P5K problem

[Mercenary Keyboard Warrior]

originally I posted into the memory forums as I though I had a memory incompatability.

Spec :

Asus P5K
Raptor 74GB
GTX8800
Gamestream 600W
E7650
Tuniq Tower 120
Geil PC6400 Ultra 2GB (2x1GB) 4-4-4-12 or Gskill PC6400 PK 2GB (2x1GB) 4-4-4-12
Antec 900 Gaming case

So initial problem was built a new sys and would not even post (locked on first bios screen). Thought the USB keyboard was throwing a wobbly as it wouldn't power up yet USB mouse did, so I went and got a PS2 keyboard. No diff.

So thought simplest initial thing, maybe its a dodgy RAM chip, removed one and it booted. Ok I thought will test swapping in and out and see if it was just a dodgy seat or if its a dodgy chip. So tried each stick individually in each bank of mobo and both work in all 4 banks. Conculsion memory is fine (this was using the Geil memory not the G skill).
So i disconnected the sound card, spare disk, CDROM, raptor. Still no joy.
Ive tried swapping the graphics card for a 7600GT still no diff.

Oops forgot to say, Ive flashed the latest BIOS, Ive fixed the FSB bus multi, set DRAM voltage to 2.1 upto 2.3 even no diff. Ive tried 4-4-4-12 and slackened right off to 6-6-6-21 and in between. Tried using the DDR800 and DDR667 nope no diff.

So I figured it must just be a RAM incompatabilty with the MOBO and splashed out on 2GB of GSKill, no diff at all, exactly the same as soon as I populate 2 channels (in Dual or non dual mode) it refuses to post as far as BIOS.

I can probably try a diff power supply as I have a 520W Hiper which should be fine for powering up as far as BIOS with the 8800GTX I am sure. Which would only leave me three options, mobo issue, buid issue, processor issue.

I believe that I can rule out the build and processor because to try to work out if it was a built issue I have installed vista without any problem what so ever using just 1 memory stick. So I am pretty sure the builds ok, and that the processor is fine as I am sure I couldn't install vista on one channel of RAM in a system that was too iffy to be able to even get as far as the BIOS with 2 sticks.

Can anyone think of anything else I can try before I end up doing an RMA on the mobo and praying that they believe me and send me a new board.
Unfortunately whilst I buy most of my stuff at OCUK I didnt get the mobo or processor here, the day I wanted to order OCUK went out of stock on the processor and when I ordered from somewhere else that did have it in stock the mobo was £10 cheaper so I got that there as well.

 

[turbotoes]

I think an RMA is the order of the day, I can promise you that the g-skill works super fine on a p5k deluxe wifi in dual channel with 3 slots occupied. So there's no problem there.

I've also got an asus mn2-mx and that's got a weirdy in that it will only boot in dual channel in the b slots in the a slots it does the same as your p5k can't even get into the bios, either A slot with either B slot and it's fine (single channel of course) and if I have three slots occupied it works too.

So I think it must be a problem on the board, in your case it renders the thing unfit for purpose, so change it. You know the fault can be reproduced so they can't argue with you can they?

good luck

turbotoes