So I needed to build a server and went with the Asus P5M2 MB and got some Kingston ValuRAM x2. After getting everything assembled I got a beep code of 1 Long, 2 Short which is a memory issue. I put 1 stick of crucial ram in there and it worked fine, what I am trying to figure out is why the Kingston RAM does not work. It meets all the reqs and I would think it would work...is memory just that finnicky<sp?>?

I would like to have 8Gig total but based off the Approved Memory the options are small (if not impossible to find, Newegg is the prefered vendor based off of the accounting department I have to use).

So I guess what I want to know is why this didn't work and what easily accessable 4 x 2g sticks of RAM might work?

It's not much consolation, but some motherboards are just finicky and some RAM modules are built to closer specs than others.

Is Kingston ValuRAM on the Asus approved list for your motherboard?

maybe the kingston has a higher voltage requirement...some ram needs 1.8...some needs 2.0...maybe check that out too...most motherboards have a preset ram voltage value, maybe the default is too low

Why not try some regular non ECC RAM? Apparently that board supports non ECC RAM (kind of unusual for a server board imo). And normal DDR2 800 RAM is cheaper too.

Motherboard Specs:
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx? [...] =39&l3=352

Some kingston value ram is (the 1g bars but not the 2 gig bars) on the approved list. The crucial I put in there is 1.90v and the kingston is 1.80v....

I will be running SQL and Exchange server on this, will running non-ECC RAM on this be detrimental?

Ah... you are running a true server? Is it mission/data critical?

Yes, this data is mission critical.

Then you should go with ECC RAM.

Some boards are very picky, ive had microAtx asus that was that way. Ive Never had any problems with Cosair value ram not working. But like pointed out before if your voltage isnt set right for your memory that could cause that also.