How to Test & Diagnose RAM Memory problems.

Often Windows OS is unstable, hangs or displays blue screens during boot, because the system memory (RAM) is damaged. RAM Memory malfunctions can cause many problems while working on your PC in different ways and symptoms.  So, it is a good precaution, before you proceed to troubleshoot your computer's operation and stability issues, to firstly test and diagnose the installed RAM for problems.

In this article you can find detailed instructions on how you can diagnose your computer's RAM for problems.

How to Diagnose (Test) your Computer's Memory RAM for problems.

To check and diagnose your system's memory for problems, you can use either the Memtest86+ or the Windows Memory Diagnostic utility.

Method 1. Memtest86+

Method 2. Windows Memory Diagnostic.

Method 1. Memtest86+

The first Memory Diagnostic utility, that you can use to test your RAM for problems, is the free and Open source Memtest86+ utility. Memtest86+ is the most used and reliable memory diagnostic utility for several years now.

To diagnose and test your System's Memory for problems with Memtest86+.

Step 1. Download Memtest86+

1. Navigate to official Memtest86+ website.

2. Scroll down the page and at the Download section click to download the latest Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip) version (Memtest 86+ V5.01). *

* Note: If you don't have a CD/DVD Optical Drive on your computer:

1. Download the Auto-installer for USB Key (Win 9x/2k/xp/7) utility.

2. Plug an empty USB flash drive on the computer.

3. Extract the downloaded file and then run the "Memtest86+ USB Installer.exe" application in order to create a bootable USB key with the "Memtest86+" utility.

3. When the download is completed extract the "memtest86+-5.01.iso.zip" file.

4. Then burn the memtest86+-5.01.iso file to a CD.

• Related article: How to burn an ISO file to a CD or DVD.

Step 2. Run Memtest86+ diagnostics.

1. Put the Memtest86+ created media (CD or USB) on your computer.

2. Change the Boot order settings in BIOS Setup, in order to boot from Memtest86+ media. To do that:

1. Power On your computer and press "DEL" or "F1" or "F2" or "F10" to enter BIOS (CMOS) setup utility.
   (The way to enter into BIOS Settings depends on the computer manufacturer).
2. Inside BIOS menu, find the "Boot Order" setting.
   (This setting is commonly found inside "Advanced BIOS Features" menu).
3. At “Boot Order” setting, set the first boot device to CD-ROM if you have created a Memtest86+ CD, or to USB if you have created a Memtest86+ USB flash drive.
4. Save and exit from BIOS settings.

3. The Memtest86+ tests should start automatically. Leave the diagnostic utility to run at least for one full pass (100%).

Notes:

1. The diagnostic time it depends from the amount of memory installed on your computer.

2. If the test fails then replace immediately the defected RAM module.

3. To identify which RAM module is bad (If you have more than one RAM module (DIMM) installed on your machine), then test the modules one by one.

Method 2. Windows Memory Diagnostic. (Windows 10, 8 & 7)

The second utility that you can use to diagnose computer memory problems, is the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.

To test your RAM for problems, with Windows Memory Diagnostic utility:

1. Close all open programs.

2. Launch the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. To do that:

• In Windows 7:

1. Click the Start button and then type the word "memory" in the search box.
2. Click Windows Memory Diagnostic from the results.

• In Windows 8, 8.1.

1. Simultaneously press the Windows + S keys to open search.
2. Type the word "memory" and click "Diagnose your computer's memory problems" from the results.

• In Windows 10:

1. Type the word "memory" in the Cortana's search box.
2. Click Windows Memory Diagnostic from the results.

2. At the next screen select Restart now and check for problems (recommended).

3. The Memory Diagnostics Tool will run automatically after the restart. Wait until the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool completes the testing. *

* Notes:

1. Windows Memory Diagnostic tool uses the standard settings to run. If you 're an advanced user you can press the F1 key (Options) and customize the following settings:
   Test mix. Choose what type of test you want to run: Basic, Standard, or Extended. The choices are described in the tool.
   Cache. Choose the cache setting you want for each test: Default, On, or Off.
   Pass count. Type the number of times you want to repeat the test.
2. The diagnostic time depends on the amount of memory installed on your computer.
3. If the test fails then replace immediately the defected RAM module.
4. To identify which RAM module is bad (If you have more than one RAM module (DIMM) installed on your machine), then test the modules one by one.

That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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