I am glad to welcome you to the site site! In this article, I will tell you everything about diagnosing the RAM of a computer / laptop.
Let's talk about the symptoms that indicate that there may be some errors in the "RAM", as well as how to check it for performance and "integrity".
So, let's begin!
Random Access Memory, or RAM (Random Access Memory) is the "temporary" memory of a computer. This is the so-called "buffer" between hard drive, which permanently stores both your programs and data, and the processor that processes this data. This memory is volatile, i.e. every time you reboot or turn off the power of the computer, it is reset to zero.
RAM is a small bar that is inserted into the slot. motherboard. Like any computer component, this bar can fail.
In general, all these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a malfunction of the RAM strips. Freezes and errors during Windows installation are more likely to occur due to hard drive, BSODs - due to OS errors, viruses. It can be said for sure whether there are broken blocks, errors in the RAM, only by conducting memory tests using the methods that I will describe to you below.
If you perceive information better in video format, you can watch a video clip on my YouTube channel:
How to check RAM [Video]
How to check computer RAM
The simplest way to check RAM is the exclusion method. Most often, 2-4 RAM modules are installed in the computer. Therefore, you can take them out in turn, and check if the problem is gone. If without one of the memory modules the freezes stopped and the errors disappeared, then it is faulty.
But, it is quite possible that you have only one memory module.
To find and pull RAM from yours system block- take a close look at the picture below. I think everything will become clear to you immediately. You need to bend the latches on the sides of the memory - and it will “pop out” by itself. 
And here is what it looks like, and RAM is removed from laptops:
Checking RAM for errors using Windows tools
If your system boots normally, but gives various failures and errors during operation, then you can use standard tool Windows to check RAM.
That's what it's called - Diagnosing computer memory problems.»
This tool is built into the Windows 7 and Vista operating system, and we just have to find it and use it:
- We press the button Start, and in the field " Find programs and files» enter part of the name of the program that we need to find. I entered "operational". Among the list of programs we find " Diagnosing computer memory problems:
- In the window that appears, you can choose when the check will be performed - right now or the next time you turn on the computer:
We close everything open programs, save the documents, and run the first item to restart the PC and start checking the RAM right now. - After reboot will automatically start and start checking the memory. We are waiting for the check to be performed, you do not need to touch anything.
On my configuration (i5-4460, 16 Gb DDR3) testing in normal mode took about 15-20 minutes.
By pressing the F1 key, you can select other test options (Basic and Wide), as well as the number of passes. Optionally, you can check with wide test suite, but it will take several times longer, so first do Ordinary test.
- Once the test is complete, Windows will continue to boot.
- To view the test result Windows memory You need to go to Event Viewer -> Windows logs-> System -> MemoryDiagnostics-Results:
Program for testing RAM - memtest86+
The best way to check memory is to use special program — memtest86+.
Its advantage is that it can be used even if Windows does not boot, or the PC does not have a hard drive at all.
Download the program to check the RAM you can from the official site memtest.org, or right here on my blog (the files are checked for viruses): the memory test will begin. It looks like this:
The test takes place in automatic mode, nothing needs to be changed, just observe. He will go on forever. If after 1-2 passes (Pass) no red bars with errors appear in the field below, and the “Errors” counter is zero, then your memory is almost certainly clean!
Many people are probably wondering what the “broken” RAM test looks like? To see it, watch the video below.
Memtest86+ RAM test - 1.5 million errors [Video]:
By the way, subscribe to my youtube channel . There I show the whole process of diagnosing and repairing computers and laptops in real time in video format.
If Windows XP is installed on your computer, then you will have to use third-party software. For these purposes, the MemTest86 program has long proven itself, which you can download from the link at the end of this article.
Distinctive features of MemTest86 is that Windows XP RAM is not checked from under the system, but in a clean environment. Several advantages follow from this. Firstly, you can check the RAM even if no operating system is installed on the computer or it cannot be loaded. Therefore, MemTest86 does not need Windows. Secondly, running in a clean environment promises more accurate test results than similar programs running from under the system.
But there is a downside to the coin - you will have to create bootable media for MemTest86 (disk or flash drive) in order to use the program. But these are trifles.
How to use MemTest86
So, first we prepare bootable media, for this we write the downloaded image of the program to a disk or USB flash drive.
To write the MemTest86 image to a flash drive, you need to download the USB archive, unpack it, run the imageUSB.exe file, specify the path to the memtest86-usb.img file (also in the archive) and click on Write to UFD. The flash drive will be ready.
To burn the MemTest86 image to disk, you need to download the CD archive, unpack it, and simply burn the image to disk.
When the media is ready, set the BIOS to boot from a disk or flash drive (depending on where you wrote MemTest86). The BIOS should be configured in the same way as it is done when installing Windows. You can read about it. We boot from the desired media and MemTest86 immediately starts checking the RAM.
By pressing the C key, you can call additional settings. But in principle, the default settings fully meet the requirements.
Asking a question about how to use MemTest86, you need to know only one thing - the test occurs cyclically, endlessly. That is, the program will check the RAM until you stop the check. The check is stopped using the Esc key. In order for the RAM test to be reliable, it is recommended to run two cycles of tests and stop. The number of cycles is indicated in the column of the Pass table. The number of errors is indicated in the Errors column and a list of found errors is displayed in the field below the table. Based on the data obtained, it is possible to adequately judge the performance of the RAM.
In order for the RAM tester to give accurate results, it is recommended to run the test with one RAM module connected. So, if there are errors, you will know exactly which module.
- Operating system - XP, Vista, 7, 8;
- English language;
- Developer: Chris Brady.
For any of the users, perhaps, it will not be a discovery of the century that most of the error messages that appear when working with Windows 7 arise from all sorts of problems with the computer's RAM. At the same time, it is not so difficult to detect them, as it seems at first glance, and even without resorting to help. extraneous programs. The point, in fact, is that Windows 7 itself already has a built-in utility for checking RAM, which is not much inferior to similar programs in terms of efficiency. Do you want to check it out? Then get to work!
Option #1: Microsoft System Method
It is worth noting that testing RAM using the tools of Windows 7 itself can be performed in different ways, depending on whether the computer is in working condition or not. In particular, for a normal check of the health of the RAM on a PC, you can use this method:
In addition, it is also possible to check the operation of the RAM when starting Windows 7. In this case, when starting the computer, you will first need to press F8 in order to get to the menu additional options boot, and then alternately select on the keyboard Esc (to access the Windows boot manager), Tab (to select a memory test tool) and finally Enter (to start diagnostics): 
However, you can also arrange a RAM test using a disk with Windows distribution 7. In this case, after launching it on the computer in the Windows installation mode, we only need to open the system recovery options and select the memory diagnostic program among them. The whole process looks like this: 
In any case, regardless of the method chosen, after starting the system diagnostics of the RAM, a blue window will appear in which the entire test progress will be displayed:
True, you need to consider that by default in Windows 7, the usual set of several standard RAM tests is selected. It provides, of course, a check that is quite quick in time, but of average efficiency: 
In this case, for a more thorough analysis of the RAM after running the utility, it is preferable to reconfigure the test scheme by choosing a wide set instead of the usual set. How to do it? Just press F1 first and then Tab to select the appropriate option and F10 to save the setting. Similarly, disable cache validation and increase the number of passes to at least 20 in order to increase the efficiency of passing the test.
One way or another, after the analysis of the RAM is completed, the testing tool built into Windows will notify you of all the errors found in the report or in the system message after restarting the PC (depending on the selected diagnostic method).
Option #2: RAM Tester Programs
At the same time, RAM on a computer with Windows 7 can also be checked for errors using special RAM tester programs. They are presented today quite widely, but free software tools such as SuperRam, MemTest86 and SiSoftware Sandra deserve special attention among all of them.
The easiest to use among them is undoubtedly the Russian-language utility SuperRam. At the same time, in terms of the effectiveness of RAM tests, it is not much different from the well-known software “monster” MemTest86. This utility, in particular, allows you not only to test the RAM on your computer in different modes, but also automatically increases the productivity of its use. In addition, the program is compatible with absolutely all RAM modules and Windows versions, making it a truly indispensable PC tester. 
Meanwhile, at the first sign of the impending demise of the RAM, appearing along with the blue screen of death, the MemTest86 program can bring the computer back to life. Its peculiarity is that, unlike many other similar utilities, it is launched in a “clean” form using its own bootloader, which provides it with a more thorough test of operating memory for bugs. 
True, MemTest86 also has two small drawbacks. Firstly, in order to check the RAM with it, you will first have to work on writing a resuscitation flash drive with an iso image of the utility; and, secondly, the process of analysis with the help of this testing software tool usually takes a lot of time - from 1 hour or more, as practice shows. 
As for SiSoftware Sandra, this program can hardly be called a full-fledged RAM tester, given that it has both a general Windows stability test and individual modules analysis of the state of the motherboard, CPU, video card and other equipment connected to the PC. Meanwhile, its performance indicators are quite good, which, however, distinguishes it from a dozen other analogue programs.
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Software for testing computer RAM ( RAM) are programs that perform detailed tests of a computer's memory.
The memory installed in your computer is very sensitive. It is recommended to check the new, just purchased, RAM for errors. And, of course, testing is essential if you suspect you might have a problem with your existing RAM.
For example, if your computer won't boot up or restarts unexpectedly on its own, then it could indicate certain memory problems. It is also useful to check the memory in these cases:
- programs used on the computer periodically give an error and close;
- during the restart of the computer, it emits various beeps;
- is displayed.
All memory testing programs mentioned in the article are run out of operating system, so each of them will work regardless of the operating system you use: Windows (10, 8, 7, Vista, Windows XP, etc.), Linux or any other. Also, remember that the term "memory" in this context means random access memory (RAM).
Important: if the test results found problems in the memory, it is necessary to replace it, because. it is beyond repair.
- absolutely free, does not require installation and very easy to use program for testing RAM. If you do not have time to try and compare different programs, use Memtest86 - this is the best program to test the RAM on your computer.
Simply download the ISO image from the MemTest86 website and burn it to disc or . After that, simply boot your computer from the disc or USB stick that contains the program.
Although this program is distributed free of charge, it also has a Pro version, however, if you are not professionally involved in computer equipment, then free version With basic support will be sufficient.
MemTest86 does not require an operating system to run, it is only required to write to boot device(disk or flash drive). This can be done with any Windows versions, as well as Mac or Linux.
— free program memory test from Microsoft. It is very similar to other RAM testing programs and runs a series of tests to identify problems.
Just download the installation file and create an ISO image to burn to a disc or flash drive.
After booting from a disk or flash drive, Windows Memory Diagnostic will automatically start testing the memory and will repeat the test until you stop it.
If the first group of tests doesn't show any errors, your device most likely has good random access memory (RAM).
Important: for Windows usage Memory Diagnostic is not required Windows installation(or any other operating system), the system is only needed to write the ISO image to a disk or USB device.
is a modified version of the Memtest86 program that was listed first in this article. Memtest86+, like the original program, is completely free.
We recommend that you test your memory with Memtest86+ if you have any problems using Memtest86 or if it reports errors and you want to check the test results in another program (double check).
Memtest86+ is available at ISO format for recording to disk or flash drive.
It may seem a little strange that Memtest86+ is only listed in 3rd place, however, since the program is very similar to Memtest86, it would be better to try the original version of Memtest86, and then Windows Memory Diagnostic, which works differently, as a result which you get a fairly balanced algorithm for checking RAM.
As with Memtest86, to create boot disk or flash drives you will need an operating Windows system, Mac or Linux, which may be running on a different computer than the one that needs to be tested.
Another RAM testing program that works very similar to those already listed earlier.
One of the major disadvantages of DocMemory is the need to create a boot floppy. Most computers today no longer have disk drives. That's why, best programs memory tests (see above) use boot disks or USB sticks.
We recommend that you use DocMemory Memory Diagnostic only if the test programs listed above do not work or if you want to find confirmation that something is wrong with your memory (after checking with other programs).
On the other hand, if your device can't use discs or USB sticks, then DocMemory might be exactly what you're looking for.
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Hello, friends! Today we will analyze this interesting topic like testing a computer's RAM.
How to check RAM and which diagnostic method to choose? What are the characteristic symptoms of module failure and how to get rid of blue screen death (BSoD)?
Sometimes it happens that your computer starts behaving strangely: it gives incomprehensible errors, periodic slowdowns occur, the system may freeze even when working in simple applications. It also happens that the computer may go into repeated reboots immediately after being turned on. If the listed signs can be attributed to indirect ones, then the appearance of the “blue screen of death” (BSoD) is a sure sign of a computer malfunction.
BSoD errors appear not only with a problem with RAM, more often this is a consequence of installing incorrect drivers or their conflict, however, as practice shows, the failure of devices and overheating of components takes an honorable second place among all possible causes. In this case, the RAM bar may turn out to be such a failed device. A characteristic feature of BSoD with a problem with RAM is different error codes.
Stage error Windows installations, when the system fails to copy a certain file and it reports that further installation is impossible, it also indicates a problem with RAM. At this stage of the installation, a large amount of data is copied into memory, and some of it is written to bad cells, which leads to such errors.
If the RAM module fails completely, you will not be able to start the system. When you turn on the computer, only the fans of the system unit will work. However, the second option is more common, when the RAM partially fails. In this case, the computer may boot successfully (typically, it may take several attempts) and even work stably for a certain time.
Knowing how to test RAM will be very useful, for example, when buying a module from hand.
How to conduct testing and which diagnostic method to choose?
Whatever diagnostic method you choose, it is important to understand that RAM testing should be carried out from a “clean environment” (from under DOS), and not from the operating system. In this case, the entire amount of memory will be available for the test, and the system will not be loaded by background processes.
The second point is that the RAM sticks need to be tested separately. We leave one module and conduct a test, then we put another module and repeat the test.
This article will focus on the Memtest86+ program. The program is launched using its own loader and during the testing process it makes several passes, writes information to each memory block, and then reads it and checks for errors.
The program is distributed free of charge as an image (ISO) for subsequent recording to a disk and as an installer for installation on a USB flash drive (USB disk).
Creating a boot disk with Memtest86+
Let's go to the official website of the program at the link www.memtest.org and select the Download (Pre-built & ISOs) item.
On the next page, select Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip). 
Download the image to your computer. It is necessary to unpack the archive and extract the ISO image with the program.
Burn the image to a CD. How to "burn" iso image to disk, read the article.
Creating a bootable flash drive with Memtest86
If the option to create bootable flash drive If you like Memtest86+ more, then we return to the official website of the program, where we select the item Download - Auto-installer for USB Key (Win 9x/2k/xp/7) *NEW! *.
Within a minute, your flash drive will be bootable.
When the boot device is ready, you should boot from it. We restart the computer and using the special keys that are shown in the table below, we call the boot menu, where we select a disk or USB drive.
After analyzing the components of the computer, testing of the RAM will begin. The test is cyclical and contains about 11 tests (including zero). The program drives them in a circle until you stop it yourself by pressing the Esc key.
The Pass value displays the overall test completion percentage. When Pass reaches 100%, it resets to zero. This means that the first pass is completed and testing will start again. As a rule, 2-3 passes are sufficient. On average, one full pass lasts about 20-30 minutes.
After the first successful pass (Pass 100%), the following message will appear:
"**Pass complete, no errors, press Esc to exit**".
In my case, the Errors value is zero, that is, there are no errors, and I can either continue testing more thoroughly, or exit the test by pressing Esc. If the program finds errors, then it looks like this:
If the program finds errors at least at one of the stages, then, as a rule, such a bar needs to be replaced. For example, during my last client test, over 20,000 errors were found after just 15 minutes of testing. Further testing was pointless, as was the hope of a possible recovery.