RAM plays an important role in ensuring the operational operation of the computer. Therefore, the “symptoms” of faulty strips are very diverse. Your computer may run slowly, freeze for no reason, reboot spontaneously, and even pretend to die.

But, since you have already seen the root of computer evil in RAM, then do not rush to clutter the system with various downloadable utilities and do not get into the standard Windows diagnostic tools ahead of time. An initial test of memory performance can be carried out using your own with my own hands. Let's look at everything in order.

Stage 1. Inspection of the system unit

The manipulation described below can, in principle, be carried out by anyone, even a shaman of the Mumba-Yumba tribe, but we still do not recommend that people who have been crossed by a black cat with empty buckets cross their path into the system unit. To begin with, at least look on the Internet for pictures of the insides of computers.

So, turn off the computer, open system unit and look for a RAM strip. It is usually located in the upper right corner motherboard.

If you have several memory sticks, you can first simply remove one of them and let the computer work with one, and then with the other - in this way you can separately check the performance of each of the memory sticks.

If your iron friend begins to behave badly, only on one bar - congratulations - you have found the cause of all the troubles. It is possible that one of your RAM modules is faulty.

Step 2: Check contacts and dust

If no changes are noticed, proceed to the second phase: check the contacts of the memory modules for dust or deposits. It sounds frivolous, but believe me, this very little thing can really upset you. One day, a friend of mine’s computer died, and it died very seriously - it was not just a matter of the operating system crashing - the BIOS did not load, there were not even beeper signals when loading. Everything looked as if the motherboard had died. With a heavy heart, taking his iron friend to the service center, he simply went crazy when the technician revived it in ten seconds by simply removing and cleaning the RAM modules from dust. The sneaky digital sluggard then started working like new!

It may seem to you that this is a story with a happy ending, but that is only until you see the invoice for the service provided. So, my friends, before you panic, always wipe off any dust from your slats!

Despite the fact that we live in the 21st century, it is better to mention that memory modules can only be removed when the computer is turned off, and wipe them with a soft DRY brush.

Stage 3. Diagnostics using Windows

The Windows operating system has a built-in extremely simple diagnostic tool that can quickly identify possible mistakes random access memory. That is, this procedure does not require any special program - everything is already built into the operating system itself.

To run it, simply open the “Run\RUN” menu in the “Start” menu or use hot CTRL keys+R:

In the window that opens, type "mdsched".

This command will run standard remedy diagnostics The entire verification procedure consists of two runs and takes about 10 minutes. Upon completion of the scan, the utility will give you a detailed report on the problems found.

If your computer is in order, then you can move on to solving other problems. For example, think about it.

Hello, friends! Faulty RAM can cause unstable operation of the computer and, as a result, loss of data. Symptoms include unexpected reboots or " blue screen of death". When diagnosing desktop computer or laptop, first of all, check RAM. 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 perform RAM test. Part Windows 7 And Windows 8 includes a built-in utility for checking memory. You just need to run it and schedule the test to run either immediately or at the next boot.

In this article we will look in detail at how to test RAM.

As stated above in the operating system Windows 7 And Windows 8 There is a built-in memory checking 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 > System and Security > Administration. Choose

It’s also convenient to use search from the Start menu

A window will open with information - What memory problems can lead to

You have 3 options to choose from: reboot and scan, scan the next time you turn on the computer, or click Cancel.

When you select the first item, the system will immediately reboot and execute RAM test. Before selecting, you must close all open applications.

If you select the second option, the scan will run the next time you turn on the computer. You can try to finish the unfinished work and reboot.

You can also run a RAM test when booting Windows 7/8 key press F8 and selecting Troubleshooting your computer

Select the user and click OK

Choose

The same window opens as under Windows. Click on the recommended first item

The system will reboot and start testing RAM

To select testing parameters, click F1

We can choose a test suite:

• Base
• Ordinary
• Wide

Basic includes 3 tests used for quick verification. Normal includes additional tests and runs by default. The extended one includes all possible tests prepared by Microsoft and is naturally the longest in terms of time.

To identify problems, a regular RAM test is quite enough.

When you press a key Tab You will be taken to the next control option - Memory Cache. Disabling which will result in accessing RAM directly, which will allow for more accurate testing.

When you press the key again Tab 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 set from 1 to 0 (infinity) passes.

To apply the settings and continue the test, you must press the key F10

If you are just going to install Windows 7 from an image on disk, then you can also test RAM. For this it is necessary.

Press any key

Use the Tab key to select Windows Memory Diagnostic

The RAM test will start but in English

The Status field displays an inspiring inscription - “No errors found yet”)

If any are found, it will be written about it immediately. The results will also be displayed again when loading the operating system if the test was launched from Windows.

Memtest86+ the most popular RAM test

The second, but no less effective, tool for checking RAM is the Memtest86+ program. At the time of writing, the current version is 4.20

Download this utility you can from the official website. The archive is downloaded in *.zip format and is intended for installation on a flash drive

You can also download the image for burning to disk from the official website. How to burn an image to disk can be read in this article.

Let's write the program to a flash drive. To do this, unpack the downloaded archive. If anyone has difficulty with this, please take a look at the article. How to open a rar file. We connect the flash drive to the computer and run the unpacked program Memtest86+ USB Installer.exe

Click I agree(I agree to the license agreement)

Select the connected USB flash drive and check the recommended “ticket”

Copy all important data from the USB drive and click Create(Create)

Then click Next

AND Finish

Bootable USB drive ready.

You can also go into the BIOS and select Boot Menu (F8). Or press F8 immediately upon loading, which will take you to the menu for selecting boot options. You need to choose our flash drive

When booting from a prepared flash drive, the RAM test will begin immediately

In addition to watching the test pass, you can watch:

• information about processor and processor cache
• maximum amount of RAM and its speed
• information about the chipset and memory parameters
• settings of the RAM itself (frequency, latency 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 are successfully passed, 1 will appear in the Pass column instead of 0 and the inscription will be displayed at the bottom

*****Pass complete, no errors, press Esc to exit*****

Click ESC and boot the operating system normally.

If errors are detected during the memory test, a red table will appear with the addresses of the detected problems, and the test will continue.

What to do if problems are detected?

Turn off the computer, take out the RAM and wipe the contacts with a regular eraser. The one we used at school. It is also recommended to blow out the memory connectors in motherboard.

Carefully! If you have memory modules without heatsinks, do not hold on to the memory chips! You can deform the contact between the chip and the PCB. (Memory chips are black squares or rectangles on colored PCB)

Blow off any remaining rubber on the memory modules and install them into the motherboard.

Repeat the test

If errors appear again, take the modules to service center under warranty.

If there is no warranty, check each module individually to determine the faulty strip and replace it. (Don't forget that the memory module connector may be faulty. If the memory stick test fails in one slot, check it in another)

If you have a set of 2 or 4 memory sticks, it is recommended to change the entire set.

For more information about memory, see the article How to increase computer RAM?

Conclusion

In this article we figured out how to carry out RAM test.

It is convenient to carry out diagnostics of memory modules using the built-in utility “Check Tool” Windows memory", and with the help special program Memtest86+. We learned how to prepare a USB flash drive and burn an image with the program to disk.

And most importantly! Provided measures to take when memory problems are detected.

Video - RAM Test

I will be glad to see questions and suggestions in the comments. I wish you serviceable and reliable memory modules.

When the computer begins to fail, and cleaning the OS and optimizing it does not produce results, you need to start diagnosing the hardware components. It is quite possible that errors occur due to the fault of the RAM. But it is impossible to verify this without specialized programs that perform a Windows 7 64-bit RAM test. The interface of the utilities preinstalled in the system is in Russian, which is very convenient. Third party software equipped only with English localization, but the most effective.

The main reasons for RAM failure

The RAM design includes several integrated circuits, soldered on the board and installed in the motherboard connector. This component is considered the most reliable among all major PC devices. The chance of buying a marriage, although minimal, is possible. In addition to this, other factors often come into play. Causes of RAM failures:

• voltage drops in the network;
• faulty or low-quality power supply;
• increased level of humidity in the room;
• failure to perform regular maintenance (dust removal);
• work at critical temperatures;
• physical impact (hitting the PC case, dropping the laptop).

Signs of broken memory

A broken RAM module can lead to a variety of problems. It is difficult to list them all, but it is quite possible to provide a list of the main ones.

• BSOD is the surest and most common symptom of failures in RAM chips.
• Periodic shutdowns of the computer, failures when loading the operating system, freezes during device initialization by the BIOS system.
• Errors while running applications that require a lot of RAM. This may include graphic editor, 3D games, office packages,compilers.
• If artifacts appear on the display, you also need to test the Windows 7 64-bit RAM. Although most often the video card is to blame in this case.
• The computer refuses to turn on. Nothing appears on the monitor. At this time, error signals may be output from the PC speaker. To understand what kind of malfunction the alert system reports, check the documentation on the motherboard manufacturer's website.
• Every try Windows reinstallation terminates due to errors occurring in its process.

Built-in utility

All operating systems, starting with Vista, are equipped with a built-in tool that, upon user request, performs a Windows 7 64-bit RAM test. There is no need to install additional components on your computer. This is as convenient as possible, but sometimes it is ineffective, for example, when the utility itself refuses to start due to RAM problems.

1. Quit all running programs.
2. Save important files and documents to an external drive.
3. If possible, make a backup of the entire system.
4. Click on "Start", type mdsched in the search area and open the application found.
5. When the program starts, the user will be offered a choice: test the Windows 7 64-bit RAM without rebooting or check it after the next time the computer is turned on. Selecting the first mode is not recommended.

Background mode

Testing without shutting down the OS does not require a long wait. During the test, you can see a window on the display in which there is no information other than a filling indicator. It is intended to report the approximate percentage of completion of the operation. If the RAM is OK, the utility will display a “no errors” alert. If the RAM sticks are malfunctioning, the application will display a list of fault codes.

As stated earlier, background scanning is not recommended, it does not give the full picture. The fact is that the data used by the program is constantly stored in RAM during the execution of program functions. operating system for your work.

The Windows 7 64-bit RAM test, performed after rebooting the machine, will start automatically. His appearance resembles programs written for DOS. The whole process will take several tens of minutes. After finding an error, red lines will appear at the bottom of the screen describing the failure. In principle, if even one error appears, the verification procedure can be completed and the computer can be turned off; it definitely requires repair.

Third Party Utilities

There are many applications on the Internet that test RAM. Both large companies and enthusiasts take part in their development. The popularity of such programs makes it possible to disguise worms and Trojans as them. Please remember that when downloading any executable file You should check your computer with an antivirus. If the site offers to perform a Windows 7 64-bit RAM test online, you should know that this is a scam. The browser will not be able to gain low-level access to physical devices and drivers.

Memtest86+ is a universal tool whose algorithms are constantly being improved. The application is distributed under the GPL license, which means that anyone can not only download it for free, but also take part in its development. The utility is optimized for checking RAM of any generation up to DDR3. The program starts in DOS mode. This approach allows you to work with all memory cells. The verification tool requires an empty flash drive. Subsequently, it will become bootable.

Guide to creating a bootable USB flash drive

1. Download memtest86+. It is important to download the USB installer and not ISO image. To avoid mistakes, carefully study the information on the official website.
2. Unpack the archive into an empty directory and run the installer.
3. Select the drive to which the program files will be copied.
4. Check the box for the only possible item. Be sure to save all documents located on the flash drive, as it will be formatted.
5. Click Create.
6. After completing all operations, click Next. Now a utility is installed on the flash drive that will perform a Windows 7 64-bit RAM test. The laptop needs to be restarted.
7. Go to BIOS settings and set it to USB as the first boot device.
8. Exit and save by pressing F10.

After turning on the PC, memtest86+ will start. It will automatically start checking. There are nine tests in total. They are all in a cycle. After the first lap, you can see information messages at the bottom of the screen that will tell you whether there were errors and whether the RAM strips are working properly. Pressing the Escape key will turn off the utility and reboot the machine.

My memory is failing, what should I do?

All further advice is intended for users who have minimal skills in repairing household appliances.

Disconnect the system unit and that's it peripherals from the network. Remove the computer cover and remove the RAM module. Inspect the microcircuits. If they are not chipped or have any other defects, take an eraser and wipe the contacts of the bar. Brush away any debris with a soft watercolor brush, then brush the gilding with rubbing alcohol. Reinstall the bar and run the Windows 7 64-bit RAM test again.

If the failures continue, it makes sense to move the module to an adjacent slot. If there are several modules, try swapping them.

A faulty RAM module cannot be repaired at home, and it is unlikely that anyone will undertake this task in specialized workshops. Therefore, when choosing a RAM stick, you should not go for cheapness; you should choose a device from among the products of well-known manufacturers. Particular attention should be paid to the warranty period.

It will probably not be a discovery of the century for any user that most error messages that appear when working with Windows 7 arise due to all sorts of problems with the computer’s RAM. At the same time, detecting them is not as difficult as it seems at first glance, even without resorting to the help of third-party programs. The point, in fact, is that Windows 7 itself already has a built-in utility for checking RAM, which in terms of efficiency is not much inferior to similar analogue programs. Want to check it out? Then let's get to work!

Option #1: Microsoft System Method

It is worth noting that testing RAM using Windows 7 itself can be done differently depending on whether the computer is in working condition or not. In particular, to routinely check the performance of RAM on a PC, you can use this method:

In addition, it is also possible to check the operation of the RAM when starting Windows 7. In this case, when starting the computer, you will first need to press F8 to get to the menu of additional boot options, and then select Esc on the keyboard one by one (to access the manager windows downloads), Tab (to select a memory test tool) and finally Enter (to start diagnostics):

At the same time, you can perform a RAM test using a disk with Windows distribution 7. In this case, after launching it on the computer in Windows installation mode, we only need to open the system recovery options and select the memory diagnostic program from among them. The whole process looks something like this:

In any case, regardless of the chosen method after start system diagnostics A blue window will appear in the RAM, in which the entire progress of the check will be displayed:

However, you need to take into account that by default in Windows 7 the usual set of several standardized tests RAM. It provides, of course, a fairly time-efficient, but average-in-effectiveness check:

In this case, for a more thorough analysis of RAM after running the utility, it is preferable to reconfigure the test scheme, choosing a wide set instead of the usual one. How to do it? Simply press F1 and then Tab to select the appropriate option and F10 to save the setting. Similarly, you need to disable cache checking and increase the number of passes to at least 20 in order to increase the efficiency of passing the test.

One way or another, after completing the RAM analysis, the testing tool built into Windows will notify you of all errors found in a report or in a system message after restarting the PC (depending on the selected diagnostic method).

Option No. 2: RAM test programs

At the same time, the RAM on a computer with Windows 7 can be checked for errors using special RAM tester programs. They are presented quite widely today, but among them all free software tools such as SuperRam, MemTest86 and SiSoftware Sandra.

The easiest to use among them, undoubtedly, is the Russian-language SuperRam utility. At the same time, in terms of the effectiveness of RAM tests, it is not much different from the well-known software “monster” MemTest86. This utility, in particular, allows you not only to test the RAM on your computer in different modes, but also automatically increases the productivity of its use. In addition, the program is compatible with absolutely all RAM modules and Windows versions, which makes it a truly indispensable PC tester.

Meanwhile, at the first signs of the impending death of RAM, appearing along with the blue screen of death, the MemTest86 program can bring the computer back to life. Its peculiarity is that, unlike many other similar utilities, it is launched in a “pure” form using its own bootloader, which provides it with a more thorough test of the operating memory for bugs.

True, MemTest86 also has two small drawbacks. Firstly, in order to check RAM with its help, you will first have to pore over writing a resuscitation flash drive with an iso image of the utility; and, secondly, the process of analysis with the help of this testing software tool usually takes quite a long time - from 1 hour or more, as practice shows.

As for SiSoftware Sandra, this program can hardly be called a full-fledged RAM tester, given that it has both a general Windows stability test and separate modules for analyzing the state of the motherboard, CPU, video card and other equipment connected to the PC. Meanwhile, its efficiency indicators are quite good, which, however, sets it apart from a dozen other analogue programs.