Abit KN9 SLi - what memory to get board started?

GSP · 20 Mar 2007 at 23:24

Hi,

I've recently built a PC using the KN9 SLi mobo, 2 x 1GB Crucial Ballistix 2.1V PC-6400, AMD 64 X2 3800+ and Inno3D 7100GS graphics for use as a small business server. However, I can't get the board to start - I get continuous long beeps on startup which appear to indicate a memory problem. I've tried a single 512MB Kingston Value 1.8V PC-6400 stick, but no change. I have read that this could be due to the default BIOS settings not being compatible with the RAM, so what RAM do I have to use that will let me get in as far as the BIOS settings so that I can configure the RAM parameters? I've built many PCs over the last 10+ years, but this is first one that I can't get started! Not interested in pushing it, just to start up and run reliably.

G@rethf · 26 Mar 2007 at 12:02

I also have a KN9 SLI. Havent had any memory compatibility problems myself but have read of others. I use the Corsair Twin X stuff, havent had any problems with it. Have you tried varying which slot you use??

GSP · 26 Mar 2007 at 23:45

G@rethf said:
I also have a KN9 SLI. Havent had any memory compatibility problems myself but have read of others. I use the Corsair Twin X stuff, havent had any problems with it. Have you tried varying which slot you use??

I've tried both sets of slots, resetting CMOS, and all the usual tricks without any change in behaviour. I'd like to get it running with the Ballistix rather than paying out again for more top-notch memory if possible. I had hoped the Kingston stick running at 1.8V might have been compatible with the default settings so that I could at least get into the BIOS and make whatever changes were necessary to get the Crucial memory running. I tried Abit tech support, but no reply so far.

BUFF · 27 Mar 2007 at 12:04

If he doesn't catch this here try asking Sean on abit.care - you'll have to Google for the full url as it'll be filtered here.

G@rethf · 28 Mar 2007 at 17:14

Hhmm, not too sure what else to suggest other than trying 1 stick in each of the 4 slots, but it sounds like you have allready tried that. Also, try looking on the Abit forum as theres quite a lot of KN9-SLI info on there.

GSP · 29 Mar 2007 at 15:27

Following advice on the abit.care board I installed only one Ballistix, and only if it is in the righthand green slot I can get to the BIOS screen after resetting CMOS. I then set the RAM voltage to 2.2V and didn't change anything else. On reboot I go back to the beeps again. I reset CMOS and tried again, this time setting the timings as well as the voltage, same problem. I've tried all voltages from 1.8 to 2.3, with and without the timings and still can't get it to boot successfully with one or both sticks installed. I've discovered that my BIOS is way out of date (even though the board was bought in February), so have downloaded 18. Unfortunately it is not possible to set the PC to boot from floppy without changing the BIOS defaults, and once that is done it is back to square 1 again.