How to test a laptop or a desktop computer memory modules
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.
Entry Filed under: Hardware Test Utilities
81 Responses to “How to test a laptop or a desktop computer memory modules”
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Pages: « 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 [1] Show All
April 17th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
Hi,
I have a Toshiba M35x-S149. Its motherboad and cover was replaced about 9 months ago because of power problems…
Now, I have a strange problem…. when I power on or open lid to start from standby, it takes few minutes before any sign of life, i.e. not disk activity, screen blank, power light is blue and front light is green indicating it is powered on.
After few minutes, it will start to come alive, i.e. disk activity and regular startup.
Oh, I installed XP home edition from the recovery CD and reformatted the HD.
Any ideas/sugesstions…
needless to say, it is out of warranty:(
Thanks very much
April 12th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
Hi J Nehu,
All disassembly guides I have created are posted on the Toshiba laptop disassembly website. Unfortunately, I haven’t created a guide for Toshiba Satellite 1135 yet. Read through other disassembly guides and you will be able to take you lappy apart. All disassembly guides are very similar.
April 12th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Ca you help me find a repair guide for a Sat 1135-s155.
Thank in Advance
April 11th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Hi Monbollo,
Toshiba Satellite A60 and A65 laptops have a memory integrated into the system board, that’s why you cannot find it. There is only one empty slot available for upgrading the memory size. If the onboard memory is bad then the entire system board has to be replaced.
April 11th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
Hello!
My nephew has a Toshiba A65-SP126 Model No. PSA60U-01C010 laptop which has failed twice in different times -apparently due to a defective RAM-. The first failure was within the warranty period and just now again, when it is out of warranty. According to the info obtained from a test CD, the amount of installed RAM is 512MB, but the funny thing is that the slot where the RAM module(s) should be present is EMPTY! — there is NO RAM there!
We have not dissassembled it yet, but we suspect that this RAM might be located somewhere inside the motherboard.. is this possible in a Toshiba Satellite A65 laptop? Any comment of yours on this oddball will be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance and greetings from Mexico!
Sincerely,
monbollo
monbollo@mexico.com
March 14th, 2006 at 8:38 pm
[…] I started testing the memory on the laptop with Memtest 86+ utility and the memory failed right away. The laptop had 2 memory sticks installed. I tried to eliminate a bad stick by removing and installing modules one by one into different slots on the system board. The same pattern occurred on startup: […]
March 9th, 2006 at 7:42 am
This is a great site.
Thanks
February 27th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
I work mostly on Toshiba laptops and have not worked on any Sony yet. You can search for help here. This site offers some Sony laptop disassembly guides and it might be helpful for you.
February 27th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Can you help with the disassembly of a Sony Vaio Notebook PCG-XG28 (PCG-8411)?
February 9th, 2006 at 5:41 am
thank you very few man like you who share knowledge.
how do you test an inverter?