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Bad RAM? Help Interpret Memtest86 (28,416 errors then 0 errors)
I'm really confused on whether I have bad RAM or not because of the memtest results I'm getting. I've already had to replace the mobo and graphics card in my nearly brand new built desktop as I had problems with both (mobo wasn't W7 compatible, graphics card crapped out).
As I had two major problems, I wanted to make sure my RAM was 100% okay. I currently have four 2GB Corsair Dominator DDR2 sticks of RAM (two matched pairs). Here is what I came up with via memtest...
The first time I ran the test, it came back with 28,416 errors in the first pass alone. Here is a screenshot.
I'm not sure what all the details mean other than there are a LOT of errors there. Any help interpreting those results?
So I knew I have potentially bad RAM or a bad slot on the mobo. I pulled two of the sticks (one of the matched pairs), then retested via memtest. I let all these memtests go for seven passes and 10 hours of run time just to be 100% for sure. 0 errors with those two sticks pulled.
So then I wanted to verify I didn't have a bad slot, so I moved the two known good sticks to the two now-empty slots. Ran memtest, 0 errors.
So then I knew at least one of the two sticks I originally pulled must be bad. I plugged one stick back in and ran memtest again to see if it was the bad stick, 0 errors.
So now I think I have the bad stick isolated to the only one not in the board now. But I want to verify and be 100% for sure, so I plug it in and ran memtest again fully expecting to see a ton of errors again. It's been seven passes and 10 hours now and 0 errors.
What gives?
This is the same four sticks that gave me 28,416 errors, with the only difference being the fact that they moved around in the slots due to my memtesting, and now they're giving me 0 errors. How is that possible? Do you guys think I do have bad RAM? If all my RAM is good, why would the first time I ran the test report a whopping 28k+ errors?
Thanks a ton for any help here. I'm FAR from tech-savvy and I'm learning all of this as I go so I appreciate all the help I can get.