Memory test question

[WildHorse]

I'm running Memtest86 v3.2 on 2 sticks of new Mushkin Blue 512MB PC3200 CL2 DDR, which have black Brain Power PCB B6U815. I bought it from Outpost.com.

After 25 passes of Memtest over the last 9 hours, a total of 4 errors are reported.

😕 How significant is 4 errors???

 

[Smilin]

Depends. How much stability do you want out of your computer?

It should say 0 errors dude.

You may want to shuffle sticks around and try again to see if the problem moves. A software based memory tester can't tell the difference between a problem with memory and a problem with a slot or controller.

You won't get a false positive out of a memory tester though. If it says it found an error, there is an error.

 

[WildHorse]

Thank you, Smilin !

How many passes or hours do you normally run Memtest? Is 25 passes & 9 hours enough?

 

[imported_Kensai]

I run mine for 8 hours, 50 passes.
I'd suggest trying it again. If it still shows errors, RMA.

 

[montag451]

Also, check the voltage that they are running at - you might be running them with less juice.

They should run between 2.6v - 2.8v

 

[boomerang]

Just to throw a monkey wrench in the works, try Memtest from here.

I find the app is kept more up to date at the above site.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: Kensai
I run mine for 8 hours, 50 passes.
I'd suggest trying it again. If it still shows errors, RMA.

Once you get an error, no further passes are necessary. You know what you need to know.

Be sure to swap sticks before you try again. If the problem moves, you know it's the RAM. If the problem doesn't move, you know it's the slot/controller. If the problem doesn't appear again - run more passes. Don't forget - the positive errors you got before will not be false positives.