Testing RAM for errors using MEMTEST86+

[xirokx]

Hi,

I think I have some dodgy RAM on a another machine due to random restarts and some other issues...

Trouble is I have never tested RAM for failures or errors using memtest86+

I dont know what tests I should run or for how long....

Can someone kindly help me possibly talk me through like so its "fool proof" please?

Thanks in advance..

 

[Soul.Survivor]

Just run it all...can't hurt anything. If it runs for a couple of hours the memory probably isn't the problem. Nothing is fool proof. But test 5 and 8 are the ones where you'll get errors most of the time.

 

[Lyquist]

It just runs automatically. I downloaded it and burned it to CD and booted my machine with it and it just automatically runs.

 

[xirokx]

hmmm

some ppl tell me to run it by booting from cd rom drive and then running test #5 and test #8 only .......

then some people say test it for 8hrs...

if i run it for 8 hrs will it run test #5 and #8 itself

please clarify what is the proper way as nothing is "fool proof"

thanks

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

just boot it up and let it run. you shouldn't have to touch anything. it's fool proof by design, unless you start messing with things when you don't know what they do

 

[xirokx]

I enabled MEMTEST86 in bios and then ran a test overnight (8 hours)

no errors...

I am assuming my RAM is fine then? Or is memtest not that reliable?

Problem is my overclock was stable for weeks then just I started getting random restarts, so I went back to stock settings and everything ran perfectly...

I guess you guys would suggest its a overclock issue? however is it possible for my overclock to be stable for weeks and then suddenly start playing up??

please advise

thanks in advance...

 

[wtburnette]

Hmmm... this is more info then in your other thread.

Sounds like it is a OC related issue. What're your temps? Have you tried running prime95? That's a good test to see if your clockspeed is the issue. Also, what PSU are you using? If you're running the CPU overclocked it's stressing the PSU more then it does at stock, so that could be the issue as well.

 

[xirokx]

load temps 52 idle 34

i ran two instances of prime when i intially overclocked at it ran stable for 23hrs hours

my psu is an antec 500w neo

 

[Shogo]

i personally run test #5 at the begining, wich i assume is the most difficult test to pass.

i let it pass 3-4 hours.

after that i download memtest from hci desing to test the ram in windows , overnight.

 

[xirokx]

Did a fresh xp installation, as my DFI can save bios's after loading up my rig I reverted back to the "overclocking settings" which were "primestable" for weeks...unfortunately the system restarted....

On a lighter note I got my windows ding sounds back

so my question is:

can a system run for 3 - 4 weeks on a primed overclock which was stable for 23 hrs when priming, then suddenly stop playing ball?

all advice and suggestions are welcome

thanks in advance