Problems with RAM. Common RAM Errors How to Identify and Fix a RAM Failure

Memory failure is one of the most common pain points that the average desktop or laptop owner may experience.

In general, RAM is one of the most important parts in a PC, and if it breaks down, then it is simply not possible to use the PC in the future. RAM is also referred to as one of the longest working components of a computer, but in our world, everything fails, and technology is no exception.

Before selling, the developers of RAM carefully check and diagnose it so that there are no defects and defects. So what can compromise reliability, such an important component of a computer?

The answer is simple, problems with electricity primarily disrupt the RAM component, just as power problems in a PC can also disable RAM.

There are several signs of memory failure:

• This is an unexpectedly appearing blue screen, which is the main confirmation of a RAM problem.
• If you run programs or games that load a lot of RAM and notice problems with your PC after that, then most likely you have problems with RAM.
• The computer may not turn on, while the BIOS notifies you of problems with sound.

If you familiarize yourself with causes of memory failure, then we can say that there may be a couple of them. The main reason that you may encounter is related to the banal wear and tear of RAM, because nothing in this life works all the time, and RAM has its own life. Another reason, as mentioned earlier, is related to power and overheating.

The main reason for overheating is the heavy dusting of your PC, so you need to monitor the computer like a girl and clean it every six months and bring it into proper shape so that it looks like a new device from the store.

Laptop RAM failures are the same as standard PC problems, but the laptop needs to be monitored more carefully and disassembled and dusted more often than a regular desktop computer and just as carefully make sure that the laptop does not get too hot, because this may be the first call to a further problem. with RAM.

If you still found some kind of destabilization or you have already experienced computer memory failure, which you found according to the signs indicated earlier, then you can try to install a program or utility and check the RAM with it, but the best advice is to take your PC to a computer service, or invite a computer wizard to your home.

After the diagnosis, he will tell you what the problem is and if the problems are related to the RAM, then you will need to change it and buy a new one in the store.

Now, the RAM market is full of various brands, but the most popular are: Hyper X, Сorsair. After purchasing RAM, the computer wizard will install a new, purchased one, and you can continue to use the computer.

Malfunctions in the system of a personal computer, laptop can be of a different plan. One of the most incomprehensible to beginners - does not work. How to understand that this is the root of the malfunction? How to determine that the "RAM" is damaged? What to do when you are completely sure of the problem? We will answer these and other questions in detail in the article.

Key Concepts

RAM is the "official" name for RAM. A microcircuit located in a special connector on your computer or laptop. In the first case, its dimensions are larger, in the second, it is smaller.

The RAM stick is the chip that is the RAM. I must say that this is the most reliable component of your PC hardware. It breaks down the least. Manufacturers set for slats for at least 4 years. It's all about the simplicity of the microcircuit device. It does not heat up, and therefore does not need a cooler (fan in a computer system). True, sometimes powerful gaming PCs install a heatsink to cool the RAM. It also makes the "RAM" bar structurally stronger.

From here it can be revealed that different RAM will work differently. However, the causes of failure for all varieties are identical.

Causes of malfunctions

Why is RAM not working? Note that the cause of the breakdown can only be physical. RAM is not harmed by software problems and computer, virtual viruses.

RAM does not work in the following cases:

• "Congenital" manufacturing defect.
• Mechanical damage.
• Malfunctions in the power supply.
• Wear.
• Static stress.
• Subcooling or overheating of a component.

We propose to analyze each of the causes of the problem in more detail.

Marriage

RAM is not working. A manufacturing defect is a fairly rare cause here. In the general account - 1% of cases. Moreover, it is impossible to single out one "guilty" manufacturer.

All manufacturers must test microcircuits before sending them for sale, they provide a long warranty period. Therefore, in this case, it is simple and easy to replace the RAM in a service center under warranty.

Power Supply

RAM does not work due to problems with the power supply is also extremely rare. The motherboard, power supply in all computers are equipped with special controllers that do not allow more voltage to be given out than required.

However, malfunctions still happen. They spoil the bar of RAM. The problem can be detected using a voltmeter - a device that is not in every home. Here you will have to change not only the "RAM", but also the faulty power supply.

Mechanical damage

On the contrary, this is the most common case. For example, when you tried to insert the bar into place without calculating your strength. In this case, it may not be damaged by itself, but by its connector.

Static voltage

Rare, but still possible. Its non-proliferation is due to the fact that the system unit and the laptop case are always closed during operation. Modern devices are also equipped with a special antistatic layer under the motherboard.

There are quite outlandish cases here: you walked around the carpet in rubber shoes, and then began to sort out the "insides" of the computer with your hands.

Device wear

RAM does not work often and for this reason. Everything, as you know, is not forever. The device may fail after a couple of years, and after a decade. This is directly affected by the integrity of the manufacturer, the operating conditions of the component.

Overheating/subcooling

Another rare, but still occurring case. To disable the device, absolutely prohibitive temperatures are required: -45 ° C, +100 ° C.

By the way, in order to protect yourself from such a cause of failure, do not forget to periodically clean the computer or laptop from the inside of dust.

General signs of breakdown

Do I need to know what frequency the RAM is running at to make sure it is malfunctioning? No, the breakdown shows itself simply:

• The system cannot start. Or it restarts endlessly.
• The system does not start at all. Often, attempts to turn on the PC are accompanied by beeping from the device's speakers. This indicates that the system cannot determine the RAM, or that the latter (or its connector) is badly damaged.

Signs for "Windows"

Let's tell you how to find out about a breakdown of the RAM strip for users of the most common operating system:

• "Blue screen of death" with technical information. At the same time, the error code is always different, so there is no need to "google" it. By the way, a blue screen also appears when the bar is not fully inserted into the connector.
• PC malfunctions. With regard to those programs, applications, games that use RAM in their functioning. Ends with an error message. Or "departure" in the blue screen.

Signs for Linux

Here it is important to note the following signs:

• Crashes in the browser and other applications. A message appears with a system error code. But it is not possible to view it - an error occurs during this action as well.
• The system cannot boot. Sometimes the error message comes up again.

Problem testing

We figured out why RAM does not work. It is also possible to independently determine that the problem is in it. To do this, download the freely available Memtest86 utility program from the official website of the developer to digital media. Let's say a flash drive.

Before diagnosing with Memtest86, you need to do the following:

1. Reset BIOS settings. For different PC models, it opens at system startup with a specific key: F1-12, Delete, etc.
2. Select the Set to Default option. Save your settings and reboot your system.
3. Open the case of the system unit or laptop. Find the "RAM" bar among other components. Appearance - a rectangular microcircuit, fixed with clips.
4. Pull out the bar, carefully inspect it. If the contacts are dirty, then it is easy to give them their former appearance with the help of a clerical eraser.
5. Return the bar to the slot, close the case.
6. After that, turn on the computer and run Memtest86 from the external drive.
7. After starting, the utility will immediately start checking the RAM. How to find out how RAM works? In the upper left half of the program window, the characteristics of the central processor will appear, in the upper right - the stage and percentage of the test being performed. After this information - a characteristic of the installed RAM. This information should be photographed or recorded. After all, if the bar has to be changed, then you should purchase an identical one.
8. Did Memtest86 find at least one error during the test (text in red)? Most likely the RAM needs to be replaced.
9. To be sure, turn off the computer, open the case, move the bar to another slot. Reboot the system and start running Memtest86. If the program again found an error (or even several), then there is only one conclusion: the microcircuit must be replaced. If there are no errors in this case, the problem is in the connector. Do not use a defective one or entrust its repair to a master.

What to do in case of breakdown?

As you can see, it is not always necessary to understand how dual-channel RAM works in order to establish: the component is broken. What to do in this case?

There is only one way out - buying a new RAM stick. If the contacts are worn, the connectors are faulty, then, perhaps, you can do without purchasing - a computer wizard will help you. The chip itself cannot be repaired. Note that the relatively small cost of the device - 1-2 thousand rubles (taking into account the duration of operation). Finally, we advise you to buy a RAM with a warranty period of at least 2 years.

RAM failure is a rare, but still occurring situation. Now you know how to determine that the "RAM" is faulty, what to do in such a situation.

What to do if your computer crashes due to unknown reasons? Or do you often see a "blue death era" with a message that there may have been problems due to RAM module? You will learn how and what to do by reading this article.

From this article, you will also learn the basics of knowledge about the main symptoms when a module malfunctions. random access memory, and about programs for testing the RAM (main storage device) of your computer.

So what causes problems with the computer's RAM?

RAM is a pair of microcircuits located on the motherboard. It is one of the most reliable computer components. There is also a rather small chance that a RAM board with some kind of malfunction will go on sale, because board manufacturers conduct a thorough defect test before selling it, but this is still possible, since each manufacturer nowadays produces quite a large amount of RAM.

As already mentioned, under normal operating conditions, RAM is one of the most reliable components of your computer, but again, only under normal conditions. Despite its reliability, memory can be damaged very easily, enough static electricity. In addition to static electricity on operability RAM sticks negatively affected by voltage drops, as well as problems with the power supply.

If you do not clean your computer from dust or it is in a humid room, this can lead to damage to the contacts that are in the connectors. random access memory on your computer's motherboard. Also, the reason for this may be an increase in the temperature of the modules and other components inside the case of your computer. And the RAM module itself is not so "steel", so you need to handle it carefully, otherwise you can simply cause physical damage, which will lead to damage. To increase the strength of the RAM, "radiators" are used on the RAM modules, as well as radiators that they lower the temperature, but not much.

The disadvantage of RAM is that in case of malfunctions it cannot be repaired (it can only be replaced with a new one), like other computer components, therefore, when buying RAM, pay attention to the warranty period and the manufacturer, since, in case of a defective bar, it can was replaced with a working one.

The most common signs of a computer memory defect are:

The "blue screen of death" crashes, one of the surest signs of a defect in RAM.

Crashes, and again the appearance of a blue screen while Windows is running. The reason may be not only due to a defective RAM, but also due to increased temperature.

Crashes while working with bulky programs or games that intensively use the random access memory (RAM) of your computer: for example, Photoshop or three-dimensional computer toys.

The computer does not start. There may be sound signals with which the BIOS reports memory malfunctions. In this case, test programs will not help, it is better to change the module here.

How to check your computer's RAM for defects?

Here is one of the programs for checking the RAM of your computer - "Memtest86+"

This program, in addition to checking the RAM, is able to determine the characteristics of your computer, such as the chipset, processor, or what speed the RAM of your computer is.

This program has two modes of operation: basic "basic" and advanced "advanced".

Their difference lies in the testing time. The main mode will detect "global" memory problems, and in advanced the check is carried out more carefully.

The process of checking the RAM of your computer for defects:

First, write the program to a CD-ROM (also, perhaps, to a floppy disk or USB flash drive).

Turn off your computer.

Pull it all out RAM modules- planks, leave one. What is it for? It is better to test the module on one bar, because, in case of a malfunction, it will not be very clear which of the bars is faulty.

Turn on the computer and make sure it boots from the CD and not from the hard drive.

After that, a blue screen appears with the inscription Memtest, you will immediately recognize it.

Wait for at least one full check, the test is unlikely to take a long time. If there are defects, red lines will appear at the bottom of the screen.

Solution of problems:

The main solution is to replace the damaged RAM stick.

If you have only one bar, then move it to another slot and do another test. If there are errors again, the RAM module is faulty, and if there is no error, then the problem is in the mounting connector.

If you have a couple RAM sticks, then do the following: remove all the bars, and, in turn, test each bar in the same slot. On error with one RAM module, it is clear that the problem is in it, but if there are errors with all the bars, then this is most likely a connector malfunction.

If during testing there were no errors in any RAM stick, and as soon as all the brackets have been installed, errors appear, which means, for sure, the problem is in the connector. Try to do the same operation only with a different connector.

All this will help you find out if the problem is a malfunction of the operational module in your computer, or whether it is, after all, a defective bar.

If you cannot cope with this problem on your own, please contact us for professional computer help by calling: 8-800-50-50-741.

Troubleshooting or problems with RAM can be difficult. First, computer memory, since it is a kind of "virtual" thing that is difficult to understand, is still a mystery to people. Another complication is that memory problems may not be permanent and often look like problems with other parts of the system, even software. Here are some simple troubleshooting steps you can follow if you suspect you have a memory problem.

To troubleshoot memory problems, you first need to run some test programs to diagnose it. Each motherboard has a POST memory diagnostic that runs when the system is turned on. In most cases, you also have the special disk memory diagnostic utilities that came with your system. In addition, there are many commercial diagnostic programs on the market and almost all of them include memory tests.

POST memory diagnostics

When POST is run, it not only checks the memory, but also counts it. This number is compared with the last time the BIOS setup was performed. And if it differs, an error message is issued. As it starts, it writes the data pattern to all system memory cells and reads this pattern to check the memory performance. When a malfunction is detected, you see or hear a message. Audio messages (beeps) are used to indicate critical or "fatal" errors occurring in areas important for the functioning of the system. If the system can access enough memory to output video, you will see error messages instead of beeps.

If your system passes the POST without indicating a memory error, the problem may not be with the hardware memory, or the POST may not be able to detect the problem. Intermittent memory errors during POST are often not detected, and other subtle hardware defects during POST can be difficult to catch. POST is designed to be fast, so testing isn't as thorough as it could be. That's why you often have to boot from offline diagnostic media (usually an optical disc or bootable flash drive) and run a real hardware diagnostic to do more extensive memory testing. You can run these types of tests on a continuous basis, and if you need to track down a subtle intermittent defect, leave them running for a few days.

Memory testing programs

Luckily, there are several great memory testing programs available for free download. Here are some that we recommend:

• Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic- Included with Windows 7 and later
• Memtest86 -
• Ultimate Boot CD -

Not only are they free, but they are also available in a downloadable format, meaning you don't have to install any software on the system you are testing. The boot format is actually necessary because Windows and other operating systems prevent direct access to memory and other hardware required for testing. These programs, to make sure everything reads and writes correctly, use algorithms that write different types of patterns for all the memory in the system, checking every bit.

They also disable the processor's cache to allow direct testing of modules rather than cache. Some of them, such as "Windows Memory Diagnostic", if you encounter an error, even indicate a module malfunction. Please note that Windows Memory Diagnostic version is included in Windows 7/8.1/10. It can be found in the administrative tools section (mdsched.exe), as well as on bootable installation DVDs in recovery mode.

The Ultimate Boot CD includes Memtest86 and some other memory diagnostic programs. The Ultimate Boot CD in Windows 7 and later installation DVDs (containing Windows Memory Diagnostic) can also be installed to a bootable USB flash drive, making it much more convenient to use.

To create a bootable flash drive from the Ultimate Boot CD, you must use the ubcd2usb command as described on the UBCD Setup page at www.ultimatebootcd.com. To create a bootable flash drive in the Windows 7/8.1/10 installation DVD, you can download and use the Windows 7 USB/DVD tool provided by Microsoft (http://tinyurl.com/4qfdm4x).

Please note that although the tool is named "Windows 7", it also works on Windows 8.1/10. If you want to test the memory on a system that already has Windows 7/8.1/10 installed, simply run the mdsched.exe command or open the control panel, administrative tools and select Windows Memory Diagnostic, which will allow you to restart the system and immediately run the test or configure automatic test execution at the next restart.

One problem with software memory diagnostics is that they only do pass/fail testing. That is, all they can do is write patterns to memory and read them back. They can't determine how close the memory is to crashing - just whether it works or not.

For the highest level of testing, the best thing to do is a dedicated test of the machine's memory, usually with a unit tester. These devices allow you to insert a module and thoroughly test it at various speeds, voltages and timings. Determining for sure whether this memory is good or bad. Versions of these testers are available to handle all types of memory modules. For example, you have defective modules that work (slower) on some systems and don't work on others. We mean that the same memory test program shows the failure of the module on one machine, and its normal operation on another. In the module tester, it is always defined as bad, down to a single bit, and even indicates the actual speed of the device, not just its rating.

Companies offering memory module testers include Tanisys(), CST(), and Innoventions(). They can be expensive, but for the high end system builder or repair shop, using one of these module testers can save time and money in the long run.

RAM errors

After the OS starts, memory errors can occur, usually identified by error messages. Here are the most common:

• Parity errors. The parity check did not detect a change in memory since the data was originally saved.
• General or global protection faults. A general error indicating that the program has been corrupted in memory, which usually causes the application to terminate immediately. It can also be caused by bugs or faulty programs.
• Fatal exception errors\Fatal exception errors. Error codes returned by the program when it encounters an illegal command, invalid data, or access codes to a privileged operation level.
• Divide error\Division errors. General error indicating that a division by 0 was performed or the result of the operation was not placed in the destination register.

If you encounter these errors, they may be caused by defective or misconfigured memory. But it can also be caused by software bugs (especially drivers), poor power supplies, static discharge, short range radio transmitters, timing issues, etc.

If you suspect memory is causing problems, there are ways to test your memory and determine if this is the problem. Most of this testing involves running one or more memory test programs.

Another problem with software diagnostics is running memory tests with system caches enabled. This effectively invalidates the memory test since most systems have a so-called write-back cache. This means that data written to main memory is first written to the cache. Since the memory test program first writes data and then immediately reads it back, the data is read from the cache and not from main memory. As a result, the memory test program is fast, but all you've tested is the cache.

The bottom line is, if you're testing memory with cache enabled, you're not actually writing to modules, but only to the cache. Before running any memory testing programs, make sure that the cpu/memory caches are disabled. Many older systems have options in BIOS Setup to disable caches. Software based memory testing software such as Windows Memory Diagnostic and Memtest86 can disable caches on newer systems.

Memory test procedure

The following steps allow you to effectively test and troubleshoot system RAM. The figure below shows a detailed procedure that will help you quickly go through the entire process.

First, let's look at the memory check and troubleshooting procedures:

• Power on the system and monitor POST. If the POST completes without errors, the underlying memory functionality has been tested. If errors occur, go to the defect isolation procedures.
• Reboot the system and enter the BIOS (or CMOS) settings. On most systems, this is done by pressing Del, F1, or F2 during POST, but before the boot process begins (see your system or motherboard documentation for details). After, in the BIOS settings, make sure that the amount of memory is equal to the set amount. If the count does not match the specified, proceed to the procedures for isolating defects.

• Find the BIOS settings options for the cache, and then if your system supports this option, disable all cache options. The following figure shows a typical Advanced BIOS Features menu with cache options highlighted. Save the settings and reboot the bootable media containing the memory diagnostic program.

Clue. Most systems do not allow you to disable the cache in the BIOS settings. In such cases, to disable the cache before testing the memory, it is recommended to use Windows Memory Diagnostic and advanced options.

• To check the system and extended memory, follow the instructions that came with your diagnostic program. Most programs have a mode that allows them to loop a test, i.e. run it continuously, which is great for finding intermittent problems. If the program encounters a memory error, go to the defect isolation procedures.
• If there are no errors in the POST or more comprehensive memory diagnostics, your memory has been tested in hardware. Make sure that at the time of the system reboot, enter the BIOS settings and enable the cache again. If the cache is not enabled, the system will run very slowly.

For accurate results before memory testing, the CPU internal (L1) and external (L2 and L3) caches must be disabled in the system BIOS setup if the system has this option.

• If you're still having memory issues even though tests show it to be OK, it's possible that the problem can be detected with a simple pass/fail test. Your problems may be caused by software or one of many other defects. Or a problem in the system itself. You may want to test the memory with a module tester for a more accurate analysis. Some major computer repair shops have such a tester. We recommend checking software (especially drivers that may need to be updated), power supply, and system environment for issues such as static, radios, etc.