How to Interpret Memtest86+ Results?

[darkarn]

Hi, as some of you may have read, I am now testing the RAM of my bro's computer with Memtest86+ as I suspect it is the cause of random freezes and crashes recently.

I understand that to confirm that the RAM is the problem, I need to test each stick of RAM for at least 12 passes and see if there is any red line or errors.

Currently, I am testing the third stick of RAM (1st stick and 2nd stick no errors after at least 12 passes) and I noticed that it is being unusually slow. It took over 3 hours and still had not finished the 2nd pass, while for the other two sticks, they would be at the 4th pass by the 3rd hour.

Am I right to say that this stick of RAM has a problem? (Now still doing the test)

Rig's Information for Reference
CPU: Intel i7-930
Mobo: MSI X58 Pro-E
RAM: Kingston HyperX 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) KHX1600C8D3K3/6GX
GPU: Sapphire HD7850
PSU: CoolerMaster M620

 

[darkarn]

Update: Strange, 24 passes, no errors too.

Let's see what happens when I test with two sticks...

 

[wwenze]

Your sticks are they same model?

Memtest will show the speed and cas latency etc...

 

[koohansen]

Sometimes it's not the RAM. Mainboard is also possible.

Tried the eraser trick yet?
Use those white eraser and rub on the RAM pins gently

 

[yusoffb01]

Random freeze/restart? Replace lousy cooler master psu.

4 year old graphics card can be the problem too

 

[darkarn]

Your sticks are they same model?

Memtest will show the speed and cas latency etc...

They are from the same kit and Memtest show that they have same speed and CAS latency.

Sometimes it's not the RAM. Mainboard is also possible.

Tried the eraser trick yet?
Use those white eraser and rub on the RAM pins gently

I am hoping that it is not the mainboard (which would then mean need to do overhaul). I have already cleaned the pins, let's see if still got errors (none so far)

Random freeze/restart? Replace lousy cooler master psu.

4 year old graphics card can be the problem too

Hmmm. Maybe I should go test with Prime95 too to confirm these?

And now I testing all three sticks again (where I saw all the errors in the first place). Let's see if they come up again even after cleaning the RAM contacts and removing dust from the computer...

 

[darkarn]

Doing a Prime95 test now to see overall stability...

 

[darkarn]

7 hours, no errors so far. Had to stop testing cos' bro needed the PC.

Should I schedule for a 24 hour test?

 

[wwenze]

Test all 3 sticks together and see the speed.

To confirm stability you have to do that anyway

 

[darkarn]

Test all 3 sticks together and see the speed.

To confirm stability you have to do that anyway

What speed do you mean? The RAM speed stated or how many passes it can do in 6 hours?

 

[darkarn]

My bro should be leaving the house for his reservist in about 6 hours' time. This means that I can do some more testing on his computer.

I think I will go ahead with a Prime95 test for 24 hours straight.

 

[tungsten2]

Prime95 is not a test for ram.
You are not thinking straight.

Ran memtest for 30 mins, all sticks of it.
If no errors or red colour comes out, your ram is ok.

If got errors, the test stick by stick

 

[MoneyFace =p]

I rather just test once and stop if good to go cos testing more will only increase the probability of getting error since you are abusing the RAM on every test.

 

[Steyr69]

Is this a newly assembled system?

Sent from Asus ME173X using GAGT

 

[darkarn]

Prime95 is not a test for ram.
You are not thinking straight.

Ran memtest for 30 mins, all sticks of it.
If no errors or red colour comes out, your ram is ok.

If got errors, the test stick by stick

I am going to use Prime95 for overall system stability testing, not just the RAM. All RAM has been tested stick by stick without any errors for at least 12 hours each.

Before all these tests, the system was facing mysterious freezes that which would not go away despite some measures like removing dust and repasting (I thought heat issue) and doing only selective booting (i.e. let only essential services start at boot).

So I suspected the RAM and I started all these as the initial "all sticks" test gave me errors but after cleaning the RAM contacts and removing the dust in the system, I did a second "all sticks" test and no errors for 6 hours.

tl;dr: I just want to be really sure that the problem is no more; after all the problem may lie elsewhere.

I rather just test once and stop if good to go cos testing more will only increase the probability of getting error since you are abusing the RAM on every test.

True, that's why I need to be a bit careful with the testing too.

Is this a newly assembled system?

Sent from Asus ME173X using GAGT

It is a 4 to 5 years old system.

 

[localITguy]

Prime95 is not a test for ram.
You are not thinking straight.

Ran memtest for 30 mins, all sticks of it.
If no errors or red colour comes out, your ram is ok.

If got errors, the test stick by stick

30 mins is not enough to verify that the rams are OK.

some ram issues takes time to show up

 

[Steyr69]

I would like to think should focus on what new parts or programs are being added before all these unstability occurs.

Sent from Asus ME173X using GAGT

 

[sillyb0y]

Hi, as some of you may have read, I am now testing the RAM of my bro's computer with Memtest86+ as I suspect it is the cause of random freezes and crashes recently.

I understand that to confirm that the RAM is the problem, I need to test each stick of RAM for at least 12 passes and see if there is any red line or errors.

Currently, I am testing the third stick of RAM (1st stick and 2nd stick no errors after at least 12 passes) and I noticed that it is being unusually slow. It took over 3 hours and still had not finished the 2nd pass, while for the other two sticks, they would be at the 4th pass by the 3rd hour.

Am I right to say that this stick of RAM has a problem? (Now still doing the test)

Rig's Information for Reference
CPU: Intel i7-930
Mobo: MSI X58 Pro-E
RAM: Kingston HyperX 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) KHX1600C8D3K3/6GX
GPU: Sapphire HD7850
PSU: CoolerMaster M620

test with 24 hours / 100 passes.

if run smooth mean ram ok.


then run hdd test..


lastly graphics card load test. use furmark

 

[darkarn]

30 mins is not enough to verify that the rams are OK.

some ram issues takes time to show up

Yep, those red lines appeared about 2 hours into the test.

I would like to think should focus on what new parts or programs are being added before all these unstability occurs.

Sent from Asus ME173X using GAGT

You are right, I have decided to change tactics (that's why I have not tested at all today.).

test with 24 hours / 100 passes.

if run smooth mean ram ok.


then run hdd test..


lastly graphics card load test. use furmark

100 passes a bit high leh for 24 hours

 

[darkarn]

And ok guys, by luck, I saw a post here (but not in this thread) pointing me to WhatCrashed, a program for diagnosing crashes.

I tried with my laptop, did pretty well in showing me possible causes of previous BSODs (I was using an old version of the driver for a peripheral for schoolwork, another story for another thread I guess).

So, I will install it on the PC and see whether got crash/freeze or not. If got, hope that the program can help diagnose it. I guess this is a more efficient way of finding the problem?