Memory Testing Utility?

Post by **Phineus** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:23 pm

Does anybody have a favorite memory test utility? The reason I ask is I just bought 'used' ram and wanted to check it out. Any experience with these?

http://www.google.com/search?q=memory+testing+utility

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

http://www.memtest.org/

Thanks.

Drive2Survive · Post by **Drive2Survive** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:08 pm

I've never used any myself, but I've seen MemTest86 recommended first more than a few times, so I'd say that's a good one. The Microsoft one probably wouldn't hurt either.

On technical messageboards I've also heard of a program called Prime95 (actually a research tool) that is popular for stress-testing the entire computer system, if you wanted to put your CPU and mobo to a workout as well.

These look useful:
http://www.playtool.com/pages/memtest/memtest.html
http://www.playtool.com/pages/prime95/prime95.html

Post by **Phineus** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:45 am

Thankee. I'll give one a try.

Slayer · Post by **Slayer** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:27 am

uh, this may sound stupid but, your system BIOS checks your RAM integrity at start up. Just stick it in, if it works then its good, if it doesn't than it doesn't work.

Post by **Phineus** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:05 pm

The bios tells you it can find what it's supposed to find; it doesn't tell you if read/write is up to snuff.

Kmaster · Post by **Kmaster** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:59 pm

Ubuntu has its own Memtest86, you can run it while booting on the GRUB Boot loader.

Slayer · Post by **Slayer** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:47 pm

well actually it does check the memory, I do know this cause Ive gone thru a few ram chips in my time, it will either read the wrong amount, or you will get a PC health warning telling you that your memory could not be read/written

Also XP will complain aswell if memory gets "lost" while being read or written. Usually with a "Windows has recovered from a serious error" message, and the more info will usually tell you what happened.

Post by **Phineus** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:03 pm

> read the wrong amount

The way computers read bits and bytes, how would you know?

> a "Windows has recovered from a serious error" message

Blue screens, yay.

Slayer · Post by **Slayer** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:03 pm

65536, 64 megs, etc.

Fila · Post by **Fila** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:10 am

Windows has recovered from a serious error can be of multiple stuff.

Although usually when that happens over and over again it is recommended to run memtest

Post by **Phineus** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:17 am

memtest ran dozens of tests over many hours and the new memory stood its ground, so I'm going to assume it's okay. For what it's worth, running the program from a boot cd seems to me the best and most sensible way to operate - so nothing else can interfere with it.

Thanks for all the input.

Psyco · Post by **Psyco** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:42 pm

Yea.. Memtest does a wonderfull job. Prime95 works well too but it also stresses your processor. It's better for a new system burn in or just a general stability test.

As for a boot cd.. Every couple of months I get an updated version of this..

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

*edit* appears I've fallen behind and this is geared towards a linux system now.. you may try http://www.ubcd4win.com/