How in the Tech

Determining if your Computer Fails the Memory Test

By Adam Myers ⋅ December 29, 2008 ⋅ Tags: System Administration

System memory or RAM is one of the most vital components to a top performing computer. It doesn’t matter how many cores or gigahertz your processor is or how many terabytes of storage you have at your disposal if your RAM capacity is not up to snuff – it allows you to do more things at once, simply. So how much is enough? Well, as with most things concerning computers, there is no agreed upon amount. Me, I wouldn’t run XP with less than 1GB of RAM, or 2GB for Vista. If I were buying a new computer today my floor would be at 4GB.

Being that memory is so crucial it can be equally frustrating when it begins to fail. Memory fails all the time unfortunately, and, as above, there are not many sure fire signs of a bad memory module. Memory problems can result in random BSODs or crashing applications, a frozen computer with no mouse movements, or more catastrophic  – a non booting computer.

Thankfully, testing for bad memory is a pretty simple and straightforward process. Microsoft has even gone so far as to include a rudimentary tool built right into the Windows Boot Manager on Vista. To access this utility power on your PC and while the computer begins to boot – and before the Starting Windows boot image – press F8 and access the Boot Manager option titled Windows Memory Diagnostics. It’s not the best by any means but it generally will suffice in a pinch.

A more serious tool is available at memtest86.com, aptly titled Memtest86! The free download can create a bootable floppy, CD ROM, or USB Image that, when booted from, runs a litany of thorough and intense memory tests. Memtest86 is arguably the best utility out there for testing memory – generally if your RAM passes these tests you can be sure that it is not the source of your problems. This is not a bad tool to have at you disposal to test brand new systems with – it’s that good.