Steps to use MemTest86 to test RAM errors

RAM is one of the important components on a computer and they are the common cause of blue screen errors. To test RAM, we often use MemTest86 software, this is the best RAM testing tool available today.

1. What is MemTest86?

MemTest86 is a very high performance RAM testing software developed by PassMark Software. Currently, MemTest86 is providing under 02 versions: Paid / Free, for the free version, users are limited to certain features. However, the Paid version is only suitable for those who require a lot of RAM testing such as: Technicians, Testers, Labs of RAM manufacturing companies, etc. So, general users should use this version. Free versions because they are also full of features.

2. Prepare

To test RAM with MemTest 86, you will need to prepare one essential thing as follows:

1. USB with capacity from 4GB
2. Motherboard BIOS skills

In the preparation section, we are most important to the USB because MemTest86 will work directly on the computer system, not through the Windows operating system. So, you need a separate USB to create Boot into the RAM Test tool.

Besides using USB to create a separate Boot for the system, you must also have skills related to BIOS and mainly Boot conversion skills on the computer.

3. Set up USB Boot to check RAM

After fully preparing support devices for testing RAM on the computer, we will start to set up each part.

Step 1: You proceed to visit the homepage of MemTest86 here to download the software to your computer.

Step 2: Then, you proceed to plug the USB into the computer and select the file ' imageUSB.exe ' to launch the software.

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Step 3: When the MemTest86 software is started, you proceed to set the following information:

1. Select the USB you want to create Boot Test RAM
2. Select Write image to USB driver to create a bootable USB drive
3. Select Write to start copying data to USB

Note : All data on the USB will be lost due to Format.

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Step 4: In the warning window, proceed to select Yes to let the system launch and copy data to your USB.

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Step 5: The process of creating Boot on USB will take about 3-5 minutes, after completion you will receive a 100% notification.

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Step 6: When the process of creating Boot on USB is complete, click OK to complete.

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Step 7: Before using the USB to launch Boot on the computer, we will need to double check once to be sure. You select the Log item on the interface of MemTest86.

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Step 8: In the Log window, you need to pay attention to the MD5 and SHA1 entries, if they coincide and show MATCHED , it means success.

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4. Change Boot of BIOS

To launch MemTest86, you will need to change the Boot on your computer to the newly created Boot USB.

Step 1: After creating the USB Boot is complete, you will need to restart the computer and press F2 / DEL to access the BIOS.

Step 2: In the motherboard's BIOS, go to the Boot Options section and select the default Boot item to the USB you just created the Test RAM tool .

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5. Test RAM with MemTest86

When the computer boots into the USB to create a RAM test kit, you will need to perform the following steps:

Step 1: At the main interface of the computer, select the Config item to open all the settings of MemTest86.

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Step 2: Next, go to the Start Test item (shortcut S) to start the RAM Test process on your computer.

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Step 3: The test process will last for about 20 minutes to 30 minutes, they depend mainly on your RAM capacity and RAM speed.

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Step 4: During the Test, we will have 02 main cases as follows:

+ The computer has a RAM error

If the computer encounters a RAM error, you will receive a series of red messages and command lines highlighted in red in the RAM check list, such as the image below.

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+ The computer does not have a RAM error

If the computer does not have a RAM error, there will not be any red command messages, nor will there be any command lines in the list.

Besides, you will receive the message ' Test complete, press any key to display summary' , now press any key to exit.

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Step 5: At the main interface of MemTest86, select Exit (shortcut X) to exit the RAM testing tool.

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Step 6: Finally, restart your computer and press F2 / DEL to access BIOS and proceed to change Boot Options to the default Windows as before.
So you have completed the RAM Test process on your computer using the MemTest86 tool.

6. Fix RAM error

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In case you test the RAM with MemTest86 and receive a series of error messages as shown in the illustration above, it is best to replace the RAM on your computer because there is no way to fix them. RAM is one of the most durable components on a computer and they rarely encounter errors, so the error case is less than 10%.

In this article, Tipsmake showed you how to test RAM with the high-performance MemTest86 software. Good luck!

Jessica Tanner

Update 03 June 2021