RAM - Test with Memtest86+

How to Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+​

Contents

• Preparing the Media
• Testing
• If you have errors

Part 1: Preparing the Media

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Method 1: With a USB Memory Stick​

1. Download the latest version of the "Auto-installer for USB Key (Win 9x/2k/xp/7)" from this link: Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool​

2. Plug in an empty USB key drive. Size is no concern, as the actual files take up 180 KB of space.​

3. Go into the .zip folder you downloaded, and double-click on the .exe file inside.​

4. Follow the setup utility. To reduce the risk of problems, it is advised to format the drive.​

​

Method 2: With a CD​

1. Download the latest version of the "Precompiled Boot ISO (.zip) from this link: Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool​

You want the "Precompiled Boot ISO (.zip)".​

2. Open the .zip file you downloaded, and then drag the .ISO file inside onto the Desktop.​

3. Right-click on the ISO, and select Open with>Windows Disc Image Burner.
4. Insert a blank CD into the CD drive, and make sure the correct Disc burner is selected.
5. Click on "Burn".

Now the CD is ready to use.



Part 2: Testing

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1. With the CD in the drive, or the USB key inserted, reboot your computer. If Memtest does not automatically boot, go into the BIOS and change the CD drive or USB drive to be the first to boot.​

2. Memtest will immediately start testing as soon as it boots. No attendance is needed.​

3. Let it run until at least 8 passes are completed, or errors are found (whichever comes first). The longer you run it, the better.
Seven passes will take several hours, depending on your amount of RAM. It is advised to leave it running overnight.





Part 3: If You Have Errors:

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The goal is to test all the RAM sticks and all the motherboard slots.​

Check your motherboard manual to ensure the RAM sticks are in the recommended motherboard slots. Some motherboards have very specific slots required for the number of RAM sticks installed.​

If you get errors, stop the test and continue with the next step.​

​

1. Remove all but one stick of RAM from your computer (this will be RAM stick #1), and run Memtest86 again, for 7 passes.​

Be sure to note the RAM stick, use a piece of tape with a number, and note the motherboard slot.
If this stick passes the test then go to step #3.

2. If RAM stick #1 has errors, repeat the test with RAM stick #2 in the same motherboard slot.​

If RAM stick #2 passes, this indicates that RAM stick #1 may be bad. If you want to be absolutely sure, re-test RAM stick #1 in another known good slot.
If RAM stick #2 has errors, this indicates another possible bad RAM stick, a possible motherboard slot failure or inadequate settings.
3. Test the next stick of RAM (stick #2) in the next motherboard slot.If this RAM stick has errors repeat step #2 using a known good stick if possible, or another stick.
If this RAM stick has no errors and both sticks failed in slot#1, test RAM stick #1 in this slot.
4. If you find a stick that passes the test, test it in all the other motherboard slots.

If Part 2 testing shows errors, and all tests in Part 3 show errors, you will need to test the RAM sticks in another computer and/or test other RAM in your computer to identify the problem.​

In this way, you can identify whether it is a bad stick of RAM, a bad motherboard, or incompatibility between the sticks.​

Thanks to Dave76 for his assistance in this part.​

   Note

While the same concept is completely valid for other operating systems, a different image burner will be needed. A good free program is ImgBurn.

Related Tutorials

---

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100356-video-card-stress-test-furmark.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/715-memory-diagnostics-tool.html
• Test your CPU Stability with IntelBurnTest
• Download Debug Diagnostic Tool v2 Update 1

 

[Thorekong]

omg... i'm in my 26 hour running and i'm only at pass number 8 :S

Like
*****Pass complete, no errors,perss Esc to exit***** ?

 

[Dave76]

You can stop the test after 7 passes are complete.

 

[maxseven]

omg... i'm in my 26 hour running and i'm only at pass number 8 :S

Like
*****Pass complete, no errors,perss Esc to exit***** ?

You're done. Waaayy done. Coulda stopped after pass 0 (one complete).

Congratulations, you have really well-tested, good memory!

 

[Dave76]

It's recommended to run a full 7 passes, see the first page.
The same is recommended on many sites, the errors can come on the later passes.

RAM can pass a few full 7 passes of memtest86+, only to have errors on the next pass. This means there is a problem with the RAM.

This is just the way electronics are, fickle at the best of times.

 

[maxseven]

Well I dunno where the "7 passes minimum" comes from; the memtest86.com help info says

Memtest86 executes indefinitely. The pass counter increments each time that all of the selected tests have been run. Generally a single pass is sufficient to catch all but the most obscure errors. However, for complete confidence when intermittent errors are suspected testing for a longer period is advised.

So how long you wanna run is up to the discretion of the tester and IMO while "overnight" is prudent if you have a questionable build or "used" memory or something, a single good pass for a brand-new set of DIMMs when you're time-constrained is not imprudent.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Well I dunno where the "7 passes minimum" comes from; the memtest86.com help info says

Memtest86 executes indefinitely. The pass counter increments each time that all of the selected tests have been run. Generally a single pass is sufficient to catch all but the most obscure errors. However, for complete confidence when intermittent errors are suspected testing for a longer period is advised.

So how long you wanna run is up to the discretion of the tester and IMO while "overnight" is prudent if you have a questionable build or "used" memory or something, a single good pass for a brand-new set of DIMMs when you're time-constrained is not imprudent.

Our own personal experiences here on the forums show that it would be imprudent to recommend anything LESS than 7 or 8 passes. When RAM problems are suspected, we should plan on running Memtest for a good long time.

Otherwise, the first pass shows no errors and then the RAM is assumed to be good.

 

[Wishmaster]

I would agree 1 pass is usually enough, and you should always let it complete at least 1.

But, I always recommend just setting it up, and let it go overnight.
The only reason is that I have seen some wierd things happen where it would complete 1 pass successfully, yet 1 stick was actually bad.

Its times like this where that bad stick may show up on the 3rd, or maybe even the 4th time time through.

This is however rare to happen in my experience, and 1 pass is usually enough 99% of the time.

 

[maxseven]

I have no problem with 7 passes (for sevenforums?), or 17 passes, if one has had problems or if there is any reason whatsoever to suspect the RAM. I suppose if one is savvy enough to be running Memtest86+ in the first place, having had some reason to suspect the PC hardware, then they should know to leave it run overnight, which for most PCs will be far greater than 7 passes.

 

[Dave76]

Just to see if your RAM is ok, of coarse it's up to the individual, if you're having crashes, freezes, and are testing hardware then a more thorough test is needed.

I have seen memtest86+ have no errors for a 'couple' of 7 pass runs, then on another test show many errors.

If you are troubleshooting hardware, be systematic, I have seen RAM issue come up again after many other hardware tests have been run.
The phrase 'but I ran the memory test before and it passed' has been mentioned a lot, many sites including motherboard, RAM, OC'ing, say RAM is the biggest cause of hardware issues.

 

[surfmore72]

I have a strange problem...(stick 1 in slot 1 ok, stick 2 in slot 2 ok, stick 3 in slot 3 bad...one error in 2 passes, stick 4 in slot 4 ok, stick 4 in slot 3 ok, stick 3 in slot 4 OK?) and then so i put them all in (with stick 3 in slot 4 and tested all 4 at same time for 17 passes(went to work) and no errors. So could it be that moving the stick "fixed" the problem from occurring? is my 3rd stick bad or could it just be tolerances are so close that just the combo of stick 3 and slot 3 causes errors. Ordered parts a month ago from tiger and dont know if they will take them back?? Thank you for your time

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Seven Forums surfmore72.

What is the reason you are running memtest86+?
Any crashes?
Testing new RAM?

Sometimes a RAM stick is not fully seated, it may need setting adjustments due to using four RAM cards.

Some system info would help us to offer better suggestions.
Fill in your system specs in the lower left corner of any of your posts, this will help everyone trying to help you.
These links will help with the specs.
SIW - System Information for Windows
System Info - See Your System Specs

 

[phrozenflame]

Can I use USB for normal stuff after done with memtest? What would i need to do? Just a format?

 

[Jonathan_King]

You shouldn't even need to format it, just delete all the files and stick what you want on. You could even leave the files on there, as they take up very little space. That way, if you ever had to use Memtest86 again, you'd already have it all ready to go.

Your call of course.

 

[Approachable]

I can't seem to boot from teh CD, when I open it, it has a folder, I open the folder and then there's a BOOT folder and a ReadMe file, ReadMe files says nothing really just says boot the CD, so I go to the BOOT folder, click it and it opens to two otehr files, 1 is a MEM something Dicsc Image file, the other a BOOT file with a security Catelog type, when I double click that file it just says "The file is invalid for the reason: Security Catelog", may not be the xact words, but I've been trying for over as hour, I tried using a DVD-R which is the only dics type I have available, and I tried DEAMON Tools to mount the disc image and both have teh same results, I even downloaded Active something ISO Burner, that didn't yield any results eitehr...

 

[derekimo]

I can't seem to boot from teh CD, when I open it, it has a folder, I open the folder and then there's a BOOT folder and a ReadMe file, ReadMe files says nothing really just says boot the CD, so I go to the BOOT folder, click it and it opens to two otehr files, 1 is a MEM something Dicsc Image file, the other a BOOT file with a security Catelog type, when I double click that file it just says "The file is invalid for the reason: Security Catelog", may not be the xact words, but I've been trying for over as hour, I tried using a DVD-R which is the only dics type I have available, and I tried DEAMON Tools to mount the disc image and both have teh same results, I even downloaded Active something ISO Burner, that didn't yield any results eitehr...

The disc image file is what you want to burn to a CD or DVD in your case,


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html
(Windows 7 built-in ISO burn to CD/DVD feature)


OR


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html

Then you should be able to boot from it, is your optical drive set to boot first?

 

[AllOnTheBus]

Doing pre handover testing in an IT Diploma
at the moment. Last subject for this year
thank the Lord.

The teacher mentioned this tool for use
and now I have a detailed heads up of
how to methodically use for testing. All
assessments are meant to be my own
work but a little help never hurt right.
I wont let on I'm a member of a great forum!

Excellent tutorial - cheers JK

 

[Jonathan_King]

Thank you AllOnTheBus.

Be careful not to cheat; it might get you through this assignment, but it won't help you any in life! You'll do yourself a bigger favor if it's all your own work.

 

[maxseven]

Be careful not to cheat; it might get you through this assignment, but it won't help you any in life! You'll do yourself a bigger favor if it's all your own work.

Good advice JK.

This corollary is one of my personal favorites, which goes something like: the best learning occurs when you solve a problem that is meaningful to you.

 

[AllOnTheBus]

Very true

We both know you are correct on this one
Anyways- I wont copy

I had done some previous research on the program
itself and knew that I had to burn iso to disk,
change boot priority etc.

However I wont have to test each piece of RAM in
each slot as you mentioned here. I just like the methodoligy,
and although this would seem simple to most it
probably would have taken me half a day to come up
with the process of elimination as you have.


Thanks again

 

[misanthropic42]

This is so perfect

It took me forever to figure out my memtest wasn't working lol..this explained it all.