Memory test program? Lock up problems.

[viking12344]

I had posted a while ago with a problem I have on an 800 mhz duron/soyo board with 512MB pc 100 running win98.

The pc will lock up after initial start but be fine after that. Sometime it takes me 3-4x to hard power it off until it starts up and gets me into windows. It always does it within 10 minutes (locks up) and never at the same spot. I have changed the PS, reinstalled the OS, changed vid cards(not to troubleshoot but because it was needed).

I was told it may be the memory and was wondering what would be a good program to test it with?

Thanks.

[MitaDC]

That has to be memory. Does it give you any beep codes?

[viking12344]

Nope, just the one normal beep code upon hard-powering up. I am trying to get this machine up and running right now after out "blackout". Its a bear to get it going.....I usually never shut it off once its up and going, then its fine. Heh, it just booted up normal as I was typing this, after 5 attempts.

[Telexen]

http://www.memtest86.com/

That should work for you

Remember that needs to run AT LEAST overnight though.

[viking12344]

Thanks Telexen, running it now

[viking12344]

Ok, I have been running memtest for 19:32, almost a day now. Am I doing something wrong? So far it has come up with 53 pass and 0 errors.....but its still going

[Telexen]

It may or may not come up with an error...it's not a great way to test RAM.

[viking12344]

What would be a better way to test the ram...to see if thats the culprit...just replace it or do I have another option?

Thanks

[Beemer]

Memtest works good if you only allowcate the unused amount of RAM your system is not using.

E.G.
Win98 uses 32Mb's for the O/S to run.
You have 512 Mb's of RAM so you would set memtest to test on 480 Mb's. 800% coverage is all you need really.

WinY2K uses 64
WinXP uses 128

These are close approx's.

I like to test RAM sticks individually in slot one.

If I get no error's, I then test 2 sticks in slot 1 & 2 and work toward 3 and 4 with a third stick and 4th stick. (if aplicable) This tests the motherboard for malfunctions as you have already detirmined the RAM is not at fault.

Cheers!