Properly working memory is a critical component of a computer.
Random Access Memory (RAM) provides a temporary storage place for data before it gets written to disk. RAM also provides a place for the computer to store application information for quick retrieval. Problems with RAM can crash your computer, corrupt data or cause other issues that prevent the system from operating correctly.
Instructions
1. Download a memory testing application. Several free testing applications are available. Memtest86+ or MemScope provide the ability to test RAM without expensive hardware testing devices. Use the working computer to create a bootable CD, floppy or USB drive for the Memtest86+ or MemScope applications.
2. Boot the malfunctioning computer from the bootable CD, USB drive or floppy. Both Memtest86+ and Memscope launch directly into their testing applications. This allows the the applications to test as much memory as possible without the overhead of an operating system.
3. Select the level of testing. Each application allows the user to choose how thoroughly to test the memory. More detailed testing permits the user to identify infrequent or intermittent memory faults or problems that only occur when the system runs for a period of time.
4. Run the tests. Once started, the application runs through a series of tests looking for error conditions as each block of memory is addressed. Memory testing applications do not provide the thoroughness of hardware testing devices because they use memory themselves -- but should be sufficient to locate major defects.
5. Swap one memory stick out at a time. If the testing applications do not find any faults in the memory and the problems still persist. you may try swapping out one memory stick out with a known good memory stick and test the computer. This requires you to remove the case cover to gain access to the motherboard directly. With the computer turned off, open the clamps holding the memory to the motherboard and remove one stick and replace it with the known good one. Turn the computer on and boot into your regular operating system and test the functionality of your applications. Repeat for each stick of memory until all of them are tested. If the problem still persists, the issue is not with memory.
Tags: testing applications, memory stick, hardware testing, hardware testing devices, known good