.

-Raja

[Retired]

Wow! Thanks for the quick reply. I will give the reset a try tonight. Can you confirm:

1. According to this Version 706 seems to be the latest. (There's a 902, but its listed below and its date is older).

2. Flipping the battery is the correct way to reset CMOS

edit: nevermind I just read the post below mine that says 706 is indeed latest. Need more coffee

[Raja]

btooth wrote:
Wow! Thanks for the quick reply. I will give the reset a try tonight. Can you confirm:

1. According to this Version 706 seems to be the latest. (There's a 902, but its listed below and its date is older).

2. Flipping the battery is the correct way to reset CMOS

edit: nevermind I just read the post below mine that says 706 is indeed latest. Need more coffee

2: usually yes, but sometimes removing the cpu when you clear cmos fixes this issue.

[Retired]

Ok, after doing that I'm getting a debug code of 34. I've gotten rog connect hooked up and the poster is giving a 'CMOS error'

[Retired]

Ok on further investigation we might be getting somewhere. Ive got the memory in A2 (the closest red slot to the cpu) and its working (wasnt before). I hooked up a monitor and was getting output saying 'Press F1 to enter BIOS' so I did so. Now I'm getting a code AE when I just let the board boot, but just a cursor on the display. I can still get into BIOS setup by holding DEL when it boots.

This behavior seems a bit odd (ie not asking for a boot device) but I'm going to see if it will infact boot from something.

[Retired]

Ok, I'm gonna stop posting to myself now. It looks like the 'go button' was the trick I was overlooking. Gave that a press and I finally got my desired 'no boot device' message.

I just tried booting to a linux flash drive and was successful, so it looks like I'm all good. Thanks for the help!

[Raja]

Glad it is working 🙂

[Crashbombs]

I think this is kind of an old topic but still useful.

I was having the same issue as the OP. I have 16gb of ram and I could only get 8gb to work in B1 and B2 anything else would get me stuck on code 38.

I followed Raja's instructions. I was at bios 0706, so I flashed. Didn't work. Next I reluctanly reseated my processor, before I started doing that I took out the cmos battery.

When I got the CPU out I noticed it had a small spec of dust on a contact so I blew that off and re-installed it. Fired it up with ram in a slot that didn't work, and now it works!

Installed the rest of the ram, and everything works fine!

So really I just wanna say thanks Raja!

And anyone else having similar issues defiantly try all the recommended steps!