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.
If you find this article useful, please consider making a donation to the author. Thank you!
July 19th, 2007 at 3:56 am
Hi, I have a Sony Vaio B100B09. I believe it has 512mb onboard, and I expanded by 1gb. Lately, I have been getting the blue screen flash and instant rebooting. I took it to a shop and they traced it down to the on board memory. When I take out the 1gb extended memory, it doesn’t even boot into windows. With the 1gb in the laptop, it boots and works fine for a while, then randomly reboots.
Is there no possible way to disable the onboard ram or is there at least a program or something that will tell windows not to use that memory after it’s booted, since I have no problem booting up?
Replacing the motherboard would cost as much as a new laptop, and I feel like it’s such a waste to not be able to fix this one at a reasonable price.
Any advise on my situation would be greatly appreciated.
April 27th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
[...] of failure may occur because of bad memory modules. I started testing both 1GB memory modules with Memtest 86+ utility but the laptop locked up before I finished testing. Only after I removed both memory sticks and [...]
April 20th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
[...] factory software. Same problem occurred right after I rebooted the laptop. I tested the memory with Memtest 86+ test. It took me over 2.5 hours to test 512MB of memory but it didn’t fail the test. Usually this test [...]
April 9th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Graphics Processor / Vendor: AGP
Video Memory: VRAM – 8 MB
No shared memory ram in my graphic card. Where is it?
April 9th, 2007 at 5:26 am
Because I’m not sure it’s used for video purposes. In the original configuration none ram were missing. I think the systemboard have stolen the ram for memoryrange 17800000.
I just want to control the ram myself. I want to decide how much ram is used for anything else than original purposes. I must find the way to free the ram.
April 8th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Gitte,
Why do you want to change the video memory size? As Michael Rogers said, 8MB is not missing, it’s used for video purposes.
April 7th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Thanks, but there is no setting in my BIOS to change my video memory size.
April 3rd, 2007 at 5:48 am
For you people “missing” 8MB of ram, it is most likely shared memory used by your video card. Alot of onboard video cards will use “shared” memory, that is, take it from your ram. If there is a setting in your BIOS to change your video memory size you can verify this for yourself.
March 25th, 2007 at 7:50 am
I have a problem with missing 8MB ram. The device manager displays 376MB and there are two modules all together with 386MB installed. The modules are ok. How and where do I free the stolen ram?
The memtest shows 376MB too and the test is without error, but when I set bios to all (in config C) the memtest shows all 384MB and the result is with error. Please help me out. Thanks.
March 24th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
I have a strange problem with my RAM. It seems like the system steals 8MB RAM. I have two modules and 384MB RAM total but the device manager displays only 376MB. The modules are ok. No matter which single module I use there are still missing 8MB. What can I do to fix it?