Although the computer looks like a single entity, it is in fact a mixture of components. Some components are concerned with the processing of information. Some components are concerned with on-screen display. Other components are concerned with your PC’s ability to communicate with other machines.
One of the most important components within a computer is its RAM (random access memory). What exactly is random access memory, or RAM? It is basically a little electronic chip whose goal is to provide short-term, high-speed access to data. Without it, your machine would grind to a halt as it tried to continually access data from its slower cousin, the hard drive.
One of the most important components within a computer is its RAM (random access memory). What exactly is random access memory, or RAM? It is basically a little electronic chip whose goal is to provide short-term, high-speed access to data. Without it, your machine would grind to a halt as it tried to continually access data from its slower cousin, the hard drive.
Unfortunately, RAM, like any computer component is prone to failure (although the ability for RAM to live a long, stable life has been improving throughout the years). And when a stick of your RAM dies all sorts of oddities can arise. Your computer may suddenly begin freezing, blue-screening, or even restarting.
So when you do begin noticing that your PC has become “flaky”, how can you test your RAM and make sure that it, rather than some other internal component, is the culprit? The answer is: Memtest86+. Memtest86+, based upon Memtest86, is a well known free application designed to test the memory within your system. Basically what it does is write a bunch of seemingly random information to different parts of your RAM. It then proceeds to read these values back. If the written and read values are the same then everything is good to go. If, however, the written and read values differ then a defect has been detected.
Here is how to use Memtest86+ to test your memory.
1) Head over to the Memtest86+ site.
2) Download the latest Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO.
3) Burn the ISO file onto a CD or DVD.
4) Boot your computer off of this CD or DVD (at which point Memtest86+ should automatically begin its testing procedure).
5) Wait for at least 1 Pass to complete (The pass row at the top should reach 100%). This means that Memtest86+ has tested all of your memory one time. For the average user, allowing a single pass should be good enough.
6) Look for any error messages.
2) Download the latest Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO.
3) Burn the ISO file onto a CD or DVD.
4) Boot your computer off of this CD or DVD (at which point Memtest86+ should automatically begin its testing procedure).
5) Wait for at least 1 Pass to complete (The pass row at the top should reach 100%). This means that Memtest86+ has tested all of your memory one time. For the average user, allowing a single pass should be good enough.
6) Look for any error messages.
If no error messages are displayed then it is likely that your RAM is ok. If, however, you find at least one error message then there might be an issue with your memory. The only way to be certain is to take the RAM out of your computer and test it in a working machine. If the working machine continues to work, after its RAM has been replaced, then your RAM is likely not the problem. If, however, the formerly working machine begins to exhibit problems when its RAM is replaced then your RAM is likely malfunctioning.
Author Bio
Keith works in the technical support field and hosts Computer Repair Calgary where he discusses a range of topics including how to repair malfunctioning RAM.
