Test RAM with PassMark MemTest86 (version 10.6 was used)

PassMark MemTest86 is a stand alone memory testing software program originally developed for x86 computers.
It was re-written to work on x64 devices (with the native 64-bit support) and on new UEFI-based machines.

• Follow the instructions below for running MemTest86 from either a USB drive (this procedure is recommended by PassMark) or a CD/DVD (this procedure is not recommended by PassMark).
  You don't need both!
  
  Download MemTest86 and burn it onto a USB drive (recommended by PassMark).
  Simple steps
  Read More:

  
  

  • Get a 2GB USB drive, or larger, and plug it in a USB port.
  • Click Download MemTest86 Free (Version 10.6 Build 3000).
  • The file will be saved in your download folder: extract/unzip it.
  • Launch imageUSB.exe and follow the instructions.
  Detailed steps
  Read More:

  
  

  • Get a 2GB USB drive, or larger, and plug it in a USB port.
    A USB drive is also known as "USB stick", "flash drive", "pen drive", "thumb drive", "jump drive", "memory stick" and so forth.
    Note: The files/folders present in it will be DELETED. If you need them, copy them to another safe place (i.e., create a backup).
  • Click Download MemTest86 Free (Version 10.6 Build 3000).
  • The file should have been saved in your download folder: extract/unzip it to your preferred place (desktop, new folder, existing folder... It's your choice).
    As an example, I have created a folder named "passmark memtest86".
    Windows should be able to unzip the folder on its own (after some actions/clicks made by you).
    If this won't be the case, you can download/install 7-zip, open source and free, latest stable version from 7-zip.org or sourceforge.net.
  • (Optional) Scan the new downloaded file(s) with your default antivirus.
    You can scan the file with other tools (as examples: MalwareBytes 3 free, SuperAntiSpyware free, virustotal.com, metadefender.com, jotti.org, virscan.org).
  • Launch the included application: imageUSB.exe.
    • Click Yes in the user account window that should appear, if you didn't disable UAC settings.
    • Step 1: Select your USB drive from the list.
    • Step 2: (if it is not already selected) Select 'Write image to USB drive'.
    • Step 3: (if it is not already selected) Select the included image file: memtest86-usb.iso.
    • Step 4: Click 'Write'.
      Click Yes to confirm the operation and Yes to the final warning (it says it will delete all data in the USB drive).
      After it completes, the USB drive should be ready to be used.
      It takes about 8 minutes on my system.
      
      
  Download MemTest86 and burn it onto a CD/DVD (NOT recommended by PassMark).
  
  Read More:

  Simple steps

  Read More:

  
  

  • Get a rewritable CD/DVD.
  • Click Download MemTest86 v10.0 Free ISO image (click).
  • Put the CD in your CD/DVD drive.
  • Burn the MemTest86 ISO image in your CD/DVD with your preferred burning software.

  Detailed steps

  Read More:

  
  

  • Get a rewritable CD/DVD.
    Note: The files/folders present in it will be DELETED. If you need them, copy them to another safe place (i.e., create a backup).
  • Click Download MemTest86 v10.0 Free ISO image (click).
  • The file will be downloaded
  • (Optional) Scan the new downloaded file with your default antivirus.
    You can scan the file with other tools (as examples: MalwareBytes 3 free, SuperAntiSpyware free, virustotal.com, metadefender.com, jotti.org, virscan.org).
  • Extract/unzip it to your preferred place (desktop, new folder, existing folder... It's your choice).
    As an example, I have created a folder named "passmark memtest86".
    Windows should be able to unzip the folder on its own (after some actions/clicks made by you).
    If this won't be the case, you can download/install 7-zip, open source and free, latest stable version from 7-zip.org or sourceforge.net.
  • Put the CD/DVD in your CD/DVD drive.
  • Quotation from readme.txt of MemTest86:
    

    Use the CD burning software available on your system to create a CD-ROM using the ISO image.
    Be sure that you create a CD image from the ISO file rather than placing a copy of the ISO file onto a data CD.
    Look for “Burn Image from File” or similar option under the File menu of your CD burning software.

    At the time of this post, the iso image is named Memtest86-iso.iso.
    This is the most current version, but it will change for sure in the future.
    Take the number 10.0 as an example.
    You will be using always the latest and most updated version.
    Example with cdburnerxp free:
    Read More:

    
    

    • Open cdburnerxp
    • Double click Burn ISO image (or one click to select, click ok to open the "burn iso image" interface)
    • Select ISO image to burn: type (or copy/paste) the complete path to the iso image Memtest86-iso.iso or click the browse button to find and locate it.
    • Target device: your cd/dvd drive should be already selected, change the speed. 1x for best results.
    • Burn method: DAO16 (or DAO96)
    • Click burn disc.
    Example with imgburn free:
    Read More:

    
    

    • Open imgburn.
    • Click write image file to disc.
    • Source: click the browse button to find and locate the iso image Memtest86-iso.iso.
    • Write speed: 1x for best results.
    • Click the write picture (cd on a paper, right arrow, cd image).
    Example with ashampoo burning studio 2017 free:
    Read More:

    
    

    • Open ashampoo burning studio 2017.
    • Disc image, burn image.
    • Disc image path: type (or copy/paste) the complete path to the iso image Memtest86-iso.iso or click the browse button to find and locate it.
    • Click next.
    • It chooses the write speed on its own and it isn't editable (at least when I tried it on my system).
    • Click write cd (or write dvd).
• Leave the USB drive, or CD/DVD, inserted.
  You should now "tell" your machine to boot from the media you created right now, through its boot menu.
  To access the boot menu, reboot your computer.
  During the initial stages of the boot process, press the applicable key as prompted.
  
  As an example, F11 is usually the key for the boot menu on ASROCK motherboards.
  If you don't know the key for your system, check your motherboard manual or this tutorial:
  Get access to BIOS settings & Boot Menu: F-keys/Hotkeys by System Manufacturer (OEM) (click).​
  Select the USB drive, or the CD/DVD disc, with MemTest86 on it.
• Wait some minutes (it needs almost 3 minutes on my machine) and MemTest86 will be available on your screen.
• If the program won't start, and you'll be redirected to the boot menu (or your machine boots windows), it could be necessary to disable the Fast boot feature (in your BIOS settings).
  To enter the BIOS settings, during the initial stages of the boot process, press the applicable key as prompted.
  
  It is usually Del or F2.
  If you don't know the key for your system, check your motherboard manual or this tutorial:
  Get access to BIOS settings & Boot Menu: F-keys/Hotkeys by System Manufacturer (OEM) (click).​
  If you still can't launch the program, it could be necessary to enable the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) in your BIOS settings.
  This is also known as Launch CSM or boot: legacy (instead of boot: uefi).
  If you still can't launch the program, try to disable also the Secure boot feature.
• When finally MemTest86 will be available on your screen, it will automatically start the test.
  You can use the letters between parenthesis to access its menus and the arrows on your keyboard to navigate through menu options.
  Your mouse (and the mouse pointer on the screen) could also be available (mine was, but it was also slow).
  
  Read More:

  
  
  You can use the letters between parenthesis to access the menus:
  

  • System (I)nfo
  • (T)est Selection
  • (A)ddress Range
  • (C)PU Selection
  • (S)tart Test
  • (R)AM Benchmark
  • S(e)ttings
  • (U)pgrade to PRO
  • E(x)it
• Then press S (on your keyboard) to start the test, or click start test with the mouse pointer.
  Wait until it finishes or until an error appears.
  This test could take few hours.
  Read More:

  
  
  It took about 107 minutes (1H 47min) on my system only for one pass.
• At the end of the test, you can save an HTML report.
  You'll find it in the USB drive, in :\EFI\BOOT.
  Example: H:\EFI\BOOT\MemTest86-Report-20171203-195935.html.
  Anyway, a log will be available in the same location; example: MemTest86-20240101-115658.log.
  I.e., MemTest86-date-time.log: the date and time started from when the USB drive was inserted and it started the program.
• Added by Philc43: when errors are found with a single (RAM) stick, it is also worth testing that stick in other slots to check that the errors are not due to a MB slot problem.
  Follow the instructions here (click) (after the warning) to know how to manually switch memory modules.

Screenshots

Read More:

Memtest86 main menu



Test selection



Example of a test in progress



Test passed



Test result



Results of each test



Report

​

 

[axe0]

A note, in version 8.1 the amount of passes the free version can run has been limited to 4.

 

[jcgriff2]

*top* - PROD

 

[xilolee]

A note, in version 8.1 the amount of passes the free version can run has been limited to 4.

I removed the point to modify the passes.

 

[bascotie]

I tried this today on a legacy machine and, just a note, it seems that the current version only works with UEFI. Would like if someone could confirm, or if there is an alternative for legacy bios

 

[Wrench97]

I tried this today on a legacy machine and, just a note, it seems that the current version only works with UEFI. Would like if someone could confirm, or if there is an alternative for legacy bios

As long as you can boot to the USB stick or cd it should not matter.

 

[zbook]

As of 5/2/2021:

See this link for version: BIOS Legacy vs UEFI

MemTest86 - Compare Editions

BIOS: version 4
UEFI: version 9

 

[bascotie]

As of 5/2/2021:

See this link for version: BIOS Legacy vs UEFI

MemTest86 - Compare Editions

BIOS: version 4
UEFI: version 9

Ah, there it is. I just needed version 4, I'll try that thanks!

 

[xilolee]

Updated to the current version (10.6).