Windows Memory Tester How reliable?

[Dave]

Hello. I recently bought a Dell XPS 600 and it has been quite unstable,
crashing with numerous blue stop screens with different error codes that can
be found here:-
http://www.zen70645.zen.co.uk/crash/
It has a clean updated install of Windows XP with the latest driver
updates. So I suspected faulty hardware.
I tested the RAM with memtest86. I left it running overnight and it passed
all the tests. I then tried the Windows Memory Tester:-
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp And it failed straight away. It ran
the first 2 tests and failed, then it locked up while running the third test
with a garbled flashing square appearing on the screen.
It does this every time I run this program.

I'm wondering how valid this test is. Does anyone know if it's possible the
test is incompatible with the type of memory Dell ships the XPS 600 with and
therefore produces false negative results?
The memory is 'DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM'

Thanks.

 

[Vic]

Dave, memory issues can certainly cause problems you are having. Regarding testers, I prefer "GoldMemory" http://www.goldmemory.cz/

I have not tried Windows memory tester nor have I ever heard reports on the accuracy of it. GoldMemory in my opinion, is the best,
furthermore its been around for MANY years and is recognised by chip makers as reliable accurate software for determining a chips
integrity.

If your memory passes its tests in all likelyhood it is good. One other thing, you said the OS is a fresh install so I am assuming
the setup is (currently) a 'plain Jane' setup. Have you looked at BIOS settings?

Until lockups are resolved my approach is to go with CONSERVATIVE settings on everything (OS and HW). Once you have a reliable,
stable system then go for performance if speed is an issue.

___

 

[Dave]

Dave, memory issues can certainly cause problems you are having. Regarding
testers, I prefer "GoldMemory" http://www.goldmemory.cz/

I have not tried Windows memory tester nor have I ever heard reports on
the accuracy of it. GoldMemory in my opinion, is the best,
furthermore its been around for MANY years and is recognised by chip
makers as reliable accurate software for determining a chips
integrity.

If your memory passes its tests in all likelyhood it is good. One other
thing, you said the OS is a fresh install so I am assuming
the setup is (currently) a 'plain Jane' setup. Have you looked at BIOS
settings?

Until lockups are resolved my approach is to go with CONSERVATIVE settings
on everything (OS and HW). Once you have a reliable,
stable system then go for performance if speed is an issue.

___

Hello
I tried the shareware version of Goldtest and the program/computer locked up
after about 3 mins. It didn't report any errors but the crashing of a memory
testing program is not a good sign I guess?....

 

[Malke]

Hello
I tried the shareware version of Goldtest and the program/computer
locked up after about 3 mins. It didn't report any errors but the
crashing of a memory testing program is not a good sign I guess?....

That could mean the memory is bad and not be anything about Goldtest,
but if Goldtest is run from within Windows you don't want that anyway
(and I don't know if it is since I don't use it).

I use Memtest86+ from www.memtest86.org.

Malke

 

[Dave]

That could mean the memory is bad and not be anything about Goldtest,
but if Goldtest is run from within Windows you don't want that anyway
(and I don't know if it is since I don't use it).

I use Memtest86+ from www.memtest86.org.

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

Hi. No I didn't run it from withing windows.
All the memory testers I've used:- memtest86, MS Windows Memory tester,
Goldtest, Documem have been run from a boot floppy. The program is loaded
before the operating system.
Memtest86 is the only one that works. I've run it for about 9 hours and it
passes. All the others crash after a few seconds or minutes and the
Microsoft program actually reports errors. I originally posted here to see
if there is an issue with MS Windows Memory tester
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp and 'DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM' whereby
it can't be used with it because of reporting false negatives.

 

[Rock]

Hello
I tried the shareware version of Goldtest and the program/computer locked up
after about 3 mins. It didn't report any errors but the crashing of a memory
testing program is not a good sign I guess?....

If you have two sticks of memory take one out and try it with each one
separately. Try new, known good memory.

 

[Vic]

Sorry to hear you are still dealing with this issue. Rock gave some advise I would follow. You might also try swapping slots if you
have two memory sticks. Even if there is just one it could help to remove the stick and reseat it, observing precautions for static
electricity of course. The purpose for this is to:
1) be sure stick is seated properly (I had to do this recently because of bad mem test also)
2) removing and reseating can help 'clean' electrical contacts

You know, the problems you are having are actually severe and could be caused by any number of things. It would help to know if this
computer is new/used, laptop/desktop. Some possibilities:
1) correct memory chips being used?
2) are BIOS settings at DEFAULT? (no overclocking allowed now!)
3) excess heat also causes lockups, are the cooling fans working and vents clear, all dust blown out?
4) hardware problem (other accessory cards), remove all but video and try (no sound, network etc)
being you are booting from multiple floppys, with its own OS, your Win setup (software) is eliminated;
this leaves you with bad memory, or CPU, or MOBO, or video, or power supply, or floppy drive, as far as HW

That's about it in brief. I'd check the BIOS and let us know if it is set correctly. Check for proper cooling. If your BIOS shows
CPU temp's let us know what they are. Also let us know if you have a new/used, desktop/laptop. After the BIOS and cooling you have
to look at HW issues. The list above puts them in order of likelyhood of problem. BTW, a CPU cooling fan which has stopped, or even
slowed could cause the same lockups you describe!

All the best
Vic
___

 

[char1iecha1k]

Use memtest86+ its more up-to-date and will support ddr2