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If the RAM is not working. Malfunctioning computer random access memory (RAM). How to check RAM for defects

I am glad to welcome you to the site! In this article I will tell you everything about diagnosing the RAM of a computer / laptop.

Let's talk about the symptoms suggesting that there may be some errors in the "RAM", as well as how to check it for operability 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 the hard disk, which permanently stores your programs and data, and the processor that processes this data. This memory is volatile, i.e. it resets to zero each time the computer is restarted or powered off.

RAM is a small bar that fits into the motherboard connector. Like any component of a computer, this bar can fail.

In general, all these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a malfunction of the RAM strips. Hangs and errors when Windows installation more often occur due to the hard disk, BSODs - due to OS errors, viruses. It is possible to say for sure whether there are broken blocks or errors in the RAM only by conducting memory tests using the methods that I will describe to you below.

If you better perceive information in video format, you can watch a video clip on my YouTube channel:

How to check the RAM [Video]

How to check the RAM of your computer

The easiest way to check RAM is the exclusion method. Most often, the computer has 2-4 RAM modules. Therefore, you can take them out in turn, and check if the problem is gone. If, without one of the memory modules, freezes have stopped and errors have disappeared, then it is faulty.

But, quite possibly, you have one memory module.

To find and remove the RAM from your system unit - take a close look at the picture below. I think everything will immediately become clear to you. You need to bend the latches on the sides of the memory - and it will "pop out" by itself.

And here is how the RAM looks and is removed from laptops:

Checking RAM for errors using Windows

If your system boots normally, but it produces various failures and errors in operation, then you can use the standard Windows tool for checking RAM.

It is called that - " Diagnosing problems with computer RAM.»

This tool is built into the Windows 7 and Vista operating systems, and we just have to find and use it:

1. Push the button Start, and in the field “ Find programs and files»Enter the part of the name of the program that we need to find. I entered "operative". Among the list of programs we find “ Diagnostics of problems of computer RAM ":
   
2. 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 all open programs, save the documents, and run the first item to restart the PC and start checking the RAM right now.
3. After reboot will automatically start and start a memory check. We are waiting while the check is being 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 a set of tests, but it will take several times longer, so first do Normal test.
   
   
4. After the test completes, Windows will continue to boot.
5. To view the result of the Windows RAM test, you need to go to Event Viewer -> Windows Logs -> System -> MemoryDiagnostics-Results:
   
   
   

Memory tester - memtest86 +

It is best to use a special program to check the memory - memtest86 +.

Its advantage is that it can be used even if Windows does not boot, or there is no hard disk in the PC at all.

Download the program for checking RAM you can from the official site memtest.org, or right here on my blog (files checked for viruses): the memory test will start. It looks like this:

The test runs automatically, you don't need to change anything, just watch. He will go endlessly. If after 1-2 passes (Pass) no red bars with errors appear in the field below, and the "Errors" counter is equal to zero, then your memory is almost certainly clean!

Many are probably wondering what the test of a "broken" RAM looks like? To see it - watch the video below.

Memory test memtest86 + - 1.5 million errors [Video]:

By the way, subscribe to my youtube channel ... There I show the whole process of diagnostics and repair of computers and laptops in real time in video format.

A huge number of system errors can be associated with a malfunctioning RAM. RAM problems can lead to spontaneous reboots, frequent freezes, various errors, blue screens of death and slowdowns. In this article, we will look at what methods can be used to check the state of the RAM if the system displays a notification "there is a problem with memory on this computer."

This method should be used if the system refuses to start. Most modern computers have 2 to 4 RAM modules in their arsenal.

This means that the faulty module can be identified by the method of elimination - by removing one bar at a time and checking if the problem has disappeared.

The situation is darkened if only one module is installed in the motherboard. In this case, you need to remove it and clean the contacts. If there is a spare module, then it is worth trying to start the computer with it.

Programming methods

You can check it using standard tools or using third-party applications.

If the system boots without any problems, but freezes and crashes during operation, then you should try the testing utility built into Windows.

1. Open "Control Panel" and go to "System and Security".
2. Go to the "Administration" item and click on the "Memory Checker" button.
3. Click on the option "Perform reboot and check".

When the system restarts, the RAM Diagnostic Tool opens instead of the system boot start screen. The process looks like this:

1. First, the tool will check in standard mode. It uses all the basic methods of analysis, as well as several additional ones.
2. If you want, you can press F1 to go to the Options menu. There you can select both the "Basic" mode, in which only the minimum set of tests will be carried out, and the "Wide" mode, which includes all the tests available for use.
3. To ensure maximum reliability and completeness of testing, you need to press Tab and disable the cache.
4. To apply the changed parameters and restart the check, you need to press F10.

Testing completed, computer rebooted. All that remains is to receive and interpret the data. For this:

1. Click on the search icon next to the Start menu and search for "eventvwr.exe". We open a single result.
2. We open the section "Windows Logs", right-click on the item "System" and go to "Find".
3. Enter the command "MemoryDiagnostics-Results" into the line and click on "Find Next".
4. Close the search window and double-click on the "MemoryDiagnostics-Results" line that appears. If the pop-up notification shows that no errors were found, then the RAM is fully functional.

If the results show errors, the memory module will have to be replaced. Often the test tool will show you which particular module is faulty.

Memtest86 +

This utility should be used when, due to problems with RAM, the system refuses to start.

The principle of operation is as follows:

1. Download (from another PC) the utility image and write it to a USB flash drive.
2. We leave only one RAM bar in the slots, since the results will be general, and not for each bar separately. If you leave everything, you will not be able to identify the problem module.
3. Reboot the PC, and call the Boot Menu at boot time. The responsible button can be seen on the home screen or found on the Internet by the motherboard model.
4. We expose the download from the flash drive.

Memtest86 + will start automatically. Testing will start immediately, nothing needs to be changed. Errors will be highlighted in red.

Conclusion

The presence of errors indicates that very soon the RAM module may stop working. RAM is rarely repairable - in most cases replacing the strap will be cheaper.

6 reasons why RAM does not work. What steps should I take to restore ram myself?

from 120 p. RUB

Random access memory (RAM, RAM) - dynamic volatile memory with free access. Basically, it is a temporary archive of data for the software. As a design, RAM is a combination of modules with microcircuits connected to the motherboard.

It is RAM that provides the running programs.

What happens when the RAM is not working:

Reasons why RAM does not work:

How to diagnose RAM: download data from RAM to a flash drive with the utility (application program), the utility will monitor the RAM parameters. Then you need to boot from the flash drive and check the RAM.

What to do if the RAM is not working:

We will help you solve this problem!

If your RAM does not work, and you still could not find out the cause of this problem, or do not want to waste time on fixing, you can contact the "Expert" service center, where experienced specialists will quickly diagnose the RAM and perform the necessary repairs with high quality.

What to do if your PC crashes due to unknown reasons? Or do you periodically see a "screen of death (blue screen)" with a message that there may be a problem with a memory module? We will consider how to find out in this article.

The main symptoms when the module is malfunctioning, and I will also tell you about programs for testing your RAM.

So why does the memory get corrupted?

RAM is a pair of microcircuits located on a board. It is one of the most reliable PC components. There is also a rather small chance that a RAM board with some kind of malfunction will go on sale, because motherboard manufacturers conduct a thorough test for defects before selling, BUT it is still possible, since every manufacturer nowadays produces a fairly large amount of RAM.

As I said, under normal conditions, RAM is one of the most reliable components in your PC, but again, only under normal conditions. Despite its reliability, it is very easy to damage the memory, enough static electricity, in addition to static electricity, voltage drops, as well as problems with the power supply, negatively affect the performance of the bar.

If you do not clean your PC from dust or if it is in a damp room, then this can damage the contacts that are located in the connectors of your memory on the motherboard. Also, the reason for this may be an increase in the temperature of the modules and other components inside your case. And the module itself is not so "steel", so you need to handle it carefully, otherwise you can simply cause physical damage, which will damage the module. For increased strength of the RAM, "heatsinks" on memory modules are used, plus a heatsink that they do not greatly, but lower the temperature.

The disadvantage of RAM is that in the event of a malfunction, it cannot be repaired, like other PC components, so when buying RAM, pay your attention to the warranty period and to the manufacturer, because in the event of a defective strip, it could be replaced with a working one.

The first signs of a memory defect

Here are the most common ones:

• A blue screen crashes, one of the surest signs of a memory defect.
• Malfunctions, and again the appearance of a blue screen while Windows is running. The reason may be not only due to a defect in the RAM, but also due to an increased temperature.
• Crashes while working with programs or games that intensively use your RAM: for example, Photoshop or 3D games.
• The computer does not start. There may be sound signals with the help of which the BIOS informs about malfunctions with the memory. In this case, the test programs will not help; it is better to change the module here.

How to check your RAM for defects?

Here is one of the Memtest86 + programs

This program, in addition to checking your RAM, is able to determine the characteristics of your PC, for example, the chipset, processor, or what speed your RAM is running at.

There are two operating modes in this program: basic basic and advanced advanced.

Their difference lies in the testing time. Basic mode will detect "global" memory problems, while advanced mode will check more thoroughly.

• First, write the program to an image on a disk (it is also possible on a floppy disk or USB flash drive).
• Turn off your computer.
• Remove all memory modules, leave 1. What is it for? It is better to test the module on 1 bar, because in case of a malfunction, it is not clear which of the bars is faulty.
• Turn on your computer and make sure it boots from an image and not from your hard drive.
• After that, a blue screen appears with the inscription Memtest, you will immediately recognize it.
• Wait for at least one full check, I don't think the test will take too long, and this way the test can work forever. If there are defects, red lines will appear at the bottom of the screen.

Solution of problems

The main solution is to replace the damaged bar.

If you have only 1 strip, then move it to another slot and do another test. Again errors, then the module is faulty, and if there is no error, then the connector.

If you have a pair of strips, then do the following, take out all the strips, and in turn each strip in the same connector, test. In case of an error with one module, it is clear that the problem is in it, but in case of errors with all the strips, then this is most likely a malfunction of the connector.

If during testing there were no errors on one bar, and as soon as all the bars were installed, errors appear, then the problem is probably in the connector. Try to do the same operation only with a different connector.

All this will help you find out if the problem is a module malfunction in your computer or it is a defective bar.

If you cannot cope with this problem on your own, contact us for professional computer help: 649-09-92.

Any problems with RAM are not as common as with other computer components. But all the same, they do happen and you need to be prepared for this. When problems with RAM make themselves felt, it can manifest itself in different ways: again - "BSOD" (English Blue Screen of Death), spontaneous computer restart, "freezes", etc.

Note: The blue screen of death looks something like this.

It can appear not only during problems with RAM, but it is one of the sure signs that unambiguously "speaks" that something is wrong with the computer and requires the intervention of a specialist. - us! :)

If a RAM does not work, then there can be two options:

• 1. The RAM is completely burnt out. In this case, when turned on, all the fans of the system unit rotate properly, but the system does not give further signs of "life".
• 2. The RAM is partially out of order (malfunctions of one or more of its chips). In this case, the situation is not so obvious, the Computer can successfully load the operating system and even work stably for some time, but when trying to run any resource-intensive application it will restart, freeze or show BSOD.

In the second case, it is necessary to conduct full testing RAM for errors in its work. This is done using special programs and today we will talk about one of them. Personally, she never let me down. Meet! A wonderful utility - " Memtest».

Here's how the testing process looks like in it:

To identify problems with the RAM, the program sequentially runs eight tests, each of which loads different parts of it, writing different values ​​to them, reading and checking against the standard. We can see the progress of all these tests in the upper right corner in the screenshot above.

If during testing errors are found in the memory, they are displayed in red in the middle part of the window.

The screenshot above shows that this memory module is no longer alive! :)

Problems with RAM are solved, as a rule, by replacing its unstable module (it will still be impossible to achieve normal operation with it). Although we continue to use some of them successfully in our work. How? In terminal clients, which we talked about in the article "". In this case, there is no active exchange with memory, and if no access to its faulty pages occurs, then it can function properly for quite a long time.

As you can see, the program "Memtest" is very easy to use (testing starts automatically after loading), it does not require any additional settings and configurations and does an excellent job with its task.

I want to give you some tips on how to fix problems with RAM:

• 1. Always test memory only from the boot disk of the program. If you run "Memtest" from under Windows, it may happen that, trying to access the faulty memory section, the program will cause Windows to restart. Do you need it once more? :)
• 2. If you have several RAM modules installed, then by testing all of them in a complex, it will not be possible to determine which particular module leads to failures. Therefore, we need to test them separately (remove all "unnecessary" ones from the slots and leave only one testable). And so it will be with everyone! ... a module :)

That's all I wanted to tell you today about problems with RAM. By tradition, I give a link to download the program itself "".

Note: after downloading the archive, unzip it. You will receive a "memtest" file with the "iso" extension (this is the image file of the program itself). Now it will need to be written to disk in the image recording mode.

After that, you insert the CD into the computer under test, put the boot from it in the Bios and test the RAM.

I recommend that you always test RAM only from under DOS, since it itself uses no more than one megabyte of memory for its own needs and we can freely test the rest of its space. If we start diagnosing RAM problems from under Windows, then a certain part of it (occupied by the system) will be inaccessible to the testing program and the procedure itself will not be as effective.

I would like to say a few more words about the "blue screen of death" (BSOD). It makes no sense to stretch this material into a separate article, but here this information will be appropriate. So, what useful information for ourselves can we learn from this blue screen? Pay attention to the photo below:

We are only interested in the alphanumeric value after the word "STOP". It is this designation that can tell us in which direction to move when determining a particular malfunction. This applies not only to problems with RAM. The values ​​of the STOP error codes themselves are a great variety (depending on the specific malfunction), but according to them you can about navigate and save your time when diagnosing.

How do we sort out such a large number of error stop codes? Do not keep them all in your head! This is not necessary. Everything has been done for us a long time ago :) For example, there is one wonderful program "" (you can download it from the link), which contains their database and explanations of errors (in Russian). You just have to specify a specific STOP code and the program will give you all the necessary information.

Let's specify our value: 0x0000007A

In this case, the code indicates to us problems with RAM. I know this for sure, because this is an example from my recent practice :) The program can update the error base from the manufacturer's website, so pay attention to the "Updates" item.

I would also like to tell you about this moment: is it possible that during the installation of the operating system you saw a message similar to the one shown in the screenshot below?

IN 99 cases out of a hundred (we will still write off one of the fact that the installation disk is really dirty or scratched) we are dealing with the same RAM problems. Naturally, the name of the file that the system cannot copy can be absolutely anything, since it is at this stage of installation that a large amount of data is copied into memory and some files are trying to write to its faulty cells.

Now - a few general recommendations so that problems with RAM do not bother you, remember that memory, like any other node to which voltage is applied, heats up and its overheating can negatively affect the stable operation of the system as a whole.

Personally, I decided for myself this way: a couple more small fans in the system unit - it doesn't matter! :) What am I leading to? There are various systems for cooling RAM on the market. These can be either slip-on heatsinks that are attached to both sides of the memory chips, or they can be small prefabricated cooling systems that are equipped with fans and are fixed directly above the memory slots.

Here, for example, I use such a "Kingston HyperX Cooling Fan" cooling system in my.

In the disassembled state, this is an elementary children's construction set, which must be assembled and fixed on the white latches of the slots by sliding apart (in the direction indicated by the arrows) the aluminum fasteners of the device. The device is connected to one of the fan turn-on connectors on the motherboard.

In addition, the device has a nice LED backlight :)

The situation looks like this: very often, when assembling a computer, RAM modules are installed in the nearest (to the processor) slots. If I see this, then, if possible, try to immediately rearrange them away from the processor (third or fourth slot). Why am I doing this?

According to my numerous observations, it is the first two RAM slots that are most susceptible to dust. This is due to the active cooling system of the processor (fan), which evenly distributes dust within a radius of 5-7 centimeters from it.

More than once, all the "repair" of a seemingly seriously inoperative machine for me boiled down to reinstalling the memory in another slot (with preliminary clearing of the latter).

Dust is the enemy of any electronics! Sometimes it can accumulate inside a lot and - nothing, and sometimes - very little on the contacts and the complete inoperability of the entire system. Cleaning can be done with a soft brush or paintbrush. As shown in the photo below:

Take a good look at the grooves in the connectors, because this is where the electrical contacts are located. So that problems with RAM do not annoy you in the future, also clear the "tracks" on the module itself.

Personally, I use an ordinary rubber band for this.

Thoroughly wipe all leads with it (move the rubber band parallel to the copper contacts in the direction indicated by the arrow) and you will notice that the contacts immediately become lighter, and therefore the electrical contact is better. Install RAM away from the CPU cooling system and let your computer run for a long time and without interruptions :)

P.S... I thought about it and decided to supplement the article a little more. The topic, it seems, is not directly related to RAM problems, but, I hope, it will be useful to readers. What program will you write the "iso" image that I posted above? If you answered - "Nero", then - read the text further :)

Previously, I also used this software, but then I began to notice that his distribution kit with each new version everything grows and grows in size. And it came to a paradoxical situation: in order to simply burn a disc, I had to install a 300 megabyte software package on my computer!

Realizing that this could not continue, I began to look for an alternative for myself. I found it in the form of a wonderful crumbs called "img itemprop =" image "Burn". Its size is just under two megabytes. She perfectly writes discs and I had a case when she (no questions asked) burned me a CD image in 800 megabyte to DVD, while our "folk" three-hundred-meter package needed some additional plug-in for this "complex" operation :)

So, without further ado, I sincerely recommend you this little helper "".

Sometimes, when working at a computer, the following situation arises: you press the power button, the computer starts making noise, recalculating some parameters and, even before the system boots, suddenly freezes. Only the darkness from the monitor, somewhere in the chest there is still a hope that the coveted logo is about to appear and everything will be as before, but ... in response there is silence. Restart, more ... - does not help - there is no cursor, no English phrases, no squeak from the depths of the iron box. And what is especially strange is that it is impossible to boot from disks: both from the emergency and from the installation ones, even live-linux does not boot. We involuntarily come to the conclusion that the problem is not in the software, but in the hardware, but where exactly?

In most of these cases, the problem with RAM.

There can be a great many reasons for this: voltage surges, improper disconnection from the network, load difference between its individual elements, poor compatibility with other hardware, problems caused by software (drivers, system, programs and utilities), magnetic fields, shocks or shaking or something else.

It is good if the computer has several "RAM" strips. In this case, you can take them out of the computer one by one (of course, after disconnecting from the network) and check changes in the behavior of your "patient".

It is possible that some charges, how to put it, "stuck" somewhere in the triggers and capacitors. In this case, you just need to "discharge" the computer. Disconnect it from the power supply and press the power button. At the same time, LEDs can blink and coolers can move. This means that all capacitors are discharged and there are no unnecessary charges left in the computer. You can try to reset the BIOS settings: remove the battery and press the power button without plugging the computer into an outlet, or use a special jumper (this is a jumper). Where it is located is usually indicated in the book to the motherboard.

Well, one more option: rearrange the RAM module in another slot or swap it with another module.

Thus, you may not have to throw out the old memory module and buy a new one.

Thanks for attention. I will be glad to see your feedback and comments.

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Damage to RAM is one of the popular painful problems that the average desktop or laptop owner can face. In general, RAM is one of the most important parts in a PC, and if it breaks down, then it is simply not possible to use a PC in the future. RAM is also called as one of the longest working components of a computer, but in our world, everything fails, and technology is no exception.

Before the sale, the developers of RAM very carefully check and diagnose it so that there are no defects and defects. So what can compromise the reliability of such an important component of a computer? The answer is simple, problems with electricity primarily violate the component of the RAM, as well as problems with the power supply in the PC can also damage the RAM.

There are several signs of a broken RAM:

• This is a screen that appears unexpectedly of blue color which is the main confirmation of the RAM problem.
• If you run programs or games that load a lot of RAM, and after that you notice problems with your PC, then most likely you have problems with RAM.
• The computer may not turn on, while the BIOS notifies you of problems with sound.

If you get acquainted with the reasons for the breakdown of RAM, then we can say that there can be a couple of them. The main reason that you can face is related to the banal wear and tear of RAM, because nothing in this life works all the time, and RAM has its own term. Another reason, as mentioned earlier, is associated with food and overheating.

The main reason for overheating is the strong dustiness of your PC, so you need to follow the computer like a girl and clean it every six months and put it in proper shape so that it looks like a new device from the store. The malfunctions of a laptop's RAM are the same as those of a standard PC, but a laptop needs to be monitored more closely and disassembled and cleaned from dust more often than a regular desktop computer and just as closely monitor that there is no strong heating of the laptop, because this may be the first call to a further problem with RAM.

If you nevertheless found some kind of destabilization or you have already malfunction of the computer's RAM, which you found according to the signs indicated earlier, then you can try to install a program or utility and check the RAM with it, but best advice, this is to take your PC to a computer service, or invite a computer wizard to your home.

After diagnostics, he will tell you what the malfunction is and if the problems are related to the RAM, then you will need to change it and buy a new one in the store. Now, the RAM market is full of various brands, but the most popular are: Hyper X, Corsair. After purchasing RAM, the computer wizard will install the new purchased one and you can continue to use the computer.

No, it is, of course, not about your memory. Computer help does not in any way apply to a person, except to simplify his work at the computer. Now we are about the problems that arise with your computer due to minor malfunctions of the computer's memory.

Has it ever happened that your computer, for some unknown reason, began to "slow down", and a little later the whole screen froze, and after a while an error message was displayed on the screen? If so, it is possible that the source of all your PC problems is a damaged RAM module. But before you call the master, you need to make sure that the cause of the problem is precisely the RAM. Before figuring out if your computer's memory is working properly, let's figure out why the computer's memory suddenly becomes faulty.

The RAM module has such a structure that several microcircuits of which it consists are interconnected, that is, the work of one module can affect the work of the others. I hope you understand that if even one microcircuit is faulty, then it will not only not function properly, but will significantly reduce the performance of the rest of the microcircuits.

It is believed that RAM modules are one of the most stable parts of a computer, since checking all of its microcircuits is not such a difficult job. The likelihood that you will purchase a computer with faulty memory, or separately buy a faulty RAM module, is very small, but it still exists, since the production volumes of modules are so high that it is simply unrealistic to thoroughly check all manufactured products.

As mentioned above, RAM is one of the most stable devices, but this is only under the ideal set of circumstances. Indeed, when installing a RAM module, we can hold it with our hand directly by the microcircuits, which we do not do when installing other internal devices, this significantly increases the chances of a malfunction. Therefore, the first rule that you must follow when installing a RAM module is not to touch the microcircuits themselves - grab the module with your fingers on the sides, and continue installation in this position. The second thing to remember is that static electricity can also affect the performance of the memory, so when connecting the RAM module, you should not touch the synthetic carpet with your other hand or pet the cat.

Well, the last feature of RAM modules: if you find that your RAM is not working, then it will no longer be possible to fix it. Therefore, when buying RAM, you should not first of all look at the cost, it is better to consult with the seller to find out which RAM will last the longest.

So, let's get started, what are the first signs of damage to RAM?

It is possible to detect a breakdown by various factors, some will be seen only by a professional, others are available to everyone. Now we will list the most common signs that anyone can detect.

1. One of the most common symptoms is a blue screen (in XP \ Wista \ 7 \ 8 \ 8.1) with an error message. If this happens to your computer often enough, then you have good reason to believe that the RAM module is damaged.
2. Error message during Windows startup or during its installation. It is also one of the most common symptoms.
3. Under heavy memory loads (when using programs such as Photoshop, 3D games, etc.), closing all applications and an error message. This means that the computer did not have enough memory for the correct execution of the application, and it decided to use all resources, including the faulty microcircuit, which performed its functions incorrectly, which led to the closure of all applications.
4. Various noise on the screen, and other incorrect display of graphics. Of course, in most cases, this means a malfunction of the video card, but also do not overlook the possibility of a malfunction of the RAM.
5. The computer does not boot, but freezes with a message on a black background. As a rule, such a message is accompanied with "squeaks" from the system unit - in this way the BIOS reports a hardware malfunction. Therefore, it is worth knowing what signals the BIOS can use to report faulty RAM. If you cannot independently determine what this signal means, then the only way to check if the RAM is really damaged is to replace all modules with those that you are sure of working.
For all cases, except for the fifth, it is possible to check the operability of the RAM using the software. There are a number of programs to accomplish this task, several of which we will present to you.

And so, before you start testing RAM, you need to have some information - to know how many memory modules you have and how many free slots are left. If you did not find this in the documentation, then you will have to open the system unit and check it yourself. Remember that many computer companies are against the user opening the system unit during the warranty period on their own. Therefore, check if you have special stickers and if the warranty period is valid. If your computer is still covered by the warranty, and the stickers on the system unit are not torn off, then you better call the service center and find out the characteristics of your computer.

After you open your system unit, you will need to find modules similar to those shown in the photo, and also count the number of free slots.

I am glad to welcome you to the site! In this article I will tell you everything about diagnosing the RAM of a computer / laptop.

Let's talk about the symptoms suggesting that there may be some errors in the "RAM", as well as how to check it for operability 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 the hard disk, which permanently stores your programs and data, and the processor that processes this data. This memory is volatile, i.e. it resets to zero each time the computer is restarted or powered off.

RAM is a small bar that fits into the motherboard connector. Like any component of a computer, this bar can fail.

In general, all these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a malfunction of the RAM strips. Hangs and errors during Windows installation are more likely to occur due to the hard drive, BSODs - due to OS errors, viruses. It is possible to say for sure whether there are broken blocks or errors in the RAM only by conducting memory tests using the methods that I will describe to you below.

If you better perceive information in video format, you can watch a video clip on my YouTube channel:

How to check the RAM [Video]

How to check the RAM of your computer

The easiest way to check RAM is the exclusion method. Most often, the computer has 2-4 RAM modules. Therefore, you can take them out in turn, and check if the problem is gone. If, without one of the memory modules, freezes have stopped and errors have disappeared, then it is faulty.

But, quite possibly, you have one memory module.

To find and remove the RAM from your system unit - take a close look at the picture below. I think everything will immediately become clear to you. You need to bend the latches on the sides of the memory - and it will "pop out" by itself.

And here is how the RAM looks and is removed from laptops:

Checking RAM for errors using Windows

If your system boots normally, but it produces various failures and errors in operation, then you can use the standard Windows tool for checking RAM.

It is called that - " Diagnosing problems with computer RAM.»

This tool is built into the Windows 7 and Vista operating systems, and we just have to find and use it:

Memory tester - memtest86 +

It is best to use a special program to check the memory - memtest86 +.

Its advantage is that it can be used even if Windows does not boot, or there is no hard disk in the PC at all.

Download the program for checking RAM you can from the official site memtest.org, or right here on my blog (files checked for viruses): the memory test will start. It looks like this:

The test runs automatically, you don't need to change anything, just watch. He will go endlessly. If after 1-2 passes (Pass) no red bars with errors appear in the field below, and the "Errors" counter is equal to zero, then your memory is almost certainly clean!

Many are probably wondering what the test of a "broken" RAM looks like? To see it - watch the video below.

Memory test memtest86 + - 1.5 million errors [Video]:

By the way, subscribe to my youtube channel ... There I show the whole process of diagnostics and repair of computers and laptops in real time in video format.

1. Hello admin, I have strange problems with the computer, it can suddenly freeze when any application is running, and sometimes I just walk away from it for a few minutes, and when I come back, it is already in a frozen state, only restarting helps. The system unit is clean, the temperature of the components is ideal, Windows has been reinstalled, nothing helps. It starts to freeze already on a clean system, without installed programs and antivirus. Agree, this is a rather unpleasant situation. And just yesterday, the system went into a blue screen with an error indicating a malfunction of the RAM. On one of the forums I was advised check the computer's RAM, I would like to know in detail how this can be done. I found your site by articles.
2. Second letter. Admin, please tell me how to check RAM using the Memtest86 utility on a netbook, that is, I have no floppy drive, so I need to somehow create a bootable USB flash drive with the Memtest86 utility, but how can I do this?

How to check the RAM of your computer

Judging by the story of our reader, he actually has problems with RAM, but we can say with certainty only after we check it. By the way, you can check the RAM without any tests, for example, by exclusion. Surely you have two RAM modules in the system unit, remove one module (of course, on a turned off computer) and leave the computer working with the remaining RAM bar. If all freezes stop, then the removed RAM module was faulty.

It will be useful to check the contacts of the RAM modules for the presence of plaque, if there is one, then it must be removed with a simple eraser.

A friend of mine bought a system unit from his hands, during operation it constantly hung up and rebooted, the case turned out to be in the RAM, two RAM modules had to be exactly the same and work in two-channel mode, and so, the AIDA program showed that the modules operate at different frequencies and we could not make them friends, the BIOS of the motherboard did not have such settings and we had to buy another RAM.

But sometimes the RAM modules are practically new, they work at the correct frequency, how then can you check the computer's RAM?

In this case, friends will turn to special programs to check the RAM for errors in the Windows XP operating system, we will use the Memtest86 utility.
But if you have Windows 7 or Windows 8 installed, then we will check the RAM of our computer with the built-in diagnostic tool.
Start, enter mdsched (Windows Memory Checker) in the input field,

we click on it with the left mouse and we are immediately offered to restart our computer and check our RAM. I suggest choosing this option.

Our computer restarts and checks the RAM for errors.

How to check the computer memory with the Memtest86 utility

Not a bad program, it can also detect errors in RAM. To make a bootable Memtest86 CD go to the site

http://www.memtest.org/ choose

Download (Pre-built & ISOs),

Then Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)

Download the ISO-image of the program in the zip-archive, actually extract the image from the zip-archive,

If you don't know how to burn an ISO image to disc, read our article. So we have a CD with the Memtest86 program ready. Now we need to boot the computer from this CD. If anyone does not know how to do this, read it.
If you want to make a bootable Memtest86 flash drive, choose the site http://www.memtest.org/
Download - Auto-installer for USB Key (Win 9x / 2k / xp / 7) * NEW! * And download the archive with the installer to your computer.

Then you need to connect a USB flash drive to your computer, then get the installer from the archive and run it, in this window select your flash drive (in our case the letter D :), do not forget to check the box as on the screenshot and click the Create button, in a minute your flash drive will become bootable (be careful, all your data on the flash drive will be deleted).

If you don't know how to boot a stationary computer or laptop from a USB flash drive? You can read our article -.
So, you booted your computer from a disk or from a USB flash drive, anyway, the Memtest86 program starts its work immediately.

If my memory serves me, the program conducts no less than 9 tests: to identify problems with memory addressing, hardware errors, errors in memory circuits, write errors, and so on. If errors are identified, it will look like this.

Malfunctions in the system of a personal computer, laptop can be of various kinds. One of the most incomprehensible to beginners is that RAM does not work. How to understand that this is the root of the problem? How to determine that the "RAM" is damaged? What to do when you are completely sure of a problem? We will answer these and other questions in detail in the article.

Key concepts

RAM - the "official" name for a microcircuit located in a special slot on your computer or laptop. In the first case, its size is larger, in the second, it is smaller.

The RAM bar is the microcircuit that is the RAM. It must be said that this is the most reliable component of your PC's hardware. It breaks less often. Manufacturers set the slats for at least 4 years. It's all about the simplicity of the microcircuit device. It does not heat up, which is why it does not need a cooler (fan in a computer system). True, sometimes in powerful gaming PCs, a heatsink is installed to cool the RAM. It also makes the "RAM" bar structurally stronger.

From here it can be revealed that different RAM will work differently. However, the reasons for the breakdown for all varieties are identical.

Causes of malfunctions

Why is the RAM not working? Note that the cause of the breakdown can only be physical. RAM is not harmed by software problems and computer, virtual viruses.

RAM does not work in following cases:

• "Congenital" manufacturing defect.
• Mechanical damage.
• Faults in the power supply.
• Wear.
• Static stress.
• Overcooling or overheating of a component.

We propose to analyze each of the causes of the problem in more detail.

Marriage

RAM is not working. Manufacturing defects are a rare reason here. In general, 1% of cases. Moreover, it is impossible to single out one "guilty" manufacturer.

All manufacturers necessarily test microcircuits before sending them for sale, they have a long warranty period. Therefore, in this case, it is simple and easy to replace the RAM in the service center under warranty.

Power Supply

RAM does not work due to problems with the power supply is also extremely rare. Motherboard, the power supply in all computers is equipped with special controllers that do not allow to supply more voltage than required.

However, malfunctions do occur. They spoil the RAM bar. The problem can be detected with a voltmeter - a device that is not found in every home. Here you will have to change not only the "RAM", but also the faulty power supply.

Mechanical damage

And this, on the contrary, is the most common case. For example, when you tried to insert the bar into place without calculating your strength. In this case, it may not be damaged itself, but its connector.

Static stress

A rare but still possible case. Its non-prevalence is due to the fact that the system unit and laptop case are always closed in operation. Modern devices are also equipped with a special anti-static layer under the motherboard.

Here, there are absolutely outlandish cases: you walked on the carpet in rubber shoes, and then began to sort out with your hands in the "insides" of the computer.

Device wear

RAM does not work often and for this reason. As you know, everything is not eternal. The device can fail in a couple of years or a decade. This is directly affected by the conscientiousness of the manufacturer, the operating conditions of the component.

Overheating / hypothermia

Another rare, but still occurring case. To disable the device, absolutely exorbitant temperatures are required: -45 ° С, +100 ° С.

By the way, in order to protect yourself from such a cause of breakdown, do not forget to periodically clean the inside of the computer or laptop from dust.

Common signs of breakage

Do I need to know at what frequency the RAM is operating in order to be sure of its malfunction? No, the breakage gives itself away simply:

• The system cannot start. Or it reboots endlessly.
• The system won't start at all. Often, attempts to turn on the PC are accompanied by beeping from the device's speakers. This indicates that the system cannot detect the RAM, or that the latter (or its socket) is badly damaged.

Signs for Windows

We will tell you how to find out about the breakdown of the RAM bar for users of the most common operating system:

• Blue Screen of Death with technical information. At the same time, the error code is always different, so there is no need to "google" it. By the way, a blue screen also appears when the bracket is not fully inserted into the connector.
• PC malfunctions. With regard to those programs, applications, games that use RAM in their functioning. Ends with an error message. Or "crash" into the blue screen.

Linux traits

It is important to note the following signs here:

• Crashes in the browser and other applications. A message appears with a system error code. But it is not possible to view it - an error occurs when performing this action as well.
• The system cannot boot. Sometimes, again, an error message appears.

Testing the problem

We have analyzed why the RAM is not working. It is also possible to independently determine that the problem lies with her. To do this, download the freely available utility program Memtest86 from the developer's official website on a digital medium. Let's say on a USB stick.

Before running diagnostics with Memtest86, you need to do the following:

1. Reset BIOS settings. For different PC models, it opens when the system starts up with a specific key: F1-12, Delete, etc.
2. Select the Set to Default option. Save the settings and reboot the system.
3. Open the case of the system unit or laptop. Find the "RAM" bar among the other components. Appearance- rectangular microcircuit, fixed with clamps.
4. Pull out the bar, inspect it carefully. If the contacts are dirty, it is easy to give them their former appearance with a stationery eraser.
5. Return the bracket to the connector, close the case.
6. After that, turn on the computer and run Memtest86 from the external drive.
7. Once launched, the utility will immediately start checking the RAM. How do you know how RAM works? In the upper left half of the program window, the characteristics of the CPU will appear, in the upper right half - the stage and percentage of the check being carried out. After this information - the characteristics of the installed RAM. This information must be photographed or recorded. After all, if the bar has to be changed, then an identical one should be purchased.
8. While checking Memtest86 encountered at least one error (text highlighted in red)? Most likely, the RAM needs to be replaced.
9. To be sure, turn off the computer, open the case, move the bracket to another slot. Start the system again and start running Memtest86. If the program again found an error (or even several), then there is only one conclusion: the microcircuit must be replaced. If there are no errors in this case, the point is in the connector. Do not use a faulty one or entrust its repair to a technician.

What to do in case of a breakdown?

As you can see, it is not always necessary to understand how dual channel RAM works in order to establish: a component is broken. What to do in this case?

There is only one way out - buying a new RAM strip. If the contacts are frayed, the connectors are faulty, then perhaps you can do without the purchase - a computer wizard will help you. The microcircuit itself cannot be repaired. Note that the relatively low cost of the device - 1-2 thousand rubles (taking into account the duration of operation). Finally, we will advise you to buy a RAM with a warranty period of at least 2 years.

A breakdown of RAM is a rare, but still occurring situation. Now you know how to determine that the "RAM" is faulty, what to do in such a situation.

From time to time, many users want to perform such an interesting operation as checking the RAM.

The fact is that very often in the operating system Windows operational the memory cannot cope with the load assigned to it, although, judging by the volume of such, it should have.

In other words, the computer does not give out the speed that it should have given based on the amount of RAM.

In general, this is far from the only problem that occurs with memory in Windows operating systems.

A classic "blue screen" may occur, the system may constantly freeze, which is very inconvenient for work, and so on.

Compatibility issues may also arise. In any case, sometimes the above check would still need to be performed. How to do this on different OS versions, we will consider further.

Let's say right away that there are standard tools and special utilities for checking RAM.

Standard tools

This method is available on Windows 7, 8 and Vista. We'll talk about Windows XP and Windows 10 later. For now, let's focus on the standard RAM checker.

In general, it should be said that this is the most standard tool in the aforementioned systems is launched automatically from time to time.

That is, a system performance test is performed regardless of whether the user wants it or not.

But users have the option to manually run this check. To do this, they need to take the following actions:

• Launch the "Start" menu and enter the query "operational" in the search bar (highlighted in red in Figure 1).
  As you can see in the same figure, to download the search results we need, it will be enough to enter only "operative" or even less letters of the corresponding query.
  Surely the item "Diagnosing problems of computer RAM" will be in one of the first places among the search results. Actually, we have to launch it. This is done by simply left-clicking on this very item.

Hints: If we cannot find the program we need, you can enter the query "memory" and in the same way open the "Memory checkerWindows". The query “mdsched". This is exactly the same standard memory checker. Only in these cases will the found programs need to be run as administrator. This is done very simply - you just need to right-click and select "Run as administrator" in the drop-down menu (highlighted in Figure 2).

• In the window that appears, select the option we need. And there there will be only two of them available - to check now or after the next time the computer is turned on.
  The first option assumes that the program will perform a forced reboot and, after turning it on, will actually perform the required test.

You can understand that the standard memory checker needs the computer to be turned off and the check is carried out at startup.

In most cases, users choose the first option.

As for how to find the results of the program's work, you can see them when you turn on the computer.

In the quick launch panel, you can see the icon shown in Figure 4.

By clicking on it, you can see the results of checking for errors in operability, compatibility, download speed and other parameters of memory operation.

If a problem is identified, it is best to contact the manufacturer.

It is better if at this time the computer is still under warranty. Otherwise, it is better to have your computer repaired.

Additional utility memtest86 +

In addition to the standard tool described above, there is more than one special utility for checking RAM.

All of them can be easily downloaded and some of them are even in Russian. This option is just right for Windows 10 and Windows XP.

Such programs also do an excellent job with their main task, that is, checking for errors. But according to many users, memtest86 + is the best one.

This program provides the most accurate data and can work on a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows 7, 10, Vista, and so on.

You can download memtest86 + very quickly online. The whole process of using this program from start to finish is as follows:

• Download memtest86 + from the official site. The link looks like this: www.memtest.org/#downiso. There we will have several download options available:
  • in the .gz format for the Linux operating system and the like (in Figure 5, underlined with a red line);
  • in .zip format in order to burn the image to a regular CD or DVD disc (underlined with a green line);
  • in .exe format for writing to a flash drive (blue line).

• After that, you will need to write the downloaded image to a USB flash drive or to an ordinary disk, so that later, when the system starts, these files can start.
  Everything is very simple here - if you downloaded .zip, then by standard means we write the file to disk, if.exe, then we dump it to the USB flash drive, deleting everything else from it. And if you downloaded.gz, then just run it.
• After recording, it is necessary to put the boot from the removable media into the BIOS. To do this, you need to make sure that the system checks at startup if there is anything in the drives and connectors.
  For this to happen, restart the computer and when it starts, press the Delete button (on some computers F2). Thus, we will get into the BIOS.
  There we are looking for an item in the title of which the word "Boot" appears (for example, in the Award BIOS it is called "Advanced BIOS Features" - shown in Figure 6).

There we are looking for the item "Boot Sequence" (again, depending on the version, the name may change).

In the window that appears, we see a list of all available media from which boot can take place. The name of the flash drive will appear as "USB", in the name of the disc - "CD / DVD".

We need to click on the first item, that is, "1st Boot Device" and in the window that appears, select the desired drive. In the given example, this is a USB flash drive, that is, a USB drive.

The cause of many critical errors(BSOD) and subsequent reboots, freezes, malfunctions is faulty RAM.

The most in a simple way to identify a faulty module is to use the standard utility from Windows 7 - "" (Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool). This tool appeared in Windows Vista, but many never used it, and in earlier operating systems it was not included in Windows at all, although it could be downloaded separately. When using the "Windows Memory Checker" you do not have to create additional bootable discs for the utility burning, but you only need to restart your computer or boot from an existing Windows 7 installation disc.

Since the time when Windows Memory Diagnostic lived a separate life from Windows, a lot of time has passed, and the utility has undergone some changes, the set of tests used has expanded, constant monitoring has appeared, the interface has been simplified as much as possible for the end user.

Typically, the system can automatically detect obvious problems with the computer's memory and offer to run a diagnostic tool, but this is only if the OS is installed and loaded.

It is necessary to identify and replace faulty memory in a timely manner, before "blue screens" and other symptoms become constant companions of your work.

If changes have been made to the BIOS (overclocking, voltage changes, etc., etc.), you need to return everything to its original state and check the operation in this mode.

Launch from a running OS

Follow: Start ---> Control Panel ---> Administration ---> .

Or: Start---> in the search bar type " mdsched"without quotes and press" Enter ".

Or: Start---> in the search bar type " memory"without quotes and select this item:

The following window will appear:

Startup at computer startup

Press the key when loading F8 on the keyboard, the "Additional Boot Options" selection menu will appear:

Click " Esc"to go to the Windows Boot Manager menu, then" Tab"then" Enter".

Starting from a Windows 7 installation disc or from a system recovery disc

You must press any key while this prompt is on the screen.

If you are using installation disk, in the first window, click " Further":

We choose " System Restore":

The next 3 steps are identical.

Select the first option and click again " Further":

Click " Windows Memory Diagnostics":

We choose the first option:

Working with the utility

After starting, the test will start immediately (with standard parameters):

To change the parameters - click " F1":

You can choose from different "Test Sets":

The "basic set" includes only 3 tests, use it for a quick test:

The "regular set" is used to perform standard tests:

To select the next parameter, press the " Tab".

Enabling / disabling the cache for various tests serves to determine different types mistakes.

When the cache is disabled, the utility accesses the RAM directly, this provides the most accurate testing of the modules themselves.

We set the number of passes, the more there are, the greater the likelihood of detecting defects.

We start testing with the specified parameters by pressing the " F10".

When the test is completed, the computer will automatically restart.

Information about testing and found / not found problems is always on the screen, in addition, if errors are found, information about them will be displayed after Windows boots (if the test was run from the OS).

Scheduled launch

It is very convenient to schedule the launch of the utility on a schedule, for example, once a week. To do this, set the parameters by analogy with the screenshots shown:

We launch the task scheduler ( Start ---> All programs ---> Standard ---> Service ---> Task Scheduler), click " Create task":

Go to the "Triggers" tab, click " Create a":

Go to the "Actions" tab, click " Create a", in the" Program or script "field, write:

In the "Add arguments" field, type:

/ bootsequence (memdiag) / addlast

Go to the "Parameters" tab:

Now once a week, the utility will be automatically added to the Windows bootloader and run on the next reboot after adding. A reboot, however, can also be scheduled.

Elimination of possible problems related to the operation of the utility

If you find that the utility starts every time you start Windows 7 (or the check "loops" and does not stop in the usual way), it is very easy to fix the situation. It is necessary to manually remove the entry about starting the utility from the Windows bootloader.

Conclusion

In this article, I told how to check the RAM with the standard utility from Windows 7 - " Windows Memory Checker".

If a faulty memory module is found, you need to replace it with a new one, do not forget to check the new module immediately, because substandard memory "strips" are often on sale.