Is memtest86 accurate?

[Shockwave]

I tested both my RAM sticks, and both have errors. Should I assume my RAM is bad, or is it possible my Mobo is bad? The errors occured in different spots. First around 90 meg, on the second stick around 80 meg.

So, is the program trustworthy? Should I go replace my RAM?

Thanks.

Forgot to add, the reason I'm questioning the program is because I had the RAM (Both sticks) tested not 4 days ago at my local shop. I dont know how conclusive the tests are at local shops though, but thats what has me wondering.....

 

[chizow]

Some people swear by it, others think its just a good stress test. I personally feel its somewhere in the middle. It definitely works, you pretty much can't do anything else while its running (think too many IE browsers open with 64MB RAM on a Celeron ). Do I think it will result in a completely unstable system? No. I'm running 3 sticks of ridiculously generic PC133 on my webserver and it runs 24/7 w/out issue (P3 + BX chipset probably help ). 2 of the 3 sticks turned up errors in Memtest86, so its not a showstopper IMO, just don't try to OC with it.

What RAM is in question? Generic OEM stuffs or something quality under a lifetime warranty? Only reason I'm asking is to plan your next course of action. If its the prior, you'll probably have to try a swap with whomever you bought it from. If its brand name under warranty you should be able to get it replaced without any problems.

Chiz

 

[Shockwave]

One is 256 meg generic stuff
One is 128 meg Infinieon. (sp)

Neither was OC'd, although both had fairly aggressive timings. Its the fact that both came up with errors that had me worried that maybe it wasnt the RAM but something in the Mobo or the test patterns ran by the program.

 

[John]

Try raising the memory voltage if your mobo allows it. Swap slots if possible, and run mem timings by SPD (or slowest settings).

*any errors on memtest86 is "bad" IMHO.

 

[sharkeeper]

Memtest is accurate on a bit by bit basis. Be afraid, very afraid!

Cheers!

 

[thorin]

1) How hot is your CPU running?
2) Is it OC'd?
3) Have you tested the stick seperately?
4) As John said "and run mem timings by SPD (or slowest settings)" and test again.
5) Yes memtest86 is accurate although the errors it reports can be associated with the mobo or heat issues and not simply the RAM itself.

Thorin

 

[Mark R]

If memtest86 reports errors, then your system is malfunctioning - simple as that. You should fix it as soon as possible.

Carry on using your system at your own risk, just be aware that you potentially run the risk of losing everything on your hard drives, and potentially making corrupt backups at the same time.

I've found that some errors are the result of an incompatibility between the RAM and the motherboard (particularly if memtest finds hundreds of errors, rather than just 1). The problem is that some RAM doesn't actually meet the specs it is supposed to (due to cheap generic PCBs as well as cheap chips), or if it does meet it, then it does so only just. Similarly some motherboards actually require better RAM than they are supposed to due to poor manufacture and design, and they rely on the 'headroom' of the RAM.

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I tested both my RAM sticks, and both have errors. Should I assume my RAM is bad, or is it possible my Mobo is bad? The errors occured in different spots. First around 90 meg, on the second stick around 80 meg.

So, is the program trustworthy? Should I go replace my RAM?

Thanks.

Forgot to add, the reason I'm questioning the program is because I had the RAM (Both sticks) tested not 4 days ago at my local shop. I dont know how conclusive the tests are at local shops though, but thats what has me wondering.....

The program is definitely trustworthy. Errors can be caused by:
1. bad ram (duh)
2. bad mobo
3. bad CPU

If it says there are errors, you have problems. Unfortunately I don't know any reliable way to determine which of the 3 parts is actually bad. If you have another box, maybe try the ram in there.

 

[Workin']

The program is definitely trustworthy. Errors can be caused by:
1. bad ram (duh)
2. bad mobo
3. bad CPU

If it says there are errors, you have problems. Unfortunately I don't know any reliable way to determine which of the 3 parts is actually bad. If you have another box, maybe try the ram in there.

Yep. It tests the whole memory subsystem, the only way to eliminate items is to substitute with like items and retest.

The one time memtest86 found errors on one of my machines it turned out the mobo was bad.

 

[sharkeeper]

<cough>abit KT7<cough>

Cheers!

 

[Workin']

No - <cough>ECS K7S5A<cough><cough>worst pos ever<cough>

 

[SUOrangeman]

If possible, try the RAM in another mobo.

I also remember reading something about memtest and the K7S5A at OCWorkbench. It's been a while, even though my SIX K7S5A systesms seem to be hanging in there.

-SUO

 

[magomago]

Interesting....

I kept getting "memory read errors" using my ram and mobo and I RMA'd both (thought the mobo won't come for antoerh three years due to Asus's "Legendary" TEch Support)

And I'm hoping that erased it...

If its still there...thank god I paid that 5 bucks on newegg to RMA my cpu...maybe I'll get a 1700+ t-bred B ???

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: Workin'
No - <cough>ECS K7S5A<cough><cough>worst pos ever<cough>

I've built and used a number of systems with both SDRAM and DDR on this board with no problems. What's with people that spread BS about products just because they had a bad experience with them?? There are 10s of 1000s of people all over the net running this board and singing it's praise for being stable, cheap, and a good performer (not to mention the numerous threads here where ppl suggest it).

Thorin

 

[Shockwave]

Well, my new system came in so the old sits there. Tired of mucking with that damned thing, although soon enough I'll be back at it.
Everything was stock, and the RAM had run fine for...2 years? Or so. Anyways, I really suspect my mobo, but I'll be crankin back at it soon enough so I'll see what happens.

Thanks guys!

 

[Workin']

Originally posted by: thorin

Originally posted by: Workin'
No - <cough>ECS K7S5A<cough><cough>worst pos ever<cough>

I've built and used a number of systems with both SDRAM and DDR on this board with no problems. What's with people that spread BS about products just because they had a bad experience with them?? There are 10s of 1000s of people all over the net running this board and singing it's praise for being stable, cheap, and a good performer (not to mention the numerous threads here where ppl suggest it).

Thorin

Well, when us retards that have built HUNDREDS of systems over the past ten years and have never had to replace more than a small percentage of any given board model suddenly have to replace TWO-THIRDS (that's 8 of 12, if you're counting) of the systems they built with a particular model board, I guess we just feel like spreading some BS. And when the company won't replace half of their bad boards and the reseller is left to eat over $1000 in replacement parts and bench time that makes it even better.

But this battle has been fought a million times before and it's ancient history. Do you work for ECS? Are you an ECS fanboy? If a little joke about a cheap crap out of date product makes you feel all defensive I worry for your emotional health

 

[tart666]

[about s5a] suddenly have to replace TWO-THIRDS (that's 8 of 12, if you're counting)

Seriously. Just check out the rate of problem posts in ECS forum on ocworkbench. The problem rate is 20 times higher compared to Asus! 80,000 posts per year vs 5,000

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: tart666

[about s5a] suddenly have to replace TWO-THIRDS (that's 8 of 12, if you're counting)... But this battle has been fought a million times before and it's ancient history. Do you work for ECS? Are you an ECS fanboy? If a little joke about a cheap crap out of date product makes you feel all defensive I worry for your emotional health

Seriously. Just check out the rate of problem posts in ECS forum on ocworkbench. The problem rate is 20 times higher compared to Asus! 80,000 posts per year vs 5,000

If you "suddenly" have to replace 2/3s of the boards then wouldn't kinda figure that was a farked up batch? Instead of jumping the the conclusion that they all must suck, especially given the huge number of people that use and install this board with no problems? No I don't work for ECS though that'd be pretty fun. No I'm not an ECS fanboy I use all kinda of baords, Asus, Abit, Msi...Whatever fits the need at the time. And yer supposed joke about an "cheap [piece of] crap out of date product" doesn't make me defensive. Comments about any product where people simply give up because they've had one or two bad experiences just frustrate me. So you've had a bad experience then explain it instead of just spouting what sounds like rumour, buyer rumours, BS that comes from ppl that have more problems between the chair and keyboard then anything else.....etc... It's just like ppl who slam this or that video card or sound card because they can't get it to work, since you know they must be infallable and it must be the product or company. Now I completely agree you've had your share and even enough to be bitter about it but why not just tell the story or the few facts and not sound like some idiot who's just giving up because their incompitent. i'm rambling now and may not be making sense any longer so I disgresss......

Thorin

 

[Workin']

If you "suddenly" have to replace 2/3s of the boards then wouldn't kinda figure that was a farked up batch?

That's what I thought at first - but the boards were 3 different revisons. That tells me something is fundamentally wrong. Believe me, I really, really, really wanted them to work. Not only because it cost me money if they didn't, but because they do have great potential and are a good performer when they work. But IMO it is a gamble. Now, gambling on one system that is also your own system is perfectly reasonable, but gambling with dozens of systems that aren't yours except to fix seems stupid when there are so many alternatives available. Anyway... original topic successfully derailed

 

[GRagland]

Where can i get memtest86, their site seems to be down, or if someone could email it to me at gragland837@attbi.com that would be much appreciated.

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: GRagland
Where can i get memtest86, their site seems to be down, or if someone could email it to me at gragland837@attbi.com that would be much appreciated.

Ya their site MemTest86.com seems to be busted currently (which means I can't grab it to send), but they'll get it back up quick. When I visited I just got a directory listing with another directory which was empty.

In the mean time check:
Here
and/or
Here

(Version 2.9 or 3.0 is the 'current' version)

Thorin