A lot of laptop and desktop computer problems are caused by a failed memory or a failing memory module. As a laptop repair technician I test memory modules every time I get a laptop for repair. I have tried many different memory testing utilities but finally I stopped on Memtest 86+. So far it is one of the best free memory test utilities and I use it everyday. You can find this utility on the Memtest 86+ homepage.
To test your memory modules you have to do next:
- download Memtest 86+.
Choose Download – Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip) if you want to burn it on CD. Choose Download – Pre-Compiled package for Floppy (DOS – Win) if you want to place the utility on a floppy disk. I usually use CD because most computers have a CD drive and it’s much faster to start the test from a CD disc.
- Change the boot order on your computer to boot from a floppy drive or from a CD/DVD drive.
- Insert the floppy disk or the CD disc with Memtest 86+ into the computer.
- Start the computer.
If you did everything right, you computer will start from the floppy or the CD and the memory testing utility will start automatically.
If your memory passed the test, you will not see any red error messages.
I usually allow a memory module pass the test 4-5 times. I’ve seen many times that a failing memory doesn’t fail the test on the firs pass and then fails on the second or third pass.
If your memory failed the test you will see red error messages.
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February 3rd, 2012 at 10:37 am
Wayne,
It’s possible but unlikely that both memory cards failed.
Try removing the wireless card. Maybe it failed and the laptop doesn’t boot because of that.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:01 am
@ Nathan,
If you have two memory modules installed, remove them one by one and test each module separately. Find out which one is failing and replace it with a new module.
February 1st, 2012 at 9:37 pm
I have a toshiba satellite A505D-S6987 and I’ve had this trouble before about 20 months ago. My computer has the power light and when I press the power button the other power light comes on. I hear a click from the speakers and the fan is on. Before I just kept unplugging it and plugging it back in and it started working again. Now my clock started to change by itself and the wifi started to turn off by itself. I restarted my computer and held down the zero button as it started up and it made all the beeps like it did before when I reset it, but it was starting normally. as it was starting I went to start and clicked on shut down. The power light and the wifi light wouldn’t turn off even though everything was turned off. After that it did the same thing and wouldn’t start up anymore. I tested my hard drive with an external hard drive and another computer and I did what you said to do with my memory cards. Is there a chance that both of my memory cards are bad and that the first time it happened that one of them went bad? The first time it happened my computer was only about 8 months old. I moved to Japan and couldn’t send it in for repairs. I’m still in Japan now and need some advise. Thank you,
Wayne
January 29th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
I have got 232 errors!
What do I need to do for further steps?
October 30th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@ joe,
Yes, it needs more time. Let it pass at least one time. When I suspect memory failure, I let it run overnight to pass a few times.
October 29th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
can i get more detail on how to use this program? because i let it run for 15 minutes and completed test #7 without any errors but at the bottom says pass 0. did the program need more time?
July 15th, 2011 at 5:12 am
hellothere i have my friends inspiron 1520 and cant do anything on the comp for more than 10 secs before it crashes i ran memtest 86 and that crashed and said one error…………AAAAAARRRGGGGG!!!!
Please help
Ash
June 8th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
what about if the laptop will not power up at all
June 8th, 2010 at 8:34 am
I have opened my Toshiba statelite A65 cleaned the heat sink, check all the cable as soon as i put it on the screen show with a few lines and the line go away it stays on for a while and shut down how do i narrow the fault to. is the integrated memory apparently some fans can shut down but not the computer . how and where do i check the power supply connector.
thanks for the assistance
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