Computer Help Blog

Memtest86 is one of the few tools that can accurately be used to test memory, but there are some issues people encounter that should be noted. First of all, Memtest86 is a downloadable ISO that can burned to a R/W:CD or R/W:DVD. To successfully boot off of a CD or DVD with memtest86 on it, you must first access your BIOS and make your CD/DVD drive your first bootable device, if it is not set already by default.

Memtest86 will properly test your RAM for errors if used correctly. Some things to keep in mind when using the program that are very important are:

- Just because a problem shows up in the RAM, doesn't mean it is indefinitely the RAM. It can also be a processor issue at some times. The best way to determine this is by running the test on either a single processor, or round robin processing, to eliminate or determine a threat, depending on the testing you are performing. For example, you are running a single stick of RAM through multi-core, and an error comes up. The next step is to cycle the ram through single core processing, one, than the second. If the error only comes up during the 4 cycles with a single processor, your hardware errors may be more serious than simply the RAM.

- The current version of Memtest on their site is 3.5 and it is also noted that version 3.5 will only properly test UNDER 4 GB of total ram. Which means you need to load test 3.4 (which is option 3 when booting up memtest.) Using the current version of memtest with 4gb or more of RAM will result in often false positives around test 7, and in other places as well. If you make this mistake your test is NO LONGER ACCURATE.

- Using memtest should require AT LEAST a few cycles (in this program's terms, a cycle is running all the tests 1-9 consecutively from start to finish with no modification, not running a selected test a few times), it is something that should be tested overnight. I urge people that use memtest to test ram to not simply run a single cycle and decide everything is functional and fine. I typically work in the environment of 4-6 cycles if I am on the clock for time. A functional computer without issues should be able to cycle memtest over the length of weeks at a time without incurring an error while running the test.

- There are cases where RAM is dual channeled, when errors happen with Dual Channel RAM, it is encouraged that the RAM is afterward tested one stick at a time, to isolate the errors. In Dual Channel RAM I have encountered cases where the ram was both coming back faulty, when it was only an issue for a single stick.

In today's day and age, upgrading a computer isn't as simple as it was when Counter-Strike was the game to play. Back then, the answer was the video card 99% of the time and that was it. These days, it is much more complicated. Now, a computer will choke if not properly upgraded. The following is a list of things to take careful consideration when upgrading a computer:

- Is the socket of my CPU the same as the one I would like to upgrade to? (The most common socket is the 775, next to the 1156. This is extremely important to note compatibility.)
- Can my current Power supply handle the upgrade I want to make (this is especially big in video card upgrades these days, (and even more important for those who are considering using SLI or CrossFire Technology.)
- Will the upgrade I want to make choke a different part of my computer making this upgrade less than efficient? (Putting a GTX260 in a computer running a low end core 2 duo and 2gb of ram is really not going to be worth a 200 dollar purchase.)
- Can my motherboard support the upgrade that I am attempting to make? (Is it SLI ready, does it support SATA drives, etc.)
- Does my computer have the capacity to handle the upgrade I want to make? (Could comprise of a number of issues.)
- Will it be necessary to purchase additional cooling with an upgrade of a product? (That new Overclock ready processor is really cheap, but the house is starting to burn! )
- Will this part fit in my current computer tower? (Most ATX mids are able to handle upgrades, but not everyone uses that tower.)

These are just some questions that one should ask themselves when considering to upgrade the computer. At times, I find customers that quickly answer no to many of these, thus no longer warranting a purchase. (Yes I build computers for a living, but I am not a dick, I won't let someone short change themselves, it's bad for business.)

It's important to do your homework before upgrading, homework I am willing to assist you in on your journey to building or upgrading a new PC, or making an older one give you that tingly feeling it did inside when you first purchased it.