Running Memtest86+
What is a Linux Live Session
Linux is a great OS that has a major advantage when it comes to troubleshooting; it can be run from a USB flashdrive in a 'live' state without installing to a hard disk. This allows you to use a wide range of tools to manipulate the disks, data, and hardware of your computer/OS without worrying about anything running on it.
Obtaining media
r/Techsupport Rescue Media
A Linux ISO has been made for r/Techsupport that has memtest86+ included in the environment.
Source files for Debian live-build
Official Memtest86+ V5.31b
You may also use the official Memtest86+ ISO.
Or the install tool for Windows.
Creating bootable media
This will require a USB that is at least the size of the ISO you downloaded.
All methods of creating boot media are destructive and will WIPE the USB flashdrive or external disk.
Windows
- Download and run Rufus
- Select “ISO Image” and then browse for the ISO image.
- Select which flash drive you want to put the installer on.
- Select the target system type
MBR/BIOS
- Memtest can only be run when booted as
Legacy/MBR/BIOS
- Memtest can only be run when booted as
- Click “Start” and wait for it to finish.
MacOS
- Download and run Etcher
- Select your downloaded ISO
- Select your target drive
- Click "Flash" and wait for it to finish.
Linux
- Run
lsblk
to list all disks in your system, identify your flash drive by size. It will look something like/dev/sd[letter]
Boot the live media
- Press your 'Boot menu' key when you power on the machine to access your boot options.
- You may need to go through BIOS and change boot priority if you cannot find or hit the boot options key during boot.
- Choose your USB
- Once it boots select 'Try' or 'Live'
Run Memtest86+
Both of these media need to be booted in Legacy/CSM mode. They will not work when loaded in UEFI mode
rTechsupport Rescue Media
If you booted the rTechSupport Rescue Media then you will be able to choose Memtest86+ on the welcome screen.
Official Memtest86+ media
If you used the official Memtest86+ media, it will boot straight into the test.
Results
Let the test run for 8 passes, most likely overnight, any errors means you have a bad RAM stick or DIMM (RAM slot). If you see any errors early, you can end the test there and start narrowing it down to which stick/slot.
If you have a failure, then test each stick individually, and in different slots to isolate the failure to a stick or slot.