gwendes
04-05-2006, 10:23 AM
UPDATE
the latest version of memtest can be downloaded here. rather than using the download on this forum page download the latest version from the memtest website and use that, when you download the ISO file if your not sure how to burn it follow the below instructions.
there is also an auto installer that you can download and run to make a usb memory stick bootabel.
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
------------------------------
A huge range of computer problems including a STOP error, blue screens, hanging/ freezing, Windows errors when copying/moving files and a complete failure to start can be caused by faulty memory or RAM.
This is one of the easiest components to perform a full diagnostic on, and if found to be faulty, on of the easiest components to replace.
Before you start you will need to download these files (click to download) a computer with a CD writer and blank CD-r disc:
memtest86 (http://www.e-weekly.co.uk/download/memtestinfo/memtest86+-4.20.iso.zip) (right click and save as) - file sourced from http://memtest86.org
imgburn (http://www.e-weekly.co.uk/download/memtestinfo/SetupImgBurn_2.5.5.0.exe) (right click and save as) - file sourced from http://www.imgburn.com
winrar (http://www.e-weekly.co.uk/download/memtestinfo/wrar40b7.exe) (right click and save as) - file sourced from http://www.rarlab.com
1. Create the image
Memtest is a standalone bootable utility. This means that it does not load up within the Windows environment but. To run any bootable utility you will need to create a disc image, this is done in the following way:
Download memtest86 from the above link
Install WinRAR (ignore any registration prompts for now)
Double click on the downloaded file 'memtest86.zip'.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/icon.JPG
This should open a WinRAR window with the file 'memtest.iso'. Drag and drop this file onto your desktop and close WinRAR.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/winrar.JPG
2. Burn the disc image (.iso) to CD
Put your blank CD-r in the drive.
Install and open the ImgBurn program.
Select 'File' and then 'Browse...'. Change the 'Look in:' location to 'Desktop' and select 'memtest86+-4.00' (it will have dropped the '.iso' extension) and click 'Open'.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/imgburn.JPG
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/imgburn2.JPG
Select 'File' again.
Select 'Write' (or click on the large hard drive/CD image)
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/imgburn3.JPG
The CD should then start the burn process.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/imgburn4.JPG
3. Running the diagnostic
If you are creating this CD with the computer you want to test then leave the CD in the drive once the burning process has completed. Close any applications that are running and shutdown in the normal way ('Start'>
'Shutdown'>'Restart' in Windows XP)
After the computer shuts down it should startup into the memory diagnostic program. If you are prompted 'Press any key to boot from CD...' or similar then just tap a key on the keyboard.
If your computer starts into Windows then you have either not created the CD correctly or the boot sequence is incorrect. You will need to consult your motherboard manual or PC manufacturer to setup the boot sequence to boot from CD first. Most computers should be setup like this anyway.
4. Understanding the results of the test
This is what your screen should look like:
http://www.hardwareoc.hu/upload/news/6445_memtest86plus.png
Even a single error can cause all sorts of problems when using your computer. Any errors that the diagnostic utility finds will show up on the bottom of the screen, in red, like this:
http://www.kberg.ch/qemu/memtest.png
Most errors should show up within a single pass. We recommend running for as long as possible, particularly if you only start to notice problems when the computer has been on for a while or under particularly heavy load.
the latest version of memtest can be downloaded here. rather than using the download on this forum page download the latest version from the memtest website and use that, when you download the ISO file if your not sure how to burn it follow the below instructions.
there is also an auto installer that you can download and run to make a usb memory stick bootabel.
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
------------------------------
A huge range of computer problems including a STOP error, blue screens, hanging/ freezing, Windows errors when copying/moving files and a complete failure to start can be caused by faulty memory or RAM.
This is one of the easiest components to perform a full diagnostic on, and if found to be faulty, on of the easiest components to replace.
Before you start you will need to download these files (click to download) a computer with a CD writer and blank CD-r disc:
memtest86 (http://www.e-weekly.co.uk/download/memtestinfo/memtest86+-4.20.iso.zip) (right click and save as) - file sourced from http://memtest86.org
imgburn (http://www.e-weekly.co.uk/download/memtestinfo/SetupImgBurn_2.5.5.0.exe) (right click and save as) - file sourced from http://www.imgburn.com
winrar (http://www.e-weekly.co.uk/download/memtestinfo/wrar40b7.exe) (right click and save as) - file sourced from http://www.rarlab.com
1. Create the image
Memtest is a standalone bootable utility. This means that it does not load up within the Windows environment but. To run any bootable utility you will need to create a disc image, this is done in the following way:
Download memtest86 from the above link
Install WinRAR (ignore any registration prompts for now)
Double click on the downloaded file 'memtest86.zip'.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/icon.JPG
This should open a WinRAR window with the file 'memtest.iso'. Drag and drop this file onto your desktop and close WinRAR.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/winrar.JPG
2. Burn the disc image (.iso) to CD
Put your blank CD-r in the drive.
Install and open the ImgBurn program.
Select 'File' and then 'Browse...'. Change the 'Look in:' location to 'Desktop' and select 'memtest86+-4.00' (it will have dropped the '.iso' extension) and click 'Open'.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/imgburn.JPG
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/imgburn2.JPG
Select 'File' again.
Select 'Write' (or click on the large hard drive/CD image)
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/imgburn3.JPG
The CD should then start the burn process.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/imgburn4.JPG
3. Running the diagnostic
If you are creating this CD with the computer you want to test then leave the CD in the drive once the burning process has completed. Close any applications that are running and shutdown in the normal way ('Start'>
'Shutdown'>'Restart' in Windows XP)
After the computer shuts down it should startup into the memory diagnostic program. If you are prompted 'Press any key to boot from CD...' or similar then just tap a key on the keyboard.
If your computer starts into Windows then you have either not created the CD correctly or the boot sequence is incorrect. You will need to consult your motherboard manual or PC manufacturer to setup the boot sequence to boot from CD first. Most computers should be setup like this anyway.
4. Understanding the results of the test
This is what your screen should look like:
http://www.hardwareoc.hu/upload/news/6445_memtest86plus.png
Even a single error can cause all sorts of problems when using your computer. Any errors that the diagnostic utility finds will show up on the bottom of the screen, in red, like this:
http://www.kberg.ch/qemu/memtest.png
Most errors should show up within a single pass. We recommend running for as long as possible, particularly if you only start to notice problems when the computer has been on for a while or under particularly heavy load.