Help w/ Memtest86+

[Synomenon]

My computer's specs.:

Asus P5Q-EM (Intel G45 chipset)
Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad (G0 stepping)
OCZ 16GB DDR2 800 http://www.ocztechnology.com/p..._upgrade_16gb_quad_kit

Western Digital VelociRaptor
Western Digital 160GB Raptor
LG 20x SATA DL DVD Burner
EVGA GTX260 Core 216 Video Card
TV Wonder 650 Combo PCIe TV Tuner
SilverStone Strider ST85F 850W PSU
Dell 2408WFP 24" LCD Monitor
Dell SP2208WFP 22" LCD Monitor


I just installed the 16GB of RAM yesterday. First thing I did after installing was try running memtest. Problem is, at random times when memtest is running my monitor blanks out / goes into sleep mode. Pressing any keys on my keyboard does not bring it back. I can press the 'ESC' key and my PC reboots.

The problem happens with both the regular memtest and memtest86+ (v1.70 and 2.01).

Anyone know how to fix this or why it's happening? Could it be because my chipset is new (Intel G45) and not supported yet my memtest?

 

[mpilchfamily]

Why are you running mem test to start with? Are you having problems with the RAM?

It may have something to do with Memtest itself. Don't know what the program's limits are but some how i suspect it can't deal with more then 4 or 8 gigs of RAM.

If the system isn't having any problems then there is no reason to run memtest and nothering to worry about. Even if there is no problem with the RAM memtest can still throw up errors. So no point in getting your self all worried about finding errors that may not be any real problem.

 

[Synomenon]

I test new RAM to make sure nothing is wrong with them. It sucks when you've just passed the return period and find that something is wrong with them, something that could have been detected by running a utility like memtest.

Also, the memtest FAQ says that it can detect as much RAM as the motherboard can support.

 

[Zebo]

Disable acpi and suspend mode in bios under power menu.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Just be aware that memtest has been known to produce false positives. There are times when it pops errors even though there isn't a problem with the RAM.

 

[Synomenon]

Took the four 4GB sticks out and put my four 2GB sticks back in. The problem disappeared and memtest86+ ran without problems. I let it run for 13 hours. One or more of the 4GB sticks are bad. I'll just RMA them at this point. Don't want to test anymore to find the bad stick(s) since it's a kit and all sticks have to be returned when I RMA to Newegg.

 

[watdahel]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
Just be aware that memtest has been known to produce false positives. There are times when it pops errors even though there isn't a problem with the RAM.

If that's the case why is memtest still being used? How do you detect a false positive?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
Just be aware that memtest has been known to produce false positives. There are times when it pops errors even though there isn't a problem with the RAM.

Those were due to bugs in the BIOS memory map. Memtest86+ itself is not known to be buggy, but some BIOSes are.