Difference between revisions of "User:SVANDUSEN"
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'''1. Select -'''Select the RAM to be loaded according to the following criteria: | '''1. Select -'''Select the RAM to be loaded according to the following criteria: | ||
− | + | *'''Must''' all be of the '''same type'''. | |
− | + | *'''Must''' all be of the '''same speed'''. | |
− | + | *'''May''' be of '''mixed size'''; ie. 256 and 512, etc. | |
− | + | *'''Should''' be '''balanced by size''' across channels (most test boards are "Dual Channel"); ie. 512 MB in channel 1 and 256 MB in channels 2 (see "Load"). | |
− | + | *'''Should''' be all of the '''same brand or paired by brand''', if possible, for compatibility and to resolve "latency" issues (particularly with DDR2). | |
− | + | :'''Balance and brand''' can be worked around if single sticks are all that are available (see "Boot Up"). | |
'''2. Load -''' Load the RAM into the test boards as follows: | '''2. Load -''' Load the RAM into the test boards as follows: | ||
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:*Channels consist of two banks. | :*Channels consist of two banks. | ||
− | ::Banks may be color coded; ie. two black and two blue. | + | ::*Banks may be color coded; ie. two black and two blue. |
− | + | ::*Clips on the banks (hinged plastic parts at the ends of the banks that hold the sticks in place) may be color coded; ie. two black and two white. | |
− | ::Clips on the banks (hinged plastic parts at the ends of the banks that hold the sticks in place) may be color coded; ie. two black and two white. | + | ::*Some boards may have a separation between pairs of banks, some do not. |
− | + | ::*Some boards may alternate color coded banks or clips; ie. blue-black-blue-black, or pair them; ie. blue-blue-black-black. | |
− | ::Some boards may have a separation between pairs of banks, some do not. | + | ::*In any case, '''Channels are always composed of the pairs bank 0 + bank 2 and bank 1 + bank 3'''. |
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− | ::Some boards may alternate color coded banks or clips; ie. blue-black-blue-black, or pair them; ie. blue-blue-black-black. | ||
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− | ::In any case, '''Channels are always composed of the pairs bank 0 + bank 2 and bank 1 + bank 3'''. | ||
:*Load from inboard to outboard. | :*Load from inboard to outboard. | ||
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:*Insert the stick into the bank. | :*Insert the stick into the bank. | ||
− | ::Align the notches on the stick with the "key" (the small bar) in the groove of the bank. | + | ::*Align the notches on the stick with the "key" (the small bar) in the groove of the bank. |
− | + | ::*Make sure that '''both ends''' of the stick are in the groove of the bank. | |
− | ::Make sure that '''both ends''' of the stick are in the groove of the bank. | + | ::*Press firmly and evenly until the stick moves completely into place along its '''entire length''' and the clips '''click into place in the notches at the end of the stick''' securing it in place. |
− | + | ::*Manually check all clips to confirm that all are closed properly and the stick is securely in place. | |
− | ::Press firmly and evenly until the stick moves completely into place along its '''entire length''' and the clips '''click into place in the notches at the end of the stick''' securing it in place. | ||
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− | ::Manually check all clips to confirm that all are closed properly and the stick is securely in place. | ||
:*Power on '''using the switch on the power supply''' and, if necessary, the power button switch attached to the test board. | :*Power on '''using the switch on the power supply''' and, if necessary, the power button switch attached to the test board. | ||
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::'''WallTime''' indicates how much time has elapsed since MemTest began. | ::'''WallTime''' indicates how much time has elapsed since MemTest began. | ||
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::'''Cached''' indicates how much total RAM has been loaded onto the board. | ::'''Cached''' indicates how much total RAM has been loaded onto the board. | ||
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::'''Pass''' indicates what pass the testing process is on. | ::'''Pass''' indicates what pass the testing process is on. | ||
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*'''Indications of Failure - ''' | *'''Indications of Failure - ''' | ||
− | :'''No video, sometimes accompanied by a series of beeps or video is distorted - | + | :*'''No video, sometimes accompanied by a series of beeps or video is distorted -''' |
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− | :: | + | ::*The system will not boot up or show any other video signal '''or'''- |
+ | ::*The video is streaked, broken up into blocks, completely fragmented into dancing pixels, or wildly discolored. | ||
+ | ::*One or more sticks may be bad and/or incompatible; ie. ECC. '''See "Remedies"''' | ||
− | : | + | :*'''"Red Screen" -''' |
− | :'''" | + | ::*The most common indicator of failure. |
+ | ::*The bottom half of the screen turns red, a new set of column headings appears, the section fills with data and '''may''' begin scrolling rapidly. '''See Remedies.''' | ||
+ | ::*Usually occurs within the first two tests of the first pass but may, occasionally, happen much deeper in the testing process. | ||
+ | ::*One or more sticks have failed. '''See "Remedies".''' | ||
− | : | + | :*'''"WallTime" is frozen -''' |
− | ::This may happen very early in the testing process or may occur much deeper. | + | ::*The clock stops ticking ... period. |
+ | ::*This may happen very early in the testing process or may occur much deeper. | ||
+ | ::*One or more sticks have failed. '''See "Remedies".''' | ||
− | : | + | :*'''"Cached" column indicates a different total capacity than the known amount physically loaded -''' |
− | + | ::*The total capacity of RAM indicated by this column '''must equal''' the known total capacity of the RAM physically loaded onto the board. | |
− | + | ::*If not ... this indicates that '''the system is not reading all of the RAM that has been loaded.''' | |
− | ::The total capacity of RAM indicated by this column '''must equal''' the known total capacity of the RAM physically loaded onto the board. | + | ::*It is '''permissible for the speed indicated by MemTest to differ''' from the speed indicated on the stick (it will simply run at a slower speed ... this is not optimal but acceptable). |
− | + | ::*'''This may NOT be a problem with the RAM.''' This may be a '''problem with one or more of the banks on the test board.''' | |
− | ::If not ... this indicates that '''the system is not reading all of the RAM that has been loaded.''' | + | ::*One or more sticks and/or banks have failed. '''See "Remedies."''' |
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− | ::It is '''permissible for the speed indicated by MemTest to differ''' from the speed indicated on the stick (it will simply run at a slower speed ... this is not optimal but acceptable). | ||
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− | ::'''This may NOT be a problem with the RAM.''' This may be a '''problem with one or more of the banks on the test board.''' | ||
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− | ::One or more sticks and/or banks have failed. '''See "Remedies."''' | ||
*'''Remedies - ''' | *'''Remedies - ''' | ||
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:This can be tedious, time consuming, and tricky, but with the technology available it is the only way. | :This can be tedious, time consuming, and tricky, but with the technology available it is the only way. | ||
− | + | *'''Red Screen - ''' here there is an important clue. | |
:*A new row of column headings will appear above the red area (the bottom half of the MemTest screen). Only '''Test, Pass, and Failing Address''' are relevant here. | :*A new row of column headings will appear above the red area (the bottom half of the MemTest screen). Only '''Test, Pass, and Failing Address''' are relevant here. | ||
− | :: | + | ::*'''Test and Pass''' will indicate at what point in the testing process the failure occurred. If it occurs early (eg. pass 0, test 1), all well and good. If it occurs deeper in the testing process, it may be that a failing stick will begin testing well and then fail, making it more difficult to identify. |
− | + | ::*'''Failing Address''' is in two parts which indicate the '''pattern''' (not relevant here) and the point in the '''total capacity''' at which the failure occurred. | |
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:*Moving from '''outboard to inboard''', subtract the capacity of each stick from the total until you are in the range at which the failure occurred, eg. four sticks of 256 MB RAM for a total of 1 GB have been loaded. A failure occurs at 368.2 MB on pass 0, test 1. The failure has occurred between 512 MB, and 256 MB. Subtracting 256 MB for each of the two outboard sticks (banks 3 & 2) leaves 512 MB. The failure occurred at a point below this capacity. The failure occurred at a point greater than 256 MB, the capacity of the first inboard stick (bank 0). Therefore, it is most likely that the stick in bank 1 is the stick that failed. | :*Moving from '''outboard to inboard''', subtract the capacity of each stick from the total until you are in the range at which the failure occurred, eg. four sticks of 256 MB RAM for a total of 1 GB have been loaded. A failure occurs at 368.2 MB on pass 0, test 1. The failure has occurred between 512 MB, and 256 MB. Subtracting 256 MB for each of the two outboard sticks (banks 3 & 2) leaves 512 MB. The failure occurred at a point below this capacity. The failure occurred at a point greater than 256 MB, the capacity of the first inboard stick (bank 0). Therefore, it is most likely that the stick in bank 1 is the stick that failed. | ||
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:*Power off at the switch on the power supply | :*Power off at the switch on the power supply | ||
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:*Remove the suspected stick. | :*Remove the suspected stick. | ||
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:*Restart the testing process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | :*Restart the testing process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | ||
− | + | *'''No Video or Cached column indicates lower total capacity than physically loaded.''' | |
:*This may simply be a matter of the sticks not being seated properly, '''or''' the system does not recognize the RAM '''in the order''' in which it was loaded, '''or''' it has compatibility issues with brands, latency, etc., '''OR''' it has some other problem all its own and refuses to give you any indication as to what it might be. | :*This may simply be a matter of the sticks not being seated properly, '''or''' the system does not recognize the RAM '''in the order''' in which it was loaded, '''or''' it has compatibility issues with brands, latency, etc., '''OR''' it has some other problem all its own and refuses to give you any indication as to what it might be. | ||
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:*Power off at the switch on the power supply. | :*Power off at the switch on the power supply. | ||
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:*Remove and re-seat '''all of the sticks.''' | :*Remove and re-seat '''all of the sticks.''' | ||
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:*Change the order, re-balance the load across the channels, reverse the channel position by pairs, etc. | :*Change the order, re-balance the load across the channels, reverse the channel position by pairs, etc. | ||
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:*Restart the test process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | :*Restart the test process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | ||
− | + | *'''WallTime freezes or the location steps for Red Screen, No Video, or Cached column differential don't resolve the issue.''' | |
:*Unfortunately ... it's strictly trial and error from here on. | :*Unfortunately ... it's strictly trial and error from here on. | ||
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:*Power off at the switch on the power supply.*First, make sure that the bluetooth USB dongle is plugged into your testing computer. | :*Power off at the switch on the power supply.*First, make sure that the bluetooth USB dongle is plugged into your testing computer. | ||
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:*Remove the suspected stick or sticks, singly or in pairs. | :*Remove the suspected stick or sticks, singly or in pairs. | ||
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:*Restart the testing process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | :*Restart the testing process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | ||
:*Repeat as necessary until issues are resolved. | :*Repeat as necessary until issues are resolved. | ||
− | + | *'''If a bad bank or other system failure is suspected for any reason - ''' | |
:*Power off at the switch on the power supply. | :*Power off at the switch on the power supply. | ||
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:*Remove '''all RAM sticks.''' | :*Remove '''all RAM sticks.''' | ||
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:*Test '''each bank''' with a '''known good''' RAM stick. | :*Test '''each bank''' with a '''known good''' RAM stick. | ||
::*If all banks pass, all well and good. If '''not''', power down, remove, stick or sticks, mark the suspected bank or banks with a label, and notify an instructor. | ::*If all banks pass, all well and good. If '''not''', power down, remove, stick or sticks, mark the suspected bank or banks with a label, and notify an instructor. | ||
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::*If something other than a bad bank or banks is suspected, ie. video or network issues, ask an instructor. | ::*If something other than a bad bank or banks is suspected, ie. video or network issues, ask an instructor. | ||
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*'''Check on the progress of the testing process.''' | *'''Check on the progress of the testing process.''' | ||
− | + | *The time necessary to complete the testing process can vary greatly, depending on the capacity and speed of the RAM that has been loaded, the FSB (Front Side Bus) speed of the CPU or other factors specific to the test board. The time can be less than one hour, with low capacity and/or high speed, or can take an incredibly long time with high capacity and/or low speed (eg. 2 GB of SDRAM at 133 MHz can take nearly 24 hours). Generally an average load of around 1 GB of DDR or DDR2 will take between 2.5 and 3.5 hours. | |
− | + | *A complete testing process consists of '''three passes, labeled 0-2.''' | |
− | + | *Each pass consists of ''''eight tests, labeled 1-8.''' | |
− | + | *MemTest will continue to run indefinitely until is manually discontinued. | |
− | + | *If the pass number is '''3 or greater''', the testing process is complete. | |
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*'''Watch for indications of failure, as indicated above, and correct as necessary.''' | *'''Watch for indications of failure, as indicated above, and correct as necessary.''' | ||
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*'''Kit of 2 -''' | *'''Kit of 2 -''' | ||
− | : | + | :*Label each stick with its '''true capacity''' and speed. Eg. a 1GB kit of 2 - each stick would be labeled as 512 MB with the speed. |
− | + | :*If you have '''both halves''' of such a kit, make a small '''nonstick''' paper strip label, write "Kit of 2" and "xxx MB (or GB) each" on it, wrap it around the kit, and rubber band it together. | |
− | :If you have '''both halves''' of such a kit, make a small '''nonstick''' paper strip label, write "Kit of 2" and "xxx MB (or GB) each" on it, wrap it around the kit, and rubber band it together. | ||
'''3. Route -''' | '''3. Route -''' | ||
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*'''The two boxes on the table labeled, "Tested RAM SDRAM & DDR" and "Tested RAM DDR2" -''' | *'''The two boxes on the table labeled, "Tested RAM SDRAM & DDR" and "Tested RAM DDR2" -''' | ||
− | :Place the vast majority of the labeled RAM in the appropriate slots in these two boxes. | + | :*Place the vast majority of the labeled RAM in the appropriate slots in these two boxes (see '''Store''' for exceptions). |
− | + | :*This will be harvested regularly by build and occasionally by the store to fill their needs. | |
− | :This will be harvested regularly by build and occasionally by the store to fill their needs. | ||
*'''TARDIS -''' | *'''TARDIS -''' | ||
− | :The boxes on the table will populate quite rapidly. | + | :*The boxes on the table will populate quite rapidly. |
− | + | :*As they fill (usually once a week or more), empty the slots into the '''appropriate''' static free bags in the '''blue bins''' on the shelf in TARDIS. | |
− | :As they fill (usually once a week or more), empty the slots into the '''appropriate''' static free bags in the '''blue bins''' on the shelf in TARDIS. | + | :*As the bags fill, tape them shut and place them in the '''RAM Overstock''' bin on the top shelf. |
− | + | :*Replace the bag with an empty one labeled with type, capacity, speed (in MHz) and PC or PC2 code (PC 2100, PC 2700 ... PC2 4200, PC2 5300 ... etc.) | |
− | :As the bags fill, tape them shut and place them in the '''RAM Overstock''' bin on the top shelf. | + | :*These will be harvested by build and the store to meet their needs. |
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− | :Replace the bag with an empty one labeled with type, capacity, speed (in MHz) and PC or PC2 code (PC 2100, PC 2700 ... PC2 4200, PC2 5300 ... etc.) | ||
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− | :These will be harvested by build and the store to meet their needs. | ||
*'''Store -''' | *'''Store -''' | ||
− | :Some tested RAM should be '''taken directly to the store''' (do not put in the outgoing "Store" box on the rack shelf next to the TARDIS door). | + | :*Some tested RAM should be '''taken directly to the store''' (do not put in the outgoing "Store" box on the rack shelf next to the TARDIS door). |
− | ::'''SDRAM -''' 1GB/133 | + | ::'''SDRAM -''' |
+ | ::*1GB/133 | ||
::'''DDR -''' | ::'''DDR -''' | ||
− | :: | + | ::*1GB/any speed. |
− | :: | + | ::*512/400 - particularly pairs of quality brands; Hynix, Nanya, Samsung, etc.(leave some in the slots for build). |
::'''DDR2 -''' | ::'''DDR2 -''' | ||
− | :: | + | ::*1 or 2 GB/any speed. |
− | :: | + | ::*256 or 512/667 or higher. |
::'''All PAIRED & BUNDLED Kit of 2 sets.''' | ::'''All PAIRED & BUNDLED Kit of 2 sets.''' |
Revision as of 13:34, 9 July 2010
RAM (Memory) Testing
SVANDUSEN 19:13, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
RAM is a deceptively simple device to test. It appears to be simply a matter of gathering, sorting,loading,removing, labeling, and storing; repeated over and over again. In actuality, there are a multitude of details and issues involved that would take far more space to cover than is alloted here. This is a very basic overview of the essentials that are necessary to get through the process. For more information please consult other experienced volunteers, instructors, or research such sources as Wikipedia or forums on Google.
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