RAM problems?

When I ran the Dell diagnostics on startup it told me I have memory problems.

Can someone point out to me what exactly is the problem? I sometimes get BSOD maybe once every 2 weeks but it's no big deal. I also tried checking my RAM using Memtest86+ v4.2 and it reported no errors. Memtest86 is considered to be one of the best RAM diagnostics tool.

I have 4x8GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600

Here are the reports from Dell diagnostics: (There were multiple results but only 2 failed)

** Memory - Randon Pattern Test **
Testing with 8 CPUs
Allocated 0x7E9B05000 bytes (32411MB) for testing
Testing 2422 MB at 0x100000
Address: 00000000384A5980, Expected: 1D2840BD5A12739E, Actual: 3D2840BD5A12739E
Test Results: Fail
Error Code 2000-0123
Validation 85671
Msg: Memory error detected

** Memory - WCMch Test **
Testing with 8 CPUs
Allocated 0x7E9B62000 bytes (32411MB) for testing
Testing 2422 MB at 0x100000
Testing 30 MB at 0xA79E0000
Testing 22 MB at 0xAA9BF000
Testing 12358 MB at 0x100000000
Testing 5296 MB at 0x40460A000
Testing 77 MB at 0x54F64D000
Testing 1482 MB at 0x5543C6000
Testing 215 MB at 0x5B0EA6000
Testing 3823 MB at 0x5BE666000
Testing 2228 MB at 0x6AD601000
Testing 968 MB at 0x738A0D000
Testing 2476 MB at 0x77522E000
Testing 1009 MB at 0x80FE49000
Address: 0000000819906C88, Expected: FDFDFDFDFDFDFDFD, Actual: FDFDFDFDFFFDFDFD
Test Results: Fail
Error Code 2000-0123
Validation 85671
Msg: Memory error detected

 

How long have you ran MemTest for? - you will need to let it run at least overnight and maybe longer for it to thoroughly check all 32gb of your memory. It's suggested that you let it run around 7 full passes to be considered memory fault free....you shouldnt get ANY red results coming up - it should be perfectly clear of errors to be stable. You could try removing all modules and testing each one individually as that could reduce the time it would take to test compared to testing the 32gb installed all at once.....

 

I let it run until it was done. It took about 2 hours to complete and then it prompted me that it was done. I also ran Memtest86 for 3 hours to complete but came up with no problems. The Dell diagnostics said to keep this log for a technician to review. I wonder if there are any lurking around in this forum.

 

There are a few Alienware technicians that frequent the forums - one of them is this guy: Alienware-L_Porras (Luis) and he is very helpful. Maybe you could send him a PM to see if he can assist you.

One thing though, running Memtest for 3 hours is not likely long enough to thoroughly check all your modules. How many cycles did you complete?? - have a look at this guide on how to use Memtest. You can see from the 6th picture down, Memtest displays on the right (above all the red failing memory addresses) how many passes it has completed - as I mentioned before, it's recommended to let it complete around 7 full passes. To have it complete in 3 hours to that degree seems impossible with 32gb of memory installed.

 

Great! I'll try to PM Luis.

As for the test, The Memtest ran once and did not give any errors.

For the Dell diagnostics, I don't know how many passes it went through but it prompted me that it was done.

 

Well, the Dell Diagnostics wont be as in-depth as Memtest. Just a thought here, are you are using Memtest86+ Version 4.20 ??? - that's the latest version and best to use.

 

Great. That's good to know!

So how many passes should I let Memtest run for? At least 7?

That's about 28 hours straight of testing. Is that even safe?

And yes I am using Memtest86+ v4.20 that came with UBCD.

 

Hey there, when we get this type of errors what we normally recommend is to re-seat the memory and re-run the test. If you get the same error code again please send us an e-mail to [email protected] with your tag and phone number along with a brief description of the issue so that we can help you further (a HW replacement may be needed).

 

You can try as Luis suggests. Regarding running memtest for extended periods, I have never had an issue with it. I've ran it a good 18-24 hours in the past. I just make sure that its on AC power and ventilated well. You can prop up the rear if you dont use a stand. The reason it needs to complete a certain number of "passes" is because if your RAM has bad blocks, it won't necessarily show up every time that the specific address is accessed - if you only let it complete 1 or 2 full passes, you might miss the bad block/s that's causing you problems.

 

I will try re-seating the RAM and run memtest again. I think Dell diagnostics only go through it once. Not sure.

How many passes do you recommend? Is 7 a good number?

 

zippy, i dont think that you can put a number on the passes. 7 may be adequate, but i'd run it for 2-3 hrs min (however many passes that is)

but as Stevie says...the longer you run it, the probability to detect an issue is higher. Why don't you just leave it running all night while you sleep. You'll know if there are issues when you wake up

 

1 pass takes 3.5 hours so I guess I will have to let it run for 24 hours or so.

How can the RAM fail? When I first got the laptop and upgraded the RAM and ran the test it did not fail at all.

 

Again, depends on how long you tested the original ram for. Memtest doesnt always pick up errors on each pass and that's why it's advisable to let it run as long as possible. It's gonna take a LONG time to fully check at 32 gig's so best leave it on overnight and see how many complete passes have been made in the morning. If it's 3-4, I'd leave it run longer.....the longer you let it run, the more chance it has to pick up bad blocks.

 

Yeah I will do this tonight. If ever it finds a bad block, what do I do then? Test each RAM one at a time?

 

Yeah, from recollection I don't think the test tells you which module has failed.....

 

Thanks so much for the help. I think I'll just go ahead and test each RAM individually so if in case I run to an error I already know which dimm is the faulty one.

One question though, normally desktops have labels for their DIMMS (dimm1, 2, 3, 4). Does the m17x r4 have the same? Using the Dell diagnostics, it failed at the very end so I would like to start testing with dimm 4. I just need someone to point out which dimm slot is which.

 

If you want to test them individually, just pull all of them out and test one module at a time in the "easy to get to" slots - it will save you some teardown time and also the test will complete quicker just testing one 8gb module at a time....