Which version of Memtest to use?

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19-07-2007, 02:38 PM
Mithrandir

Which version of Memtest to use?

I wanted to download Memtest to test my OC'd memory, but there seems to be different versions around. Not sure which is the one that OC'ers use or are they all the same?

Here are the ones I've seen:

Memtestx86 (Ver 3.3)
HCI Design
Memtest86+ (ver 1.70)

Or another one I've missed out?

Many thanks
19-07-2007, 02:40 PM
s_kinton

Just take the v1.70 iso from this page. That'll do the trick.

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

The versions above from the top 2 websites you linked are for memtest 86, not memtest86+.

Memtest86+ took over, hence the lower version numbers. The original memtest86 wont work properly on A64s or C2Ds. It was revamped and released with a + at the end of the name to denote the modified/updated program as of 2004.
19-07-2007, 02:42 PM
Mithrandir

Thanks s_kinton
19-07-2007, 03:22 PM
Blitzen

64 Bit Vista compatibility?
19-07-2007, 03:24 PM
s_kinton

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzen

64 Bit Vista compatibility?

Just boot from the floppy or cd, whichever you put it on. Operating system compatability doesnt come into it.
19-07-2007, 03:47 PM
Mithrandir

How long should I really be running it? (time or # of passes)
19-07-2007, 03:52 PM
s_kinton

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithrandir

How long should I really be running it? (time or # of passes)

Most people just leave it to run overnight. Anything around 8hrs+ should show any errors etc
19-07-2007, 03:54 PM
aidanjt

I have memtest86+ emerged (installed ;)) on my grub partition :)
19-07-2007, 04:04 PM
Mithrandir

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_kinton

Most people just leave it to run overnight. Anything around 8hrs+ should show any errors etc

Well I was running a test on my Oc'd value ram; Crucial normally @ 200mhz but I ran it on a 1:1 divider @ 228mhz. It went up to 72% and came up with 3072 errors. :angst: Hope it hasn't messed up my ram!
I stopped it and now running at default settings.

Will my ram get damaged in anyway from overuse or getting lots of errors?

Thanks again
19-07-2007, 04:05 PM
s_kinton

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithrandir

Will my ram get damaged in anyway from overuse or getting lots of errors?

It shouldn't do. Have you tried loosening the timings and perhaps adding a little extra voltage?
19-07-2007, 04:06 PM
aidanjt

Only if you run it overclocked for extended periods of time without proper cooling, even then, chips can just pop from too much current running through them.

Since you're running standard clock now, you shouldn't have any problems, but if errors still show up in memtest86+ then you've got a problem.
19-07-2007, 04:18 PM
Mithrandir

Thanks guys.
I wouldn't have thought value ram would run at DDR456 anyway (usually DDR400 :mrgreen:)
Ran Windows well with 3DMark, movies and Lost Planet demo.

Timing and voltage are both @ stock (3-3-3-8, not sure about voltage but is normal in bios)

Mainly want to run tests on the ram @ 166mhz speeds as I think my overclocks with dividers @ 5:6 are causing issues with SP2004 (runs fine in 1:1 and 2:3 overclocks)
19-07-2007, 05:33 PM
Mithrandir

:(

Looks like my ram has some errors.
Ran one pass on stock/defualt settings and got 6 errors.

:angst:
19-07-2007, 05:46 PM
mike_w

Don't forget to try cleaning the sticks and DIMMs, and try putting the sticks into different DIMMs - I once had a situation where a stick of RAM was faulty in one DIMM, but not in the other.