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
August 25th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Ali Hassan,
I know that some newer Toshiba laptops may ask you for the BIOS password you had never set and it’s not your fault. If you purchased your laptop in the United States, you should call Toshiba customer support line at 1-800-457-7777 and explain what’s going on. Most likely they will clear the BIOS password at no charge.
Check out this post: Toshiba Satellite laptop asking for the BIOS password I never had.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:23 am
I have different problem that my computer has been blocked by phoniexBIOS utility password as the power is put on un usual password appear on the screen which is not my account password
Therefore can any body kindly attempt to solve my problem
The computer model is Toshiba satellite m115 series
August 4th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Not sure if I am submitting in the right place but on finding your great site I am hopeful that you will be able to shed some light on my problem.I have a Toshiba qosmio F20-130.It has worked fine foe a year or so .I go away for a few months come back reconnect and start the Toshiba.It starts then dies completly.Only one lcd on the front to show any life.I renewed the battery but this made no difference.Still unable to startWhat can i do .Is there something i can download and put onto floppy as no access to CD drive drawer.Model no PQF20E-01DOOWEN Serial no:85087615H.Any help would be much appreciated.Thanks,Paul
July 20th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Boikhutso Kgwadi,
Did you test memory?
If you have two memory modules installed, try removing them one by one. Test the laptop with each memory module separately. If the laptop works fine with one module but freezes with another one, the second module could be bad and has to be replaced.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
My TOSHIBA M9 - S5513X laptop freezes but the mouse hovers but is inactive. I am forced to switch off “physically” ie removing the battery or forcing down the on/off button.
Please help. I can not reload again and again
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
prasad,
The first thing to do is go to the Performance tab in the Windows Task Manager. Check the CPU Usage. If the CPU usage is mostly 2-10%, that’s OK, but if the CPU is used 90-100% all the time, most likely you have a software related problem. One of the applications (I don’t know witch one) is not working properly and clogging the CPU. That’s one of the reasons why your laptop might work very slow. Try this. Backup all personal files and reimage the hard drive back to factory defaults using the recovery disc.
Also, the laptop may become very slow because you have a problem with the hard drive. It’s possible the hard drive is failing. You can test the hard dive with Hitachi’s drive fitness test, you’ll find the link to this utility in “Resources” on the right side. Test the hard drive and find out if it passes or fails. Replace the hard drive if needed.
In most cases laptops start working very slow because of software related issues.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
System:
- Windows XP
- Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU T5500 @ 1.66GHz 2 CPU cores, 666MHz FSB, 512MB RAM
I don’t know what to do. Here is my problem:
Suddenly my computer became very slow.
I took my laptop to the original HP service in Slovenia. They said that motherboard died and needs to be replaced. OK. I paid about 400€ and expected that the problem was solved. But it wasn’t!!!
Ok. So it was not the motherboard.
After a while I find out, that I can’t charge my battery more than 6% (12 hours of charging).
Ok, I said. Battery is also dead.
Then I tried to disconnect the AC power supply to test how long will computer run on those 6% of battery.
I FOUND THAT MY COMPUTER IS RUNNING OK !!!
(It is fast as it was before,…)
Ok. So next logical step would be to replace the charger. I bought brand new charger (same characteristics Voltage/Current), but still doesnt work.
What could be wrong, any ideas?
Is there any diagnostic software provided by HP to test the hardware (HDD, RAM, Motherboard,…)
March 6th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Vinti Catalin,
Why do you need SATA driver in the first place? XP should handle SATA hard drive without any problem.
I don’t think that installing XP on this laptop is a good idea. Even if you can install XP you will not find any device drivers. Toshiba doesn’t list device drivers for TOSHIBA Satellite A215-4757 for Windows XP.
March 6th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hi,
I spent a lot of time searching for sata drivers because i want to install windows XP on my laptop. The model is: TOSHIBA Sattelite A215 4757, AMD Turion 64 x2. The chipset is M690V.
It seems that there are no drivers on AMD or TOSHIBA website.
So i please you, if you could help me in getting the SATA drivers for windows XP.
All kind all information is welcome!!! Thak you!
March 1st, 2008 at 11:48 pm
i hav a dell laptop and it seems to hav an image error and it has this cuz while restartn it took so long that i just pressed the power button and now when i turn it on it says image error wat should i do?