How to test your RAM for errors

Posted by Martin in Hardware, Tools  Tags: , , , , ,

26

Jul



It you purchase new ram, a new or used computer or experience crashes and bluescreens you should definitely test the memory installed on your computer to make sure that it is running without errors. Faulty memory is one of the main reasons for instability. The first task should be to make sure that the memory is correctly inserted into the memory banks. Make sure you count the number of bars and check if you are running dual channel mode or not.

Download the free software Memtest86+ as an iso image (currently Memtest 3.3 iso) and burn it to a compact disk. Reboot your computer afterwards and boot the CD that you just created. You might need to change the boot order in your bios to be able to boot from CD. Memtest86+ is starting automatically from CD and performing in depth memory tests that could take hours to complete.

If errors are encountered during the test you know that you have faulty RAM and need to replace it. If you have more than one RAM bar installed you should test them separately to make sure you know which one is the faulty one. I ran the test just a few hours ago and realized that one of my ram bars is indeed faulty which made me order new RAM immediately.


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9 Users Commented In This Post

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Dante says:

For mission critical computers, I generally use ECC RAM which has built in automatic error correction capabilities. Saves a lot of headaches.

maquete eletronica 3d says:

another great utility, thanks ghacks

you know, sometimes whn your windows is freezing a lot this maybe is occouring by a memory error, thanks

Benóný (Iceland) says:

“compact disk”
isn’t that just a regular CD-R Disk? or do I have to bye some sort of special CD?

Faust-C says:

Just a note that most linux distros have a memtest that comes w/ them standard. So rather than wasting a whole CD-R/RW, just use that old knoppix disk …

Martin says:

Benóný CD = Compact Disk :P

Faust-C, most users will have troubles starting the memtest which is why they probably prefer this method.

Benóný (Iceland) says:

haha Thank you Martin :$ :’) hihi

Bush Mackel says:

Thankfully, I was lucky enough to have MEMTEST on my mobo the last time I built a rig!

DDodge says:

I tend to use http://ramprobe.com more than memtest86 as it is newer and supports more of the motherboards I have used. Just a heads up.

Windows Memory Diagnostic says:

[...] to Windows Memory Diagnostic is Memtest86+ which is highly recommended by computer professionals to check ram of computers. It has also be burned to CD and run during system start. Like such posts? Get [...]

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