-Does your computer fail to bootup?
-Does your computer freeze and reboot?
-Cannot access your data due to the lost password?
-Does your computer contain critical data?
-Don't have a recent backup?
-Reformatted your harddrive?
-Accidentally deleted files?
Our blog will provide the relevant information on free tools, techniques, and approaches to recover your computer and get your valuable data back.
M2K MemScope is a free memory testing software program from the makers of Micro-Scope - a large suite of professional, time tested (and expensive) computer diagnostic tools.
MemScope performs a wide variety of tests in an attempt to locate even the smallest issue with your memory. Many advanced testing options are available but the "Run All" test is equivalent to tests in other programs and is a safe bet if you are not a memory expert, and you need to test your RAM “from scratch”.
MemScope is freely downloadable from M2K’s site. You will have to fill out a short form but it is indeed short, and you will be quickly transferred to the downloading link.
Getting started with M2K MemScope
Don’t expect to diagnose a memory module with only one pass. You must burn-in or stress memory modules to find out if there is something wrong. In order to fully test memory, it needs to be used at its maximum capacity - and this requires multiple passes.
You can determinate, depending on the processor speed and size of memory, how long the tests must be run in the system. For this reason the memory tests in MemScope have been designed to run in an infinite loop - so will run for as long as you set them to or until you tell to stop.
How to install MemScope
- Download the program from M2K website.
- Double-click on the program to create a floppy diskette or burn the ISO file to CD.
- Boot the PC to the floppy or CD.
- First 2 screen will display M2K product descriptions <Press Any Key to continue> .
- Program will display on the left hand side Main Menu.
Website: http://www.micro2000.co.uk/products/microscope/MemScope_Free_Memory_Tester.htm
About MemTest
Memtest86 is thorough, stand alone memory test for x86 architecture computers. BIOS based memory tests are a quick, cursory check and often miss many of the failures that are detected by Memtest86. Memtest86 was developed by Chris Brady with a first release in 1994. The advanced software MemTest86+ provides an up-to-date and completely reliable version of the software tool aimed at memory failures detection. The software is absolutely free, with no restrictions for private or commercial use.
Windows Installation
For Windows, installation begins by downloading either the Pre-Compiled Windows package to build a bootable floppy disk or an ISO (zip version) to create a bootable CD-ROM. After the file is downloaded an extract must be done to uncompress the file(s). To build a bootable floppy, go the folder where the files were extracted and click on the Install icon. The floppy disk will appear to be unformatted by Windows after the install is complete.
To build a bootable CD-ROM, use your CD burning software to create an image from the unzipped ISO file. Be sure to create CD from image. DO not simply copy the file to a CD.
Troubleshooting Memory Errors
Once a memory error has been detected, determining the failing SIMM/DIMM module is not a clear cut procedure. With the large number of motherboard vendors and possible combinations of memory slots it would be difficult if not impossible to assemble complete information about how a particular error would map to a failing memory module. However, there are steps that may be taken to determine the failing module. Here are four techniques that you may wish to use:
1) Removing modules.
This is simplest method for isolating a failing modules, but may only be employed when one or more modules can be removed from the system. By selectively removing modules from the system and then running the test you will be able to find the bad modules.
2) Rotating modules.
When none of the modules can be removed then you may wish to rotate modules to find the failing one. This technique can only be used if there are three or more modules in the system. Change the location of two modules at a time. For example put the module from slot 1 into slot 2 and put the module from slot 2 in slot 1. Run the test and if the failing bit or address changes then you know that the failing module is one of the ones just moved. By using several combinations of module movement you should be able to determine which module is failing.
3) Replacing modules.
If you are unable to use either of the previous techniques then you are left to selective replacement of modules to find the failure.
4) Avoiding allocation.
The printing mode for BadRAM patterns is intended to construct boot time parameters for a Linux kernel that is compiled with BadRAM support. This work-around makes it possible for Linux to reliably run with defective RAM.
Developers Website: http://www.memtest.org/
Downloading Links: http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
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