Hi all! Today I want to tell you how to check RAM for errors using the built-in Windows utility, which has been built into the operating system since Windows 7. Why do you need this? This may come in handy if you begin to notice periodic failures in the operation of your computer or laptop. In case of any failures you should pay attention to the RAM:

1. From time to time you see on your monitor " blue screen of death" I think there is no need to tell anyone what a “blue screen of death” is, but just in case, look at the screenshot below.
2. Your the computer freezes for a few seconds(sometimes up to 10-15 seconds), and then immediately starts working as it should. This can easily be noticed in games, even the most undemanding ones, as well as when watching videos.
3. The computer does not turn on the first time. When you turn it on, you may just see a black screen or BIOS splash screen. And then when you reboot it turns on and works.

Blue screen of death in different versions of Windows

These computer errors can be caused not only by incorrect operation of the RAM, but also by failures in other computer components (hard drive, motherboard, processor, video card). However, first of all, it is better to check the RAM for errors, and I will now tell you step by step how to do this.

How to check RAM for errors? Step-by-step instruction

As we have already said, any Windows operating system (starting with Windows 7) has a built-in utility for checking RAM for errors. Therefore, if you are not yet using Windows XP, then you do not need to download any additional programs for this.

And if you still have it installedWindowsXP on the computer, then look towards the program Memtest86+. Or maybe you are still usingWindows 95?(͡° ʖ̯ ͡°)

A utility that will help you check your RAM is called “ Memory CheckerWindows" You can find and launch 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 runs this utility “ mdsched" After which Windows will find the program you need.

Windows Memory Checker in the 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, it will immediately begin checking your RAM for errors. If errors are found, you will see this in a message below the check line. If you did not follow the scan, then you will be able to view the scan report directly in Windows when it loads after the scan is completed.

What else is useful to know about checking RAM for errors?

There are three verification modes: base, ordinary 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 regular check takes approximately 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the amount of RAM and its frequency.

To enable advanced scanning, press F1 during normal scanning and select 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, you can find the scan report in the Windows event log. Here's how to get there:

1. Press start.
2. Enter “Journal” or “ eventvwr».
3. Select " Viewing Event Logs" Do not confuse this with “Windows Log”, this is not at all what we need.
4. On the left in Explorer, go to “Windows Logs”, and then to “ System».
5. Among the latest entries (and there are a lot of them) you will find our report. In the source column it will be written “ MemoryDiagnostics-Results" Or you can use the magazine search. The search button is on the right side of the menu.
6. If the report says that no errors were found, congratulations, everything is just beginning and you will have to look for errors in other places 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 the errors.

If there were still errors and you have several RAM modules installed, then it will be useful to check them one by one to identify which one is working and which one is not.

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RAM ( RAM) is one of the most important parts in a computer. Without it, he simply cannot turn on. Due to problems with it, various problems with the performance of the system often arise. Below I will provide a list of the most common problems related to RAM.

1. Computer freezes during active use and loss of information.
2. Blue screen or screen of death ( may be one of the reasons for this).
3. Computer won't turn on ( usually makes a sound that indicates there is a problem).
4. Frequent, unexpected computer reboots that occur on their own.

Please note that the methods below do not fix the problem, but only notify you that it exists.

If errors are detected in the memory, you can try to apply for a warranty from the seller ( if there is one), but most likely you will just need to replace it with a new one. RAM sticks are not very expensive and the replacement process is quite simple.

There are two ways to check for problems with it. If you have Windows 7, 8 and later versions, you can use the scan in the operating system itself. There is a special utility for this. There is no need to download it.

For earlier versions ( for example XP) you can use a solution such as Memtest86. However, I recommend using this particular program in any case, as it is regularly updated, unlike the built-in Windows diagnostic tools.

Checking memory in Windows

Find a utility that will do the testing.

Go to Start >> All Programs >> Administrative Tools ( or standard) >> Memory checker.

In the window that appears, select “Restart and check” and restart your computer.

You will see a window of the RAM testing process. If errors are found, a corresponding warning will appear. Wait for it to finish. It took me about ~15 minutes. Yours may take longer. This depends on the test settings and computer.

By pressing the "F1" key you can open the options. They have additional settings. There are 3 types of tests in total:

1. Base.
2. Ordinary.
3. Wide.

The longest and most revealing is the wide one. It uses all the functionality. The default is normal. For a quick check, it is recommended to use the basic one. Here you can also set the number of checks. Switching between items is done using the arrows on the keyboard.

Testing with Memtest86

Download the free Memtest program to your computer ( in English). It is constantly updated and can more effectively check RAM, unlike the utility in Windows.

And transfer the installation file to the USB flash drive. Then launch. In the window that appears, select the letter of your device and click Create. If an error appears, try checking the formatting box. If you don’t have a flash drive, you can download and burn the image to disk.

Attention! All data will be deleted and ( if you check the box). You will receive after the process is completed.

Errors will be highlighted in red ( if they exist). They were not found on me. If you need to stop checking, press the Esc key.

I suggest watching a video on working with this program.

Have you found any errors in your RAM?

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

The easiest way to identify a faulty module is to use the standard utility included in Windows 7 - "" (Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool). This checker 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 will not have to create additional bootable disks to record the utility; you will only need to restart your computer or boot from an existing Windows 7 installation disk.

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

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

It is necessary to promptly identify and replace faulty memory before blue screens and other symptoms become constant companions of your work.

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

Running from a running OS

Follow: Start ---> Control Panel ---> Administration ---> Windows Memory Checker.

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

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

The following window will appear:

Launch when computer boots

When booting, press the key 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".

Running from a Windows 7 installation disc or system repair 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":

Select " 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 launch, the test will begin immediately (with standard parameters):

To change parameters, click " F1":

You can select different "Test Suites":

The "Basic Set" includes only 3 tests, use it for a quick check:

The "Regular Suite" is used to perform standard tests:

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

Enabling/disabling the cache for various tests serves to identify different types of errors.

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

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

We start testing with the specified parameters using the " F10".

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

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

Scheduled launch

It is very convenient to schedule the utility to run on a schedule, for example, once a week. To do this, set the parameters similar to the screenshots below:

Launch the task scheduler ( Start ---> All programs ---> Standard ---> Service ---> Task Scheduler), press " Create a task":

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

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

In the "Add arguments" field we type:

/bootsequence (memdiag) /addlast

Go to the "Parameters" tab:

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

Troubleshooting possible problems related to the operation of the utility

If you encounter the fact that the utility runs every time you start Windows 7 (or the scan “loops” and does not stop in the usual way), it is very easy to fix the situation. You must manually remove the utility startup entry from the Windows boot loader.

Conclusion

In this article, I told you how to check RAM using a standard utility included in Windows 7 - " Windows Memory Checker".

If a faulty memory module is detected, you must replace it with a new one; do not forget to check the new module immediately, because Low-quality memory sticks often end up on sale.

If not Startup Recovery, nor System Restore and certainly not Restoring a system image could not return your computer to working order - consider the possibility that the computer has problems with random access memory (RAM).

The cause of many critical errors, such as blue screens of death (BSOD) and subsequent reboots, frequent freezes, and other malfunctions, is faulty RAM.

Since you are in Windows Recovery Environment, it is obvious that there are problems with your computer, so click the Restart and check link (recommended).

The computer will reboot and the RAM check will begin with the standard parameters set by default. The usual two-pass tests will be performed.

On the screen you will see the progress of the scan - the number of passes, the scan status in % and the errors detected in the Status line. if they will.

At any time, you can access the Memory Diagnostic Tool configuration settings and apply other options to check. To do this, press the key F1.

The tool has three sets of tests. You will be included in the set immediately Ordinary, because it is set by default. This set includes 8 tests in two passes. The memory test in this set can last about an hour.

Using the cursor keys (arrow keys), you can move up or down to select a different set.

Kit Base. Includes three tests, the memory test will take a few minutes. Used for quick checking.

Kit Wide. Includes 17 tests, the memory test can take several hours. Select this option for thorough testing.

To configure the following parameters, press the key Tab.

Cache. The parameter has three settings and is designed to detect different types of errors.

When disabling the cache Memory Diagnostic Tool accesses RAM directly, this ensures the most accurate testing of the modules themselves. But in this case, the computer will respond to key presses with some delay.

Press the key Tab to move to the next customizable option.

The next configurable parameter is Number of passes. By default, the Windows 7 Memory Tester runs all assigned tests twice (2 passes). You can change the number of passes. By increasing the number of passes (from 0 to 99), you thereby increase the likelihood of detecting memory defects. By setting 0 you will make the check endless, which you can stop by pressing the key Esc.

After making changes to the settings, press the key F10 to apply settings and run diagnostics.

You can stop the diagnostics at any time by pressing the key Esc.

After completing the test, the computer will automatically reboot.

First of all, you need to remember that it cannot diagnose ALL RAM problems.

If errors were discovered during testing or the tests could not be passed at all, then one or more RAM modules are most likely damaged.

If you have several RAM modules, check them one at a time.

If you have multiple memory modules and Windows 7 Memory Diagnostic Tool detects a fault in each of them, then the motherboard may be damaged. To make sure of this, try inserting a module that you are completely sure is working and run it again Windows 7 Memory Diagnostic Tool. If errors are found, then the problem is most likely in the motherboard.

Advice

Windows 7 Memory Diagnostic Tool can also be launched from running Windows. To do this, type in the address bar of Explorer mdsched and press ENTER

This guide will look at the main symptoms of memory failure and will describe step by step how to check your RAM to find out for sure whether it's the problem using the built-in memory test utility in Windows 10, 8 and Windows 7, as well as using third-party free program memtest86+.

Memory Checker (Diagnostics) is a built-in Windows utility that allows you to check RAM for errors. To launch it, you can press the Win+R keys on your keyboard, enter mdsched and press Enter (or use the Windows 10 and 8 search and start typing the word “check”).

After launching the utility, you will be prompted to restart your computer to check your memory for errors.

We agree and wait for the scanning to begin after a reboot (which in this case takes longer than usual).

During the scanning process, you can press the F1 key to change scan parameters, in particular you can change the following settings:

• Type of check - basic, regular or wide.
• Cache usage (on, off)
• Number of test passes

Upon completion of the verification process, the computer will restart, and after logging in, it will display the verification results.

However, there is one caveat - in my test (Windows 10), the result appeared after a few minutes in the form of a short notification, and they also report that sometimes it may not appear at all. In this situation, you can use the Windows Event Viewer utility (use search to launch it).

In Event Viewer, select “Windows Logs” - “System” and find information about the memory test results - MemoryDiagnostics-Results (in the information window, double-click or at the bottom of the window you will see a result, for example, “The computer's memory was checked using the Windows Memory Tester; no errors found."

Checking RAM in memtest86+

You can download memtest for free from the official website http://www.memtest.org/ (download links are at the bottom of the main page). It is best to download the ISO file in a ZIP archive. This is the option that will be used here.

Note: on the Internet there are two sites for memtest - with the memtest86+ program and Passmark Memtest86. In fact, this is the same thing (except that on the second site, in addition to the free program, there is also a paid product), but I recommend using the memtest.org site as a source.

• The next step is to burn the ISO image with memtest (after unpacking it from the ZIP archive) to disk (see). If you want to make a bootable USB flash drive with memtest, then the site has a kit for automatically creating such a flash drive.
• It is best if you check your memory one module at a time. That is, we open the computer, remove all RAM modules except one, and check it. After finishing - the next one and so on. This way it will be possible to accurately identify the faulty module.
• After the boot drive is ready, insert it into the disk drive in the BIOS, set to boot from a disk (flash drive) and, after saving the settings, the memtest utility will load.
• No action is required on your part; the verification will begin automatically.
• Once the memory test is completed, you will be able to see what RAM memory errors were found. If necessary, write them down so you can later find on the Internet what they are and what to do with them. You can interrupt the scan at any time by pressing the Esc key.

Checking RAM in memtest

If errors are found, it will look like the picture below.

RAM errors identified as a result of the test

What to do if memtest detected RAM errors? - If failures seriously interfere with operation, then the cheapest way is to replace the problematic RAM module, and the price is not so high today. Although sometimes simple cleaning of the memory contacts helps (described in the article), and sometimes a problem in the operation of RAM can be caused by a malfunction of the connector or components of the motherboard.

How reliable is this test? - is reliable enough to test RAM on most computers, however, as with any other test, you cannot be 100% sure that the result is correct.