Memtest86 - Memory Diagnostic Tool

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Level 1

90 points

Memtest86 - Memory Diagnostic Tool

Hey Gang

Does anyone know how to get jump started with Memtest86?
http://www.memtest.org/

The site is a bit confusing - there's quite a lot of stuff to sort through. And it looks like it may be designed for windows? Anyway, it's not the easiet place to simply download the program, and get started. The forum registration process is written in French.

I'm told this is one of the better, (more accurate software programs to look for bad memory).

Thanx
Mike

Power Mac G5 1.8 - G4 1.4 Quicksilver, Mac OS X (10.4.11), G5: 4 Gigs RAM - ATI 9800 Pro AGP - #2 Internal Drives

Posted on Feb 15, 2009 6:39 PM

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Answer 1

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Feb 15, 2009 10:06 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

I've seen this recommended. Do you think you have bad RAM?
http://www.kelleycomputing.net/rember/

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Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 16, 2009 1:53 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

Applejack, Tiger (and Leopard Cache Cleaner) both make it easier to use built-in memtest in single user mode. Otherwise,

http://www.google.com/search?q=memtestosx

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Answer 3

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Feb 16, 2009 2:01 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

My experience with Rember is that, if RAM is bad, it finds it.
No real need for fancy GUI.......

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 16, 2009 3:02 AM in response to japamac

The nice thing about memtest, that Rember can't do, is run multiple concurrent tests in dozen or more command windows.

And if you use Rember, you can't test 80MB or something held by the system so you have to swap a DIMM.

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Answer 5

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Feb 16, 2009 3:16 AM in response to The hatter

As you say, these are nice things.
And, if one has a more subtle memory problem, or intermittent problems, Memtest may help find it easier with these features.

My point, is, that if Rember says the RAM has errors, it has errors.
After all, Rember is just the memtest command line in a different wrapper.

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Answer 6

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Feb 16, 2009 3:20 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

Does anyone know how to get jump started with Memtest86?

Memtest86 is a memory test for x86 (PC) computers.

(more accurate software programs to look for bad memory

I don't think that statement is accurate.
More features, yes.

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Answer 7

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Feb 16, 2009 6:50 AM in response to japamac

Hi japamac
Hi hatter

I had originally posted my question regarding 'Rember', and here's what I stated;

Rather than go through the hassle of using the Apple Restore Disc and Rebooting and all that Jazz, thought I'd try "Rember". But I'm not sure it does the job accurately? The Rember Scan Test Failed twice, but I doubt I actually have Bad RAM, because I have no symptoms, (none). Although at the time, I thought I did. The culprit was a bad Video Card. Everything runs smooth now. Here are screenshots of the Rember Test;
http://locationstudio.net/RemberTest-1.jpg
http://locationstudio.net/Rember2.jpg

The data is confusing as it doesn't actually point to bad ram, or where it is.

I also downloaded the Free Ware program called Temperature Monitor. It sensed a rating of 50C (fluctuating), for the Memory Controller Heatsink. I didn't quite understand that. But the Memory Controller Heat Sink had the highest temperature.

Memtest86 is totally confusing, there is no easy way out.
Mike

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Answer 8

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 16, 2009 7:35 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

Most people use AHT for a quick and painless hardware test of memory and logicboard, but then move to use memtest (putting a nice GUI around it, or not)

Finding memory errors - use to be iTunes was the best, and if you have panics, they will have an address. Otherwise, swap out RAM is also one recommended way to narrow down problems.

Your temps aren't out of the normal at all.

Did the test fail? or did the test run to completion and tell you there were errors? "Scan Test Failed" says it worked - at finding errors (unless you meant it couldn't run).

There have been problems with the OS X version of Memtest.... on ECC memory in Intel Mac Pro. On Intel Macs, you can boot a Vista DVD and it includes.... memtest! And which means it is running without an OS, more like single user mode command line.

I provided a link to "MemtestOSX" for your help.

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Answer 9

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Feb 16, 2009 7:47 AM in response to The hatter

Hi hatter

It seems, japamac likes the 'Rember' tool, and you've stated to 'forget it'. Anyway, the test results are as you see them in the log. Yes it FAILED twice. But again, if it's telling you there's bad ram, how the heck is it identified?
(see the log results in the screen shot).

"Most people use AHT for a quick and painless hardware test of memory and logicboard" Yes that would be fine if it identifies bad ram clearly? But I thought in the other post, you frowned down upon AHT?

Anyway my profile states, I'm using Tiger 10.4.11, using an older single core G5 1.8 No Intel processor here ...

Mike

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Answer 10

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 16, 2009 8:40 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

AHT is pretty much useless for finding memory errors... that people have or think they have. But, it does find some errors on ECC like parity errors better and faster. And DIMM slot problems. If it has any errors, fix those first before moving on to stage #2 tests.

We all agree that REMBER is just Memtest and a GUI. It even says so.

Rember is a package. Open the package, you can see memtest and what version, and even "upgrade" it to a later version (though unlikely it is needed).

READ some of the "Bad RAM" report on http://www.macintouch.com which is excellent. I usually start at Wikipedia on most topics, read up, links, and then go on to other articles.

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Answer 11

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Feb 16, 2009 9:15 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

I just ran Rember myself. First pops up a window detailing your RAM slots with green lights down the side (along with a checkbox to display this message at start up). I closed the window and ran the test set to all, one loop. Didn't move (16 gigs, go figure). Then I set it to 10 mbs and it worked out. Where were you in the process when you got an error?

Temperature Monitor is good, Hardware Monitor, by the same maker, is better, more data anyway. Your MCH temperature in my experience is on the low side, a good thing.

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Answer 12

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Feb 16, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Samsara

Hi Samsara

Thank you for staying with me on this. Did you see the screen shot I provided above? There's a log there too. Yes I got all the Green Lights down the side, it ran the process, and Failed. Maybe I should also set it for 10mbs? But I saw NO errors, just that it Failed. Should I try it again?

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Answer 13

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Feb 16, 2009 9:44 AM in response to Samsara

Samsara

U Dad Man!

All I had to do was reset to 10mbs (just like you did) 🙂

http://locationstudio.net/PASSED2.jpg

Thank you Samsara (wonder if Ram was really bad, it would identify it?)
Which stick?

Mike

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Answer 14

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Feb 16, 2009 10:11 AM in response to ENIGMACODE

Thanks E,

Yeah, I think this is why I only ran this app one or two times when I got it years ago.... it takes so long.

I don't know if there's an app that will identify what RAM or RAM slot is bad. I'm wondering if in that first window if RAM was bad, would a green light not show? I don't know.

Also meant to say that the MHC is usually the highest temp anyone will see on their mac and your temp was well below the norm, again, a good thing.
Best wishes,
Steve

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