There aren't any Broadwell Xeons listed in the supported CPU list . The BIOS may need a microcode update to support it. Otherwise, pull all memory except that in A_1 and try to boot against that. Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › other-motherboards › maximus-vi-formula-q-code-19-pre-memory-pch-initialization-is › td-p › 544685
Maximus VI Formula Q-Code 19 Pre-memory PCH initialization is started
March 6, 2024 - I typically put the computer to sleep (don't shut down takes a bit to restart -for me) and the PSU (Lighting 1000 from Roswell) was making clicking sounds in a sequence); also as this was happening, all the lights were dimming with the clicking noise. So I shut down the system. Now, nothing appears on the monitor and a Q-Code 19 Pre-memory PCH initialization is started shows on the boards LED.
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Tom's Hardware Forum
forums.tomshardware.com › home › motherboards
Error code "19" then reboot before post | Tom's Hardware Forum
August 24, 2012 - ASUS Maximus IV Extreme 16GB Mushkin @1600MHz i7 2600k 1200 watt PSU When I hit the power button on my PC, it will get stuck at error code "19" on my motherboard, reboot by itself about 5-6 seconds into it, and then it freezes at the "Starting Windows" screen with the Windows logo. After that I have to do a hard restart for it to do anything, and then it's fine again. I looked in my motherboard manual and apparently this means "Pre-memory PCH initialization has started."
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Corsair Community
forum.corsair.com › forums › legacy topics › corsair product discussion › memory
1866 Dominator Plat - Pre-memory PCH initialization has started - Asus Z9pe=D8 ws - Memory - Corsair Community
April 18, 2013 - Corsair Support. I’ve been trying to troubleshoot an issue now for 3+ weeks. I’m thinking my issue may be RAM related and I’m hoping you can help. System: Asus – Z9PE-D8 WS Processors: Intel – Xeon 2687w (2x) Memory: Dominator Platinum, 8x8(64GB) 1866, 14900, 9,10,9,27 Coolers: Corsair H100i (2x)...
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BleepingComputer
bleepingcomputer.com › bleepingcomputer forums › hardware › internal hardware
Need help with new pc build - Internal Hardware
May 9, 2026 - I checked the code on my mb as listed below: some code is not in the manual so i looked it up online 00 not used 04 pch initialization before microcod loading 7f reserved for future AMI DXE code 31 memory installed 14 pre memory cpu initialization is started 15 pre memory system agent ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/pcbuild › need help with new pc build
r/PcBuild on Reddit: Need help with new pc build
January 31, 2022 -

Hi everyone, 

First of all sorry for my English.  It is not my first language. 

I built a game pc early this month, every works fine  until yesterday. I mostly used it to play bf2042 and use lightroom classic. 

 I was too dumb that to the AI Suit 3 Ai overclock feature.  It restarted my pc and it went in to bluescreen and restarted itself.  After that i went into bios and loaded default settings hoped to reset bios would help.

I started my pc again it works untill i Login to windows and the pc freeze and crashed. I tried restart it and restore to a previous point, it worked for a while and freeze again.

I tried to reinstall windows, and it works untill i update everything such at drivers and it freeze and crashed. 

I tried to reinstall windows again and it crashed during installation. 

Now it can't boot into bios and no signal to my monitor. 

I checked the code on my mb as listed below: some code is not in the manual so i looked it up online

00 not used

04 pch initialization before microcod loading 

7f reserved for future AMI DXE code

31 memory installed 

14 pre memory cpu initialization is started

15 pre memory system agent initialization is started 

27 pre memory pch initialization is started 

00 not used

12 pre cpu initialization is started 

28 oem pre memory initialization code ?

4c not sure

 https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?90773-No-display-and-Unable-to-boot-to-bios-Q-Code-00-4C-3E-3A-32-14-error

1f OEM pre-memory initialization codes?

https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?93528-Mysterious-1F-error-code-on-my-QLED

1a pre memory pch initialization is started 

2c memory initialization 

31 memory installed 

46 OEM pre-memory initialization codes?

34 cpu post memory initialization 

38 post memory system agaent initialization is started 

39 post memory system agaent initialization is started 

3e post memory pch initialization is started 

3a post memory system agent initialization is started 

33 cpu post memory initialization 

36 same

79 cdm initialization 

35 cpu post memory initialization 

3c post memory pch initialization is started 

38 post memory system agent initialization is started 

39 same

55 memory not installed 

31 memory installed 

7f reserved for future ami dex codes

Repeat 

Here is my spec:

Cpu: Intel Core i9-12900K 3.2 GHz 16-Core Processor

MB: Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO ATX LGA1700 Motherboard

GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB SUPRIM X Video Card

Ram: ADATA XPG LANCER RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5200 CL38 Memory

Ssd: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive

Cooler: Corsair iCUE H150i RGB PRO XT 75 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler

Power: MSI MPG A-GF 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › asus x99-a ii goes into bios then can't post with code 19 (pre-memory pch initialization started)
r/buildapc on Reddit: Asus X99-A II goes into BIOS then can't POST with code 19 (Pre-memory PCH initialization started)
June 3, 2016 -

I just made a new build with an Asus X99-A II mobo, Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4 ES CPU, GTX 970 and 2x16 GSKILL DDR4-2400 RAM. After putting together my build, I can get into the BIOS, but after I reboot, my PC won't POST and the Asus motherboard LED reports code 19 "Pre-memory PCH initialization started". The CPU_LED is also on. It stays that way on subsequent reboots until I reset the CMOS. Then it boots into BIOS again but on the next reboots it gets stuck at code 19 again.

Anyone had suggestions?

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G.SKILL TECH FORUM
gskill.us › forum › forum › general-discussion › general-discussion-aa › 11121-what-to-do-about-q-code-22-pre-memory-pch-initialization
What to do about Q-Code 22 - Pre-memory PCH initialization - G.SKILL TECH FORUM
April 1, 2013 - SSD's: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB for OS, another 840 Pro for Users, Profile Power Supply: EVGA NEX1500 The error that keeps coming up is ASUS Q-Code 22. "Pre-memory PCH initialization has started". I've had 3 different motherboards through RMA process. In addition, I've not only reset the CMOS, ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › new build does not pass post
r/buildapc on Reddit: New build does not pass POST
May 22, 2025 -

I finally decided to bite the bullet and upgrade my tried and true i7-6700k in an old Antec P-180. I ordered these parts: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zWwG6Q# and intended to move a RTX2080 and 2TB NVME from my current PC.

I assembled all the parts and hit the power switch fully expecting to deal with some Windows issues but instead I never made it out of POST and the display never activated. I tried all the DP and HDMI ports on the 2080 and the DP/HDMI on the MB but never got any output. Sadly the MB doesn't have a post code 7-segment anymore and the dumb case I ordered doesn't have a power LED for the Q-LED core functionality. I added an LED from an arduino kit and I was getting fast blinking (DRAM not detected) followed by slow blinking (no VGA). Everything attached to the MB powered up and the DRGB LEDs started cycling colors so at some level the MB seemed to be working.

Troubleshooting steps:

  • Removed and reseated both sticks of ram, swapped them, tried each one individually, and finally tried them in the "wrong" slots. Same result every time.

  • Removed checked CPU, everything looked pristine as expected.

  • Removed GPU

  • Removed all attached USB devices

  • Hooked up a TTL->USB converter to get the POST codes from DEBUG-COM port and got this stream of codes which I ran a VLOOKUP in Excel to get this human readable list (Thanks EVGA for publishing a list of what each code means):

03 - System Agent initialization before microcode loading
04 - PCH initialization before microcode loading
7F - Reserved for future AMI DXE codes
0A - OEM initialization after microcode loading
2A - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
03 - System Agent initialization before microcode loading
23 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
00 - Not used
7F - Reserved for future AMI DXE codes
15 - Pre-memory System Agent initialization is started
19 - Pre-memory PCH initialization is started
00 - Not used
02 - AP initialization before microcode loading
7F - Reserved for future AMI DXE codes
00 - Not used
7F - Reserved for future AMI DXE codes
00 - Not used
0F - Microcode not loaded
10 - PEI Core is started
20 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
21 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
22 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
24 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
27 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
30 - Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below)
31 - Memory Installed
40 - OEM post memory initialization codes
50 - Memory initialization error. Invalid memory type or incompatible memory speed
51 - Memory initialization error. SPD reading has failed
60 - DXE Core is started
06 - Microcode loading
0A - OEM initialization after microcode loading
2A - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
48 - OEM post memory initialization codes
4A - OEM post memory initialization codes
4D - OEM post memory initialization codes
15 - Pre-memory System Agent initialization is started
49 - OEM post memory initialization codes
15 - Pre-memory System Agent initialization is started
4B - OEM post memory initialization codes
4E - OEM post memory initialization codes
12 - Pre-memory CPU initialization (CPU module specific)
13 - Pre-memory CPU initialization (CPU module specific)
1F - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
20 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
40 - OEM post memory initialization codes
41 - OEM post memory initialization codes
42 - OEM post memory initialization codes
4E - OEM post memory initialization codes
08 - System Agent initialization after microcode loading
09 - PCH initialization after microcode loading
42 - OEM post memory initialization codes
50 - Memory initialization error. Invalid memory type or incompatible memory speed
0B - Cache initialization
51 - Memory initialization error. SPD reading has failed
00 - Not used
08 - System Agent initialization after microcode loading
28 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
20 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
4A - OEM post memory initialization codes
21 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
22 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
7B - Reserved for future AMI DXE codes
11 - Pre-memory CPU initialization is started
23 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
12 - Pre-memory CPU initialization (CPU module specific)
6B - System Agent DXE initialization (System Agent module specific)
7D - Reserved for future AMI DXE codes
0C - Reserved for future AMI SEC error codes
0F - Microcode not loaded
08 - System Agent initialization after microcode loading
14 - Pre-memory CPU initialization (CPU module specific)
27 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
1A - Pre-memory PCH initialization (PCH module specific)
0E - Microcode not found
1E - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
6E - System Agent DXE initialization (System Agent module specific)
26 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
25 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
29 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
28 - OEM pre-memory initialization codes
79 - CSM initialization
2B - Memory initialization. Serial Presence Detect (SPD) data reading
4E - OEM post memory initialization codes
4C - OEM post memory initialization codes
2C - Memory initialization. Memory presence detection
6C - System Agent DXE initialization (System Agent module specific)
31 - Memory Installed
34 - CPU post-memory initialization. Application Processor(s) (AP) initialization
2F - Memory initialization (other)
2E - Memory initialization. Confi guring memory
4B - OEM post memory initialization codes
57 - CPU mismatch
49 - OEM post memory initialization codes
62 - Installation of the PCH Runtime Services
76 - PCH DXE Initialization (PCH module specific)
3A - Post-Memory System Agent initialization (System Agent module specific)
03 - System Agent initialization before microcode loading
05 - OEM initialization before microcode loading
07 - AP initialization after microcode loading
7F - Reserved for future AMI DXE codes
15 - Pre-memory System Agent initialization is started
30 - Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below)
32 - CPU post-memory initialization is started
33 - CPU post-memory initialization. Cache initialization
4D - OEM post memory initialization codes
46 - OEM post memory initialization codes
3D - Post-Memory PCH initialization (PCH module specific)
5E - Reserved for future AMI error codes
36 - CPU post-memory initialization. System Management Mode (SMM) initialization
41 - OEM post memory initialization codes
5D - Reserved for future AMI error codes
3B - Post-Memory PCH initialization is started
3C - Post-Memory PCH initialization (PCH module specific)
38 - Post-Memory System Agent initialization (System Agent module specific)
39 - Post-Memory System Agent initialization (System Agent module specific)
52 - Memory initialization error. Invalid memory size or memory modules do not match
40 - OEM post memory initialization codes
49 - OEM post memory initialization codes
53 - Memory initialization error. No usable memory detected
51 - Memory initialization error. SPD reading has failed
50 - Memory initialization error. Invalid memory type or incompatible memory speed
7C - Reserved for future AMI DXE codes
4F - DXE IPL is started
72 - PCH devices initialization
48 - OEM post memory initialization codes
77 - PCH DXE Initialization (PCH module specific)
5B - reset PPI is not available
5C - Reserved for future AMI error codes
42 - OEM post memory initialization codes
71 - PCH DXE SMM initialization is started
5A - Internal CPU error
69 - System Agent DXE initialization is started
55 - Memory not installed

Clearly some memory related error codes in there.

The RAM wasn't on the compatibility list but I've never had an issue with other builds in the past as long as the speed/type matched up. I ordered RAM from the list and it is due in tomorrow.

Is there anything else I should look at or what is the next most likely culprit? Seems odd that both modules would be defective.

🌐
Linus Tech Tips
linustechtips.com › the workbench › troubleshooting
PCH Initialization Error - Help Pleaseeeeee - Troubleshooting - Linus Tech Tips
June 20, 2015 - So I was building my new pc today and when I went to test it, all the lights came on along with the fans however there was nothing showing on my monitor. After about 10 seconds the pc would turn off and then on again constantly. The BIOS clock on my motherboard, the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming GT ATX...
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/techsupport › post-memory pch initialization is started error code 3e
r/techsupport on Reddit: Post-Memory PCH initialization is started error code 3E
August 23, 2020 -

Hi guys. I need help and I have no idea what to do. I have built a new PC with a Ryzen 3900X a Asus X570-E motherboard Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (4x8GB) DDR4 3200MHz RAM an MSI RTX 2060 GPU and a Corsair RM550 PSU. For the first week everything worked perfect. Now when I try to boot into windows I get a black screen with the orange DRAM light flashing on the mobo as well as the error code 3E and a black screen. When I take out all sticks of RAM and place one back I can boot into windows. I’ve tried to reseat the CPU as well as change the RAM settings in the BIOS and BIOS updates. Nothing is working and I have no idea what to do

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Overclockers
overclockers.com › home › forums › hardware › motherboards › intel motherboards
Maximus IV Extreme error 19 | Overclockers Forums
November 23, 2012 - 19-Pre-memory PCH initialization is started The troublshooting lights never make it past the CPU.
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Level1Techs
forum.level1techs.com › hardware hub › motherboards
URGENT! Motherboard errors - Motherboards - Level1Techs Forums
May 30, 2016 - I recieved my cable mod extensions and i installed them. My dekstop booted but also gave errors. From cpu to vga to boot. Also the Qcode screen gives a lot of errors. Gets to AE and eventually AO and windows 7 boots. The problem is the booting takes longer, mouse and keyboard dont get activated ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/techsupport › worked perfectly for 2 year, a week of difficulty booting, now it won't post at all.
r/techsupport on Reddit: Worked perfectly for 2 year, a week of difficulty booting, now it won't post at all.
May 29, 2015 -

Hello, I'm not a complete tech noob, but I thought before I go out and buy replacement parts, I should post here and see if anyone has some ideas.

Edit: Sorry, msi gd65 z77 is the motherboard. Error Codes I believe are:

  • 4F, DXE IPL is started

  • 03, System Agent initialization before microcode loading

  • 19, Pre-memory PCH initialization is started

  • 56, Invalid CPU type or Speed

  • 46, OEM post memory initialization codes

  • 49, OEM post memory initialization codes

  • 55, Memory not installed

  • 36 CPU post-memory initialization. System Management Mode (SMM) initialization

Short Version:

Won't post. Motherboard does this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4-_DT4Z9OY

Long Version:

For about a week, the computer wouldn't boot unless I restarted it ~10 times. Sometimes I would switch off the power supply, sometimes that seemed like it helped other times it didn't. Eventually one day it won't boot at all no matter what it did. But, the strange thing was, when it was booting before (after many attempts) it would be fine all day ~12 hours with all sorts of load on video, cpu, ram, power etc. Also, when I looked at the debug codes displayed on the motherboard LEDs, it rotates between about 6 of them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4-_DT4Z9OY

I've unplugged everything but ram, cpu and power supply and it still goes crazy like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4-_DT4Z9OY.

I don't think it's the power supply. I've had power supplies fail, and the symptoms of that are usually intermittent restarts, but like I said when it did boot all the fans, video, harddrives, etc worked perfectly. All things get power even without post, and power supply fan is working.

I don't think it's the ram. Ram tends to cause intermittent crashes. I've tried the ram I have in different slots and only 1 instead 2. Didn't work. And like I said when it did boot I had the ram filled 3gigs+ working 12+ hours. I feel like it should have shown symptoms then if it was ram.

On the motherboard side I've tried, different bioses, reseting the bios, pulling the battery and reseating the ram and power cables. Nothing worked.

My gut tells me it's the motherboard or the CPU. When I first got the CPU it had a bent pin, which I fixed. Since I've owned this computer 2+ years I've overclocked it (midly). No overheating problems though. I suppose it's possible that the overclocking a stressed pin could cause this problem. It's my only guess other then some freak quality problem in the motherboard.

Thanks for any help you can provide me.

🌐
Linus Tech Tips
linustechtips.com › the workbench › troubleshooting
Not able to get as far as bios - Troubleshooting - Linus Tech Tips
April 16, 2023 - Hello, I've just built a computer. I'm fairly new. Its been a tough ordeal. I'm not sure if it was me or it arrived this way but I ended up having to take the motherboard out and re-bend a pin into place for the JUSB3: socket, of course after I had already hooked everything up and applied thermal...
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Techy Last
techylast.com › home › cpu › pre-memory cpu initialization is started –  detailed guide!
Pre-Memory CPU Initialization Is Started – Detailed Guide!
October 5, 2024 - But I learned it’s just the computer’s way of checking that everything, especially the memory, is ready before fully starting up. Pre-Memory CPU Initialization Is Started (short answer) Yes, pre-memory CPU Initialization refers to the computer’s checking and preparing memory before the full startup.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › help: pc doesn't boot properly (error code 53) seems to be a ram issue...
r/buildapc on Reddit: HELP: PC doesn't boot properly (Error Code 53) seems to be a RAM issue...
April 16, 2016 -

I got my parts yesterday and began to put the things together. As i first time builder i encountered some problems, but all in all it went quite well :)

Now that i try to boot my rig i keep getting the following error code on my asus z170 deluxe:

    1. Error Code 14; Pre-memory CPU initialization is started --> This is only like 1 second and disappears

  • 2) Error Code 19; Pre-memory PCH initialization is started --> only just one second

THEN it get's stuck on the error code 53, which stands for memory initialization error. invalid memory type or incompatible memory speed. the memOK LED is on (after flashing several times) and some rebooting circles.

My RAM sticks are g.skills ripjaws V 32GB (4x8) 3200 Mhz. According to G.skill, these sticks are compatible http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f4-3200c16d-16gvk

I also tried to boot with different amount of sticks in different slots but got always stuck on the error code 53...

Can you guys pleas help me with any advise?

Is it a problem, that the speed of my RAM is to high for a first boot? but how can i adjust the speed in BIOS when i can't reach it?

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/overclocking › xmp seems not to work
r/overclocking on Reddit: XMP seems not to work
March 2, 2022 -

So yesterday I built my new PC with an i9-12900kf, ASUS Z690 gaming e, and 64Gb of Kingston fury ddr5 5200. The problem is I can't get the PC to boot consistently with either XMP I or XMP II on 4800 or 5200. So far I tried to update the Bios on the latest version, bump the VDD and QVDD Voltage stepwise up to 1.3V and lower the frequency to 5000. In 90% of the time when restarting, it won't boot and freezes at code 20 (Pre-memory PCH initialization is started) or 33 (CPU post-memory initialization). The only way I can run my RAM consistently is in auto mode at 4000MHz.

Does anyone have the same hardware and encountered a similar problem? Or does anyone have some ideas about what I could try? I'm new to RAM overclocking so please bear with me if I overlooked an obvious thing. Many thanks in advance.

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Overclock.net
overclock.net › home › forums › components › memory
need help with my Memory / boot issue | Overclock.net
Hello @GSKILL SUPPORT I have now tested all dimms separately in slot A2 with only one DIMM installed pc crashed with Qcode 1C ( pre-memory PCH initialization ) and Qcode 52 ( memory initialization error ) then i tested with 2 DIMM´s the same result, with 4 Dimms installed is it possible to boot after many tries/reboots but it also shows Qcode 52, i am very unhappy with this
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Hardware Canucks
hardwarecanucks.com › home › forums › pc builders & tweakers corner › troubleshooting
Fixed! - First Post - ASUS Crosshair VIII Q-code stops at 15 | Hardware Canucks
August 15, 2020 - No error code beeps, but the Q-code gets to 15, then restarts and stops at 15... That Q-code is "Pre-memory System Agent Initialization Started". Have a pair of Trident Z NEO DDR 16 GB ram in slots DIMM_A2 and DIMM_B2 (which according to the manual is the recommended configuration) and an AMD3900xt.