Difference between revisions of "User:SVANDUSEN"
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:*DDR & DDR2 - | :*DDR & DDR2 - | ||
::*Use a test board. Several boards give an accurate reading regarding capacity and speed (see also "Loading & Testing). | ::*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). | ::*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 a website.''' | ||
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'''1. Select''' | '''1. Select''' | ||
:*Select the RAM to be loaded according to the following criteria: | :*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"). | :::'''Balance and brand''' can be worked around if single sticks are all that are available (see "Boot Up"). | ||
'''2. Load''' | '''2. Load''' | ||
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'''5. Monitor MemTest''' | '''5. Monitor MemTest''' | ||
− | + | :*'''Indications of Failure - ''' | |
− | + | ::'''No video, sometimes accompanied by a series of beeps or video is distorted -''' | |
− | + | :::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 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 -''' | |
− | + | :::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.''' | |
− | + | :::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.''' | |
− | + | :::One or more sticks and/or banks have failed. '''See "Remedies."''' | |
− | + | :*'''Remedies - ''' | |
− | + | ::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 row of column headings will appear above the red area (the bottom half of the MemTest screen) will change to indicate: '''Test, Pass, Failing Address, Good, Bad, Err Bits, and Count Chan.''' |
− | + | :::Only '''Test, Pass, and Failing Address''' are relevant. | |
− | + | ::::'''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. | |
− | :: | + | ::*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. |
− | + | ::*Power off at the switch on the power supply | |
− | + | ::*Remove the suspected stick. | |
− | + | ::*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. |
− | + | ::*Power off at the switch on the power supply. | |
− | + | ::*Remove and re-seat '''all of the sticks.''' | |
− | + | ::*Change the order, re-balance the load across the channels, reverse the channel position by pairs, etc. | |
− | + | ::*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. |
− | + | ::*Power off at the switch on the power supply.*First, make sure that the bluetooth USB dongle is plugged into your testing computer. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | + | ::*Remove the suspected stick or sticks, singly or in pairs. | |
− | + | ::*Restart the testing process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | |
− | + | ::*Repeat as necessary until issues are resolved. | |
− | + | ::'''If a bad bank or other system failure is suspected - ''' | |
− | + | ::*Power off at the switch on the power supply. | |
− | + | ::*Remove '''all RAM sticks.''' | |
− | + | ::*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. | ||
− | + | ::*If something other than a bad bank or banks is suspected, ie. video or network issues, ask an instructor. | |
'''6. For the duration of the testing process - ''' | '''6. For the duration of the testing process - ''' |
Revision as of 11:24, 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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