The article “How to detect RAM problems to stabilize Vista” by George Ou at ZDNet.com reminded me to mention a very cool tool stored on the Vista DVD in the Startup Repair Tools to automatically test your memory. He recommends a third-party tool, but why bother with the download when Vista’s Windows Memory Diagnostics does a great job. You don’t actually need Vista installed to run it. Just follow these steps:
- Insert the Windows Vista DVD in your computer.
- Restart your computer, and press a key when prompted to boot from the DVD.
- Windows Vista setup loads. Pick your regional preferences, and then click Next.
- Click Repair Your Computer.
- Select your keyboard layout, and then click Next.
- Select an operating system to repair, and click Next.
- The Choose A Recovery Tool page appears. Click Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
Windows Memory Diagnostics will test your computer’s memory. For more detailed information, read Chapter 31 of the Windows Vista Resource Kit (written by me… shameless plug).
If you do have Vista installed, you can launch it directly from Windows Boot Manager (you’ll have to press a key during the first phases of startup to get it to appear).
Windows Vista is smart enough to detect if you might have a memory problem and ask you to test your computer. It requires a restart, because the tool can’t run while Vista is running.
It’ll inform you of the results after Vista starts back up, though.
Hmmm, just installed 2 gigs of RAM in a brand new eMachine that had Vista preinstalled. There’s only 2 slots so I had to buy 2 sticks of 1 Gig RAM. The system only shows 1.87G RAM installled while the PC I am using at the moment with 2 Gigs of RAM shows 2 Gigs installed.
The eMachine shares memory with its built in ATI 200M graphics chipset so perhaps that accounts for the discrepency.
Anyway I will try the built in RAM checker. Thanks for the article.