Tech / Special Interest → Computer Hardware Help > [memory] Need memory diagnostic info...

[memory] Need memory diagnostic info...

Win7-64 HP
I have had a few problems this summer that has me wondering if I have a bad memory card so I run the Windows 7 Memory Diagnostic with the default settings and after about seven minutes it checked eight gig of memory and said it was OK.

I am curious if this is an adequate test.

I downloaded a copy of memtest86 but it has been years since I used this program (remember 3 1/4 "floppies") and I would like some input from people more experienced an knowledgeable than me as to how to best test my memory cards.

Thanks for any ideas.
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Whoever said that ignorance is bliss wasn't refering to a person with a computer at his fingertips!

Cure Disease with your computer

That isn't an extensive enough test. If you have an infrequent problem then I would let memtest run overnight.
If you are overclocking your machine and it is not stable then the first thing to do is to return it to stock clocks.

Also note that passing memtest, while a good test and worth doing, isn't an absolute assurance that the memory isn't an issue.

I have not looked at the Memtest86 in many years but if I recall correctly there is more than one. IF so which is best.

They are from 2 different developers (both are Open source/GPL).

Memtest86+ is an offshoot of the original Memtest86 (which until recently had not been updated for over 2 years, and has since been picked up by PassMark).

Memtest86 ( »www.memtest86.COM ) just released a new version (v4.3.3) on 11 Sept. 2013, but the jury is still out as to it's overall stability/false positive error rate... (?)

Memtest86+ ( »www.memtest.ORG ) has v4.20 (1/25/2011) as the latest release build, which has been found by many to be quite stable/reliable so far...

I personally prefer Memtest86+ v4.20 at this time (but that may change once Memtest86 v4.3.3 gets more history under it's belt)...

You can always try them both and see... The download CD .iso and USB stick images of both are all Free for personal use.

-Tursiops_G.
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If You're Unsure, "RTFM"... If You're SURE, "RTFM" Anyway.

I found memtest86 very good, but you need to take the time run all tests, and wait for completion.

If you're in doubt you can always just swap nodules (i.e. remove 1/2, and see if that makes any difference) then remove the 2nd half, and put the first one back.

While it is not absolute as it was already mentioned, it is very close.
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Wacky Races 2012!

OK, thanks guys, I will download the plus version also. If I have a memory problem it is likely going to take a long test to find it. I have had some funny things happen this summer like a corrupted profile twice close together corrupted operating system and then my backup was corrupted. On the Windows memory Diagnostic it would not restart as it said, I had to set it to run on the next restart. I had to get a new HD earlier this year so some problems may be from it so there are more than one possibility. By the time I had the computer fixed the only old parts are the Memory modules, the CD drive, and the power supply.
--
Whoever said that ignorance is bliss wasn't refering to a person with a computer at his fingertips!

Cure Disease with your computer

I would think so to the Win 7 version, how ever it may not have the extended tests and be the basic version only?

However you can download the tool separate: »technet.microsoft.com/en-us/maga···ght.aspx

When beta testing the extended tests picked up memory issues after submitting a bug and Microsoft requested a memory test to confirm it. Memtest at the time did not pick up the RAM fault.

The mileage may vary though, nothing is bulletproof.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke

Thanks again guys. I run the Memtest Plus all night last night and it did not find a problem. I put the disk in expecting a page with choices and info and was disappointed in myself for not looking for a readme file so this morning after I rebooted I looked at the disk and the read me file said to put the disk in and let it run...LOL.

I now am a little more comfortable that the bad HD plus all the learning I had to do to get things running were/are the cause of my problems this summer. Way too long of a story to post.
--
Whoever said that ignorance is bliss wasn't refering to a person with a computer at his fingertips!

Cure Disease with your computer