• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Memtest86 reports errors, is it really my memory's bad?

S

SFang

Senior member
I ran memtest86 on two stick of PC2100 512MB memory on the P4B266-C motherboard, here is the result:

I tested two stick of PC2100 512MB individually on different DIMM slot, memtest86 successful without error for two loops on each of them.

I put two sticks of PC2100 512MB on the MB together, make it 1GB, memtest86 reports 18 consequtive errors each time when it tested to around 65%, then complete the test without any more errors.

What is wrong here? Is it my motherboard, my CPU or Memtest86? :| I have 1.6A@2.3 on Asus P4B266-C at FSB144.

Thanks.

EDIT: After changed the motherboard to a Newegg refurb Abit IT7 MAX, everything is fine now with two sticks of 512 RAM installed, passed memtest86 no error. Thanks! 🙂
 
I always get errors when using that program. Yet I don't see or have experienced anything when using my comp. I think it reports the slightest abnormalities.

My comp is 100% stable and everything runs fine, that?s all that matters to me.
 
Read off the memtest86 website
All valid memory errors should be corrected. It is possible that a particular error will never show up in normal operation. However, operating with marginal memory is risky and can result in data loss and even disk corruption. Just because there is not overt indication of problems does not mean that your system is unaffected. Sometimes intermittent errors can cause problems that do not show up for a long time. You can be sure that Murphy will get you if you know about a memory error and ignore it.
Click to expand...
Sounds serious. :frown:
 
Originally posted by: SFang
Read off the memtest86 website
All valid memory errors should be corrected. It is possible that a particular error will never show up in normal operation. However, operating with marginal memory is risky and can result in data loss and even disk corruption. Just because there is not overt indication of problems does not mean that your system is unaffected. Sometimes intermittent errors can cause problems that do not show up for a long time. You can be sure that Murphy will get you if you know about a memory error and ignore it.
Click to expand...
Sounds serious. :frown:
Click to expand...
Well, it's been almost a year since I first tested my "marginal" XMS3000. I also used memtest86 to test my Abit-TH7II system (Samsung RDRAM-P4 1.5) and got errors. That system is still going strong till this day. Its actually already paid for it self two times over.

Oh well...
rolleye.gif
 
I think it is the mobo that has the issue...many have had issues when occupying multiple slots ad reaching the 1gb level...

I would take any errors seriously, but I would also take system stability in all the apps you run as pretty significant indicator as well...


Bump up ddr voltage a notch if so and maybe relax timings a bit...What do you have now??? Sometimes when multiple config I have seen that what it could do at cas 2,2,2,6 it couldn't do with 2 sticks...may have to try cas 2,3,3,5 or 6 or maybe even cas 2.5...
 
Usually when you overclock with two sticks of memory you can't go as fast as one stick. Test the memory at default specs and see if you get errors. Errors maybe because the memory is overclocked.
 
Originally posted by: NOX
Originally posted by: SFang
Read off the memtest86 website
All valid memory errors should be corrected. It is possible that a particular error will never show up in normal operation. However, operating with marginal memory is risky and can result in data loss and even disk corruption. Just because there is not overt indication of problems does not mean that your system is unaffected. Sometimes intermittent errors can cause problems that do not show up for a long time. You can be sure that Murphy will get you if you know about a memory error and ignore it.
Click to expand...
Sounds serious. :frown:
Click to expand...
Well, it's been almost a year since I first tested my "marginal" XMS3000. I also used memtest86 to test my Abit-TH7II system (Samsung RDRAM-P4 1.5) and got errors. That system is still going strong till this day. Its actually already paid for it self two times over.

Oh well...
rolleye.gif
Click to expand...
Ummm I'm not 100% sure but I don't think MemTest86 supported RDRAM at that point.

SFang MemTest could also be pointing to a problem with your motherboard. Earlier this year I built a system based on MSIs nForce mobo and it crashed on a random yet frequent basis under varying loads. I tested the system with two sticks of RAM in and they both threw a sh!t load of errors, however testing them seperately showed they were fine. I returned the board to the shop where I bought it and they threw a new one in put both sticks back in and now it tests fine and is now 100% stable.

Thorin
 
Bump up ddr voltage a notch if so and maybe relax timings a bit...What do you have now??? Sometimes when multiple config I have seen that what it could do at cas 2,2,2,6 it couldn't do with 2 sticks...may have to try cas 2,3,3,5 or 6 or maybe even cas 2.5...
Click to expand...

I currently have cas 2,2,2,5. Each stick works fine on its own, but when put in together, will always generate 18 consequtive errors at around 65% when the test pattern is something like 00000000, FFFFFFFFF. All other tests are fine.

Edit: I have two other motherboards coming in one week, Abit IT7 MAX, and Asus A7N8X, will test the mems on them too. I am kinds of tired of my current P4B266-C, highest OC FSB is only 163.😛
 
Either raise your voltage or make your memory timings a little less aggressive.
Click to expand...

Keep DDR voltage at a ceiling of 2.850 volts.

More than likely, you need to relax your timings to become MT86 error free. 🙂 I like to test thoroughly as well with 20 passes deemed safe.

MT86 is compatible with RDRAM!

Cheers!
 
I have this problem. 1 stick of 512mb PC133 RAM is okay with Memtest86, 2 sticks of 512mb PC133 RAM get errors. Of course they're two different brands. I set the timings to Normal and all is well. I have a Abit kt7a-raid.
 
Problem solved! 🙂

After I got the new motherboard Abit IT7, I put the two same memory in it. Passed memtest86 no problem with two sticks installed for a total of 1GB memory. Everything is the same as before, CPU, harddrive, only the motherboard is changed. Currently, running RAM at 2-2-2-5 at FSB144, everything sweet, will overclock more later to see how high the RAM will go with the new MB.

Thanks, everyone !
 
Originally posted by: SFang
Problem solved! 🙂

After I got the new motherboard Abit IT7, I put the two same memory in it. Passed memtest86 no problem with two sticks installed for a total of 1GB memory. Everything is the same as before, CPU, harddrive, only the motherboard is changed. Currently, running RAM at 2-2-2-5 at FSB144, everything sweet, will overclock more later to see how high the RAM will go with the new MB.

Thanks, everyone !
Click to expand...
Told ya it was the mobo 😉

Thorin

 
Originally posted by: thorin
Originally posted by: SFang
Problem solved! 🙂

After I got the new motherboard Abit IT7, I put the two same memory in it. Passed memtest86 no problem with two sticks installed for a total of 1GB memory. Everything is the same as before, CPU, harddrive, only the motherboard is changed. Currently, running RAM at 2-2-2-5 at FSB144, everything sweet, will overclock more later to see how high the RAM will go with the new MB.

Thanks, everyone !
Click to expand...
Told ya it was the mobo 😉

Thorin
Click to expand...
I have the same mobo, any ideas why I get errors?

BTW: Everthing is running at default, nothing is overclocked.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top