Appears on your monitor too often, even on a newly installed OS, the first thing to do is to check the RAM. Also, the RAM should be tested if the computer automatically reboots or freezes. Check random access memory on Windows 7 it can be performed using standard tools, but if you are using a different OS version, you will need to download a small utility from the Internet. Almost always, software crashes that seem illogical at first are caused by RAM issues.
Exclusion method
The first check method does not require the launch of additional programs. It is relevant if the PC uses more than one RAM strip. If there is only one bar, you will need an application or another computer to test it. Take out one stick of RAM one by one, check the overall stability of the OS, if the problem persists, take out the next, and so on. This method is also good because you can test the slots of the motherboard right away. At the same time, if one bar will work normally in another computer without causing malfunctions, it is possible that the motherboard is to blame. If, after removing one of the brackets, the computer starts working normally, it means that it is faulty, and the Windows 7 Memory Checker can not be launched. In addition, physical extraction does not take much time, and testing with the application can take a long time, especially if the amount of RAM is large.
If a completely new computer is installed and the image does not appear even during the BIOS boot phase, it is likely that the processor or motherboard do not support the device of the manufacturer who released it. Check the official website of the motherboard company, it is possible that the latest BIOS firmware will fix this problem.
How to check RAM in Windows 7
So, to run the built-in Windows utility that will test the RAM, follow the path "Start - - Administrative Tools", in the list that opens, select "Windows Memory Checker".
Be careful. Before testing, you must close all applications and save the necessary documents. After clicking the "Perform restart" button, the system will forcibly terminate all programs that require additional actions from the user.
After rebooting, a RAM check will automatically start. Windows 7 runs it in two stages. Each will take about 10 minutes if the amount of RAM is 2 gigabytes and the memory is healthy. Otherwise, the tests may be delayed. During this time, refrain from unnecessary clicks on the mouse and keyboard buttons. If the RAM is out of order, the bottom of the screen will start filling up with error information.
When the RAM check completes, Windows 7 will automatically restart the computer and generate a report on any RAM problems found.
Memtest86 +
Identifying memory problems using Windows 7 is not always effective enough. For more serious and deep tests, it is better to use the Memtest86 + utility, which is completely free and can be used on any computer, whatever OS is installed.
Supplied in three options:
- Bootable ISO (created to create boot disk by burning the image with a CD or DVD writer).
- Auto Indtaller For USB Key - (not always suitable for old devices, creates a bootable USB flash drive, and not all computers released several years ago can boot from USB).
- Pre-Complied for Floppy (absolutely archaic solution for those who have no USB ports, no CD-writer, but have a floppy drive).
Creating a bootable USB drive
Just go to the Memtest86 + official website and download the required distro. Then you need to unzip it, for this you can use 7-zip or the popular Winrar. After starting the program, you will need to select the drive, which will later become bootable. Be careful, make a backup of the data, all information on the USB flash drive will be deleted in the process of writing a new one.
Bootable CD / DVD
In some cases, the RAM check cannot be performed from the flash drive. Windows 7 sometimes crashes when using a specific USB flash drive driver, or the drive simply won't be at hand, or maybe the BIOS is outdated and can't boot the computer from USB devices.
If the USB flash drive cannot be used, the best solution would be to write the distribution to disk. And the Ultra ISO program will help with this. If installed, then double clicking on any ISO file will open it in this application. After opening the Memtest86 + file, select the Tools menu. Then click on the "Burn Image" item. Memtest86 + is a very small program, so the recording will complete in less than a minute.
Memory check
After burning the distribution kit to a USB flash drive or disk, you need to enter the BIOS. To do this, you need to press the "DEL" key while turning on the computer. When the BIOS setup utility is launched, in the "First Boor Device" column, select your USB flash drive or CD-ROM.
If all actions were performed correctly, after reboot, an automatic check of the RAM will start. The program does nine different tests, but after completing them it goes into a loop and starts all over again. If the first two or three tests passed successfully and without errors, most likely everything is in order with the RAM.
Prevention
Very often, RAM failures are associated with dust system unit... In this case, checking the RAM (whether Windows 7 is installed on the computer or any other version of the OS) is not needed. Open the lid of the system unit and blow out all the internal space. Pay special attention to heatsinks and slots. In this case, it is advisable to remove all devices, except the processor, from the sockets and wipe the contacts. Also, it will not be superfluous to wipe the contacts of the slots themselves. This procedure saves not only from dustiness, but also from metal oxidation.
Performing these steps, be very careful with the microcircuits, the slightest damage to them will disable the device. The best way to wipe the contacts is to use an eraser or alcohol. This is especially helpful if there are several memory strips, and testing each individually can take a long time. After wiping the contacts, do not rush to insert the RAM bar in its place, wait a little, let it dry.
Hello, friends! Defective RAM can lead to unstable computer operation and, as a result, data loss. The symptom is unexpected reboots or blue screen of death. When diagnosing or, first of all, it is checked. You don't need to open your computer to do this. It is enough to boot from a disk or from a flash drive (from a memory card at worst)) and produce ram test... The structure and includes a built-in utility for checking memory. You just need to start it and schedule the test execution either immediately or at the next boot.
In this article, we will understand in detail how to test RAM.
As mentioned above, the operating system has a built-in memory check utility. This is convenient because it is always at hand and there is no need for third-party programs.
To start, you need to go to Control Panel\u003e System and Security\u003e Administrative Tools. Choose
It is also convenient to use
A window will open with information - What can happen with memory problems
You have 3 options to choose from: restart and check, check the next time you turn on your computer, or click Cancel.
When you select the first item, the system will immediately reboot and execute ram test... Before making a selection, you must close all open applications.
If you select the second option, the scan will start the next time you turn on your computer. You can try to finish the work in progress and reboot.
You can also run the RAM test when Windows 7/8 boots by pressing the key F8 and choosing Troubleshoot computer problems
Select a user and click OK
We choose
The same window opens as from under Windows. Click the recommended first item
The system will reboot and start testing
To select test parameters, click F1
We can choose a test suite:
- Base
- Usual
- Wide
Basic includes 3 tests used for quick testing. Normal includes additional tests and runs by default. Advanced includes all possible tests prepared by Microsoft and is naturally the longest in time.
A regular RAM test is enough to troubleshoot problems.
Pressing the key Tab it will switch to the next control option - Memory Cache. Disabling which will lead to direct access to RAM, which will allow more accurate testing.
Pressing the key again Tab it will switch to the last option for selecting the number of repetitions of the RAM test. Used for a more thorough check and allows you to specify from 1 to 0 (infinity) passes.
To apply the settings and continue the test, press the key F10
If you are just going to install from a disk image, then you can also test the RAM. This requires.
Press any key
Press Tab to select Windows Memory Diagnostic
The RAM test will start, but already in English
The Status field displays an inspiring inscription - "No bugs found yet")
If there are any, it will be written about it right away. The results will also be displayed again when loading operating systemif the test was run from Windows.
Memtest86 + most popular RAM test
The second, but no less effective, tool for checking RAM is the Memtest86 + program. At the time of this writing current version 4.20
You can download this utility from the official website. The archive is downloaded in * .zip format, intended for installation on a USB flash drive.
You can also download the image for burning to disk from the official website. You can read how to write an image to disk in.
Let's write the program to a USB flash drive. To do this, unpack the downloaded archive. For those who have difficulties with this, please see the article. We connect the USB flash drive to the computer and run the unpacked program Memtest86 + USB Installer.exe
Push I Agree (I agree with the license agreement)
Select the connected USB flash drive and set the recommended "birdie"
Copy all important data from the USB stick and press Create (Create)
Then press Next
AND Finish
The bootable USB stick is ready.
You can also go into BIOS and select Boot Menu (F8). Or press F8 at boot time, and you may get into the boot options menu. You must select our USB stick
When booting from a prepared flash drive, the RAM test will start immediately
In addition to observing the passing of the test, you can see:
- cpu information and cache
- maximum and its speed
- information about the chipset and memory parameters
- settings of the RAM itself (frequency, delays and whether dual-channel mode works)
There is also a table where in the first column you can track the duration of testing. If all tests have been successfully passed, in the Pass column, instead of 0, 1 will appear and the inscription will be displayed below
***** Pass complete, no errors, press Esc to exit *****
Push ESC and make the usual boot of the operating system.
If errors are found during the memory test, a red table with the addresses of the detected problems will appear, while the test will continue.
What to do if a problem is found?
Turn off the computer, take out the RAM and wipe the contacts with a regular rubber band. The one we used at school. It is also recommended to purge the memory connectors c.
Caution! If you have memory modules without heatsinks, do not hold onto the memory chips! You can deform the contact of the chip with the PCB. (Memory chips are black squares or rectangles on a colored textolite)
Blow off any remaining rubber bands on the memory modules and install them into the motherboard.
Repeat test
If the errors reappear, take the modules to the service center under warranty.
If there is no guarantee, check each module separately to determine the faulty strip and replace it. (Do not forget that the connector for the memory module may be defective. If the test of the memory strip fails in one connector, check it in the other)
If you have a set of 2 or 4 memory sticks, it is recommended to change the whole set.
For more information on memory, see the article
Output
In this article, we figured out the question of how to conduct ram test.
It is convenient to diagnose memory modules both with the built-in utility "Windows Memory Tester" and with the special program Memtest86 +. We learned how to prepare a USB flash drive and write an image with the program to disk.
And the main thing! Provide steps to take when memory problems are detected.
Video - RAM test
Questions and suggestions will be glad to see in the comments. I wish you good and reliable memory modules.
Hello! Today I want to tell you how to check the RAM for errors with the built-in Windows utility, which is built into the operating system since Windows 7. Why do you need it? This can come in handy if you begin to notice periodic malfunctions in your computer or laptop. What failures should you pay attention to the RAM:
- From time to time you see on your monitor “ blue screen of death". I think there is no need to tell anyone what the Blue Screen of Death is, but just in case, see the screenshot below.
- Your computer freezes for a few seconds (sometimes up to 10-15 seconds), and then immediately starts working as it should. This can be easily seen in games, even the most undemanding ones, as well as when watching videos.
- The computer does not turn on the first time... During power-on, you can simply watch a black screen or a BIOS splash screen. And then when you reboot, it turns on and works.
Blue screen of death in different versions of Windows
These errors in the operation of the computer can be caused not only by improper operation of RAM, but also by failures in other components of the computer (hard drive, motherboard, processor, video card). Nevertheless, first of all, it is better to check the RAM for errors, and now I will tell you step by step how to do this.
How to check RAM for errors? Step-by-step instruction
As we already said, any Windows operating system (starting with Windows 7) has a built-in utility for checking RAM for errors. Therefore, unless you are still using Windows XP, you do not need to download any additional programs for this.
And if you have installedWindowsXP on the computer, then look towards the program Memtest86 +... Or maybe you still useWindows 95?(͡° ʖ̯ ͡°)
The utility that will help you check your RAM is called " Memory CheckerWindows". You can find and run it in different ways. One of them is to click on "Start" and there will be a search with the words " Find programs and files"Or something like that.
There we write the name of the utility "Windows Memory Checker" or the name of the file that launches this utility " mdsched". Then Windows will find the program you need.
Windows Memory Checker on Start Menu
Run it as administrator. This means not just double-clicking on the icon, but right-clicking and selecting “ Run as Administrator».
Click on " Reboot and check". When you turn on, Windows will immediately start checking the RAM for errors. In case errors are found, you will see this in the message below the verification line. If you haven't followed the scan, then you can view the scan report directly in Windows when it loads after the scan is over.
What else is useful to know about checking RAM for errors?
There are three test modes: base, usual and wide... By default, Windows starts scanning normally. But, if the check is completed, no errors were found, and you still have a suspicion that the RAM is working somehow wrong, then it makes sense to check in extended mode. Such a check may take several hours (or maybe less), but it will look so deep into the RAM that not a single error will hide from you.
By the way, a typical check takes about 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the amount of RAM and its frequency.
To enable extended validation by pressing F1 during normal validation and selecting the appropriate option.
Also, I advise you to disable the cache to get the most valid test results.
Where can I see the report after checking the RAM for errors?
If you missed everything that Windows wrote to you directly during the RAM check, then you can find the check report in the Windows event log. Here's how to get there:
- Click on start.
- Enter "Journal" or " eventvwr».
- Select " Viewing event logs". Not to be confused with Windows Journal, this is not what we want at all.
- On the left in Explorer, go to Windows Logs, and then to System».
- Among the latest entries (and there are a lot of them) you will find our report. The source column will say “ MemoryDiagnostics-Results". Or you can use the magazine search. The search button is on the right side of the menu.
- If the report says that no errors were found, congratulations, everything is just beginning and you will have to look for errors elsewhere on your computer.
Finally:
Now you know how to check RAM for errors using standard Windows tools. This procedure does not take much time and is not at all difficult to understand. I hope you were able to find errors.
If you still have errors and you have several RAM modules installed, then it will be useful to check them one by one to determine which one is working and which is not.
Have you read to the very end?
Was this helpful?
Well no
What exactly did you dislike? Was the article incomplete or untrue?
Write in comments and we promise to improve!
When a blue screen of death appears on the device's monitor, it's time to think about checking the RAM. In addition, the RAM must be tested in the event that the computer restarts or hangs on its own.
Standard tools will help to check the RAM on Windows 7, but if you are using a different OS version, you will need to download a special program from the Internet. Almost always, software failures that seem illogical at first glance turn out to be related to RAM problems.
Exclusion method
The first check option does not provide for launching additional utilities. It is possible when several RAM strips are used. If it is alone, you will need to use an application or another device to check it. It is necessary to take out the RAM strips in turn and look at the overall stability of the system. This option is good because it allows you to check the slots of the motherboard at the same time. If one of the strips functions normally in the other device without leading to malfunctions, it is quite possible that the cause of the breakdown lies in the motherboard. When, after removing one bracket, the computer starts working normally, it is she who is faulty. Thus, the Windows 7 Memory Test Tool does not need to be run.
It is worth noting that the physical removal of the strips does not take much time, and checking when using special programs is a more time-consuming process. This is especially true when the amount of RAM is large. If a brand new memory module is installed and the blue screen remains even during BIOS loading, it is possible that the processor or motherboard does not have support from the device manufacturer that issued it. In this case, you need to check with the official website of the company that is the manufacturer of the motherboard. The latest BIOS firmware may be required.
How to perform a RAM check in Windows 7?
To run a built-in program capable of testing RAM, you need to do the following:
1. Go to "Start".
2. Go to the "Control Panel".
3. Open "Administrative Tools" and select "Windows Memory Checker".
You should be extremely careful. Before checking, you will need to close all applications and save important documents. When the "Perform restart" button is clicked, all programs that require additional actions from the user will be forcibly terminated. Then the computer is restarted, after which the RAM test is automatically started. It is performed in two stages. They take a small amount of time if the RAM is two gigabytes and the memory is healthy. Otherwise, the check may be delayed. During the testing period, it is recommended to refrain from unnecessary clicks on the buttons. If defects are detected in the RAM, information about errors will appear at the bottom of the screen. After completing the Windows 7 check, the computer automatically reboots, a report is generated about all RAM problems that the system finds.
Memtest86 +
It should be noted that detecting problems with RAM using Windows 7 tools does not always show high efficiency. To perform more serious and deep tests, you will need to use the Memtest86 + program. It is presented free of charge and can be easily used on any device with any operating system. The program is available in three versions:
Bootable ISO (designed to create a bootable disc by burning an image with a CD or DVD burner);
Auto Indtaller For USB Key (not always suitable for older devices);
Pre-Complied for Floppy (an archaic solution for those who do not have USB ports, CD burner, but have a floppy drive).
Creating a bootable USB drive
You need to go to the official Memtest86 + website and download the required distribution. After that, you need to unzip it. For these purposes, it is suggested to use 7-zip or the well-known Winrar. When the launch of the program is completed, you must select the drive, which will become bootable.
Bootable CD / DVD
Sometimes it is impossible to check the RAM from the flash drive. The system crashes when using a specific flash drive driver. Also, there are situations when the drive may not be at hand, the BIOS is outdated and is not able to boot the device from USB devices. In such cases, you have to write the distribution to disk. The Ultra ISO program is intended for this. After it is installed, double clicking on any ISO file opens it in this application. Then you need to select the Tools menu and the "Burn Image" item. Memtest86 + is a small program, so the recording will be very fast.
Memory check
After the distribution is written to a USB flash drive or disk, you need to go to the BIOS. This must be done in the process of turning on the computer by pressing the "DEL" button. When the program is launched, select the USB flash drive or CD-ROM used in the First Boor Device column. When everything is done correctly, the reboot is followed by an automatic memory check. The utility performs nine different tests, but after their completion the program goes into a loop and starts all over again. As a rule, the first two or three successful tests make it clear that there is no problem with RAM.
Prevention
Often the dustiness of the system unit leads to operating system failures. In this case, OS testing is not required. It is necessary to purge the entire internal space of the device, paying special attention to the radiators and slots. It is advisable to remove all devices, excluding the processor, from the sockets, thoroughly wipe the contacts. It is worth being careful with the microcircuits, as the slightest damage to them can lead to failures.
Greetings to dear readers of my site and I hope that your interest in this article is caused by a desire to expand your knowledge, and not by problems with RAM. After all, our today's topic is as follows: how to perform a windows 7 RAM test.
Computer malfunctions can be caused by defects that eventually appear in the RAM. They can be detected using the software provided windows system 7 only when all the chips are fully loaded.
However, I immediately warn you that if you are limited in time, it is better to postpone this venture. After all, it can take you at least half an hour.
Certain safety precautions must be taken before checking.
Be sure to save the results of your work and correctly close all active and open applications.
It will not be superfluous to open this article on a smartphone or print it out on a printer. This will be the type of instruction that is always at hand.
All this is done for the reason that the RAM test will be performed when the computer is restarted, and you will be deprived of the opportunity to use it in normal mode.
How do I start a scan?
But to get to this stage, you need to start the testing mode. And this can be done in several ways:
- Immediately at system startup, press F8 and go to "System Troubleshooting" - then "Memory Diagnostics".
- Having booted in the usual way, go through the Start menu to the search box and type the laconic command "mdsched" in it. We press enter.
- You can also get to the Windows Memory Checker utility by going from the Control Panel through the subsections: All Control Panel Items and Administrative Tools. The result will be similar to the previous method.
Now, having found the final goal in the form of a window to check the computer for memory problems, we activate the button "Restart and check". You will soon see a blue screen, but you shouldn't worry about it.
Initially, the Windows 7 RAM test should be carried out in the default mode. It will take some time.
At the end of the test
You should not flatter yourself with a positive result, especially if the check is not for the sake of prevention, but for the specific purpose of identifying the cause of the failures. In this case, restart the PC in check mode and press F1. This will allow you to choose one of three levels of more detailed testing:
Basic (Basic) lasting several minutes.
Standard (Standard), lasting almost an hour;
Extended, which requires maximum patience from you for several hours.
Each of the diagnostic options differs in the number of tests involved. In the first case, there are three, in the second - eight, and in the last as many as seventeen. Moreover, each test is double checked. The number of such passes can be changed in the settings by setting a value from 0 to 99. There is also an option to connect the processor cache. The verification process can be interrupted if necessary.
You will receive the following notification about a positive test result:
Features of RAM testing
I'll tell you right away. Even with advanced error checking, you can still enjoy the results, despite the obvious problems. To still find out everything to the end, I recommend using a few tips:
- test each bar separately;
- if, according to the results of the check, all the modules turn out to be damaged, then try to find RAM, which you have no doubt that it is working properly. If not everything is in order with it, then the motherboard is possibly damaged;
- make a careful visual inspection of the RAM strips and clean their contacts from dirt.
I have nothing more to add about the windows 7 RAM test. I hope this article will help you identify errors in a timely manner.
See you on the new pages of my blog.
