Software is available to test your computer's memory chips.
If you experience strange behavior from your computer, such as errors when running applications or intermittent freezing up, these symptoms could be an indication of a bad memory chip.
Instructions
1. Listen for your computer's BIOS beep codes. When you turn your computer on, it will perform a self-test. If all is well, you should hear one beep. If you hear multiple beeps or a long beep, this is a diagnostic code that there is a problem. Refer to your computer's owner's manual to find the beep code that indicates a bad memory chip.
2. Run Windows' memory test diagnostic utility. For Windows XP, use Microsoft's Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. Instructions and downloading are found at oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp. For Windows 7, click on the Control Panel, System Maintenance, Administrative Tools, then Memory Diagnostics Tool. Click the option and your computer will restart and automatically run the memory test.
3. Download Memtest86 from memtest86.com. This is a free and very comprehensive memory test program. Other commercial programs are available for purchase at your local computer store and online.
4. Substitute your memory modules. Replacing your memory module with a known good module and then seeing if your problem is corrected is perhaps the most accurate test. This does, however, require you to purchase a memory module. If you have more than one module, change out one at a time and check to see if the problem is solved.
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