I have one on a bootcd somewhere that a sysadmin mate made, it’s a linux memtest and does a decent job. Couldn’t find that disk here at work, so I downloaded the Microsoft Online Crash Analysis memtest tool which seems to do the trick… and I just never bothered finding the other disk :)

I don’t know whether the MS one is an excellent tool or just an average one, but it seems to have worked fine for me so far.

So, can you recommend any good memory testing tools? I think I have one or two in my toolbox, but I’d love to hear what you use.

Another time to suspect bad memory is when the computer is suffering random syptoms with no rhyme or reason. I’ve had computers that didn’t have a pattern to their failure – might not make it past POST one time, the next it might work fine, the next Windows might freeze, the next one application exits with an unusual error, etc – which came good by replacing the RAM.

Also try a memory tester – since I found out about memory test bootable CDs, I haven’t had a stick of bad memory that wasn’t detected by the CD. Saves having to pull a ‘puter out of it’s nest of cables and whatnot.

Criag – actually, I almost never throw out bad RAM. I put it in a box labeled BAD RAM. I always figure I will use it for something cool. Haven’t figured what I’d do with them.

I also have around 20 bad laptop hard drives stacked up on the shelf behind me. Partly because I don’t feel like figuring out the proper way of disposing them with regards to confidentiality policies and etc. Every once in a while I take one of them apart to get the cool magnets and the shiny platter out of it. I have several of them hinging off my lamp at work. :)

Starhawk – You may or may not get memory read errorsIf the DIMM socket on the motherboard is going bad, you will likely see behavior like the above.

Oddly enough I’ve never had memory go out on any of my machines (crossing fingers now haha). hard drives yes memory no. But i would have expected memory read write errors so thanks for the info gives me a clue to know what to look out for.

Don’t forget to destroy the bad memory after you confirm it’s death. Too many people will see it in the trash and take it back out, especially fellow admins. I can’t tell you the number of times I have had to troubleshoot the same issue only because some admin tried to help save money by picking through the trash. Same goes with bad network patch cables . . . cut the ends off for added insurance that it will never reappear in your stockpile.