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Does Memtest86+ failure always mean bad RAM?

R

Roobomb

Member
I've been having some stability problems with my system, and narrowed it down to the RAM I think, as running Memtest86+ showed several errors, but what I'm wondering is, does a failed test have to be the sticks of RAM (I'm using two sticks of 512 MB Corsair Value Select DDR 400), or can it be the actual slots on the MB? I've just RMA'd one stick that I thought was causing the crashes, but I still get errors on both sticks. I've run Memtest86+ with each stick of RAM by itself, in each seperate slot. The errors usually occur during tests 5 and 7.
I don't overclock, and the RAM is at default settings except the voltage, which Corsair recommends be at 2.7V.
Any ideas?
 
Try upping the voltage on the memory to 2.8v to see if that corrects your errors, it shouldn't hurt the memory.
 
Either up the voltage slightly or check your timings or both. If the timings in BIOS say "AUTO" then what does MemTest86 say -- are they the rated timings at that voltage? You may have to manually set the timings if the motherboard is misreading the SPD (not unusual). Are you running the latest BIOS for your mobo as well? As a point of interest--are you running 1T or 2T? You ARE aware that S754 processors do not like 1T or even DDR400 with 2 DS DIMMs? There were many examples of mobos that forced DDR333 or 2T operation when using 2 DS DIMMs. There are a few mobos S754 mobos (Soltek nForce3 comes to mind) that can get around this, but some never did. The workaround was a single 1Gig stick. I had to go this direction on a EPoX 8KDA3I. It would not allow DDR400 with 2 x 512MB sticks no matter what I did (BIOS would not allow it BY DESIGN).

Edited to say that it was at AMD's recommendation that many mobo manufacturers locked out DDR400 or 1T operation (or both) with 2 DS DIMMs. It seems that sometimes two DS DIMMs worked at DDR400 or 1T and sometimes not. Some manufacturers heeded this, and others did not allowing the user to take a chance at it, with no guarantee it would work.

Here is an AMD Technical Paper that gives some explantion on it (check page 17): http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content...e/white_papers_and_tech_docs/31410.pdf
 
I've tried running 2.8V before with no change in results, so I dropped back to 2.7V. So, does anyone know if Memtest86+ can be indicative of bad slots and not necessarily bad memory?
 
By the way, I get the same amount of errors running @ 1T as 2T. The errors always occur at 710.5 and 726.5. I get about 6-8 errors in 15 cycles of Test 5.
 
I have had memtest errors in a couple athlon boards, that passes just fine in a P4 board. Try a different brand maybe. Is that ram listed as compatible with your board?
 
So, does anyone know if Memtest86+ could show a problem with the slots for the RAM, or will it only show problems with the RAM itself.
 
Originally posted by: Roobomb
So, does anyone know if Memtest86+ could show a problem with the slots for the RAM, or will it only show problems with the RAM itself.
Click to expand...


Ok, put at 2T and force DDR333 operation at AUTO timings and try MemTest86. Try one stick at a time.

Leave voltage at recommended. If it still fails then you have one of three issues:

1. RAM incompatibility due to BIOS issue (are you using latest BIOS?????)
2. Both sticks of RAM defective (unlikely, but possible)
3. Flakey mobo

Of the three, the RAM incompatibility is the most likely. You need to start a process of elimination.

To answer your question, MemTest86 is showing you RAM RELATED ERRORS. Any hardware point in the chain could be the issue. MemTest86 does not "isolate" your issue per se, YOU need to do that part.

Are you using the latest MemTest86 (ver 1.65, I believe?)

One last thing-do you have another PC to test those DIMMs in? That would solve the puzzle right away. If they pass MemTest86 tests in another PC, then #1 or #3 for certain. If you are using the latest BIOS on the MSI board, then I suggest trying a single stick of another brand and re-test the MSI board with MemTest86. (Go to Best Buy and pick up a stick of Kingston DDR400 and you can always RETURN it so you won't be out any money.) If the Kingston stick passes then it is definitely compatibility. If the Kingston stick fails like the Corsair VS, then replace your mobo.....
 
I had an Abit KG7 board that would give memtest errors no matter what ram or settings you used. Also the system was never fully stable.

Some motherboards just arent stable and cause memtest errors.
 
Memtext86 errors can be anything to do with the RAM.

Faulty RAM, faulty RAM slots, substandard motherboard design/construction, faulty CPU (less likely), faulty motherboard chipset, etc.
 
Memtest isn't a perfect program, it will show you that there is errors, not which component is the actual cause. By running it a few times, check and see if the errors are at a consistent point. It being random may be indicitive of an issue with another device.

I have had Memtest gives errors on one run, I restarted and it never errored again. So as I said before, its not a perfect program.
 
Originally posted by: Roobomb
So, does anyone know if Memtest86+ could show a problem with the slots for the RAM, or will it only show problems with the RAM itself.
Click to expand...



I used to get a failed memory test while running an Asus A8N32-SLI Delux motherboard. I later discovered that Memtest86+ had a problem with the Bios of the motherboard. I had a couple of USB devices attached to the system and after removing them, the memory tested just fine. I updated the BIOS on my motherboard and it cleared up the "false" memory failure.
 
Originally posted by: Roobomb
Thanks for the replies.
Click to expand...

Your welcome, but you aren't coming back with much info to get help. Are you going to answer any of the questions I had or try some of the recommended strategies??
 
Originally posted by: rcalzada51
Originally posted by: Roobomb
So, does anyone know if Memtest86+ could show a problem with the slots for the RAM, or will it only show problems with the RAM itself.
Click to expand...



I used to get a failed memory test while running an Asus A8N32-SLI Delux motherboard. I later discovered that Memtest86+ had a problem with the Bios of the motherboard. I had a couple of USB devices attached to the system and after removing them, the memory tested just fine. I updated the BIOS on my motherboard and it cleared up the "false" memory failure.
Click to expand...



This would be VERY rare. 99% of the time MemTest86 is demonstrating a real problem. It is true that you might get a few errors on MemTest86 while testing and then not have any problems in general use, but the point of MemTest86 is to stress the system for machines that need to be "bullet proof" reliable for gaming and other highly intensive tasks.

Another EXCELLENT program for a good stress test is SnM Burn. I usually will stress test the system with 5 passes of MemTest86 before loading the OS and then stress burn with SnM for 24 hours before calling it "good." If you also get RAM related errors in SnM Burn, then you can be SURE that something is wrong.
 
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