Asus ANIT-Surge Protection, Q-CODE 00 and and Q-Code/LED loop behavior

[jbhowlesr]

Hello all, I like many am experiencing these errors. Firstly, the computer shuts off with a Q-Code 00 and when I reboot, it will go into a loop during reboot where the both the indicator lights next to the 24 PIN connector and the Q-Code will go into a loop; which forces me to press the MEM_OK button. Doing this clears the loop allowing the computer to reboot again but this time to the AMI bios screen with the anti-surge error. My system is essentially new. I DO NOT overclock because I think it is wasted effort. Anyhow, I am posting my finding in here in hopes that through discussion the cause of these issues can be resolved since they are had by many.

My build:

Maximus HERO VIII (BIOS Ver: 603) all bios setting set to default
i5-6500
16G (4g x 4) Corsair Vengence LPX 2400 RAM (CMK16GX4M4A2400C14B) is listed in the newest compatibility list.
2x GeForce 960 GTX 2Gig in SLi
Corsair H-55 cooler
Corsair AX860 80 plus PLATINUM PSU
Samsung SM951 SSD
WD Black Drive HHD

This system was built today after returning the ASUS Z170-AR and i5-6600K that I originally had bought for this build but experienced the same issues noted above.

I've started realizing that this issue was experienced across two boards of the same chipset, that the issue itself is related to the RAM. Plus experiencing the issue with both a locked and unlocked processor suggests this further. My wife's computer has the Z97-AR board in it and a quick review of her bios shows the same anti-surge setting in the bios which means it is nothing new. The Z170-AR though, did not have the Q-Code on it so I had to rely on the board three LED light to see that an issue was occurring. When it would go into the LED loop, it would flash the CPU light then the RAM light alluding to me to believe that either the CPU is the culprit or the RAM and since I was returning the board anyway, I figured I'd turn the CPU also.

With the MAXIMUS HERO VIII, the only commonality in my setup is the RAM and when it goes into the LED loop, the lights that flash are the CPU and RAM lights. What I am noticing right away using this ram on this board is that it will not run with XMP set to profile 1 allowing it to run at the 2400 advertised speed. Instead, I have to leave XMP disabled forcing the RAM to run at 2133. The last issue I am noticing is that sometimes when windows is running, the Q-Code instead or showing the system temp will show A0.

I am thinking of returning the RAM next but not entirely sure this is the problem since it tests good.

Any thoughts or anything to add?

[Menthol]

The Q code does not show temps, AO is the correct code at a successful boot to OS.
Personally I would return the RAM for some GSKill Ripjaw V series but if you know what chips are on your your set of RAM, my guess is the older Samsung chips designed for the X99 chipset, you can go to the memory section of the bios, memory presets and look for 4x4GB single sided older Samsung and enter one of the presets which will enter correct values for all the timings on your board. This may or may not help, you would have a lot less headaches purchasing memory designed specifically for the Z-170 chipset

[jbhowlesr]

Menthol wrote:
The Q code does not show temps, AO is the correct code at a successful boot to OS.
Personally I would return the RAM for some GSKill Ripjaw V series but if you know what chips are on your your set of RAM, my guess is the older Samsung chips designed for the X99 chipset, you can go to the memory section of the bios, memory presets and look for 4x4GB single sided older Samsung and enter one of the presets which will enter correct values for all the timings on your board. This may or may not help, you would have a lot less headaches purchasing memory designed specifically for the Z-170 chipset

ordered me some rip jaws today.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231895

Hopefully this fixes my issue. Curious if I should exchange the board just incase. I went with a faster speed than 2133 since I plan on buying an i7 once the full line is available for 6th generation. As for now though, I am using the i5-6500 and I thought flexibility would be most desirable since I am not keeping my current CPU very long.

[jbhowlesr]

I'm very iffy about G.Skill memory. I am seeing though that both the 6th gen i5 and i7's have a maximum of 2 memory channels where as the socket 2011 CPU's has 4. In looking at available memory, I am seeing an abundance of so called quad channel with 4 sticks memory and very few listed as dual channel with 4 sticks. Perhaps this is the difference as to why I am experiencing the issue. Maybe the board sees that the ram can do 4 channels and tries to set itself for that but cause a mix match since the CPU can only do 2. I think I am going to take the plunge and try this rip jaws memory. When i7's come out with higher numbers and more options meaning better prices, hopefully better memory will be available in more options. I will post once it arrives.

[jbhowlesr]

So I got the g skill ram and it solved some of the problems but caused other, namely code 55 and still had anti-surge. I finally gave up and returned the hero board today and gave the MSI Gaming M7 board a try. As it turns out, that solved all the problems. It tells me that Asus didn't produce a very quality product in the z170 line since I have the same issue across two boards; Z170-AR and MAXIMIS VIII Hero. I fee confident in stating that if anyone else is experiencing the same issues, that the problem is likely a product poorly produced by an otherwise reputable company such as ASUS.

[Vinny1001]

jbhowlesr wrote:
So I got the g skill ram and it solved some of the problems but caused other, namely code 55 and still had anti-surge. I finally gave up and returned the hero board today and gave the MSI Gaming M7 board a try. As it turns out, that solved all the problems. It tells me that Asus didn't produce a very quality product in the z170 line since I have the same issue across two boards; Z170-AR and MAXIMIS VIII Hero. I fee confident in stating that if anyone else is experiencing the same issues, that the problem is likely a product poorly produced by an otherwise reputable company such as ASUS.

I had the same issue as soon as I installed my M.2 Samsung SSD. I would get Q Code 00 then it'd be a bunch of reboots. I never experienced Q Code 55. I also have the ripjaws but the 3000 mhz. I tried 2 other types of ram, same issue. I removed the M.2 Samsung and I still got the Q Code 00 at times. I installed EVERTHING, one by one, on a bench test, and NOT once had the Code 00 until I did the M.2 SSD. I don't get why though when I remove the M.2, I still sometimes receive 00, when before I never got it once with a million reboots to install hardware 1 by 1.

I am thinking about switching boards as well. I also am having audio popping on the Asus Hero VIII, and am sick of it. Asus is getting back to me latest Wednesday. Others have similar audio issues.

Does the MSI have audio issues? Check both headphones, as well as (if you have) 5.1 external surround sound speakers.

Please and thanks!

I like the extra fan header on the asus, and fan control is great.

[Chino]

And which M.2 SSD are you using?

[Vinny1001]

Chino wrote:
And which M.2 SSD are you using?

Chino, I am using the Samsung 850 EVO. I tried it on another Z170 board and it worked 100% of the time, no issues. It's just being used to store some games, nothing special.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TGIVZTW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Literally, EVERYTHING, was 100% working until I plopped in the M.2 SSD, and that's what started the Q Code 00, infinite shut downs, and so on. After removing the M.2 SSD, I still get those issues.

If you could help me out, that'd be great.

Thanks!

[Raja]

If you are seeing the anti-surge message, you can try disabling the anti-surge setting. Some PSUs are slightly outside ATX spec in rail voltages, which can trigger it.

If seeing code 55 when the DRAM is set to XMP, you can also set Maximus Tweak mode to 1 in the UEFI DRAM timing page - this will ease the sub-timings, which is needed for some kits.

[Chino]

Are you running the latest BIOS?