Difference between revisions of "RAM Testing"
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DOAHunterX (talk | contribs) (Updating the page with current information. i.e. no SDRAM/SIMM reader, 256MB DDR sticks are not accepted now, no accepted SDRAM sticks.) |
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− | |align="left" padding=".5"|RAM is a deceptively simple device to test. It appears to be simply a matter of gathering, sorting,loading,removing, | + | |align="left" padding=".5"|RAM is a deceptively simple device to test. It appears to be simply a matter of gathering, sorting,loading,removing, labelling, 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 allotted 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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| '''Collect''' || Collect incoming RAM from the collection points. | | '''Collect''' || Collect incoming RAM from the collection points. | ||
− | * '''Advanced Testing Incoming Rack''' - the yellow tub on the shelf | + | * '''Advanced Testing Incoming Rack''' - the yellow tub on the shelf labelled 'Incoming RAM' (use this to collect from the other points as well). |
− | * '''System Evaluation''' - the four boxes on the work bench | + | * '''System Evaluation''' - the four boxes on the work bench labelled 'Memory' . |
− | * '''Receiving''' - the box on the top shelf | + | * '''Receiving''' - the box on the top shelf labelled 'Unsorted Memory'. |
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| '''Sort''' || Sort the collected RAM into several categories as follows: | | '''Sort''' || Sort the collected RAM into several categories as follows: | ||
'''1. Sort by Type''' | '''1. Sort by Type''' | ||
* SIMMS - '''Automatic Recycle.''' | * SIMMS - '''Automatic Recycle.''' | ||
− | * RAMBUS - '''Automatic | + | * RAMBUS - '''Automatic Recycle.''' |
* CRIMMS (spacer sticks for RAMBUS boards) - '''Automatic Recycle.''' | * CRIMMS (spacer sticks for RAMBUS boards) - '''Automatic Recycle.''' | ||
* SODIMMS (Laptop) - '''Take to "Laptop Incoming RAM" bin in Laptop Build.''' | * SODIMMS (Laptop) - '''Take to "Laptop Incoming RAM" bin in Laptop Build.''' | ||
− | * SDRAM - ''' | + | * SDRAM - '''Automatic Recycle.''' '''For now, anyway.''' |
* 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.''' | * DDR2 - '''Set aside to sort by size speed and capacity.''' | ||
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'''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.''' | ||
+ | ::*Most ECC sticks will say '''ECC''' on them. | ||
+ | ::*Others will have a letter at the end of their speed with a letter. If it is a '''U''', it is a regular RAM stick. If it is an '''R''', '''E''', or '''F''', it is some type of ECC RAM. | ||
+ | ::*If not, look at the number of embedded chips in them. If it is four or eight with no special chips in the center, it is a normal stick. If it has nine chips, or there are several smaller chips in the center, the RAM stick is SOME type of ECC. | ||
'''3. Sort by Speed''' | '''3. Sort by Speed''' | ||
* SDRAM - | * SDRAM - | ||
::PC 66 - '''Automatic Recycle.''' | ::PC 66 - '''Automatic Recycle.''' | ||
::PC 100 - '''Automatic Recycle.''' | ::PC 100 - '''Automatic Recycle.''' | ||
− | ::PC 133 - ''' | + | ::PC 133 - '''Automatic Recycle.''' |
*DDR - | *DDR - | ||
::PC 1600 (200 MHz) - '''Automatic Recycle'''. | ::PC 1600 (200 MHz) - '''Automatic Recycle'''. | ||
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::PC2 8500 (1066 MHz) - '''Set aside to sort by capacity.''' | ::PC2 8500 (1066 MHz) - '''Set aside to sort by capacity.''' | ||
::PC2 9600 (1200 MHz) - '''Store in TARDIS until a test board is available.''' | ::PC2 9600 (1200 MHz) - '''Store in TARDIS until a test board is available.''' | ||
+ | *DDR3 - | ||
+ | ::All - '''Set aside until a test board is available.''' | ||
'''4. Sort by Capacity''' | '''4. Sort by Capacity''' | ||
*SDRAM - | *SDRAM - | ||
::32 thru 128 MB - '''Automatic Recycle'''. | ::32 thru 128 MB - '''Automatic Recycle'''. | ||
− | ::256, 512 MB, & 1 GB - ''' | + | ::256, 512 MB, & 1 GB - '''Automatic Recycle.''' |
*DDR - | *DDR - | ||
− | ::128, 256 | + | ::128, 256 MB - '''Automatic Recycle.''' |
+ | ::512 MB, & 1 or 2 GB - '''Stack by capacity in designated area on table (orange label) to be loaded into test board.''' | ||
*DDR2 - | *DDR2 - | ||
::256 & 512 MB, 1 or 2 GB - '''Stack by capacity in designated area on table (orange label) to be loaded into test board.''' | ::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''' | '''5. Unspecified speed and/or capacity''' | ||
− | :Frequently RAM will not be | + | :Frequently RAM will not be labelled as to speed or capacity by the manufacturer. In such cases it is necessary to determine these characteristics by other means. |
*SDRAM - | *SDRAM - | ||
− | : | + | :'''This space is left here in the odd case that we want SDRAM again.''' |
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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). | ||
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::*Note the capacity and speed in the specifications. | ::*Note the capacity and speed in the specifications. | ||
::*Label and stack in designated area on table (orange label) to be loaded into test board. | ::*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 | + | :*Ask an instructor. Some of them know ways to determine information by examining the embedded chips. |
'''6. "Kit of 2"''' | '''6. "Kit of 2"''' | ||
− | *Some manufacturers, especially '''Kingston''' and '''Super Talent''' have a marketing ploy of packaging RAM in pairs | + | *Some manufacturers, especially '''Kingston''' and '''Super Talent''' have a marketing ploy of packaging RAM in pairs totalling 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. KVR400x64C3A'''K2'''/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. | *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. KVR400x64C3A'''K2'''/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 separately. | *Both halves of such kits are not always present when they come into our possession but they are testable separately. | ||
− | *When | + | *When labelling such sticks after testing, treat each one as a separate stick and label it with its '''actual individual capacity''' (see "Labelling and Routing"). |
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| '''Test''' || Test the sorted RAM in the wall-mounted test boards as follows: | | '''Test''' || Test the sorted RAM in the wall-mounted test boards as follows: | ||
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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. | ||
− | :*Power off at the switch on the power supply | + | :*Power off at the switch on the power supply. |
:*Remove the suspected stick. | :*Remove the suspected stick. | ||
:*Restart the testing process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | :*Restart the testing process and monitor MemTest again for failures. | ||
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*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. | *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, | + | *A complete testing process consists of '''three passes, labelled 0-2.''' |
− | *Each pass consists of ''''eight tests, | + | *Each pass consists of ''''eight tests, labelled 1-8.''' |
*MemTest will continue to run indefinitely until is manually discontinued. | *MemTest will continue to run indefinitely until is manually discontinued. | ||
*If the pass number is '''2 or greater''', the testing process is complete. | *If the pass number is '''2 or greater''', the testing process is complete. | ||
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'''7. Repeat these steps for each test board as long as there is RAM to be tested. | '''7. Repeat these steps for each test board as long as there is RAM to be tested. | ||
− | '''8. Do NOT load any boards after 5: | + | '''8. Do NOT load any boards after 5:00PM.''' |
|- | |- | ||
| '''Label & Route''' ||After the testing process has been completed, label and route the tested RAM as follows: | | '''Label & Route''' ||After the testing process has been completed, label and route the tested RAM as follows: | ||
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*Power off at the switch on the power supply. | *Power off at the switch on the power supply. | ||
− | *Remove '''all''' RAM sticks and take them to the table to be | + | *Remove '''all''' RAM sticks and take them to the table to be labelled. |
− | *'''If possible''', remove any old, handwritten | + | *'''If possible''', remove any old, handwritten labelling to avoid confusion. |
'''2. Label as follows:''' | '''2. Label as follows:''' | ||
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'''3. Route as follows -''' | '''3. Route as follows -''' | ||
− | *'''The two boxes on the table | + | *'''The two boxes on the table labelled, "Tested RAM SDRAM & DDR" and "Tested RAM DDR2" -''' |
− | :*Place the vast majority of the | + | :*Place the vast majority of the labelled 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. | ||
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:*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. | :*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 | + | :*Replace the bag with an empty one labelled with type, capacity, speed (in MHz) and PC or PC2 code (PC 2100, PC 2700 ... PC2 4200, PC2 5300 ... etc.) |
:*These will be harvested by build and the store to meet their needs. | :*These will be harvested by build and the store to meet their needs. | ||
Revision as of 16:37, 6 July 2012
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, labelling, 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 allotted 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.
|