How to check the memory on a computer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard Fangnail
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R

Richard Fangnail

Is there a simple way to check the RAM on an XP computer?

I found a thing called HCI test but people said it wasn't reliable.

There is a page for memtest86 and I thought it was very confusing -
wasn't sure which one to download, or how long it would take.

I've tried everything else re my recent firefox crashing problems.
 
Is there a simple way to check the RAM on an XP computer?

I found a thing called HCI test but people said it wasn't reliable.

There is a page for memtest86 and I thought it was very confusing -
Click to expand...


That's the one you should run.
 
Richard said:
Is there a simple way to check the RAM on an XP computer?

I found a thing called HCI test but people said it wasn't reliable.

There is a page for memtest86 and I thought it was very confusing -
wasn't sure which one to download, or how long it would take.

I've tried everything else re my recent firefox crashing problems.
Click to expand...

Memtest86+ /not/ memtest86 Richard. Download the latest zipped ISO,
unzip it, and burn it to a CD-R. The CR-R is then bootable. Many
consider Memtest86+ to be the gold standard of memory tests.

<http://www.memtest.org/download/2.11/memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip>

There is no shame in seeking local technical help for this if it's a
bit out of your comfort zone.

Memtest86+ should be allowed to run at least overnight if nothing
definitive is immediately located.

Have you run smartmontools yet to your HDD(s)? Have you checked your
event logs for tell tail entries?

Regards,

Pete
 
Richard said:
Is there a simple way to check the RAM on an XP computer?

I found a thing called HCI test but people said it wasn't reliable.

There is a page for memtest86 and I thought it was very confusing -
wasn't sure which one to download, or how long it would take.

I've tried everything else re my recent firefox crashing problems.
Click to expand...

I doubt very much that RAM is causing Firefox to crash!

I'm not sure you have tried everything else. Several people suggested
that you run Firefox in its Safe Mode (which is like IE's No Add-Ons
mode). If you have done this, I don't believe you posted the results.
And disabling particular plugins is not the same thing!

Another diagnostic method is to eliminate the culprit by configuring a
Clean Boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
 
The date and time was Friday, July 10, 2009 4:11:10 PM, and on a whim,
Daave pounded out on the keyboard:
I doubt very much that RAM is causing Firefox to crash!

I'm not sure you have tried everything else. Several people suggested
that you run Firefox in its Safe Mode (which is like IE's No Add-Ons
mode). If you have done this, I don't believe you posted the results.
And disabling particular plugins is not the same thing!

Another diagnostic method is to eliminate the culprit by configuring a
Clean Boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Click to expand...

Richard also started posting in FF support. I asked if he tried my
other suggestions. He just tried SM and no crashes...


Terry R.
 
Terry said:
The date and time was Friday, July 10, 2009 4:11:10 PM, and on a whim,
Daave pounded out on the keyboard:


Richard also started posting in FF support. I asked if he tried my
other suggestions. He just tried SM and no crashes...
Click to expand...

That's gotta mean something. ;-)
 
Daave said:
I doubt very much that RAM is causing Firefox to crash!

I'm not sure you have tried everything else. Several people suggested
that you run Firefox in its Safe Mode (which is like IE's No Add-Ons
mode). If you have done this, I don't believe you posted the results.
And disabling particular plugins is not the same thing!
Click to expand...

Clarification:

These things:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/

(not just "plugins"... *ALL* add-ons)
 
Richard Fangnail said:
Is there a simple way to check the RAM on an XP computer?

I found a thing called HCI test but people said it wasn't reliable.

There is a page for memtest86 and I thought it was very confusing -
wasn't sure which one to download, or how long it would take.

I've tried everything else re my recent firefox crashing problems.
Click to expand...
It might be time to cut your losses. You have been posting about this
problem since July 4. You could have copied your data off and reinstalled
Windows dozens of times during the time that you have spent trying to fix the
crashes.
 
Mark

How would reinstalling Windows fix a hardware problem?

Please note that I am not saying that Richard has a hardware problem!

--


Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Richard said:
Is there a simple way to check the RAM on an XP computer?

I found a thing called HCI test but people said it wasn't reliable.

There is a page for memtest86 and I thought it was very confusing -
wasn't sure which one to download, or how long it would take.

I've tried everything else re my recent firefox crashing problems.
Click to expand...

Hello Richard:

You have queried many newsgroups with as many problems. When help is
offered, you either don't take the advice or you don't seem to
understand what is being asked of you. It appears as if you have
limited technical skills that may place your remedial actions outside
your comfort zone.

Do one of the following:

1) Flatten and rebuild your system from the last known good full
system backup.

2) Flatten and rebuild using clean install for everything.

3) Take your system to a qualified tech and let them make your system
right.

4) Contact Ms. Mary Papa at the Santa Rosa Junior College and ask her
who are a few of the known good businesses in your local area. Ms.
Papa has probably trained more computer techs in your area than you
can imagine.


Your posts are approaching trollishness and you have begun to loose
the interest of those who could have helped you the most. I know
this reads a bit harsh. However, this is the best way you are going to
set your system right. I really wish you and your system well Richard.

Regards,

Pete
 
Gerry said:
Mark

How would reinstalling Windows fix a hardware problem?

Please note that I am not saying that Richard has a hardware problem!
Click to expand...

It wouldn't.

Please note that I am not saying that Richard has a hardware problem!

Mark
 
The date and time was Monday, July 13, 2009 8:23:00 AM, and on a whim,
Mark Adams pounded out on the keyboard:
It wouldn't.

Please note that I am not saying that Richard has a hardware problem!

Mark
Click to expand...

He doesn't. It started as Firefox crashing. He never responded to my
suggestions to start FF in Safe Mode or the links for troubleshooting.
I'm almost certain it's an add-in.

And now he's trying every other thing in the book even though no other
program or Windows is having any issues.


Terry R.
 
Terry said:
The date and time was Monday, July 13, 2009 8:23:00 AM, and on a whim,
Mark Adams pounded out on the keyboard:


He doesn't. It started as Firefox crashing. He never responded to my
suggestions to start FF in Safe Mode or the links for troubleshooting.
I'm almost certain it's an add-in.

And now he's trying every other thing in the book even though no other
program or Windows is having any issues.
Click to expand...

I've lost track, but I'm pretty sure he stated he did run FF in Safe
Mode in the Mozilla newsgroup. At first I thought he was having problems
with an extension, but now I'm leaning toward a conflict with some other
program (e.g., an antimalware program). And in a recent post, he stated:

"Today my IE7 became damaged and disappeared from my desktop."

I'm guessing he has screwed around too much (because IE7 cannot "become
damaged" all by itself!) and now a Clean Install wouldn't be a bad idea.
 
The date and time was Monday, July 13, 2009 10:41:35 AM, and on a whim,
Daave pounded out on the keyboard:
I've lost track, but I'm pretty sure he stated he did run FF in Safe
Mode in the Mozilla newsgroup. At first I thought he was having problems
with an extension, but now I'm leaning toward a conflict with some other
program (e.g., an antimalware program). And in a recent post, he stated:

"Today my IE7 became damaged and disappeared from my desktop."

I'm guessing he has screwed around too much (because IE7 cannot "become
damaged" all by itself!) and now a Clean Install wouldn't be a bad idea.
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,

The last one I read from him in the Moz groups he stated he ran FF in
Safe Mode with no crashes. But then stated, "but the next day", so I
took that as he wasn't running in SM any longer and the problem was back.

Since he is starting a new post with every process, along with WAY too
many ideas running through his head, I can't keep up with it any longer.

It's a simple fix and he has not stayed focused on taking it one step at
a time.



Terry R.
 
Terry R. said:
The date and time was Monday, July 13, 2009 10:41:35 AM, and on a whim,
Daave pounded out on the keyboard:


Hi Dave,

The last one I read from him in the Moz groups he stated he ran FF in
Safe Mode with no crashes. But then stated, "but the next day", so I
took that as he wasn't running in SM any longer and the problem was back.

Since he is starting a new post with every process, along with WAY too
many ideas running through his head, I can't keep up with it any longer.

It's a simple fix and he has not stayed focused on taking it one step at
a time.
Click to expand...

Which is why I suggested he cut his losses and reinstall. Of course, if he
had an image backup----
 
Where I am is, I run FF with no Javascript, but I enable it if I have
to. All plugins are disabled also.
I've really tried everything I can think of. I've decided not to
reinstall Windows as it's just too much.
I would like to know why FF suddenly started crashing with Javascript
but I may never know.
 
Richard said:
Where I am is, I run FF with no Javascript, but I enable it if I have
to. All plugins are disabled also.
I've really tried everything I can think of. I've decided not to
reinstall Windows as it's just too much.
I would like to know why FF suddenly started crashing with Javascript
but I may never know.
Click to expand...

Richard, many people have offered concrete suggestions. They (including
me) have asked you questions that you haven't answered.

You really need to run Firefox in Safe Mode for an *extended period of
time*. In case you need help, see this page:

http://www.insight-com.com/help-bb-7199.htm

Come back in 24 hours and let us know if it still crashes or not. The
only way to solve your problem is to use the scientific method. We need
data.

In the event you just want to give up on Firefox, there are other
browsers (including IE, of course) available. Another very good one is
Opera:

http://www.opera.com/

If you get the same crashes in Opera, you have some sort of system
problem or one of your other programs is causing a conflict. If not,
uninstall Firefox and be done with it!

P.S., Do you empty your browser cache? If not, DO SO!
 
Richard, many people have offered concrete suggestions. They (including
me) have asked you questions that you haven't answered.

You really need to run Firefox in Safe Mode for an *extended period of
time*. In case you need help, see this page:

http://www.insight-com.com/help-bb-7199.htm

Come back in 24 hours and let us know if it still crashes or not. The
only way to solve your problem is to use the scientific method. We need
data.

In the event you just want to give up on Firefox, there are other
browsers (including IE, of course) available. Another very good one is
Opera:
Click to expand...


I'll just throw in a quick comment about *my* favorite browser:
Maxthon. You don't have to have my opinion, of course, but I recommend
that you at least try it.
 
The date and time was Monday, July 13, 2009 1:45:07 PM, and on a whim,
Richard Fangnail pounded out on the keyboard:
Where I am is, I run FF with no Javascript, but I enable it if I have
to. All plugins are disabled also.
I've really tried everything I can think of. I've decided not to
reinstall Windows as it's just too much.
I would like to know why FF suddenly started crashing with Javascript
but I may never know.
Click to expand...

Richard,

It sounds like you have been doing way too many things trying to figure
this out. It would have been better to take a suggestion given to you
in your first post, report back, and then go with the next suggestion,
rather than take the wild goose chase you have been on.

As I said in the beginning, run FF in FF Safe Mode. If it doesn't
crash, create a new profile with the link I provided in the beginning
(if you can find the thread). Add an add-on and test it for a day. Add
another and test, etc, etc.


Terry R.
 
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