What Is MemTest86. Uses, Features, Reviews, Prices

MemTest86 has been a staple of the computer industry for testing and troubleshooting computer memory since its inception in the early 20th century.

It has transformed dramatically from its beginnings in 2002 to what it is today. In mid-2014, PassMark I buy Memtest and breathed new life into the software thanks to a GUI update and UEFI support.

In essence Memtest It's still the same software as old, but much easier to use. You still have the familiar test screen and information available, but now it's even easier to see if your RAM is up to par.

What is MemTest86

Memtest It is a RAM memory tester, designed to run in a RAM environment. Windows, Mac o Linux. Verify that your computer can reliably store and retrieve data from memory.

A properly functioning computer should be able to do this with 100% accuracy day after day. A computer that fails these tests, perhaps due to hardware Older, damaged hardware, or poorly configured hardware will be less stable and crash more frequently.

Worse still, it will become even less stable with There as corrupted data is written to your hard drive.

If you have any kind of system stability issues, starting with memory is generally a good bet. Often, people skip testing system memory for defects because it is considered an unnecessary computer component.

It's actually one of the most important hardware components of any computer. If your system's memory is failing, it can account for random crashes, failed POST screens, and a variety of other strange computer issues.

MemTest86 software It is easy to use and very effective in clearing out system memory in your current computer problems. By running Memtest, you can make sure that your computer's RAM is working properly.

It is advisable to test this when you buy a new computer, install new RAM, or change the configuration of your machine. Use MemTest as a true stability test.

Memtest is an open source utility that scans and tests your computer's RAM for defects or errors. It supports Windows 95 to Windows 10 and allows you to define the amount of memory to be tested.

What can MemTest86 be used for?

MemTest86 is an x86-based system memory (RAM) testing tool. Despite its name and origin, the latest free versions support modern UEFI x64-based systems.

What it does MemTest86 is to use a series of algorithms to write blocks of data into system memory and then read those blocks. If the data read matches what was written, the blocks pass. If the data read does not match what was written, an error is encountered.

Under normal circumstances, in a stable system, no errors should be found, but in the case of overclocking, hardware degradation, or DOA memory, some or many errors may be found. The number of errors should be defined by the stability of your computer.

Running outside the operating system is necessary because it frees up almost all of the memory that would have been in use by the operating system. This allows the software to examine as much memory as possible.

Memtest86 It is included by default in Ubuntu installations, as well as other major Linux distributions. If MemTest is not included in your Linux distribution, you can use a flash drive USB to create a portable test unit from which to boot and run the test.

Using MemTest86, you can diagnose and find intermittent memory errors, verify that the RAM will correctly accept and maintain arbitrary patterns in which data is written, that there are no memory address conflicts, and that there are no errors where different bits of memory interact.

There are many tools and approaches that can be used for memory testing. However, many tests simply throw some patterns at the memory without much thought or knowledge of the memory architecture, or how faults can best be detected.

How to Create a Bootable Drive with MemTest86

Memtest It will automatically start after ten seconds and run four passes. If you have any errors, they will be displayed on the right under ““Errors”.

La default test This is all you need to test the memory stability on your computer. If you encounter any errors, you can search the OCC forums to diagnose the problem.

It can be anything and not just one «bad memory». Incorrect memory voltage, high CPU overclock, or out-of-spec memory speed can also cause errors.

Once you have established that memory is causing system stability issues, you can narrow down the cause.

Run MemTest on a system that has Ubuntu installed is a relatively easy task to accomplish with just a couple of steps. Since Memtest86 can be run without an operating system, you will need to access the menu GRUB.

You can do this by holding down the key "Shift" while the system is booting. Memtest should appear in the list of options. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to highlight the “Memtest86” option and press the “Enter«.

Memtest should start up correctly and begin running. MemTest86 boots in its own environment independent of your operating system, so you'll need three tools:

• A sacrificial flash drive. All pre-existing data on this drive will be erased.
• MemTest86, whose .ZIP can be downloaded from the official website: https://www.memtest86.com/
• A means of writing the image file to your sacrificial drive, the steps for which vary depending on the operating system.

This memory diagnostic tool is available for a variety of OS for PC. PCs running Mac, Linux, and Windows operating systems can use this tool to check memory.

1. Start by extracting the contents of the file .ZIP to a folder on your desktop.
2. Now plug in your USB stick and run the executable exe from the extracted folder.
3. A window will appear with a very easy to read menu. Check the box next to the drive you want to install MemTest86 on.
4. Then choose the operation you want to perform. Don't worry, in this case, it is the default one.
5. Now, choose the image you want to write to the drive, the default option should be memtest86-usb.img.
6. Click on "Write”. This will trigger a series of dialog boxes.
7. Check that you have selected the correct unit, or simply make your sacrifice unit the only one connected.
8. Then click “Yes” on both prompts.
9. From here, wait patiently while the image is written to the drive.
10. After this, a verification pass is performed to ensure that what was written is correct.
11. When you receive the message “Completed Image”, MemTest86 was successfully installed and your USB drive Boot is ready to use.

This is an open source tool, which simply means that this tool is available for free for all the users. It is very reliable to use because it supports all the latest technology versions like 64-bit processor, GI, XMP, auto-boot from USB drives or flash drives, etc.

That is why it is important to note that every time you use this tool to check for memory errors, it takes quite a long time.

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MemTest86 Features

• Boots from a USB flash drive or CD, and more.
• Test patterns and complete algorithms.
• Diagnose RAM through thirteen different tests.
• Full Test Automation RAM Benchmark Charts.
• Support for DDR3, DDR4, XMP, UEFI, ECC RAM, etc.
• Supports all systems/DOS, even all editions.
• New 64-bit, SIMD, Row Hammer benchmarks.
• Double-sided random data patterns.
• Parameter to disable multiprocessor.
• Support for running in parallel CPU mode.
• PXE network boot support.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

The utility is more sophisticated than most BIOS memory diagnostic tools. It has important additional features, such as support for multiple CPUs and machines with large memory.

To execute Memtest86, you must boot from a floppy disk, CD, or USB device. The download file contains the ISO image that you must burn to a CD.

Advantages

• Supports computers with more than 4GB of memory.
• It can be run from a device storage external.
• Great ease of use, even for beginners.
• It is kept up to date by its developer.
• It is compatible with the latest technology RAM memories.
• High level of configuration.

Disadvantages

• Scanning is a bit slow.
• Very little customizable.

Plans and prices

Memtest is available on their official website: MemTest86. Several versions of the software are available to the public.

• MemTest86 Free EditionAs its name suggests, it is free of charge, although it does not have all the functions activated.
• MemTest86 Pro, it has a price of $44. You can extend the support by paying an additional fee. $19,50.
• MemTest Pro + 1 USB Flash Drive, is priced 49 dollars. You can extend the support by paying an additional fee. 19,50 dollars.
• MemTest86 Pro Site Edition, it has a price of $640. You can extend the support by paying an additional fee. 1.245 dollars. This price covers an unlimited number of licenses within an organization, for commercial use.

How and where to download MemTest86

Memtest is available on their official website: MemTest86. Downloading is actually very simple:

• Visit MemTest86.
• From the home page click on the “Download” to access its free version.
• A is downloaded ZIP archive in the folder “Downloads” from your PC.
• Once the download is complete, open the file to unzip the ISO file.
• Now proceed to create the boot drive on a USB Flash drive, as we have described above.

Opinions from users who have used MemTest86

Let's see some opinions from users who have already downloaded MemTest86.

• OnePiece:

“This program, as well as memtest86+, are the best memory (RAM) testing programs you can find. It implements the most important memory testing algorithms (there are more advanced algorithms, but they would take much longer and are suitable only for specific types of memory), so you get a pretty good coverage of memory faults.

For some time this version was not supported, but recently PassMark took over support, so it should be up to date again. Use this (I had no problem burning this to a bootable CD, though I prefer to put it on a bootable USB drive these days), or memtest86+, and you can’t go wrong.”

• Gimpguy:

“I use this for all memory testing and it basically detects when the RAM is bad and is very thorough. It is easy to use, free and many technicians swear by the results. I feel like it is a must have.”

• Btk1w1:

“I recently purchased 2 new RAM sticks for a home PC that I wanted to test. I unsuccessfully tried using memtest86 because I was unable to burn the ISO image to disk. After some research, I found another version, memtest86+, based on the original mtest86, and was able to use the guide to burn a bootable disk and run the program.

I let it run for a couple of hours where it rigorously ran 10 different tests, provided diagnostics, and thankfully found no errors with the RAM.”

• TechnoSapien:

“I had built a new high-end gaming/development PC and everything was working fine. Two weeks later, I was having all sorts of issues booting and running applications. It wasn’t until I used this utility to check the 2GB of RAM I had put in the box that I found the problem.

A faulty memory module from a cheap supplier I had chosen. You get what you pay for, right? It's the best memory diagnostic I've found so far.”

• Kevin Weiner:

“I have been using Memtest86 for about three years. And I must say: Truly a must-have for every IT-Man/Woman. Amazing work! Thanks for this masterpiece.”

MemTest86 Alternatives. Top 5 of this year

Below we present some software similar to MamTest86 that will serve as an alternative in case you do not want to download the utility.

1. Windows Memory Diagnostics

This is a native Microsoft utility since Windows Vista and is still present in Windows 10 installation. In fact, Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool sometimes automatically runs the memory check process whenever it detects any error or complexity in memory management.

But you can manually check the memory for the error. It may take several minutes, but once the error is detected, it will automatically fix the problem if possible. Once the scanning process is complete, Windows will automatically restart.

To run the memory check process manually, you must type «Windows memory diagnostics» in the search box and then press the “Enter” key.

As we mentioned, once the scanning process starts, it may take several minutes to finish. So, be patient and let the errors in the memory be fixed automatically.

2. Remember

Firstly, rember is a RAM testing tool that is exclusively available for Mac users. Windows and Linux users cannot use this Mac RAM testing tool.

There are several tests that this tool runs to check the memory thoroughly. And obviously, due to several tests, it may take a long time to complete the scanning process. And once the scanning process is completed, your computer will automatically restart to fix the issues.

There are fewer chances of MacBook memory chips getting corrupted or infected. The chips are specially made by the Apple company, so if any error occurs, users can fix that error automatically.

And if the number of errors is higher than expected, request a memory chip replacement from Apple customer service.

3. Apple Diagnostics

Like the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool, this is a Apple's native testing tool, which is available exclusively for Mac users.

This tool is really a great way to check all the hardware components as well as memory errors. It will also help you to access Apple customer support for further assistance. But before you contact them, you can try to fix the minor issues on your own.

This tool will suggest you the fixes that can be done to fix the issues. Moreover, the optimized features of this tool are really amazing to use and access.

That is why this is one of the most popular tools for Mac users.

4. GoldMemory

GoldMemory provides you with a memory testing application capable of detecting specific errors such as memory failures, motherboard incompatibility issues, incorrect BIOS settings, high temperatures, and more.

The application is designed to help you test whether your computer's memory is working as it should. It supports x86 computer architectures and runs as a 16-bit application.

GoldMemory It is based on complex and effective algorithms independent of the chipset type and comes with three different testing methods for you to choose from.

The application can only be run on computers incorporating CPUs operating in real operating mode (active when the processor is on), as protected mode does not allow full access to memory.

GoldMemory is a diagnostic utility aimed at advanced users. It allows you to identify potential memory failures, but please note that it is advisable to use more than one test application and compare the results to improve the accuracy of the analysis.

5. RAMExpert

RAMExpert It is a lightweight and efficient application whose main objective is to provide users with a complete report about the physical RAM memory detected on the system.

In addition to this overview, the program also detects empty spaces, indicating the possibility of upgrading your computer to gain in terms of performance.

The app is suitable for all users, regardless of their level of IT knowledge, because it is intuitive and easy to use. The user interface is user-oriented and shows everything there is to know about the outdoors, without any menus involved.

On first launch, the program automatically detects your computer's RAM configuration, identifying full and empty slots and displaying information accordingly.

RAMExpert provides extensive information for your computer's RAM in an intuitive and easy-to-use environment. It can play an important role in evaluating the performance of your memory configuration.

FAQs

Let's look at some questions related to MemTest86.

Is MemTest86 free?

Yes. There is a free version and several paid options of this software. All of them are available on their official website.

What operating system does MemTest86 support?

Memtest it's compatible with Windows, Mac y Linux. Since it is software that runs outside the system, it doesn't really need to be compatible, and can work with everything. Remember that it is an executable that you can set up on a USB flash drive.

Is MemTest 86 safe?

Completely safe, you should only download from their official website. Avoid downloading software and files from download sites, as many of them have malware.

Conclusion

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MemTest86 is a very powerful tool for recognizing memory errors when troubleshooting an unstable computer. It's worth having in your pocket if you work on systems regularly.

It is also worth noting that MemTest86 may not find errors on the first pass. You may need to run it more than once before it detects anything.