Aurora R10, working fine, 2,1 yellow blink code

Question

Hi

I have had an R10 for about two years now. 2080S with 3800X. I upgraded the RAM to 3200 about 6 months ago. The RAM upgrade is working fine. I had an issue a few months ago where the computer would not boot when I adjusted overclock settings in BIOS. I was getting the flashing yellow code that indicated a CMOS issue. I removed and reset the CMOS (after complete power drain) a bunch of times and that eventually solved the problem.

I just noticed that I am now getting the 2,1 flashing yellow code (system board failure) but the computer boots up fine and I don't see anything wrong with it.

Anyone know what this means?

Should I try to reset the BIOS? Will that erase my computer?

I am hesitant to touch anything in BIOS because last time I did the computer refused to boot up (with a blinking yellow light code).

I have premium support plus and will ask them too, but I want a second opinion.

Vanadiel · Answer

Is the ram validated OEM, or is it aftermarket? Ram support on these systems is limited, and oddball behavior is not uncommon with aftermarket ram.   I am leaning towards the RAM if it is aftermarket.

RodsterB · Answer

I had the exact same problem with my R10. I ordered HyperX Fury 2x16GB 3200Mhz from Amazon. It listed the RAM as 1.2v-1.35v

I installed it and used the XMP Profile in the BIOS to run them at 3200Mhz. Within a few days, I started getting messages at Boot that my BIOS needed recovery. Then I started getting the 2,1 flashing lights. I dropped them to stock which was 2400Mhz and the problem went away. I was able to run them at 2933Mhz with no problems. I agree with the previous poster, that it's probably an incompatibility between the R10 and the memory sticks you are using.

steadler · Answer

Depending what bios version you have, you may have the auto option.

The oc1,oc2 bios options on my previous bios version don't work anymore on 2.2.4

so I set them to auto and they are working @ 3200Mhz,

I sometimes check with a window command the speeds of the 4 modules.

@ command prompt:

wmic memorychip get devicelocator, speed

I have 2 dell memory modules and 2 hyperX.with xmp 3200 . All works well.

no amber flashing R10

PLO2121 · Answer

Aftermarket.  I did a lot of research before buying it and many people said it works with this machine.  When I first installed it I was tweaking the settings in BIOS to overclock and that is when I got the no post issue.  After resetting CMOS a bunch of times it worked.  Now it always boots up and is indeed running at the 3200 like it should.  I am hesitant to touch anything in BIOS again (it is set to OC2 right now) for fear of it not booting like before.  Again, the system runs fine and the RAM runs at 3200, but I get the blinking code on start up.

PLO2121 · Answer

I mean it boots and ACC and HW info both say it is running correctly at 3200.  I think I have the BIOS on OC2/HF2.  i am hestitant to change it again as last time I did I got no post and had to reset CMOS multiple times to get it to boot.  I am getting the code at start up, but the machine is running and the RAM is running at 3200 like it should.  Just curious why I am still getting the code if everything seems fine.

PLO2121 · Answer

I will have to try this and confirm what I have in BIOS.  I think it is on hf2.  The blinking 2,1 I have is yellow.

JohnnyRamone · Answer

Ok its running at 3200Mhz but what are the timings? The only advantage of using aftermarket RAMs are the timings. The oem Kingston memory in my R10 did support 3200Mhz but with slow timings. I use CRUCIAL BALLISTX memory now and it runs without any issues with 3200Mhz and timings of 16-18-18-36. But as Vanadiel said the Auroras are quite picky with the RAMs. I have two pairs of the Crucial memory (same specs) and only one pair does support these timings at 3200Mhz in my R10. So check the timings you are actually running with CPUZ. Its a bit of a trial and error game to find realy matching aftermarket memory for the R10.

PCRead · Answer

Mine also 2,1s on boot but runs fine. It started at the time of the BIOS upgrade debacle and still persists 3 mobo swaps later. The machine is stock (5900, 3080, 32GB original RAM) apart from a 2nd NVMe and an SSD. I'm pretty much in the 'if it ain't broke..' camp, so I'm not going to do anything drastic.

ramjiyaniprajal · Answer

I got same system as yours, my ram is 3400Mhz, and it is giving 2,1 amber.

Actual issue: PC isn't starting with no led codes.

First visit they replace motherboard and got 2,1 amber

2nd visit they replaced the motherboard, processor, and power supply got 2,1 amber. he brings another RAM stick to try it out, and the same result.
it looks like they are getting all bad refurbished motherboards at all times.
now waiting to get another system.

RodsterB · Answer

Is the RAM stock that came with the system? If so try disabling any OC on the RAM and see if it boots normally. The 2,1 Amber is typically RAM incompatibility. When my system was under warranty, Dell Support wanted to change out my mobo and I refused because once it got past the 2,1 Amber it booted and worked just fine although it kept flashing 2,1 Amber regardless. When I selected XMP #1 it booted just fine and the 2,1 Amber lights never came back. The HyperX Fury I purchased from Amazon was rated @ 3200 Mhz but it has to run @ 2933 Mhz instead.

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Aurora R10, working fine, 2,1 yellow blink code

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