If the blue screen of death appears on your monitor too often even on the newly installed OS, the first thing to do is check the RAM. Also, RAM should be tested if the computer itself restarts or freezes. Checking RAM on Windows 7 can be performed using regular tools, but if you use a different version of the OS, you will need to download a small utility from the Internet. Almost always software failures, which at first seem illogical, are caused by RAM problems.
Exclusion method
The first method of verification does not require the launch of additional programs. It is relevant if the PC uses more than one RAM bar. If there is one bar, you will need an application or another computer to test it. Alternately remove one bar of RAM, check the overall stability of the OS, if the problem persists, remove the next and so on. This method is also good in that you can test the motherboard slots immediately. At the same time, if one bracket works normally in another computer without causing failures, the motherboard may be to blame. If, after removing one of the brackets, the computer starts working normally, it means that it is faulty, and the Windows 7 memory checker can be left out. In addition, physical extraction does not require much time, and testing with the application can take a long time, especially if the amount of RAM is large.
If a completely new memory module is installed in the computer , and the image does not appear even during the BIOS boot phase, the processor or motherboard probably does not support the device of the manufacturer that released it. Check the official website of the company that released the motherboard, it is possible that the latest BIOS firmware will solve this problem.
How to check RAM in Windows 7
So, to run the utility built into Windows that will test the RAM, go to the "Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools" path, select "Windows Memory Checker" in the list that opens.
Be careful. Before testing, you must close all applications and save the necessary documents. After clicking on the “Perform reboot” button, the system will forcefully terminate all programs that require additional actions from the user.
After the reboot, the RAM test will automatically start. Windows 7 runs it in two stages. Each will take about 10 minutes if the amount of RAM is two gigabytes and the memory is healthy. Otherwise, the tests may be delayed. At this time, refrain from unnecessary clicks on the mouse and keyboard buttons. If the RAM is not in order, the bottom of the screen will begin filling in error information.
When the RAM test is completed, Windows 7 will automatically restart the computer and generate a report on all found RAM problems.
Memtest86 +
Identifying problems with RAM using Windows 7 is not always effective enough. For more serious and in-depth tests, it is better to use the Memtest86 + utility, which is completely free and can be used on any computer, whatever OS is installed.
It is delivered in three possible options:
- Bootable ISO (created to create a bootable disc by burning the image with a writable CD or DVD drive).
- Auto Indtaller For USB Key - (not always suitable for old devices, creates a bootable USB flash drive, and not all computers released several years ago can boot from USB).
- Pre-Complied for Floppy (absolutely archaic solution for those who do not have either USB sockets or a CD burner, but have a drive).
Creating a bootable flash drive
Just go to the official Memtest86 + website and download the necessary distribution. Then you need to unzip it, for this you can use 7-zip or the popular Winrar. After starting the program, you will need to select the drive, which will subsequently become bootable. Be careful, backup the data, all information on the USB flash drive will be deleted during the recording of a new one.
Bootable CD / DVD
In some cases, a memory check cannot be performed from a flash drive. Windows 7 sometimes crashes when using a specific flash drive driver, or the drive simply will not be at hand, or maybe the BIOS is outdated and can not boot the computer from USB devices.
If the flash drive cannot be used, the best solution would be to write the distribution to disk. And the Ultra ISO program will help in this. If you install it, then double-clicking on any ISO file will open it in this application. After opening the Memtest86 + file, select the tools menu. Then click on the item "Burn image". Memtest86 + is a very small program, so recording will end in less than a minute.
Memory check
After recording the distribution on a USB flash drive or disk, you need to go into the BIOS. To do this, you need to press the "DEL" key while turning on the computer. When the BIOS setup utility is launched, in the "First Boor Device" column, select your USB flash drive or CD-ROM.
If all the actions were performed correctly, after a reboot, automatic verification of the RAM will begin. The program does nine different tests, but after they are completed, it goes into a loop and starts all over again. If the first two or three tests were successful and without errors, most likely, everything is in order with RAM.
Prevention
Very often, RAM failures are associated with the dustiness of the system unit. At the same time, checking the RAM (whether Windows 7 is installed on the computer or any other version of the OS) is not needed. Open the cover of the system unit and blow out all the internal space. Pay special attention to radiators and slots. At the same time, it is advisable to remove all devices except the processor from the sockets and wipe the contacts. Also, it will not be superfluous to wipe the contacts of the slots themselves. This procedure saves not only from dust, but also from metal oxidation.
Performing these actions, be very careful with the microcircuits, the slightest damage will disable the device. It is best to use an eraser or alcohol to wipe the contacts. Especially often this helps if there are several memory bars, and testing each individually can take a long time. After wiping the contacts, do not rush to insert the RAM bar in its place, wait a bit, let it dry.