Difference between revisions of "User:SVANDUSEN"
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* SODIMMS (Laptop) - '''Take to "Laptop Incoming RAM" bin in Laptop Build.''' | * SODIMMS (Laptop) - '''Take to "Laptop Incoming RAM" bin in Laptop Build.''' | ||
* SDRAM - '''Set aside to sort by speed and capacity.''' | * SDRAM - '''Set aside to sort by speed and capacity.''' | ||
− | * DDR - '''Set aside to sort by speed and capacity.''' | + | * DDR - '''Set aside to sort by speed and capacity.''' |
+ | * DDR2 - '''Set aside to sort by size speed and capacity.''' | ||
* DDR3 - '''Store in TARDIS until a test board is available.''' | * DDR3 - '''Store in TARDIS until a test board is available.''' | ||
− | * Other - There may be '''Printer RAM''' or other types of RAM or small cards that may or may not have a use. ''Ask instructor.''' | + | * Other - There may be '''Printer RAM''' or other types of RAM or small cards that may or may not have a use. '''Ask instructor.''' |
'''2. Sort for ECC''' | '''2. Sort for ECC''' | ||
− | * Separate out '''all''' ECC RAM from the SDRAM, DDR, and DDR2 that has been retained for further processing - ''take to "ECC Incoming RAM" bin in Server Build.''' | + | * Separate out '''all''' ECC RAM from the SDRAM, DDR, and DDR2 that has been retained for further processing - '''take to "ECC Incoming RAM" bin in Server Build.''' |
'''3. Sort by Speed''' | '''3. Sort by Speed''' | ||
* SDRAM - | * SDRAM - | ||
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*'''Must''' all be of the '''same speed'''. | *'''Must''' all be of the '''same speed'''. | ||
*'''May''' be of '''mixed size'''; ie. 256 and 512, etc. | *'''May''' be of '''mixed size'''; ie. 256 and 512, etc. | ||
− | *'''Should''' be '''balanced by size''' across channels ( | + | *'''Should''' be '''balanced by size''' across channels ('''all''' test boards are "Dual Channel"); ie. 512 MB in channel 1 and 256 MB in channel 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). | *'''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"). | :'''Balance and brand''' can be worked around if single sticks are all that are available (see "Boot Up"). | ||
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:'''Be aware ---''' | :'''Be aware ---''' | ||
:*Banks (the slots into which the sticks are inserted) are designated 0, 1, 2, & 3 moving from inboard [closest to the CPU] to outboard [farthest from the CPU]). | :*Banks (the slots into which the sticks are inserted) are designated 0, 1, 2, & 3 moving from inboard [closest to the CPU] to outboard [farthest from the CPU]). | ||
− | :*Channels consist of two banks. | + | :*Channels consist of two banks ('''all''' test boards are dual channel but will operate in single channel mode). |
::*Banks may be color coded; ie. two black and two blue. | ::*Banks may be color coded; ie. two black and two blue. | ||
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::*Some boards may have a separation between pairs of banks, some do not. | ::*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 alternate color coded banks or clips; ie. blue-black-blue-black, or pair them; ie. blue-blue-black-black. | ||
− | ::*In any case, '''Channels are always composed of the | + | ::*In any case, '''Channels are always composed of pairs of banks. Either the banks themselves or the clips will be of matching color'''. |
− | + | ::*Intel cpu boards will nearly always match banks 0 and 2 as channel 1 or A, and banks 1 and 3 as channel 2 or B. | |
+ | ::*AMD cpu boards will nearly always match banks 0 and 1 as channel 1 or A, and banks 2 and 3 as channel 2 or B. | ||
:*Load from inboard to outboard. | :*Load from inboard to outboard. | ||
:*Load largest capacity inboard to smallest outboard; eg. 1 GB in banks 0 and 2 and 512 MB in banks 1 and 3 or 512 MB in bank 0, 256 MB in bank 1, and 128 MB in bank 2. | :*Load largest capacity inboard to smallest outboard; eg. 1 GB in banks 0 and 2 and 512 MB in banks 1 and 3 or 512 MB in bank 0, 256 MB in bank 1, and 128 MB in bank 2. | ||
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:*Unfortunately ... it's strictly trial and error from here on. | :*Unfortunately ... it's strictly trial and error from here on. | ||
− | :*Power off at the switch on the power supply | + | :*Power off at the switch on the power supply. |
:*Remove the suspected stick or sticks, singly or in pairs. | :*Remove the suspected stick or sticks, singly or in pairs. | ||
:*Restart the testing process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | :*Restart the testing process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | ||
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*'''If possible''', remove any old, handwritten labeling to avoid confusion. | *'''If possible''', remove any old, handwritten labeling to avoid confusion. | ||
− | '''2. Label | + | '''2. Label as follows:''' |
*'''SDRAM -''' capacity and speed only. Eg. 256/133. | *'''SDRAM -''' capacity and speed only. Eg. 256/133. | ||
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:*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 as follows -''' |
*'''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" -''' | ||
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::*1GB/any speed. | ::*1GB/any speed. | ||
− | + | ::*512/400 - pairs (or more ) of quality brands (Hynix, Nanya, Samsung, etc.). '''Leave singles in the box for build.''' | |
− | ::*512/400 - | ||
::'''DDR2 -''' | ::'''DDR2 -''' | ||
::*1 or 2 GB/any speed. | ::*1 or 2 GB/any speed. | ||
− | |||
::*256 or 512/667 or higher. | ::*256 or 512/667 or higher. | ||
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| '''End of DAY''' || | | '''End of DAY''' || | ||
'''POWER OFF ALL TEST BOARDS AT THE SWITCH ON THE POWER SUPPLY WHETHER THE TESTING PROCESS IS COMPLETE OR NOT!''' | '''POWER OFF ALL TEST BOARDS AT THE SWITCH ON THE POWER SUPPLY WHETHER THE TESTING PROCESS IS COMPLETE OR NOT!''' | ||
− |
Latest revision as of 11:26, 10 September 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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