There are situations when, in order to diagnose problems with a PC or laptop, you need to test the RAM. This operation becomes especially relevant if the computer restarts itself or displays on its display BSOD screens and errors like Memory could not be read. The best RAM testing program is MemTest86. How to use it, read the article.
RAM failure symptoms
Testing RAM to identify a faulty PC component should be in the following cases:
- spontaneous computer restarts;
- frequent occurrence of BSOD;
- "crashes" of applications that use a large amount of RAM (3D games, compilers, complex office suites);
- the appearance of artifacts on the display, although the video card is fully functional;
- computer failure to turn on (possibly with beeps).
In the latter case, it makes sense to read the instructions that came with the motherboard to determine which specific device is preventing it from turning on.
Description and principle of operation of MemTest86
Only one person took part in the development of the first versions of the application - Chris Brady. Test program random access memory runs in DOS mode using its own bootloader, so the health of the OS and hard drive does not affect its functionality in any way. MemTest86 can work with multi-core CPUs and almost all modern models motherboards.
During RAM testing, the application writes the same data to RAM cells. After they are completely filled in, the information is read and verified with the sample. The operation is repeated twice. The first time the MemTest86 program fills up memory, starting at low addresses. In the second - from the elders.
After each cycle, the sample is changed to another for the most effective error detection. All operations can be repeated indefinitely (until the user completes the work) or a specified number of times (configured before starting testing).
Utility versions
The program is distributed in several versions: Free Edition, Pro Edition, Site Edition. For home use quite enough opportunities for free Free version edition. The MemTest86 Pro and Site editions are designed for professional use. They added the functions of automation, custom reporting, downloading the program over the network.
There is also an application called MemTest86+. It was created by another person. The last version was released in 2013, after which the development of the application stopped. Memtest86+ is not recommended for testing modern hardware.
MemTest86: instructions for creating a bootable USB flash drive
How to create a flash drive?
There are many on the web different versions MemTest86 program. The application is not available in Russian. It is best to download the utility from the official website. It is always available latest version applications, and the risk of infecting your computer with a virus with this approach is minimal.
This article focuses on creating both a bootable USB flash drive and a DVD. The first option in modern world information technologies the most popular. The second method is suitable for those users who do not have a USB drive at hand.
A detailed guide is included with the MemTest86 application. The instructions from the developer are written in English language. It is preferable to use it, rather than materials from third-party sites.
Creation bootable flash drive will not take much time, and even an inexperienced user will cope with this operation. Do the following:
- Unpack the downloaded archive and run the imageUSB.exe file.
- At the top of the expanded window, select the USB drive and click on the "Write to UDF" button.
- After the process is completed, a bootable USB flash drive will be created.
Before writing a program to a USB flash drive, be sure to copy all the data stored on it to another drive.
Create a bootable DVD
If you don't have a flash drive, you can create a MemTest86 boot disk. Windows must be operational, so you won't be able to perform the operation on a failed computer. It doesn't matter if you have a CD or DVD, it will take several tens of megabytes to write files to the drive.
For creating boot disk do the following:
- Download the ISO image from the official website of the software developer.
- The file comes in a ZIP archive, so extract it to any directory before proceeding with the next steps.
- Download and install the UltraISO program. After installation, it is recommended to restart your computer.
- Unzip the image.
- In the main window of the program, click on the icon with the image of a folder and an arrow. In the dialog that opens, select the image file.
- Then click on the "Burn image" icon. It has a burning disk on it.
- If there are multiple burners on your computer, select the one that will be used in this moment.
- Check the box next to "Check".
- Insert the DVD into the drive and click on the "Burn" button.
- Wait until the end of the process.
BIOS setup and program launch
Before starting the utility, you will need to change the BIOS settings, for this:
- Insert the flash drive into your computer's USB port and reboot.
- Enter the BIOS configuration utility by pressing the DEL key as soon as the PC turns on. The button to launch the utility may differ depending on the motherboard used.
- Move the cursor to the line "1st Boot Device". Set the switch to "USB". Instead of "USB" in some BIOS versions, the device may display the full name of the flash drive or "USB-HDD". Sometimes, to perform this operation, you first need to enter the "Advanced Features" or "Boot" submenu.
- Exit the BIOS and save the settings. To do this, press F10, and then answer the question of the utility in the affirmative. The computer will automatically restart, after which the program will start.
If the BIOS version allows you to boot from the selected device without prior configuration, just press the F8 key, and then specify which drive to use as bootable.
If you are using a laser disc, follow the same instructions, but set the disc drive as the first boot device. In the case when it is not possible to configure the PC, read the instructions that came with motherboard. It can be found on the official website of the manufacturer.
MemTest86: how to use the utility
After starting the program, RAM testing will start automatically. The user only needs to wait for the verification to complete. The test time depends on the performance of the RAM and the presence of bad cells on it. The diagnosis usually takes several hours. Professionals working in service centers recommend testing RAM for 3-4 hours, regardless of the speed of diagnosis.
At the top is the percentage of completion of the test. The second line contains the number of the test currently running. In the third - the percentage of completion of the current test. As mentioned earlier, the application runs tests with different samples one after the other. There are 9 in total, but after graduation latest program will not end, but will continue the diagnostics. This will continue until the application is turned off.
After the first pass of all nine tests, the message "Pass Complete" will appear on the screen and the number of errors found by MemTest86 will be indicated. How to use this information? Even if only one error occurred during the diagnostics, then the RAM modules need to be replaced.
If the computer has several sticks of RAM installed, you can check if they are all out of order. To do this, you need to leave only one module in the PC and perform diagnostics. Then you need to disable it, install the next one and start testing again. Those modules, during the diagnostics of which no errors occur, are serviceable.
It happens that the tests of each RAM strip individually pass without errors, but after installing all the modules on the motherboard, MemTest86 still fails. How to use memory modules in this case? Probably the RAM sticks operate at different frequencies. You can't use them on the same computer. One or more modules need to be replaced.
Memtest86 freezes while running are also indicative of a bad RAM.
Methods for restoring RAM sticks
If the program for testing RAM has detected errors, this does not always mean that the RAM modules are faulty. Sometimes failures begin due to contamination of the contacts of the memory sticks themselves or motherboard slots.
Try cleaning the shiny contacts of the modules with a regular eraser and then rubbing them with alcohol. The same procedure should be carried out with respect to the slots on the motherboard. After cleaning, run the test again. If errors still occur, it means that in order to restore the computer's operation, it is necessary to replace the RAM strips.
MemTest is an application that is designed to test the computer's RAM for its reliable operation. The result of the full test shows the ratio of the level of operations, which includes the written data, as well as the reading of the data. In this small utility, it is possible to specify exactly how much memory will be used during testing. Specialists from HCI, who are the developers of this program, strongly recommend its use when overclocking the system. memtest, in this case, is unique in that only it will be able to determine even the smallest deviations in the results of the test, indicating the unstable operation of the entire computer.
If the situation is to test memory on a completely new computer, or just memory, then the need for MemTest will be a must. Also, this utility can be useful in the case when the memory is configured in BIOS settings, since the stability of the system as a result of such changes will be clearly shown.
In addition, you can conduct a lightweight RAM test, for which half an hour of work will be enough this application. Even if no errors are detected in such a short time, then we can safely consider the RAM to be fully operational, the user will be informed about this by the inscription in the window title - 0 errors. If you need to conduct a deeper check of the RAM, then it is advisable to run MemTest during the day. If even then no errors are found, then such a memory and such a system can be considered fully operational.
Another nice point is that you can download MemTest for free, which makes this utility extremely popular among many users involved in upgrading computers.
MemTest features:
- thorough testing of RAM;
- determination of minor deviations in the system operation;
- setting the amount of memory for the test;
- stable operation of the application;
- no installation.
Thus, considering all the possibilities of MemTest, we can safely say that this program is the best of its kind, which is designed for such a simple, and at the same time useful testing of RAM designed for Windows systems.
Testing RAM is the action that is taken when a new acquisition is made. Of course, everyone wants to see in numerical terms the performance of a new PC with the help of available programs.
What does RAM affect?
RAM consists of modules with several integrated circuits capable of temporarily storing information in them. It is the link between the processor and hard drive to speed up tasks and processes.
The function of RAM is to store the programs that run on the PC. These programs are divided into tasks and processes that go directly to the processed processor, obtaining the desired results. RAM memory is directly related to central processing unit, which implements NorthBrigde via an internal memory controller.
If there is no RAM, the processor must look for programs and instructions that run directly on the hard drive, the device where all files are stored permanently. It is known that HDD much slower than RAM, even newer NVMe SSDs are much slower. For example: NVMe Samsung Evo 970 offers read and write speeds of around 3500 MB/s, while 2666 MHz RAM is capable of reading and writing 37,000 MB/s.
The CPU is much faster than RAM, imagine how slow a computer would be if there was no CPU. In addition, the more space in RAM, the more tasks can be performed simultaneously.
On the video: RAM - what it is for and how it works
What is a benchmark and what is it for?
If you want to test RAM, you must use benchmarks. These are applications whose function is to measure performance electronic device installed on the computer. This program is designed to put this element through difficult tests and various tasks in order to analyze how well it performs them. To do this, the programs have an internal database or analyze via the Internet.
In fact, these programs provide full information, for example, about RAM.
AIDA64 Engineer
Besides the fact that this program has a section specifically dedicated to process errors on the computer, it is also a benchmark program that collects a lot of information about the hardware.
What makes the program different is that it also includes a section for testing the performance of RAM and CPU cache, all in one.
NovaBench
This is another small free benchmark program that does basic PC analysis including RAM. You can check items individually or together.
User Benchmark Software
Probably one of the most famous benchmarking sites in the world. It has free programs so you can take tests. Software does not require installation, and as soon as the verification is completed, you will see a web page where all information about the PC is collected.
RAM test to check integrity
Last but not least are the tests carried out to verify the integrity of the RAM. These tests are applied if there are errors in the memory cells or malfunctions. For example, when Windows outputs its famous blue screen.
Windows itself has had a simple memory test for a long time, but there are other interesting options like Memtest86, the new Memtest64, or even other options like AIDA64 Extreme.
Tests can be clearly divided into three large blocks. The first of these is based on intercepting information about the equipment in order to better understand its features. The second is based on performance testing, the third is based on error detection in memory cells.
On the video: Diagnostics of RAM using standard windows tools.
Hello, friends! Faulty RAM can cause your computer to become unstable and result in data loss. A sign is unexpected reboots or a blue screen of death. When diagnosing or, first of all, it is checked. You don't need to open your computer to do this. It is enough to boot from a disk or from a flash drive (from a memory card at worst)) and produce RAM test. The structure and includes a built-in utility for checking memory. You just need to run it and schedule the test to run either immediately or at the next boot.
In this article, we will understand in detail how to test RAM
As mentioned above, the operating system has a built-in memory check utility. This is convenient because it is always at hand and there is no need for third-party programs.
To start, go to Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools. Choose
It is also convenient to use
A window will open with information - What memory problems can cause
You have 3 options to choose from: Reboot and Test, Run a Test the next time you turn on your computer, or click Cancel.
When you select the first item, the system will immediately reboot and execute RAM test. You must close all open applications before making a selection.
If you select the second option, the scan will start the next time you turn on your computer. You can try to finish the unfinished work and reboot.
You can also run a RAM test with Windows boot 7/8 pressing key F8 and choosing Troubleshooting your computer
Select a user and click OK
Choose
The same window opens as from under Windows. Click the recommended first item
The system will reboot and start testing
To select test parameters, press F1
We can choose a test suite:
- Base
- Ordinary
- Wide
Basic includes 3 tests used for quick check. Normal includes additional tests and runs by default. Extended includes all possible tests prepared by Microsoft and naturally is the longest in time.
The usual test of RAM is enough to identify problems.
By pressing the key Tab you will move to the next control option - Memory Cache. Disabling which will lead to direct access to RAM, which will allow for more accurate testing.
When you next press the key Tab it will switch to the last option for selecting the number of repetitions of the RAM test. Used for a more thorough check and allows you to set from 1 to 0 (infinity) passes.
To apply the settings and continue the test, press the key F10
If you are only going to install from a disk image, then you can also test the RAM. For this it is necessary.
Press any key
Tab key to select Windows Memory Diagnostic
The RAM test will start, but already in English
In the Status field, an inspiring inscription is displayed - "No errors have yet been found")
If there are any, it will be written about immediately. Also, the results will be displayed again when the operating system is loaded, if the test was launched from Windows.
Memtest86+ is the most popular RAM test
The second, but no less effective, tool for checking RAM is the Memtest86 + program. At the time of writing current version 4.20
Download this utility you can from the official site. Downloading the archive in * .zip format is intended for installation on a USB flash drive
You can also download the image for burning to disk from the official site. How to burn an image to disk can be read in.
Let's write the program to a flash drive. To do this, unpack the downloaded archive. For those who have difficulty with this, please see the article. We connect the USB flash drive to the computer and run the unpacked program Memtest86 + USB Installer.exe
Click I Agree(I agree to the license agreement)
Select the connected USB flash drive and set the recommended "bird"
Copy all important data from the USB drive and press Create(Create)
Then press Next
And Finish
Boot USB stick ready.
You can also go into the BIOS and select boot menu(F8). Or, press F8 immediately upon boot, and it is possible to get into the menu for selecting boot options. You must select our flash drive
When booting from a prepared flash drive, a RAM test will immediately begin
In addition to monitoring the test, you can see:
- processor cache information
- maximum and its speed
- information about the chipset and memory parameters
- settings of the RAM itself (frequency, delays and whether dual-channel mode works)
There is also a table where in the first column you can follow the duration of testing. If all tests are successfully passed, instead of 0, 1 will appear in the Pass column and the inscription will be displayed below
*****Pass complete, no errors, press Esc to exit*****
Click ESC and perform a normal boot of the operating system.
If errors are found during the memory test, a red table will be displayed with the addresses of the detected problems, while the test will continue.
What to do if problems are found?
We turn off the computer, take out the RAM and wipe the contacts with an ordinary rubber band. The one we used in school. It is also recommended to blow out the memory slots in the .
Carefully! If you have memory modules without heatsinks, don't hold on to the memory chips! It is possible to deform the contact of the chip with the textolite. (Memory chips are black squares or rectangles on colored textolite)
Blow off the remaining rubber on the memory modules and install them in the motherboard.
Repeat test
If the errors reappear, take the modules to service center under warranty.
If not under warranty, check each module individually to determine the bad bar and replace it. (Do not forget that the memory module connector may be faulty. If the memory bar test fails in one connector, check it in another)
If you have a set of 2 or 4 memory sticks, it is recommended to change the whole set.
For more information about memory, see the article
Conclusion
In this article, we figured out how to RAM test.
It is convenient to carry out diagnostics of memory modules using the built-in utility “Checker Windows memory", and with the help special program Memtest86+. We learned how to prepare a USB flash drive and burn the image with the program to disk.
And most importantly! Provided steps to take if memory problems are detected.
Video - RAM test
Questions and suggestions will be glad to see in the comments. I wish you serviceable and reliable memory modules.
If the computer "glitches", "slows down", often "freezes", "produces a blue screen of death" and other unpleasant failures and oddities occur with it, then often the reason for such a malfunction of the computer is faulty, "broken", failed RAM , the module of which, unfortunately, cannot be repaired, but it remains only to replace it. To identify problems and failures in the operation of the RAM, it is necessary to perform a RAM test. How to test computer RAM? Download and Run to Troubleshoot RAM free program memtest86. Maybe it's all about the operating system? MemTest86 is an authoritative program among its kind and will find errors in the operation of RAM where standard means to check are helpless.
To check the RAM for errors, the MemTest86 program must be written to a CD / DVD disc, USB flash drive or floppy disk. The program tests memory at a low level, in a "clean environment", without connecting additional drivers, without an operating system. MemTest86 looks for RAM problems by working directly with the RAM chip. Since the program uses its own bootloader, to create a bootable flash drive, floppy disk or laser disk with the MemTest utility, you need to prepare and connect the drive, run the appropriate file to create bootable media, restart the computer and start from the created device. RAM testing includes a set of tests that test memory by writing the entire memory in repeated blocks of data. different ways followed by reading and checking the written data in several passes, from low memory addresses to high ones and vice versa.
|
|
The text interface of the program does not confuse at all and in no way limits the possibilities for testing RAM. MemTest outputs detailed information about the memory modules installed on the computer, displays the operating frequency and timings of the RAM, the amount of RAM, the slot in which the module is inserted and information about the processor. If you prefer Linux, MemTest86 will prepare a list of bad memory addresses for you, which you can apply to the BadRAM kernel patch and thus eliminate the use of bad memory areas. However, the further use of faulty modules is categorically not recommended and, as practice shows, if the memory begins to "crumble", then new "broken" memory addresses will inevitably appear, more and more often, up to the complete failure of the memory chip. In addition, the use of faulty memory modules in work can lead to data loss, which will be impossible to recover. This is due to the fact that information is written to a file from RAM, and "broken" memory, as the primary source of information, contains already distorted data before recording.
|
|
Why MemTest86?
The MemTest86 program has proven itself as a tool for diagnosing RAM since 1981, has gone through many updates and is considered one of the the best programs and reliable tools for testing and detecting RAM errors. Using MemTest86, you can detect memory errors even where standard tools, such as the BIOS, operating system and system utilities are absolutely powerless and do not reveal any failures. The MemTest86 diagnostic algorithm allows you to calculate bad address sections on a memory module already on the first test pass. With MemTest86 it is possible to diagnose DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 modules with any operating frequencies. The MemTest86 utility allows you to thoroughly test, identify errors and bad blocks of RAM. MemTest86 works and is compatible with almost any type of RAM modules on the market, while remaining free application for many grateful users.
Official site: http://www.memtest86.com
Operating Systems:
Windows All
Supported languages: English
Version: 4.3.5
License:freeware (free)
File size 2.82 MB