MemScope Free Memory Tester

M2K MemScope is a free memory testing software program from the makers of Micro-Scope - a large suite of professional, time tested (and expensive) computer diagnostic tools.

MemScope performs a wide variety of tests in an attempt to locate even the smallest issue with your memory. Many advanced testing options are available but the "Run All" test is equivalent to tests in other programs and is a safe bet if you are not a memory expert, and you need to test your RAM “from scratch”.

MemScope is freely downloadable from M2K’s site. You will have to fill out a short form but it is indeed short, and you will be quickly transferred to the downloading link.

Getting started with M2K MemScope

Don’t expect to diagnose a memory module with only one pass. You must burn-in or stress memory modules to find out if there is something wrong. In order to fully test memory, it needs to be used at its maximum capacity - and this requires multiple passes.

You can determinate, depending on the processor speed and size of memory, how long the tests must be run in the system. For this reason the memory tests in MemScope have been designed to run in an infinite loop - so will run for as long as you set them to or until you tell to stop.

How to install MemScope

Download the program from M2K website.

• Double-click on the program to create a floppy diskette or burn the ISO file to CD.
• Boot the PC to the floppy or CD.
• First 2 screen will display M2K product descriptions .
• Program will display on the left hand side Main Menu.

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Original Website :

http://www.micro2000.co.uk/products/microscope/MemScope_Free_Memory_Tester.htm

RAM Troubleshooting with MemTest86+

About MemTest

Memtest86 is thorough, stand alone memory test for x86 architecture computers. BIOS based memory tests are a quick, cursory check and often miss many of the failures that are detected by Memtest86. Memtest86 was developed by Chris Brady with a first release in 1994. The advanced software MemTest86+ provides an up-to-date and completely reliable version of the software tool aimed at memory failures detection. The software is absolutely free, with no restrictions for private or commercial use.

Windows Installation

For Windows, installation begins by downloading either the Pre-Compiled Windows package to build a bootable floppy disk or an ISO (zip version) to create a bootable CD-ROM. After the file is downloaded an extract must be done to uncompress the file(s). To build a bootable floppy, go the folder where the files were extracted and click on the Install icon. The floppy disk will appear to be unformatted by Windows after the install is complete.

To build a bootable CD-ROM, use your CD burning software to create an image from the unzipped ISO file. Be sure to create CD from image. DO not simply copy the file to a CD.

Troubleshooting Memory Errors

Once a memory error has been detected, determining the failing SIMM/DIMM module is not a clear cut procedure. With the large number of motherboard vendors and possible combinations of memory slots it would be difficult if not impossible to assemble complete information about how a particular error would map to a failing memory module. However, there are steps that may be taken to determine the failing module. Here are four techniques that you may wish to use:

1) Removing modules. This is simplest method for isolating a failing modules, but may only be

employed when one or more modules can be removed from the system. By selectively removing modules from the system and then running the test you will be able to find the bad modules. 2) Rotating modules. When none of the modules can be removed then you may wish to rotate modules to find the failing one. This technique can only be used if there are three or more modules in the system. Change the location of two modules at a time. For example put the module from slot 1 into slot 2 and put the module from slot 2 in slot 1. Run the test and if the failing bit or address changes then you know that the failing module is one of the ones just moved. By using several combinations of module movement you should be able to determine which module is failing. 3)

Replacing modules. If you are unable to use either of the previous techniques then you are left to selective replacement of modules to find the failure. 4) Avoiding allocation. The printing mode for BadRAM patterns is intended to construct boot time parameters for a Linux kernel that is compiled with BadRAM support. This work-around makes it possible for Linux to reliably run with defective RAM.

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Original Website: http://www.memtest.org/

Downloading Links: http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Free Windows Memory Diagnostic Utility

The Windows Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. The diagnostic includes a comprehensive set of memory tests. If you are experiencing problems while running Windows, you can use the diagnostic to determine whether the problems are caused by failing hardware, such as RAM or the memory system of your motherboard. Windows Memory Diagnostic is designed to be easy and fast. On most configurations, you can download the diagnostic, read the documentation, run the test and complete the first test pass in less than 30 minutes.

To run Windows Memory Diagnostic, you must reboot your computer with the disk or CD-ROM on which you installed Windows Memory Diagnostic in the drive. After the reboot, Windows Memory Diagnostic will load and its interface will appear. After loading, the first test pass will begin, using the default standard test suite, and continue until complete, unless Windows Memory Diagnostic is either paused or exited. Once the first test pass is complete, Windows Memory Diagnostic will begin a second test pass using the same settings as before. Windows Memory Diagnostic will continue to run test passes until you exit.

Windows Memory Diagnostic User Guide

Download Windows Memory Diagnostic Original website

RAM Probe - Freeware Memory Testing Utility

RAM Probe (formerly OTCOMP Memtest 86+) is a free memory testing software suite designed to diagnose your RAM for faults.

The original developers’ code is an updated fork of the memtest86+ project maintained by some members of the french hardware site x86-secret.com. It in turn is based on the original memtest86 v3.0 written by Chris Brady of Silicon Graphics, Inc. See the original websites for more information about the tests performed. Our primary updates include detection for over 75 additional chipsets plus various other features/fixes (see changelog info for details).
The goal is to provide an up-to-date and completely reliable version of this software tool aimed at memory failures detection. RAM Probe is released under the terms of the Gnu Public License (GPL).

Memory Test Features:
* Works with the latest Intel and AMD CPUs
* Supports testing of up to 4 GB of memory
* Runs from a CD, Floppy disk, USB drive or over network (ELF binary)
* Supports all types and brands of memory including SDRAM, Rambus, DDR, DDR2 and FB-DIMM* Detects bad address location and pin-point fail Data-Bit accurately

How to use the program

Download the software and write it to Floppy or burn on CD.

Reboot your machine and run directly from the CD/Floppy . You might need to change the boot order, or pick up a one-time boot from CD through F12 option chosen at the computer initialization

Developers website: http://www.ramprobe.com

DirDirect Download Page: http://www.ramprobe.com/?p=download