Memory Diagnostics Tool

How to Run the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool to test the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors in Windows 7. The diagnostic includes a comprehensive set of memory tests. If you are experiencing problems while running Windows, you can use the diagnostic to determine whether the problems are caused by failing hardware, such as RAM or the memory system of your motherboard.

For more information, see: Microsoft Online Crash Analysis: Windows Memory Diagnostic Users Guide

   Tip

If you suspect memory issues, then you may also want to consider using and running Memtest86+ at boot. Memtest86+ is a comprehensive stand-alone memory diagnostic program that you boot from at startup to test your RAM. You can download a ISO file to burn to DVD to boot with, or a floppy disk package installable from Windows to a USB flash drive or floppy disk to boot with.

   Warning

It could take a long time (several hours) for the Memory Diagnostics Tool to finish running depending on how many passes you set, and if there are any issues found.

Here's How:
NOTE: Start with either step 1, 2, or 3 for how you want to start the Memory Diagnostics Tool. 1. To Start from within Windows 7 A) Open the Control Panel (icons view).

B) Click on the Administrative Tools icon, and click on Memory Diagnostics Tool.

C) Go to step 1F below.

OR

D) Open the Start menu.

E) In the Start Menu search box, type mdsched and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
F) Select the Restart now and check for problems option. (See screenshot below)
G) Go to step 4.
2. To Start from Windows Boot Manager A) Boot into the Advanced Boot Options screen.

B) While in the Advanced Boot Options screen, press the Escape (Esc) key. (See screenshot below)
C) While in the Windows Boot Manager screen, press the Tab key. (See screenshot below)
D) With Windows Memory Diagnostics selected, press Enter. (See screenshot below)
E) Go to step 4.
3. To Start from System Recovery Options A) Boot into the System Recovery Options screen.

B) Select the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool option. (See screenshot below)
C) Select the Restart now and check for problems option. (See screenshot below)
4. The computer will now restart, and you will see this screen next. (See screenshot below.
NOTE: Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool will run the Standard test by default.

A) Go to step 6.
5. To Change the Memory Diagnostic Tool Options A) Press F1. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: If you have a multimedia keyboard, then you may need to press the Function (F-Lock) key for F1 to work.

B) Press the TAB key to switch between the option categories, and use the arrow keys to select the option. (See screenshot below)
C) When finished, press F10 to apply any changes you made to the options. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: Press the Escape (Esc) key if you do not wish to make any changes to the options and return to the screen below step 4.
6. When the test is finished running, it will automatically restart the computer. (See screenshot below step 4)
NOTE: If errors are found, the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool will attempt to determine which particular memory module in your computer is causing these errors. If that information is available, it will be stated in the results after you log on from the restart. If bad memory is found then you will need to remove and replace the bad RAM module.

7. You can also read the Memory Diagnostic Tool system log in Event Viewer.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7
• How to Boot to the Advanced Boot Options in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
• How to See Windows 7 Reliability and Problem History with Reliability Monitor
• How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7
• How to Set Maximum Memory to be Used by Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Read the Event Viewer Log for Memory Diagnostics Tool
• How to Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+

 

[barbarossa2241]

I am going to answer my own Q: After I did some reading, downloaded MemTest-86 as an ISO file which I burn on dvd. Test came out OK. Btw, the WinRar was interfering with the PowerIso and had no choice but to uninstall WinRar.

 

[Brink]

Barbarossa,

Thank you for posting back with your results.

 

[barbarossa2241]

Barbarossa,

Thank you for posting back with your results.

You bet.

 

[barbarossa2241]

Hi,

I followed all the instruction but, can't seem to get the Memory Diagnostics Tool to work. All I get is a blank black screen. It's weird b/c on my wife's PC ( windows 7 also) the tool is working just fine. If anyone knows how to fix this please let me know.

 

[barbarossa2241]

I figured it out. Thanks anyway.

 

[barbarossa2241]

Sorry, I was wrong. The windows 7 memory diag tool is not working. I did not figure it out and still need advice.

 

[Brink]

Cosu,

You might see if running a sfc /scannow command may help and allow the Memory Diagnostics Tool to run properly afterwards.

 

[barbarossa2241]

OK. I'll do it now. Btw, I have memtest-86 on cd and it works just fine.

Did the scan and nothing changed . This is weird..........the other windows 7 pc is working fine.

 

[Brink]

I'm not sure what may be the cause of it not running properly, but as long as you are not having any other issues and still getting a clean bill of heath with Memtest86+, then I wouldn't worry about it and wait until you may need a clean install to fix it.

 

[barbarossa2241]

I'm not sure what may be the cause of it not running properly, but as long as you are not having any other issues and still getting a clean bill of heath with Memtest86+, then I wouldn't worry about it and wait until you may need a clean install to fix it.

OK. Thanks Brink.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

 

[mcbreeden]

memory diagnostic tool looping

I did an internet search to get here and have the same problem that thumper started this thread with. I've tried all the things he tried as well except when you pull memory, bios won't let the system start hardware 101. I haven't tried this yet from another poster from somewhere else because I only have a restore disk that's not pulling up a repair page. From command prompt, he says "bcdedit /bootsequence {memdiag} /remove" Now is there a way to get to repair with f8 f7 not working due to memory test starting before f8 can be initiated?

Update: I downloaded a repair disk from Microsoft, and through a dozen attempts at booting to it, due to the memory test starting so quickly, I finally got the repair disk to boot and was able to repair boot, and system, as boot didn't seem to have any affect. It was VERY difficult to boot to repair disk though. It took many tries to hit it just right. Hitting F8 over and over and over.

 

[Brink]

Hello McBreeden, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You could try opening a command prompt at boot using a Windows 7 system repair disc or any retail installation disc for this.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sfwul]

Well, I did step 1, arrived at step 4, after a few minutes my monitor went into standby mode. After 15 minutes there was quite some disc activity but actually nothing showed up on my monitor, after another 15-20 minutes (with hardly any activity) I restarted the pc. Assume that it won't take more than half an hour, else Microsoft should warn users that it may take a long time.

 

[Wrend]

Wow, this test takes forever. Just added another 32GB to my PC and wanted to check it, but this test is kind of ridiculously long. They should have said "This might take several hours."

It's been about 3½ hours now on the first and only pass, and holding at 21% complete for maybe a couple hours or so. No problems detected yet. I am having it do the extended version of the test though.

Is this typical?

 

[Brink]

Hello Wrend,

Yes, this is normal. The more passes you set to run, the longer it is takes as well.

 

[Wrend]

Thanks.

It's still at 21%, and has now been there for almost 20 hours. I did have it run the extended test, and I have 64GB of RAM, so maybe that is making it take so long.

I want it to finish almost on principle at this point, but if it doesn't finish today, I'll have to stop it to get back to crunching and hosting a Minecraft server. Some of my players wanted to play yesterday and last night.

 

[Brink]

Oh my. Yeah, that could take a long time.

 

[Intuit]

Greetings Brink. Thanks for the years of super-detailed information. Your time is appreciated.

Another way to access the memory diagnostic tool, was to keep tapping the "F1" key just before booting to a Windows 7 DVD. That would bring up the following display...

At that point, you could press "Tab" key and then hit "Enter" after the Windows Memory Diagnostic option is highlighted. (note: the GUI option to reboot into the diagnostic is designed to work with on-drive recovery and won't work with boot-dvd recovery)

Bad memory often will not allow you to load into a full-blown operating system, whether via optical disk, flash drive, hard drive or otherwise. I've had systems where Windows PE would not load from DVD, (both DVD & optical drive good,) but would load and run the memory diagnostic tool; and it would flag a fault.

What's curious, the "F1" key doesn't seem to work with the Windows 8.1 (and assume Windows 8) DVDs.

Question, did Microsoft change or eliminate this option with the Windows 8 or 8.1 boot DVDs ?

Haven't been able to get a search engine hit on this.

Thanks Brink.

 

[Brink]

Hello Intuit,

That would be about the same as step 2, but with F1 at boot instead. I'm not sure if F1 is the same on all PCs though.

You're supposed to be able to press Shift+F8 instead in Windows 8/8.1, but there's so little time available to do so, it's just about impossible to do. You could also disable the new GUI in Windows 8/8.1 to have the old menu again if you like.

Startup Options - Enable or Disable in Windows 8