SEARCH Cloud Big Data AI IoT Cybersecurity More Newsletters Forums Resource Library TR Premium

How to detect bad RAM with the Windows Memory

Diagnostic tool
Recommended Content:
Downloads: Avast Business Patch Management Subscription
Learn More
Keeps your Operating System and other third-party software applications up-to-date and protected against vulnerabilities and attacks
with Avast Business Patch Management. Patch Management and any of the Avast Business Antivirus products are the...

By Bill Detwiler | Ed Bott in Software

2 RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
on May 25, 2017, 1:37 PM PST Avast Business Patch Management
Subscription
Bad RAM can cause a host of Windows problems; crashing, freezing, or Downloads provided by Avast Business

the dreaded blue screen of death. You can test for defective physical
LEARN MORE
memory with the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.

 Play Sound


We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking "Manage Settings". By continuing to use
this site, you accept these cookies.

Manage Settings Agree

If your Windows machine is regularly crashing, freezing, or giving you the dreaded blue screen of
death, it could have defective physical memory. Luckily, modern versions of Windows have a built-
in tool to help you test for this.

If Windows detects that your RAM might be failing, it'll automatically run the Memory Diagnostic
tool when the machine boots. However, you can also run the tool yourself.

To do this: More about Windows

1. Open the Control Panel 10 tricks and tweaks for

customizing Windows 10
2. Click Administrative Tools (free PDF)
3. Click Windows Memory Diagnostic. [You can also launch the How to stop Microsoft from
tool by entering "mdsched" in the search bar.] blocking the Windows 10
May 2019 Update on your
4. Select "Restart now and check for problems" or "Check for
PC
problems the next time I start my computer" [If you opt to restart
Photos: Classic Windows
and run the tool now, just be sure to save your work and close screensavers from Windows
any open programs for before doing so.] 1.0 to Windows 98
5. Select your memory test options and run the test [Once the Windows 10 apps: Which are
machine restarts, the tool will launch and run the memory test. worth keeping? Which ones
should you dump? (ZDNet)
You can press F1 to change the test options or just let it run with
the standard settings.]
6. Let the test run [The test could take a few minutes.]

Once the test if complete, Windows will continue to start and a pop-up will eventually appear
showing the results. You can also view the results by opening the Event Viewer, clicking Windows
Logs, clicking System, and then selecting the most recent log with MemoryDiagnostics-Results as
the source.

If you're lucky, you'll see "no errors". If you see anything else, it might be time to replace your RAM
or at the very least contact your machines manufacturer for more help.

Microsoft Weekly Newsletter

Be your company's Microsoft insider with the help of these Windows and Office tutorials and our
experts' analyses of Microsoft's enterprise products. Delivered Mondays and Wednesdays
Sign up today

EDITOR'S PICKS

Python is eating the
world: How one
developer's side project
became the hottest
programming language
on the planet
How iRobot used data
science, cloud, and
DevOps to design its
next-gen smart home
robots
Beyond the PC:
Lenovo's ambitious plan
for the future of
computing
Straight up: How the
Kentucky bourbon
industry is going high
tech
Inside the Raspberry Pi:
The story of the $35
computer that changed
the world
Smart farming: How IoT,
robotics, and AI are
tackling one of the
biggest problems of the
century

Comment & share this story 2

By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining
TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the ...
| Full Bio | Disclosure | See all content by Bill

SOFTWARE MICROSOFT ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE DEVELOPER OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE MOBILITY SOFTWARE ON ZDNET

SHOW COMMENTS EDITOR'S PICKS

Python is eating the

world: How one
developer's side
project became the
hottest programming
language on the
planet

How iRobot used data

science, cloud, and
DevOps to design its
next-gen smart home
robots

Beyond the PC:

Lenovo's ambitious
plan for the future of
computing

Straight up: How the

Kentucky bourbon
industry is going high
tech

Recommended Content:
Downloads: Avast Business Patch Management
Learn More
Keeps your Operating System and other third-party software applications up-to-date and protected against vulnerabilities and attacks
with Avast Business Patch Management. ...

SERVICES EXPLORE

About Us Site Help & Feedback Blogs TechRepublic Premium

Industry cloud report: Businesses adopt
industry-specific cloud solutions Membership FAQ Downloads Resource Library

Quick glossary: Hybrid cloud technology Newsletters Advertise TechRepublic Forums Photos

RSS Feeds Reprint Policy Meet the Team Videos

Artificial intelligence ethics policy
Site Map TR Premium Terms of TechRepublic Academy
Service
Hiring kit: Chief experience officer

© 2019 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookies | Ad Choice | Terms of Use | Mobile User Agreement

A ZDNet site | Visit other CBS Interactive sites: Select Site