MemTest86+ - Test RAM  

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    MemTest86+ - Test RAM

    MemTest86+ - Test RAM

    Test your RAM with MemTest 86+
    Published by Category: BSOD
    01 May 2023
    Designer Media Ltd

    MemTest86+ - Test RAM With

    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-memtest-logo.png

    MemTest86+
    is a diagnostic tool designed to test Random Access Memory (RAM) for faults. MemTest86+ will verify that:
    • RAM will accept and keep random patterns of data sent to it
    • There are no errors when different parts of memory try to interact
    • There are no conflicts between memory addresses

    Memtest86+ runs from bootable media to isolate the RAM from the system, no other components are taken into account during the test.

    warning   Warning
    IMPORTANT: Memtest86+ works with BIOS (legacy or UEFI).

    The Memtest86+ binary is not signed by Microsoft, so you need to temporarily disable Secure Boot in your BIOS options. They are working on a better solution.

    MemTest86+ needs to run for at least 8 passes to be anywhere near conclusive, anything less will not give a complete analysis of the RAM.

    If you are asked to run MemTest86+ by a Ten Forums member make sure you run the full 8 passes for conclusive results. If you run less than 8 passes you will be asked to run it again.
    Note   Note
    MemTest86+ has been known to discover errors in RAM in later passes than the eighth pass. This is for information only; if you feel there is a definite problem with the RAM and 8 passes have shown no errors feel free to continue for longer.

    Running 8 passes of MemTest86+ is a long and drawn out exercise and the more RAM you have the longer it will take. It's recommended to run MemTest86+ just before you go to bed and leave it overnight.


     CONTENTS

    Part One: Booting MemTest86+
    Part Two: The Test Interface
    Part Three: Results & Extended Testing


     Booting MemTest86+


    You will need a USB stick for this stage. Size is not important as the installation only takes up 180Kb of space.

    1: Go to the MemTest86+ website.

    2: Scroll down to the Download (Pre-built & ISOs) section. Click on the Auto-installer for USB key (Win9x/2k/xp/7) link to download the Auto-installer tool.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-auto-installer-download.jpg
    3: Locate the downloaded file and extract it.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-auto-installer-unzip.png

    4:
    Plug your USB drive into your chosen port.

    5: Open the extracted folder and click on the MemTest86+ USB installer. If prompted by the UAC click Yes.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-click-installer.jpg

    6: Accept the terms to proceed.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-accept-terms.jpg

    7: The Installer window will open. Select your USB drive from the dropdown list.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-choose-drive.jpg

    8:
    1) Check the option to format the drive.

    2)
    Read the warning that the installer will completely erase the contents of the drive then click Create.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-warning.jpg

    9: The installer will format the drive then create the bootable USB, the process should only take a few seconds. Once finished, click Next.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-creating.jpg

    10: Click Finish then close the installer. Your bootable USB stick is now ready to use.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-finish.jpg

    11: With your USB stick inserted, boot into BIOS. Select Boot options and select the bootable USB stick you created. When you exit the BIOS after saving your changes your PC will boot into MemTest86+ and it will start running automatically, you do not have to do anything after selecting the boot device and exiting the BIOS.

     The Test Interface


    The MemTest86+ test interface contains a wealth of information, but for the purpose of testing for bad RAM we're only interested in two sections. These are highlighted below.

    1: PASSES

    As mentioned in the warning at the start of this tutorial, it is imperative when testing RAM with MemTest86+ that you run it for at least 8 passes. This is the minimum requirement to obtain anywhere near conclusive results, anything less is inconclusive and unreliable. The 8 passes must be run consecutively, for example you cannot run 3 passes in one session and 5 passes in another session.

    The passes section is highlighted below.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-memtest86-screenshot-1.png

    2:
    FAILURES

    If MemTest86+ detects errors with the RAM it will highlight as red lines underneath the information section. If just one error is detected (one error equals one red line entry) then there is an issue with the RAM and/or the DIMM slot the RAM is installed in. If an error does present itself while testing you can stop the test, just one error is enough to indicate failing RAM.

    The errors section is highlighted below.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-memtest86-screenshot-2.png

     Results & Extended Testing

    If MemTest86+ runs for 8 passes without throwing up an error then it's more or less a certainty that your RAM is good. If however MemTest86+ does find errors then it's a case of determining if it's actually your RAM that's faulty or one or more of your DIMM slots. To determine this you will need to test every stick of RAM in every DIMM slot.

    For example, if you have two sticks of RAM and two DIMM slots:

    If the output is like this then you have bad RAM so the stick(s) need replacing. The first stick of RAM fails in both DIMM slots but the second stick of RAM passes in both DIMM slots.

    TEST SLOT 1 SLOT 2
    RAM 1 ERROR ERROR
    RAM 2 GOOD GOOD


    If the output is like this then you should replace the motherboard. Both sticks of RAM fail in the first DIMM slot but both sticks pass in the second DIMM slot.

    TEST SLOT 1 SLOT 2
    RAM 1 ERROR GOOD
    RAM 2 ERROR GOOD

    In this instance you can leave the faulty DIMM slot empty, but it is not advisable to continue running a machine with a faulty motherboard.


    That's it,
    Gav.






  1. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #1

    Good job Gav. :)
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 1,625
    W7 Pro x64 | W10 IP x64 | Linux Mint VM
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Thanks Shawn mate :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 22
    Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64-bit 10240 Multiprocessor Free
       #3

    Hello, I had several BSODs in the past and already tried out MemTest86+ (with 0 errors). Afterwards I used Driver Verifier with no crashes, thus a user told me to use MemTest86+ with SMP enabled. Can someone please tell me how to enable it?

    My thread if someone would like to help me: IRQL/KMODE when I watch a stream/video Any help is much appreciated.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
       #4

    I accidentally got the Passmark commercial (free) version of MemTest86 v6 for my tests.

    Will a run of that version for 8 consecutive passes with no errors be acceptable in these forums to rule out bad ram?

    I have 16 GB ram and it's already taken 8 hours to run 4 passes of MemTest86 v6 so would be nice if I didn't need to repeat to move forward etc.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 27,157
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #5

    MemTest86 version 7.1 Final out: MemTest86 - Download now!
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 145
    Windows 10 home 64x
       #6

    Cliff S said:
    MemTest86 version 7.1 Final out: MemTest86 - Download now!
    I have Used memory test before and got 20 passes .. therefore i did not try it again

    dabi says it took him 8 hours this i dont remember mine with 20 passes i think it was an hour or 2 max

    So I downloaded the V7 you have in the link ,,,, and i will give it a try

    thanks
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 19
    Windows 10
       #7

    Ethelwulf said:
    I have Used memory test before and got 20 passes .. therefore i did not try it again

    dabi says it took him 8 hours this i dont remember mine with 20 passes i think it was an hour or 2 max

    So I downloaded the V7 you have in the link ,,,, and i will give it a try

    thanks
    The newer versions of memtest haven't been as reliable for me. I'd suggest you try out memtest86+-5.01. That version helped me identify the latest memory issue on my friend's laptop was having back in April.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 145
    Windows 10 home 64x
       #8

    urbanman2004 said:
    The newer versions of memtest haven't been as reliable for me. I'd suggest you try out memtest86+-5.01. That version helped me identify the latest memory issue on my friend's laptop was having back in April.
    Its good you say that

    Because i downloaded the 7 and was going to use it

    thanks for the update :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 19
    Windows 10
       #9

    Ethelwulf said:
    Its good you say that

    Because i downloaded the 7 and was going to use it

    thanks for the update :)
    You're welcome... On my friend's laptop I suspected it was the memory but had to be sure. Turns out it was and I had memtest running overnight and from the looks of the results it picked up within the first pass. Here's a pic I took of it back in April.
    MemTest86+ - Test RAM-imag0342.jpg
      My Computer


 

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