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    RAM Test Program

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ChenonNR, Sep 30, 2006.

  1. ChenonNR

    ChenonNR Newbie

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    I have read about people using programs to test their RAM functionality/quality and am wondering what is a good program that works on for Macs. I googled it for a little bit, but I was uncertain as to which program would actually perform a thorough test (and easy to install on the mac platform...I guess I could install boot camp if I had to).

    If anyone could make some suggestions and links to help me test my RAM on Mac, it'd be very grateful.

    Thanks,
    ChenonNR
     
    ChenonNR, Sep 30, 2006
    #1
  2. Qhs

    Qhs Notebook Evangelist

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    Well if the pre-desktop area of Macs are the same as Windows, then get any Linux LiveCD. It should already have memtest86+ pre-installed in the CD. Just go to your BIOS and set the boot order to CD first. There should be some option in the LiveCD called "Test your memory" or something like that.
     
    Qhs, Sep 30, 2006
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  3. Jalf

    Jalf Comrade Santa

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    Depends on your system. Is it an Intel mac, or the old PowerPC ones?

    Testing RAM typically happens before the OS is loaded (Because the OS hides the physical RAM and only exposes virtual memory to applications, meaning an app doesn't know which address in RAM it's actually accessing)

    So the OS doesn't matter (since it isn't loaded), but the architecture and the CPU does matter.
    The Intel-based ones have programs such as memtest86, while presumably PowerPC has a handful of similar ones.
     
    Jalf, Sep 30, 2006
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  4. ChenonNR

    ChenonNR Newbie

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    I have an (Intel-based) Macbook Pro laptop for reference.

    Do I just download the Linux LiveCD, burn it, and then boot from it?
     
    ChenonNR, Sep 30, 2006
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  5. rockharder

    rockharder Notebook Evangelist

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    Ubuntu and Suse are haveing this kind of test. I don't remember if Fedora 5 has it.
    Just download it and burn it. Ubuntu is my prefere, because it has no different between Live CD and installation CD.
     
    rockharder, Sep 30, 2006
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  6. Qhs

    Qhs Notebook Evangelist

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    I also recommend a Ubuntu LiveCD. I used it to test my X60. Make sure you burn it as an image.
     
    Qhs, Sep 30, 2006
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  7. acruxksa

    acruxksa Notebook Consultant

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    save yourself some time and just get the memtest86+ bootable iso with out the whole linux operating system.

    http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

    It's not that I'm against downloading a linux liveCD, I just can't see downloading several hundred megabytes if all you want to do is test your memory.
     
    acruxksa, Sep 30, 2006
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  8. Ethyriel

    Ethyriel Notebook Deity

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    Of course, if you have a wide pipe you might as well. Get more out of your disc :)
     
    Ethyriel, Sep 30, 2006
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  9. matt.modica

    matt.modica Notebook Consultant

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    Memtest86 should not need Windows or Linux to run... Just download the iso to a CD and boot off of that.
     
    matt.modica, Sep 30, 2006
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  10. rockharder

    rockharder Notebook Evangelist

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    But you burn a CD anyway. Why don't burn it with even much useful stuff, like any Linux distro. Personally, I don't like my CD just has half inch marked.
     
    rockharder, Sep 30, 2006
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  11. acruxksa

    acruxksa Notebook Consultant

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    :) a penny saved is a penny earned :) personally my time is worth much more than a 25 cent cdr, but to some it might be worth it.

    Memtest only takes up about 900K so it is kind of a waste of a cdr. Originally it was designed to boot off a floppy, but those are disappearing fast. I haven't had a floppy in any of my systems for about 2 yrs. now.
     
    acruxksa, Oct 1, 2006
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  12. DrJ

    DrJ Notebook Enthusiast

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    The Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic...(free download from)...

    http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

    ...is IMHO better than memtest86...but it is set up to boot from floppy....

    Edit: Looks like the page above has instructions for CD boot also....
     
    DrJ, Oct 2, 2006
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