Being in the pursue to buy a new RAM module for my computer, I faced the compatibility issues. Every computer user heard about the RAM memory (Random Access Memory), no matter his or hers level of knowledge regarding computers. The main idea is that the bigger RAM's size is, the better the computer will run.

Games, applications, operating system, all of these eat our RAM and want more and more. The basic knowledge about the RAM in the computer users' mind is briefed to its sizes: 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1024 GB etc. Inexperienced users do not know that RAM modules have a relatively wide variety (I am talking here about chipsets, timing, structure, voltage accepted etc.) and therefore, conflicts may appear. Having a mainboard that needs DDR RAM doesn't mean that all kind of DDR RAM would work on it. Some modules could work but with errors.

Operating systems, like Windows, have a certain tolerance for the RAM errors. Hence, if the user is not too familiar with this subject, he/she may not observe any flaw although he might get errors in different situations from time to time. The reason the system still works with a RAM module with errors resides in the idea that the part of RAM affected is not always accessed. When this occurs, an unexpected error emerges.

After having read this part of the article, you might get suspicious about your own RAM, wondering if any of your encountered errors may have been caused by a RAM flaw. I won't stay impassive but try to help you out.

How can we test the RAM to see if it works flawless or if it has errors that affect the proper running of the PC? The solution is simple: using a specialized memory test application. There are lots of such applications available on the internet but one seems to be the most reliable of all: Memtest86+.

The principle of this application differs from other similar ones because it doesn't run on Windows environment. Why is that? Because Windows (and any other system as well) uses RAM memory so testing the whole module would be impossible once a part of it is occupied by the operating system.

To run the application, you need to create a bootable disk (diskette, CD, or USB flashpen) and use it in order to start the system. Your computer will boot inside the application itself. Once you got there, 10 tests are available starting immediately.

Tests available:

Test 0 - Address test, walking ones, no cache
Test 1 - Address test, own address
Test 2 - Moving inversions, ones&zeros
Test 4 - Moving inversions, random pattern
Test 5 - Block move, 64 moves
Test 6 - Moving inversions, 32 bit pat
Test 7 - Random number sequence
Test 8 - Modulo 20, ones&zeros
Test 9 - Bit fade test, 90 min, 2 patterns

The main idea is to move data all around the RAM module using a test algorithm in order to see if there are parts liable for errors.



I cannot estimate how much time would take to complete all the tests because it depends on your RAM size and the CPU available but expect it to last a lot (the Bit Fade test needed at least 90 minutes to perform).

After a test is finished, the application will display a report informing you if the test was passed or if any error occurred.

So, take your time and run a full RAM test to be sure it works well. Games addicts or users that work with pretentious applications should be very interested in taking this test. Also, if you buy a second hand RAM module from anyone, run some tests for your safety!