Re: utility for testing ram?

Christophe Dupre (duprec@risq.qc.ca)
Tue, 29 Sep 1998 09:11:33 -0400


> On Mon, Sep 28, 1998 at 04:25:28PM -0400, Ricardo Kleemann wrote:
> > Anyone know of a utility to extensively test a system's ram, in order to
> > determine whether the ram has any faults?
>
> There are numerous programs that do that, but none of them really work.
> The only way to know for sure is to use a hardware memory tester. Any
> store that sells a lot of RAM will have one, and they may test your memory
> for you (if it may result in a sale)...
>
> Debian has at least two relatively useless tools. One is memtest86 in
> hwtools, and the other is memtest in sysutils. Both failed to detect
> marginal memory in my system. I've had similar problems with DOS-based
> diagnostic programs.

On the other hand, if you have parity memory, thee programs may be all that's necessary to trigger a parity error if you do have a bad SIMM...

-- 

Christophe Dupre Analyste de systemes, RISQ inc. 550 Sherbrooke ouest, suite 250-ouest Tel: (514) 845-7181, ext 237 Montreal, QC CANADA FAX: (514) 845-8083

"Nous ne sommes pas libres de ne pas etre libres, nous sommes obliges de l'etre" - Fernando Savater

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