Whenever it comes to problems with a PC, RAM is frequently second only to software problems. But how would you know if your computer’s RAM is terrible?
There are a few methods to do a memory test and verify the health of RAM. Still, as is frequently the case, 3rd-party tools are likely to provide more information than Windows’ convenient but rather easy in-house techniques.
This article will teach you how to check the health of your RAM in several ways. But first, let us review some quick indicators of RAM problems.
RAM Problems Indications
Before you can do anything, you’ll like to be sure you’re howling up the correct tree, so these are a few clear symptoms that your RAM isn’t working properly like:
- PC beeps one or even more times when it boots up.
- PC processing slows down the longer you leave it on.
- Have trouble loading files.
- In System Info, the PC shows less RAM than what you have installed.
Now we can discuss the best methods to check RAM health on Windows.
Health Check by Windows Memory Diagnostic
The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool is the easiest but least comprehensive way to check your RAM.
- Click Start
- Type in the search bar “mdsched.exe.”
- When requested, restart the computer.
- A diagnostic tool will be launched.
Click F1, then select whether you want to run the Basic, Standard, or Extended tests. This might take some time. During this procedure, you will see a progress bar and a “Status” message informing you whether any errors were discovered.
However, you are not required to watch the process; you may leave your computer and return later to get the results.
Your computer will restart and back to the Desktop when it’s finished. The result will show after you log in. To begin,
- Launch the Event Viewer.
- Select “Event Viewer” from the menu that appears when you right-click the Start button. In Windows 7, enter Windows Key+R,
- then type “eventvwr.msc” into the Run dialogue and hit Enter.
- Go to Windows Logs > System.
- You’ll notice a long list of upcoming events. In the right pane, click “Find.”
- Enter “MemoryDiagnostic” into the search box and press “Find Next.”
At the bottom of the window, you’ll see the result as well as extra information about your RAM.
Boot and Run MemTest86
MemTest86 is a great testing tool that you may download and use if you’re seeking the finest one. It runs a broader range of tests and may uncover flaws that the bundled Windows test does not.
The most recent versions of this utility include a premium edition with additional functionality, albeit the free version should suffice. MemTest86 is Microsoft-signed; thus, it will run even on computers with Secure Boot activated.
You might also use the free and open-source MemTest86+ if you’re seeking another choice. We are, however, using MemTest86.
Both are self-contained, bootable gadgets. MemTest86 comes with a USB image that you may copy to a USB drive. To make a bootable USB drive, just execute the EXE file provided with the download as well as provide a spare USB drive.
Please be aware that copying the MemTest86 image to a USB device would delete its contents. Make a backup of any vital files on the disc first.
After you’ve made bootable discs, reboot your pc and instruct it to load from the USB device where you copied the memory test program.
The application will start up and begin analyzing your storage, running via test after test & notifying you if there is a problem. It will continue to conduct tests until you disable it, enabling you to check how memory operates over a longer duration.
Any mistakes will be shown on your screen. When you’re finished, just hit the “Esc” key to quit it and reboot your system.
If tests return errors, it’s very likely that the RAM—at least one of several sticks—is not healthy and is defective and must be replaced.
Physically Checking the RAM
Now, how would you deal with the faults that were discovered during the RAM checkup on your Windows system? Changing the RAM is the last resort, but it’s also worth double-checking that it’s correctly seated in your computer.
Remove the RAM sticks from the Computer one at a time, running the MemTest every session to check if the issues go away. That way, you’ll be able to determine which stick (or slot) was producing the issues.
If you notice that problems appear whenever you insert a particular stick, there is an issue with that stick. If there are issues every time a RAM stick is inserted into a specific slot, that slot may be the root of the issue, and you may need to repair the motherboard.
Conclusion: What If your RAM Is Bad?
If your RAM looks to be faulty, you would need to purchase a new RAM module & update your old one. Until then, you might attempt underclocking your RAM to temporarily make your system a bit more stable.
If the diagnostic methods reveal no faults or a clocking-related error, you should examine your RAM’s clock and speed parameters and overclock it to maximize its performance.
If that does not address your problem, the problem you are attempting to identify on your PC may be caused by a failure in another system part, and the RAM might not have been the source of the problem.
