Yes I have only used a E6420 with this board it's a REV 1.10G and just like the situation with you and the ballistix stick I am experiencing the same thing with 4 different 1GB sticks at present. This weekend as well I plan on doing some major testing with removing the GPU and changing FSB speeds as you suggested but I'm really fearing even if i get a lucky boot a shutdown command in windows will put me back in the same boat.

I always run 24/7 but I want this rig setup to where if the power goes out or if someone shutdowns it will restart without any problems at all.
I may just have to buy some 1.8V sticks and simply keep this as a HTPC and move on to a newer board that supports decent memory.
I really hope the 2X2GB Reapers solve all the problems but it will be a few days before they arrive so I will plan on testing until then.
I will post here after more experimenting and also after the Reapers arrive. Thanks for the reply and best of luck to all of us fighting with this damn board.