User:SVANDUSEN

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. STEPS NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS Collect Collect incoming RAM from the collection points. Advanced Testing Incoming Rack - the yellow tub on the shelf labeled 'Incoming RAM' (use this to collect from the other points as well). System Evaluation - the four boxes on the work bench labeled 'Memory' . Receiving - the box on the top shelf labeled 'Unsorted Memory'. Sort Sort the collected RAM into several categories as follows: 1. Sort by Type SIMMS - Automatic Recycle. RAMBUS - Automatic Recyle. CRIMMS (spacer sticks for RAMBUS boards) - Automatic Recycle. SODIMMS (Laptop) - Take to "Laptop Incoming RAM" bin in Laptop Build. SDRAM - 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. 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 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 SDRAM - PC 66 - Automatic Recycle. PC 100 - Automatic Recycle. PC 133 - Set aside to sort by size. DDR - PC 1600 (200 MHz) - Only two examples have ever been received - Recycle. PC 2100 (266 MHz) - Set aside to sort by size. PC 2700 (333 MHz) - Set aside to sort by size. PC 3200 (400 MHz) - Set aside to sort by size. DDR2 - PC2 3200 (400 MHz) - Set aside to sort by size. PC2 4200 (533 MHz) - Set aside to sort by size. PC2 5300 (667 MHz) - Set aside to sort by size. PC2 6400 (800 MHz) - Set aside to sort by size. PC2 8500 (1066 MHz) - Set aside to sort by size. PC2 9600 (1200 MHz) - None has been received as yet. Store in TARDIS until a test board is available. 4. Sort by Capacity SDRAM - 32 thru 128 MB - Automatic Recycle. 256, 512 MB, & 1 GB - Stack by capacity in designated area on table (orange label) to be loaded into test board. DDR - 128, 256, 512 MB, & 1 or 2 GB - Stack by capacity in designated area on table (orange label) to be loaded into test board. DDR2 - 256 & 512 MB, 1 or 2 GB - Stack by capacity in designated area on table (orange label) to be loaded into test board. 5. Unspecified speed and/or capacity Frequently RAM will not be labeled as to speed or capacity by the manufacturer. In such cases it is necessary to determine these characteristics by other means. SDRAM - Insert RAM into the test device in front of monitor (SIMM Check II). Push red button(On/Off) to power on. Wait for screen to display "INNOVENTIONS". Press blue button (F1). If display ("Basic Test") indicates speed less than 133 MHz - Automatic Recycle. If display ("Basic Test") indicates capacity less than 32X64 (256 MB - see chart on test device for other equivalents) - Automatic recycle. If display goes past "Basic Test" - press blue F1 button until "Basic Test" is displayed. If display will not hold on "Basic Test" or error message is displayed - Automatic recycle. If speed and capacity can be determined, and both meet specification - Press red button (On/Off) to turn off test device. Remove RAM. Label with speed and capacity. Stack in designated area on table (orange label) to be loaded into test board. DDR & DDR2 - Use a test board. Several boards give an accurate reading regarding capacity and speed (see also "Loading & Testing). Load a single stick. Power on at the power supply. Wait until the system enters "MemTest". Read the capacity and speed from the display. Power off at the power supply. Remove the stick. Label and stack in designated area on table (orange label) to be loaded into test board. Research online. Several websites dealing in RAM specifications have been bookmarked and other websites can be accessed by "Googling" using the manufacturer and or model/part number (if available). Locate a website. Locate the RAM in question in the website. Note the capacity and speed in the specifications. Label and stack in designated area on table (orange label) to be loaded into test board. Ask an instructor. Some of them know ways to determine information by examining the imbedded chips. 6. "Kit of 2" Some manufacturers, especially Kingston and Super Talent have a marketing ploy of packaging RAM in pairs totaling a specific capacity, usually 512 MB and 1 or 2 GB. In these cases, each stick has only one half of the total capacity; eg. a 1GB "Kit of 2" consists of two 512 MB sticks. This will be indicated somewhere on the label, either as a distinct statement as such or, in the case of Kingston, within the model number; eg. KVR400x64C3AK2/1G. In this case the "400" indicates the speed, the "1G" indicates the total capacity of the kit, and the "K2" indicates that the stick is part of the kit. The actual capacity of the stick in this example is one half of 1 GB or 512 MB. Both halves of such kits are not always present when they come into our possession but they are testable seperately. When labeling such sticks after testing, treat each one as a separate stick and label it with its actual individual capacity (see "Labeling and Routing"). Test Test the sorted RAM in the wall-mounted test boards as follows: Pair the Device First, make sure that the bluetooth USB dongle is plugged into your testing computer. This is where you will need to find out how to pair the device, try googling 'how to pair *make model #*'. Once the device is in pairing mode open bluetooth preferences (System>Preferences>Bluetooth) and select 'add new device...' proceed until it has you select detected devices at which point you should see your device, highlight and continue. The device should now come out of pairing mode and should appear in the bluetooth preferences window with a paired icon present (lookes like a plug in a socket just to the right of the listed device name). Configure Device for Input/Output Right-click on the sound mixer icon in the top panel and select 'Preferences'. Go to the 'Input' and 'Output' tabs and highlight the bluetooth device that you have paired under 'Choose a device for input/output', this sets the bluetooth device to be used as a headphone/microphone. Test audio recording and playback Open Sound Recorder (Applications>Sound&Video>Sound Recorder) and record a short test clip (MAYDAY MAYDAY WE ARE GOING DOWN!!!) and then play it back. If everything is working correctly you should hear your test clip played back to you through the headset. Affix sticker Initial a 'Tested by' sticker and stick it to the device in a way that it will be easily removable later. Try sticking it to your jeans or shirt first, it makes the sticker a little less sticky. Once you are done testing devices make sure to place them in the box to go to the store.