How to check the status of ram memory in windows and mac osx

RAM memory diagnostic software is a program that thoroughly tests the current state of your computer's memory. The memory installed on your computer is very sensitive. It is always a good idea to run a memory test on the RAM you just installed to find possible errors. Of course, a memory evaluation is always recommended if you suspect that you may have a problem with existing RAM.

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How to know if the RAM is in good condition

For example, if the computer does not start at all, or if it restarts randomly, it could be due to some memory problems. It is also a good idea to check the memory if the programs crash, you hear sounds during a reboot, if you are seeing error messages such as 'invalid operation', or if you are receiving BSODs (Blue Screen of Death), such as “fatal exception” or "memory_management".

Try cleaning the contact areas of the SLOTS and reinstalling the memory, it is usually holy.

All memory test programs work outside of Windows, which means that each will work regardless of whether you have Windows (10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, etc.), Linux, or any PC operating system.

If memory diagnostics fails, replace memory immediately. The memory hardware on your computer is not serviceable and should be replaced if an error occurs.

To identify if there is a situation that requires action or if you are going to purchase and install more RAM for your PC, you need to do the RAM test.

Causes of RAM malfunction

• Old motherboard BIOS (upgrade required). Obsolete drivers and chipsets (update drivers and chipsets). RAM overheating. Bad RAM slot. Hardware incompatibility.

How to diagnose the status of RAM in Windows

MemTest86

Memtest86 is completely free and very easy to use to make your diagnoses. If you are short on time and need a test as soon as possible, try MemTest86. Just download the MemTest86 ISO image from the official site and burn it to a disc or flash drive. After that, you just have to boot from the disk or USB drive and you're done.

While this RAM diagnostic is free, PassMark also sells a Pro version, but unless you're a hardware developer, the free download and basic support on their website should suffice.

MemTest86 does not need an operating system to run a memory test. However, it does require an operating system to burn the program to a boot device. This can be done with any version of Windows, as well as Mac or Linux.

MemTest is one of the best programs for this functionality, used by many people, regardless of their level of computer knowledge.

This program checks the RAM memory for errors. In the event that something suspicious or in poor condition is identified with this hardware, you will be notified at the end of the scan.

If you prefer a more complete program, you can buy the Pro version. The free version can be downloaded from the official site or from program download websites.

Save it to a CD or a USB stick and have it boot into the system to read the file. Preferably, let the team do the full scan overnight so there are no search failures.

The test can take several minutes. You just have to be aware of the red lines that will indicate that the memory is wrong.

Despite being a program that is around 20 years old, it continues to be updated so that it does not fail in its reports and allows to reliably test the latest hardware, either 32-bit or 64-bit.

The screen is updated in real time, so that we can understand what is happening in particular. The truth is that the tests carried out are very technical. However, the logic is simple: taking into account the completeness of the reports presented, in case you see any detected error, the RAM will surely be defective and, as much as you don't want to, you will have to remove the slot with the memory damaged.

For users who plan to go further in some form of explanation, developers provide extensive documentation on diagnostic messages, including the ability to troubleshoot potential RAM memory error problems.

Memtest86 is probably the best software to detect problems in RAM memory. Basically you choose one of the three boot modes and let the software do the rest.

Windows memory diagnostics

'Windows Memory Diagnostic' is a free tool provided by Microsoft. Much like other tools, 'Windows Memory Diagnostic' performs a series of exhaustive tests to determine what is wrong with your PC's memory.

Just download the setup program, then follow the instructions to create a bootable disc or ISO image to burn to a disc or flash drive.

After startup, this program will automatically start memory checks and repeat the tests until you stop it.

If the first set of tests finds no errors, your RAM is likely in good shape.

To run this program you don't need to have Windows installed. However, you need access to one to burn the ISO image to the disc or USB device.

Through this test, the system will try to identify possible errors and the final result will inform you about the real situation of the RAM capacity.

To run the test, go to Control Panel> System and Security> Administrative tools> Windows memory diagnostics.

In Windows 10, you can type 'Windows Memory Diagnostic' in the search engine.

If you do not know how to find this option, just access the Control Panel and in the top menu write "memory" (without quotes) and the system itself will indicate the correct link.

After clicking on this tool Windows will be ready to perform the test. You can perform the test on the spot, which will cause the PC to restart and at the end of the procedure it will restart again to give you the test results.

In case you can't stop what you're doing right now, you can schedule the scan to take place the next time you turn on your PC, which will automatically start the procedure.

MemTest86 +

Memtest86 + is a modified and more current version of the original Memtest86, and it is also completely free. The use of Memtest86 + is recommended if you have problems running the diagnosis with Memtest86 or if when running Memtest86 and getting error reports with your memory you would like to have a very good second opinion.

Memtest86 + is available in ISO format for burning to disc or USB. As with Memtest86, you need an operating system like Windows, Mac, or Linux to create the boot disk or a flash drive, which can be done on a different computer than the one you need to test.

DocMemory

DocMemory is another tool that works very similarly to the other mentioned programs. One of the biggest disadvantages of using DocMemory is that a boot floppy is required to be created. Most computers today do not have floppy drives.

It is recommended to use DocMemory only if the other tools have not worked, or if you would like even more confirmation that your memory has failed. On the other hand, if your computer isn't capable of booting with a disk or USB drive, DocMemory may be exactly what you've been looking for.

You must register for free on the SimmTester site and then log in to your account, before reaching the download link. Although this option we put it for the most nostalgic .

How to diagnose the status of RAM memory on Mac

Here we suggest 3 different methods for the ease of running a memory test on your Mac OS X, including the most recent one, Mountain Lion 10.8. If you are worried that your Mac's RAM is malfunctioning, here are the symptoms and reliable tests to check its performance

Please note that testing takes a long time. Unless your Mac is exhibiting specific symptoms of bad RAM, running RAM diagnostics about once a year is recommended.

With the temperatures getting higher and higher, Macs suffer from some performance issues. And it can be said that heat is the Mac's worst enemy. However, there are some users whose older machines have problems with RAM.

If your RAM is troubled, or if the new modules you purchased to increase your Mac's memory are not of good quality, this will lead to crashes, corrupted data issues, and other performance issues, sometimes associated with higher temperatures. We are going to show you a simple way to check if the RAM is working perfectly.

RAM is the active workspace that OS X and applications use to run, and if there is a problem with RAM everything can be compromised, from performance to the data generated by the applications themselves.

Symptoms that your RAM memory is faulty

A faulty RAM memory manifests itself in different ways and at different times. As a general guideline, check one or more of the following symptoms, but be aware that they do not appear constantly: Very often, a problem only occurs when a portion of the RAM is used.

• Triple beep on startup: This is the clearest signal your Mac can give when RAM needs to be replaced. You will hear three beeps instead of the usual starting noise; and then the system will not boot. A startup error is always a bad sign, but the triple beep lets you know there is a problem with the RAM. Startup Failures: Even if there is not a triple beep, a startup failure can indicate a memory problem.. If this is constantly happening it is worth a test. Unexpected software bugs: An application crash can be caused by many things, but if this seems to be happening more than normal, you could point to a problem with RAM memory.The system freezes: also called 'kernel panics'. Corrupted files: every now and then, you will find that the saved files are corrupt, and this is normal. But if it is happening too often, the RAM may be faulty.

How to test RAM performance in Windows and MAC OSX

After executing the corresponding tests, it is a good idea (if your machine design allows it) to swap the RAM modules and do the tests again. This helps ensure that all locations in RAM are working correctly for diagnosis, and will therefore give you a more comprehensive report of the results.

Apple Hardware Test | MAC OSX

This is Apple's recommended way to test your memory using its diagnostic tool. On computers released after June 2013, the built-in tool is called Apple Diagnostics.

You can easily check the RAM using your Mac's native diagnostics. Restart or boot your Mac and hold down the D key as it starts up, this will take you to the diagnostic screen.

The Diagnostics section varies depending on the age of your Mac and OS: on older systems (where the diagnostic screen has a blue background), you will have to select the middle tab, called 'Hardware Tests', and put a check mark check next to 'Perform Extended Testing' and click on the big blue button called 'Test'.

If your system is newer, you will see that the RAM memory test starts automatically; the new interface has a black or gray background color.

You can also find that the diagnostic function has been removed from your system; This sometimes happens when the hard drive is formatted and you reinstall OS X.

If you hold down the D key only, the test screen will not appear; Try again, and this time holding down Option + D. Press Mac to search online for a set of downloadable tests.

Wait until the diagnostics are complete, and your Mac will tell you about problems with RAM.

We recommend that you run the RAM check in as clean an environment as possible. You should close all open applications, but the best solution is to use Safe Mode (hold down the Shift key while the system starts) or Single User Mode (hold down Command + S), as long as the diagnostic program that you are using allow it.

You can also view the amount of memory installed on your Mac in the 'Hardware Profile' tab to confirm that the memory is installed correctly and has been detected.

Before starting AHT, be sure to turn off all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and Ethernet adapter. Turn off all external hard drives.

If you are going to diagnose the memory of a portable Mac, follow these additional steps:

To prevent the computer from shutting down during the test, connect the appropriate power adapter to an electrical outlet. Place your computer on a solid, flat, and stable surface that allows proper air circulation under and around the computer (for example, a desk, table, or counter).

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To run the test, start your Mac and when you hear the boot beep press the Alt + D keys simultaneously. The test will start from Apple's servers.

This diagnosis can take around an hour, but it is the most complete test you can do on your Mac. You can draw some conclusions, through the report, sometimes a small error that makes all the difference in the performance of your computer.

If you see any errors, do not hesitate, change the RAM of your Mac. Many times the memory manufacturers extend the lifetime warranty on the memories, so before buying new RAM modules, make sure that the ones that you have damaged are not covered by this type of warranty.

Apple Hardware Test will also help you contact Apple technical support for additional assistance.

Rember

Rember is actually a graphical user interface for the popular MemTest OS X tool. Instead of typing commands in the terminal, you can run the diagnosis by clicking a button.

You will be able to test a selected amount or the entire memory, specifying the number of times that the tests should be run and also the display of the log.

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Rember will display a table with the memory detected on your Mac. Select the amount of memory to analyze, the number of loops and click the 'Test' button to start the memory check. When the tests are finished, Rember will show you the results of the diagnosis.

Rember runs on Mac OS X, which means that not all RAM can be checked, as part of it is reserved for internal management.

Includes a log that allows the user to monitor all diagnostics in memory. Rember is designed to simplify testing and diagnosing these problems.

Memtest86 + MAC OSX

If your Mac has a SuperDrive drive, you can burn the Memtest86 + ISO image and boot your PC or your Mac with the disc. Just press and hold the C key while your Mac starts to boot from disk. The good thing about Memtest86 + is that it runs on its own without depending on the operating system, giving a more accurate diagnosis result. You can also try it in Windows 10 or directly create your own pendrive to boot it from the BIOS.

Memtest Suite

Open the terminal and type the following command:

memtest all 2

After executing this command the diagnostic will be launched immediately, which will test all modules twice. If you want you can put another number, to perform the memory test with your preferences, however, twice is enough to give you reliable results.

Identify the faulty module

If your computer has more than one memory module, it will be necessary to identify which module is encountering the problem.

• Remove all memory modules from your PCI Insert only one module and do a test Record the results and repeat the process with a different memory module Discard the faulty modules and replace them with other modules

Extra trick : With a cream gum clean the contacts of your RAM memory module. You will leave it looking like new and possibly at least start your computer.

It is worth remembering that the substitute modules must be compatible in the same way as the previous ones. What did you think of our tutorial on how to check the status of RAM ? Also remember that the memory usually has a lifetime warranty (or 10 years in Europe, it depends on the manufacturer, it may vary) and you can manage directly with your manufacturer in the RMA section.

We look forward to hearing your comments!