Testing The Memory

Memory failure can cause different problem on your computer. You have learned that the memory will be the one to handle the program that will enable the computer to start so if it is not working you might experience the following problems. 

1. Computer has no display and you get a beep code. In some motherboards it is a long beep sound. 

2. Computer always restart that might cause BSOD, General Protection Fault error messages, Illegal Operations, Fatal Exceptions, etc.

3. Computer fails during O.S. installation or other program installation fails.

If one of the above are the one you experience on your computer, that is the time you need to test your computer memory. If you have 2 or more memory installed on your computer, test it one by one so then take note the results for each memory. 

So what software should be use in testing the memory? Here are few good memory testing software: 

1. Windows Memory Diagnostic. 

To Access this on your computer just open start menu and type on run box "memory" without quotes and press enter. 

 Then in Windows Memory Diagnostic Window, Select the recommended settings and restart the computer.

You can also use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool in Hirens 13.0. Just boot your computer in Hirens boot cd and select the first menu 

 Then Select Windows Memory Diagnostic.

 This tool  performs a series of extensive tests to determine what, if anything, is wrong with your computer memory.  so you could easily tell if it is really defective.

2. MemTest86+

 This is the best third party software used in testing the memory, aside from its free, it will give you a good detail about the current status of your computer memory. Good thing is it is also included in Hirens boot CD. Just look inside Testing Tools. 

Then Select MemTest86+

Below is the screen of MemTest86+ currently testing a memory. If there are errors, you could see it under Errors. 

You can get the free version of MemTest86+ here . Download it and burn it on a disc. 

You may also get the USB Version of MemTest86+ here.

And if you want the Hirens boot CD, you can get it on their website. http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

Note: You must remember that the memory you are testing is really compatible with your computer motherboard. Incompatibility will cause problems like BSOD, No Display, Memory Failure and others. 

Common cause of Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

What is Blue Screen of Death? 

Blue Screen of Death or BSOD for short is also known as a bluescreen because of a full blue screen generated by Microsoft Windows Operating System. 

What are the cause of Blue Screen of Death and how to Fix it? 

BSOD in computers might be a cause of Hardware or Software issue. Here are some of the cause of blue screen of death. 

1. Outdated, incorrect or corrupt drivers is one reason why the system encounter a STOP error, resulting in the BSOD. So to prevent this, try to re-install and update your system’s device drivers. Having the correct drivers ensure that all bugs are fixed and that all hardware has the correct driver.

2. Incorrect configuration of BIOS / BIOS failure. This is because of Windows update, installation of new hardware, overclocking, or you just  change  your systems configuration incorrectly. So simply load the default Bios settings. You could also reset the BIOS,  this way will result in a safe configuration to be used for your motherboard, CPU and memory. Bios may fail too due to overheating, over use or obsolete. 

3. Memory failure can easily cause blue screen errors, this is because of loose contacts of memory card to the slots of motherboard due to dust, or more often, defective RAM module. Cleaning the memory interface and memory slots could be one solution. Swapping other compatible memory is another options.  

4. Video Card Failure. Video card adapter can be a cause of BSOD if improperly installed in AGP or PCI-e Slot. Conflict in video card adapter drivers may cause blue screen, and overheating due to dust or the thermal paste in its heat-sink is already dry. 

4. Bad sectors in HDD. Bad sectors in Hard Disk Drive is either caused by bad or corrupted software or simply a failing hard disk drive and this is one reason why system encounter BSOD. We always recommend  a system restoration to verify without doubt that this is not a software issue. If after re-installing Windows, and updating it with all the latest updates, you continue to get this error we suggest swapping other compatible hard disk drive.