Memtest for Builders

This page is being migrated to a documnent of Free Geek's Google Drive. Once the migration is done, we will post a link to the new page.

Running Memtest

Testing Notes

• Full-size DIMM RAM is tested at stations in Hardware Testing.
• Laptop SODIMM RAM is tested in each laptop individually.

Testing Procedure

☐ Prepare system for testing

• Make sure the system you are testing has been evaluated and has a Keeper label. As-Is and machines to be recycled are not put through Memtest.
• Verify that the system has the correct amount of RAM installed according to the whiteboard specifications. Update the amount of RAM and the Keeper label as needed.

☐ Boot to the network menu
Access Memtest86+ via one of three methods (full instructions below):

• Via the Free Geek Network
• Via an imaged hard drive
• Via live boot CD. This is only used when the other methods fail. Consult your instructor first.

☐ Run Memtest86+
Start memtest from your menu options and verify that the correct amount of RAM is recognized. See your instructor or the troubleshooting steps below for help.

---

Boot to a GRUB Menu

☐ Ensure the system has an imaged hard drive.
☐ Start or restart the system.
☐ Just after the manufacturer's splash screen appears a small blinking cursor ( _ ) will appear in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Quickly press and hold down a Shift key.

• After a few moments, the text Grub loading... should flash and you'll be presented with a menu with options similar to this:

Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-33-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-33-generic (recovery mode)
Memory test (memtest86+)
Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)

☐ Use the up and down arrows to select your option.

---

Troubleshooting Memtest

Memtest Freezes

Sometimes you'll get Memtest loaded onto a machine, blue screen and all, but it won't indicate any activity. The newer versions of Memtest are incompatible with certain older chipsets in laptops. The work-around we have available is to use an earlier version. Unfortunately, this is only available on the Network at the moment. ☐ Boot to the laptop network menu.
☐ Select Other Memtest versions from the menu, and choose the earliest version available (usually something like 2.0.1.1)

• Confirm that Memtest is successfully running. If not, try a few different versions.

Misreported Available Memory

• Confirm that Memtest is reporting approximately the amount of installed memory. If there is a large discrepancy (e.g., 384MB reported of 512MB installed), you may either have a bad stick of RAM, a bad DIMM slot, or the system may be claiming too much video memory.

☐ Try installing a few different sticks of RAM and note the results.
☐ Reboot into BIOS and see about lowering the amount of memory dedicated to video.

---

Goals

• Complete two (2) testing passes in memtest86+ without errors.