Testing DDR2 RAM Module using Memtest86

  • Thread starter Thread starter pg
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pg

There are two types of memtest86 out there that you can use to stress
test your DDR2 RAM modules.

You can download them from

www.memtest86.com/download.html

www.memtest.org/#downis

My machine is less than 3 month old, it has 4 GB (4 X 1GB of DDR2 800
RAM Modules) of memory. Lately, however, I start to get error message
somehow. So I download those thing, and put them to test my DDR2 RAM
modules.

Wow ! Errors everywhere !

All the four RAM modules failed ! Talk about luck, or rather, lack of
it.

The RAM module all came with "lifetime warranty", but I get all 4
modules failed (all same brand, same speed rating, etc), I think it's
better that I go buy 4 more of a different brand.

Anyone got recommendation on which brand of DDR2 modules that pass the
2 memtest86 test listed above?

Thanks !
 
pg said:
There are two types of memtest86 out there that you can use to stress
test your DDR2 RAM modules.

You can download them from

www.memtest86.com/download.html

www.memtest.org/#downis

My machine is less than 3 month old, it has 4 GB (4 X 1GB of DDR2 800
RAM Modules) of memory. Lately, however, I start to get error message
somehow. So I download those thing, and put them to test my DDR2 RAM
modules.

Wow ! Errors everywhere !

All the four RAM modules failed ! Talk about luck, or rather, lack of
it.

The RAM module all came with "lifetime warranty", but I get all 4
modules failed (all same brand, same speed rating, etc), I think it's
better that I go buy 4 more of a different brand.

Anyone got recommendation on which brand of DDR2 modules that pass the
2 memtest86 test listed above?

Thanks !
Click to expand...

Did you test the modules one at a time ?

Were you running the modules at stock speed and timing ?

Did you increase Vdimm above the stock 1.8V ? Some modules
need a bit more voltage to function well. Voltage tuning
is a normal part of DDR2 ownership.

If all modules still give errors, even with extra
voltage, I would suspect the motherboard.

Paul
 
pg said:
There are two types of memtest86 out there that you can use to stress
test your DDR2 RAM modules.

You can download them from

www.memtest86.com/download.html

www.memtest.org/#downis

My machine is less than 3 month old, it has 4 GB (4 X 1GB of DDR2 800
RAM Modules) of memory. Lately, however, I start to get error message
somehow. So I download those thing, and put them to test my DDR2 RAM
modules.

Wow ! Errors everywhere !

All the four RAM modules failed ! Talk about luck, or rather, lack of
it.

The RAM module all came with "lifetime warranty", but I get all 4
modules failed (all same brand, same speed rating, etc), I think it's
better that I go buy 4 more of a different brand.

Anyone got recommendation on which brand of DDR2 modules that pass the
2 memtest86 test listed above?

Thanks !
Click to expand...

Or your motherboard is dying...

Ari

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spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
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Did you test the modules one at a time ?
Click to expand...

First run, all at once. Got errors all over the place.

After that, run the test, one module at a time. Still got errors,
every each one of them.
Were you running the modules at stock speed and timing ?
Click to expand...

Yes. I even try to run them at reduced speed - the modules are clocked
for 800, and I tried running them at speed of 667 and even at 553.
Still giving errors !

I tried them on different machines, using different motherboards.
Errors !
Did you increase Vdimm above the stock 1.8V ? Some modules
need a bit more voltage to function well. Voltage tuning
is a normal part of DDR2 ownership.
Click to expand...

I run the DDR2 according to the specs - afraid that if I increase the
voltage, the modules may overheat and got damaged. Will try to do
that, and will run the test again. Thanks for your suggestion !
If all modules still give errors, even with extra
voltage, I would suspect the motherboard.
Click to expand...
Paul
Click to expand...

I run the test using different motherboards, with different brand
names - foxxconn, asus, abit and msi.

That is why I'm looking for new RAM modules. Any suggestion ?

Thanks !
 
Or your motherboard is dying...

Ari
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. As my message to Paul, I ran the test using
several motherboards of different brand names. Modules still giving
errors.

Any suggestion as to which brand name(s) of RAM modules that you think
are of the better quality ?

Thanks again !
 
pg said:
I run the test using different motherboards, with different brand
names - foxxconn, asus, abit and msi.

That is why I'm looking for new RAM modules. Any suggestion ?

Thanks !
Click to expand...

The normal voltage for DDR2 is 1.8V. You can easily run
the modules at 2.0V without a problem, to see if the
error rate drops. That is probably what the module
is looking for, is a little help on the Vdimm.

To spot good memory, try reading the reviews for each item here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Subcategory=147&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=

For example, the customers didn't like this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820141017

By comparison, this stuff got a better rating.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820161677&Pagesize=100

Some of the reviews may even mention how much voltage
they needed to get them to run well.

Paul
 
The normal voltage for DDR2 is 1.8V. You can easily run
the modules at 2.0V without a problem, to see if the
error rate drops. That is probably what the module
is looking for, is a little help on the Vdimm.
Click to expand...

Thanks ! I'll try that !!
To spot good memory, try reading the reviews for each item here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=201017014...

For example, the customers didn't like this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820141017

By comparison, this stuff got a better rating.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820161677...

Some of the reviews may even mention how much voltage
they needed to get them to run well.

Paul
Click to expand...

Thanks again for the info !! You're a big help !!!!
 
pg said:
Thanks for your input. As my message to Paul, I ran the test using
several motherboards of different brand names. Modules still giving
errors.

Any suggestion as to which brand name(s) of RAM modules that you think
are of the better quality ?

Thanks again !
.0
Click to expand...
Pg, I think most of us would agree that you'd likely not go wrong if you
used Crucial ram, determining your specific need from their on-site methods.
HTH, s
 
sdlomi2 said:
Pg, I think most of us would agree that you'd likely not go wrong if you
used Crucial ram, determining your specific need from their on-site methods.
HTH, s
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
pg said:
I run the test using different motherboards, with different brand
names - foxxconn, asus, abit and msi.

That is why I'm looking for new RAM modules. Any suggestion ?
Click to expand...

If you don't live near a store that's very tolerant of multiple
exchanges of bad RAM, avoid modules whose chips that lack the actual
chip maker's full part number markings, the kind that, when Googled,
turn up data sheets containing tons of timing specifications. One
way to get the right modules is to buy Crucial/Micron, whose modules
almost always have either Micron- or Samsung-marked chips.

Test modules not just alone but also together because some will test
fine by themselves but show tons of errors when run with 2-3 other
modules. A month ago, I had to go through three sets of OCZ paired
modules until I found a pair that didn't have bad bits in one of its
modules.
 
pg said:
Thanks for your input. As my message to Paul, I ran the test using
several motherboards of different brand names. Modules still giving
errors.

Any suggestion as to which brand name(s) of RAM modules that you think
are of the better quality ?

Thanks again !
Click to expand...

Test your PSU before sending the RAM back. If the PSU is good and
powerful enough then you probably have bad RAM. I have seen failing or
"cheap" PSU's cause memory problems before.

Bob
 
pg said:
First run, all at once. Got errors all over the place.

After that, run the test, one module at a time. Still got errors,
every each one of them.


Yes. I even try to run them at reduced speed - the modules are clocked
for 800, and I tried running them at speed of 667 and even at 553.
Still giving errors !

I tried them on different machines, using different motherboards.
Errors !


I run the DDR2 according to the specs - afraid that if I increase the
voltage, the modules may overheat and got damaged. Will try to do
that, and will run the test again. Thanks for your suggestion !



I run the test using different motherboards, with different brand
names - foxxconn, asus, abit and msi.

That is why I'm looking for new RAM modules. Any suggestion ?

Thanks !
Click to expand...

My problem was just the reverse. One of my new RAM units (three new 500
GB units) failed on boot up or shortly after. Found out which one it
was. Tested the unit it passed. Tested it in each slot. Tested with
other RAM units. Passed the tests (ran for about 30 minutes at full
rated speed.) Replaced the unit that gave blue screen of death and all
was well. Go figure! Note it can't be ths hardware slot since the tests
work.
FK
 
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