Windows Memory Diagnostic: what does the report mean?

[TheJoonSpirit]

I ran the diagnostic tool because I would get fatal application errors when playing WarCraft. After I ran it I got 30 errors: 2 during the INVC test, 2 during the LRAND test, 3 during the WINVC test, and 23 during the ERAND test. I have no idea what any of this means, should I get new RAM or what? sorry for posting here.

 

[Peter]

You should be running the software from www.memtest86.com - this is a standalone program that operates on the bare computer, no OS boot required. That'll get you an insight on the state of your RAM.

 

[Mark R]

It means that your RAM is defective or incompatible with your motherboard, or that your motherboard is configured incorrectly.

You should reset your BIOS settings to 'default' first and if you are overclocking, then abstain from doing so. Repeat the test. If it still fails you should try replacing it. That you only get 30 errors suggests a defective RAM chip.

Windows Memory Diagnostic is a harsh test and can finds errors at least as effectively and faster than Memtest86 - this is particularly the case where there are incompatabilities with the RAM and Motherboard (I've got a whole load of Nforce 2 systems that fail prime95 but pass memtest.They all fail WMD spectactularly).