Checking the RAM of Windows 7. How to test RAM in Windows 7

If the blue screen of death appears on your monitor too often even on the newly installed OS, the first thing to do is to test the RAM. Also, RAM should be tested if the computer itself reboots or hangs. Checking RAM on Windows 7 can be performed by regular means, but if you use a different version of the OS, you will need to download a small utility from the Internet. Almost always software failures, which at first seem illogical, are caused by RAM problems.

Exclusion method

The first method of verification does not require the launch of additional programs. It is relevant if more than one RAM bar is used in the PC. If the bar is one, you will need an application or another computer to test it. Alternately take out one lath of RAM, check the overall stability of the OS, if the problem does not disappear, take out the next one and so on. This method is also good because you can test at once and the slots of the motherboard. In this case, if one lath will work properly in another computer, without causing a malfunction, it is probably the mainboard that is to blame. If after removing one of the slats the computer started working normally, then it is faulty, and the Windows 7 memory test tool can not be started. 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 memory module is installed in the computer and the image does not appear even during the BIOS boot-up, it is likely that the processor or motherboard does not support the device of the manufacturer that issued it. Check with the official site of the company that issued the motherboard, it is possible that the firmware BIOS of the latest version will solve this problem.

How to test memory in Windows 7

So, to start the built-in Windows utility that will test the RAM, go to the "Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools", in the opened list, select "Windows Memory Test Tool."

Be careful. Before testing, you must close all applications and save the necessary documents. After clicking the "Reboot" button, the system forcibly terminates all programs that require additional actions from the user.

After the reboot, the RAM test will start automatically. Windows 7 runs it in two stages. Each takes about 10 minutes, if the amount of RAM is two gigabytes, and the memory is working. Otherwise, tests can be delayed. At this time, refrain from unnecessary clicking on the mouse and keyboard. If the RAM is not OK, the bottom of the screen will begin populating with error information.

When the RAM test is completed, Windows 7 will automatically reboot the computer and generate a report of all detected RAM problems.

Memtest86 +

The detection of problems with memory by means of Windows 7 is not always effective enough. For more serious and profound tests it is better to use the utility Memtest86 +, which is completely free and can be used on any computer, whatever OS is installed.

Supplied in three possible variants:

• Bootable ISO (created to create a bootable disc by burning an image with a writing CD or DVD drive).
• Auto Indtaller For USB Key - (not always suitable for older devices, creates a bootable USB flash drive, not all computers that were released a few years ago can boot from USB).
• Pre-Complied for Floppy (absolutely archaic solution for those who do not have any USB slots, no CD burner, but there is a floppy disk drive).

Creating a bootable USB flash drive

Just go to the official site of Memtest86 + and download the required distribution. Then it must be unzipped, for this you can use 7-zip or popular Winrar. After starting the program, you will need to select the drive that will later become bootable. Be careful, make a backup of the data, all information on the flash drive will be deleted during the recording of a new one.

Bootable CD / DVD

In some cases, a memory test can not be performed from the USB flash drive. Windows 7 sometimes crashes when using a specific driver for a USB flash drive, or the drive simply will not be at hand, or maybe the BIOS is outdated and can not boot the computer from USB devices.

If you can not use a flash drive, the best solution is to write the distribution to disk. And the Ultra ISO program will help in this. If you install it, double-clicking on any ISO file will open it in this application. After opening the Memtest86 + file, select the tools menu. Then click on "Save Image". Memtest86 + is a very small program, so the recording will end in less than a minute.

Memory check

After recording the distribution on a USB flash drive or disk, you need to go into 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 flash drive or CD-ROM.

If all actions were performed correctly, after the reboot, an automatic test of the RAM will begin. The program does nine different tests, but after they complete it goes into a loop and starts again all over again. If the first two or three tests were successful and without errors, most likely, with RAM everything is in order.

Prevention

Very often, RAM malfunctions are associated with the dustiness of the system unit. When this is a test of RAM (Windows 7 whether installed on the computer or any other version of the OS) is not needed. Open the cover of the system unit and purge the entire interior space. Pay special attention to the radiators and slots. In this case, all devices, except the processor, it is desirable to remove from the sockets and wipe the contacts. Also, it is not superfluous to wipe the contacts of the slots themselves. This procedure saves not only from dustiness, but also from the oxidation of metal.

When performing these actions, be very careful with the chips, the slightest damage to them will disable the device. For rubbing contacts it is best to use an eraser or alcohol. Especially often this helps if the memory slots are several, and testing each individually can take a long time. After wiping the contacts do not rush to insert the bar of RAM in its place, wait a little, let it dry.