Memtest86+ - How long to run?

PMKeates · 31 Jan 2006 at 16:09

Short question:

How long would you say you need to run Memtest86+ without error for, before you could certify the memory as "good"?

TaKeN · 31 Jan 2006 at 16:11

Overnight is the general rule,

but the longer the better to be honest..

Phil99 · 31 Jan 2006 at 16:34

I usually do it for 1-2 passes for a quick checkover, but to get it 100% overnight is recommended. I think tests 5 and 7 are the most likely to show errors, so looping them for a while would help too.

trojan698 · 31 Jan 2006 at 17:15

Is there any reason memtest would show errors apart from having dodgy RAM?

My ballistix are showing errors albeit after a few passes, while the retailer claims they're fine. Memory selector tool gives my mobo the ok also.

Any ideas?

VaderDSL · 31 Jan 2006 at 17:17

trojan are all the BIOS settings at stock? as in the ram timings? voltages? frequencies? if so they are faulty and you're entitled to get them replaced

trojan698 · 31 Jan 2006 at 17:26

Yeah, they were at stock. I subsequently spoke with tech support who blamed my PSU, mobo, etc. Said they'd ran memtest for 2 hours. Should I RMA direct to crucial next time?

smids · 31 Jan 2006 at 19:14

test#7 takes too long. Good quick stability testing comes from test 5 and 8 looped for about 20 passes each. This will get you into windows without damaging anything and might even be game stable but overnight is the best.

VaderDSL · 31 Jan 2006 at 21:26

trojan698 said:
Yeah, they were at stock. I subsequently spoke with tech support who blamed my PSU, mobo, etc. Said they'd ran memtest for 2 hours. Should I RMA direct to crucial next time?

Yeah RAM direct, if uit's shoeing errors at stock then by all counts it looks as if the RAM is faulty, and due to the HUGE number of people having problems with the Ballistix you should be able to get it replaced

PMKeates · 1 Feb 2006 at 12:10

I've been running Memtest86+ v1.65 for the last 61 hours and it's error free. Maybe I'm being a bit pessimistic

Big.Wayne · 1 Feb 2006 at 15:30

Hi,

Don't be in such a rush to blame the Ram as faulty. Some mobos don't set-up the *stock* settings correctly. Pop into BIOS and check out the memory timings and vDimm and let us know what is set. . .

Pulsedriver · 1 Feb 2006 at 16:08

I ran my memtest for 32 minutes (it completes all the test runs 1st time round) is that not long enough?

babyface uk · 1 Feb 2006 at 16:33

As a guide I run memtest for 3/4 passes until I start to get errors then go back to the last working spec, sort problem and try again then run memtest overnight to be sure all is ok ( at the max overclock ) but i find if its stable after 3/4 passes then i've never known an error on any number of passes.

Babyface UK

trojan698 · 1 Feb 2006 at 18:39

Big.Wayne said:
Hi,

Don't be in such a rush to blame the Ram as faulty. Some mobos don't set-up the *stock* settings correctly. Pop into BIOS and check out the memory timings and vDimm and let us know what is set. . .

I set the timings and vdimm myself, running @ 3-4-4-8 @ 2.8v @ DDR 500

Still got errors.

Time to phone Crucial.