RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Nice Job Jonathon, bookmarked for easy access. Fabe

Thank you all!

Great work Jon, was hoping someone would do this.

You might want to add a reference or link to putting memtest86+ on a bootable USB memory stick.

It's quick and easy to do, you can add many helpful apps to the bootable memory stick.

The Seven forums tuts are good.

MS-DOS Bootable Flash Drive - Create

Install Windows 7 from USB Pen Drive Using Grub4Dos

Using the same source and Grub method mentioned above, the Corsair site has a nice version: How to Create the Ultimate Bootable USB Flash Drive.

Select the utility you wish to use and it will be loaded. The versatility of this tool is apparent once you begin to use it. The two default utilities, Memtest86+ and FreeDOS, are invaluable during system builds and trouble shooting.

Your flash drive can become a virtual toolbox of utilities that you can carry in your pocket as opposed to carrying archaic floppy disks or bulky CDs and DVDs. You also have the option of far greater storage capacity when using a USB flash drive. Your USB flash drive will still be fully functional as a removable storage drive. This is a great tool for testing memory or running programs from a DOS prompt such as firmware or BIOS updaters. The only real limits are the drive size and your creativity.

After the bootable USB memory stick is prepared just add the program ISO file and do a quick edit of the menu, you'll have a menu list to choose from when you boot from it.
I added LiberKey (listed in FREE Great Programs for Windows 7) to mine, it has a lot of good support apps (305 applications) and a nice interface, not bootable but very nice selection of support programs.

You can add ISO files, edit the menu so they are listed.
Add any files/folders and still use you USB memory stick as you would normally.

Dave76 said:

Great work Jon, was hoping someone would do this.

You might want to add a reference or link to putting memtest86+ on a bootable USB memory stick.

It's quick and easy to do, you can add many helpful apps to the bootable memory stick.

The Seven forums tuts are good.

MS-DOS Bootable Flash Drive - Create

Install Windows 7 from USB Pen Drive Using Grub4Dos

Using the same source and Grub method mentioned above, the Corsair site has a nice version: How to Create the Ultimate Bootable USB Flash Drive.

Select the utility you wish to use and it will be loaded. The versatility of this tool is apparent once you begin to use it. The two default utilities, Memtest86+ and FreeDOS, are invaluable during system builds and trouble shooting.

Your flash drive can become a virtual toolbox of utilities that you can carry in your pocket as opposed to carrying archaic floppy disks or bulky CDs and DVDs. You also have the option of far greater storage capacity when using a USB flash drive. Your USB flash drive will still be fully functional as a removable storage drive. This is a great tool for testing memory or running programs from a DOS prompt such as firmware or BIOS updaters. The only real limits are the drive size and your creativity.

After the bootable USB memory stick is prepared just add the program ISO file and do a quick edit of the menu, you'll have a menu list to choose from when you boot from it.
I added LiberKey (listed in FREE Great Programs for Windows 7) to mine, it has a lot of good support apps (305 applications) and a nice interface, not bootable but very nice selection of support programs.

You can add ISO files, edit the menu so they are listed.
Add any files/folders and still use you USB memory stick as you would normally.

Dave- there is a version of Memtest for USB drives here: http://memtest.org/download/4.10/mem....installer.zip

I'll test it out myself, and when I'm familiar with the process, I'll add it as a Method 2 of the tutorial.

Thanks for the idea!

Okay, I added the USB installer to the tutorial. It's easier than the CD, honestly, so I put it first.

A very good addition. I was not aware of the version for USB.

CarlTR6 said:

I was not aware of the version for USB.

It's quite new.

Looks good Jon, I tried the USB installer method and was impressed with the ease of the process.
This can easily be put on a USB and removed when no longer needed.

This led to making a USB rescue drive, which quickly led to approximately 400 apps on 1.44GB.
Including the Windows 7 System Repair Disc and MS Sysinternals Suite.
Most of these will never get used but, it's better to have something when needed than have to look for it.

One thing that could be mentioned is that if you repeatedly fail a particular test ie Test 5 / Test 8 - it's not always a sign of bad RAM/mobo, but could actually be indicative of too high a mhz, incorrect timings / voltage settings etc.



And when 'tweaking RAM' - ie dialling in Northbridge voltage (775> socket), QPI/DRAM(VTT) (1156/1366) voltages and DRAM voltages and memory timings.

You can shortcut the process by running an individual Test until it passes continually.

Then you can run the full suite of tests to double check all your timings/settings are dialled in. This can significantly cut down the time involved with tweaking.


Another thing worth mentioning is that memtest is not a 100% guarantee as it only stress the RAM, QPI(VTT)/NB and does not stress the CPU.


Also worth mentioning is that the error codes are virtually meaningless - all that counts is Error or No error.