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

---

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

---

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:

---

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

 

[nrafa]

Very nice tutorial indeed

but something wierd happened , when I ran the test I got 40126 error:shock: and no passes in the first 30 min, so I stopped the test waited for 10 mins or more then tried again and thats what I got

9 Passes and 0 errors


what does that mean ???? Is my computer playing with me????

The reason I ran this test is that I am getting a number of BSoD everyday and trying to find the problem

 

[maxseven]

I'd try running a couple of passes each day for a few days to see if it happens again. I'm no Memtest86 expert, but it seems to me that IT needs memory to run, and I don't know if it selects the same memory every time? Another thought is that you have a CPU problem--but hopefully not.

 

[Jonathan_King]

It sounds like you are a victim to another "cold boot" issue. Try increasing the voltage on the RAM slightly, and if that doesn't help, replace the RAM. Given the prices of RAM today, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

 

[nrafa]

@maxseven

I tried what you told me to do and found that memtest gives me errors only on the first couple boots or so and it finds tons of errors in less than 5 mins like this one:

3M errors Is that bad??:shock:


@Jonathan_King

whats a cold boot ??
and how to increase the voltage ?? didnt know I could do so

And yes I am experiencing BSODs and like memtest errors, BSODs only comes out in the first couple of boots everyday


Thx for responding

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Cold boot is when your system has been turned off for at least 3 hours or more and then started up.

Any errors, even one, is too many.
It is standard that memtest86+ (or any RAM testing utility) may pass several times then get a few or a lot of errors. It all means the same thing your RAM needs the settings adjusted or it needs to be replaced.

If you're getting BSoDs you should start a thread in the Crashes and Debugging forum.
Post the link here to your new thread and I'll take a look at it.

 

[Jonathan_King]

To adjust your RAM voltage, you typically need to boot into the BIOS. If you have an OEM computer (e.g, Dell, HP, Gateway, Acer, etc), then chances are pretty good they have disabled the option.

If you post your motherboard model, or the PC model if applicable, Dave or I can give you some more detailed instructions for tweaking the voltages. If we can't adjust the voltage, your only other option is to replace the RAM entirely. I can guarantee 98% that this is the cause of your BSODs.

 

[nrafa]

@Jonathan

System
Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Model EP31-DS3L
Total amount of system memory 4.00 GB RAM
System type 32-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 2

@Dave

here is my thread link

http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/218455-cold-boot-bsods-more.html#post1830335

 

[Jonathan_King]

See page 47 of your manual here: http://download.gigabyte.ru/manual/motherboard_manual_ga-ep31-ds3l_2.0_e.pdf

Issac (Vir Gnarus) hasn't seen this thread (yet!), but as he said, your BSODs are almost certainly related to this.

Increase RAM voltage slightly; also, remove the sticks and reinsert them. If that doesn't help, just replace it altogether.

 

[nrafa]

@jonathan

thanks for your help and advice but my Lan(ethernet) driver is no longer working (I lost my internet access ),so I am gonna search for someone or someplace to fix my motherboard from all its problems

thx again

 

[Madozz]

(Loading ...........................) that's the only screen i had for 6 hours when i booted from Memtest86 CD , P.S: i'm 64 bit,mercury, started this thread http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/232068-blue-screen-probably-its-ntoskrnl-exe.html

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hello Madozz,

You may try using the USB drive method instead, see if that works any better.

 

[pmshah]

I have been using this for the purpose for many years now. I wonder if someone has come up with any kind of a modified version that could be available as one of the Windows boot menu options to boot directly from the hard disk ! That would be just great.

 

[Golden]

I wonder if someone has come up with any kind of a modified version that could be available as one of the Windows boot menu options to boot directly from the hard disk ! That would be just great.

That's a great suggestion - many Linux distributions do that if I'm not mistaken. There is an option to run the standard Microsoft??? MemTest during boot, but I can't remeber which key it is.....F8 maybe?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/715-memory-diagnostics-tool.html

 

[maxseven]

I think you can use EasyBCD (free) which will add any .iso to your boot menu. I've not used it with MemTest but I do use this method to make Acronis True Image an option (along with W7 and WXP x64) on my "normal" boot menu, set to auto-launch W7 after 10sec or something.

 

[pmshah]

Thanks maxseven. I will certainly give it a try when I reach homw base next week. Will post my feedback here.

 

[Sentinel72]

Does windows7 not have a built in memory test utility of some sort.?
Thanks.

 

[karlsnooks]

True
WIN | type MEM | ENTER |
approve the reboot

Memtest86+ is superior, however, for simply spotting a misseated ram stick or one that has really given up the ghost, then the Win7 built-in memory tester is my personal choice.

 

[Sentinel72]

True
WIN | type MEM | ENTER |
approve the reboot

Memtest86+ is superior, however, for simply spotting a misseated ram stick or one that has really given up the ghost, then the Win7 built-in memory tester is my personal choice.

Thank you very much kind sir.

 

[pmshah]

This is my feedback on the Memtest86 +. It worked like a charm using EasyBCD. I also take care of my brothers PCs. He has one that is used by guests and has USB disabled in password protected BIOS for security reasons. Does not have CD/DVD drive either. It is essentially for visiting guests from overseas to be able to check their mail or rudimentary browsing. To top it all Memtest86 + has extremely small footprint and checks its own memory space first and then the rest of ram. Did a perfect job of finding the culprit and saved me a lot of heartburn.

BTW F8 throws up a number of boot options but none for basic memory checking.

I stand corrected. It was the first time I noticed - after adding Memtest to the menu - there was an option for testing memory in the initial boot options list, something I never noticed when I had to use F8 to boot into safe mode. I am still not sure if it is there !

update on 23.09.2012
Now I can definitely state that Memory Diagnostic utility is not available under F8 options. There are only various boot options. Once I added the Memtest86+ using EasyBCD the Windows Memory diagnostics option was also visible / available.

 

[Britton30]

I thought I'd add a bit of help with reading the memtest window. the Specs on the bottom, I think, only show up with an Intel CPU.