How to tell if ram is bad: Do you have bad RAM? Here’s how to find out

25 ноября, 2022

7 Ways To Tell If You Have A Bad RAM

RAM is one of the most critical components in your computer because it stores and transmits information more quickly than long-term memory. When RAM starts to fail, it can be sneaky without any significant signs that it’s happening.

When you notice the issues pop up, investigate to see whether RAM is the root of the problem. 

If you determine that memory isn’t the problem, you’ll have to explore other areas. If the memory is the problem, it might be time for an upgrade. 

Why is RAM Important?

RAM holds all the information your computer might need to obtain quickly. With more RAM, it can save more in the memory and lead to smoother, more flawless performance. While other types of memory hold the information they store long-term, RAM wipes itself regularly to make room for more quick-access data.

Not all RAM is created equal. Faster RAM will deliver faster performance as the data in the memory is quickly delivered to other parts of the computer. Sometimes downgrading your RAM or reducing the amount of RAM available in your computer causes your computer to act less responsive.

On the other hand, upgrading your RAM can also create a much better performance. 

What Can Failing RAM Do to My Computer?

Bad RAM manifests in all sorts of ways. When your computer isn’t working correctly, RAM is one of the usual suspects you should investigate to get things back on track.
Since the symptoms of failing RAM are similar to those of other failing computer parts, you might have to explore a bit to find an answer. 
Blue screens, random shutdowns, programs failing, and poor performance are all the results of failing memory. Check your RAM when you notice these things happening, and you might be surprised at what you find. If it isn’t in good condition anymore, it might cause issues. 

How to Tell if Your RAM Is Failing

You should look for a few different signs that your RAM is failing. If you notice them, you can investigate how it performs using a RAM checking program. While Windows has one built-in, some users also recommend using a secondary program to ensure that it’s reporting the right results. 

Crashes and Blue Screens

When your RAM starts to fail, it can make your computer lock up. Random crashes where the computer shuts down completely might happen. You can also begin to get bluescreens with a variety of messages. Most won’t specifically reference a problem with the memory.

Keep track of how often this is happening. If it’s frequent, you may want to test your memory. Many other problems can be harder to diagnose, making a RAM check one of your better options. 

Programs Shutting Down

Another issue you might notice slowly is that certain programs shut down. There might be a specific event that triggers this. It might be completely random. It’s hard to say what will happen – but random program crashes are a sign of failing RAM.

Sometimes the programs shut down when they’re using a lot of resources. Keep a careful eye on programs during times of high usage and make a note if they crash. If so, you may need to check your RAM and temperatures to see if it’s an easy solution. 

Stuttering or Poor Performance

Sometimes your programs and computer continue to work, but failing RAM makes them perform less well than expected. If you notice that your programs or games are suddenly not working as they should, it is a sign that your RAM is failing.

Keep an eye on it and try to use programs you’re familiar with to see whether the performance has degraded. 

Check the performance of your GPU and CPU on the Task Manager’s performance tab. If they aren’t maxing out and you’re still experiencing issues, that’s a sign that it’s another component – like the RAM. 

Problems with Saved Files

Failing memory can create issues with files on your PC. When RAM fails, it can damage your hard drive and cause problems with the long-term storage rather than just what’s saved on the RAM.

Don’t hesitate to test your RAM when you notice problems with your files. If that doesn’t work, you might need to replace your drive.

Keeping your files backed up is essential because of these types of problems. You can’t guarantee that your hard drives or RAM won’t suddenly degrade, stop working, and make your files unusable. If they’re backed up, you won’t lose anything important. 

Reports of Memory Errors

Sometimes Windows will report that you have a memory error. In that case, stop what you’re doing and perform a memory test immediately. You shouldn’t keep using a computer with severe RAM issues since it can affect your files and drives.

Luckily, RAM is a pretty stable component that doesn’t go bad often. It shouldn’t be something you have to worry about regularly. 

Your Computer Won’t Turn on

Sometimes when RAM fails, it completely stops your system from booting. You might hear a particular combination of beeps, or it might fail to start altogether.

You can remove your RAM sticks, put one or two in the first slots, and try to boot. If only one stick has failed, you might be able to get on and start troubleshooting by shifting RAM around in the motherboard slots. 

Failing a RAM Test

When you think your memory is on the fritz, performing a RAM test can let you know how it’s actually doing. It’s one of the best ways to isolate the problem, and Windows happens to have a RAM test built into the operating system.

  1. Save your data and close any programs. The Windows Memory Diagnostic requires your computer to shut down. 
  2. Press the Windows key to bring up the Start Menu.
  3. Type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” into the search bar.
  4. Click the corresponding program.
  5. Click “Restart now and check for problems” to run the test immediately. 
  6. Wait for the test to complete.
  7. Wait for the computer to load.
  8. Once it pops up, read the message that says whether or not you have memory issues. If you do, you might need to consider what comes next and whether the RAM should be replaced.

You can download third-party tests as well. That might help you determine whether the memory is corrupt if the Windows test repeatedly says things are fine, but you still have errors.

However, RAM errors share a lot of symptoms with the errors you will see when other components fail. So, unfortunately, if Windows says it isn’t the RAM, it might be something else. 

What Should I Do if My RAM is Failing?

The first thing you should do is reseat your RAM. Many issues seemingly caused by failing hardware can be attributed to RAM that isn’t squarely placed in the motherboard. Don’t be surprised if your computer still recognizes and seemingly utilizes the RAM – it might still help you to reseat it.

  1. Power down your computer and flip the switch on your PSU. Disconnect the cable from the computer to be sure.
  2. Open the side of the computer and remove anything necessary to access the motherboard. You may need to remove the motherboard from the case – it just depends on your setup.
     
  3. Release the RAM from the motherboard. Most have clips that hold that RAM down. Depress it to release the stick.
  4. Pull the stick of RAM straight up. You should remove one stick at a time rather than trying to do multiples.
  5. Remove all the ram.
  6. Use compressed air to clean the RAM and the motherboard. Blow away any dust or mess that might be impeding the performance.
  7. Put the RAM sticks back into the motherboard. Press the clips to secure them into their slots.
  8. Hook up the motherboard again if necessary. Close the computer and rehook the power. Once you’re done, you can restart it and test whether the RAM performs better. 

Reseating the RAM won’t cure every problem with your memory. Sometimes it still won’t work when you’re done. But it’s a quick and cheap way to determine whether you can still use what you have rather than having to replace it.

You should also go into BIOS and completely reset your memory. You don’t want it to be overclocked or have any custom settings. 

If the RAM is still not working, you might have to start thinking about replacing it. Since failing RAM can create so many issues with your computer, it should be a priority fix when you’re able. 

When upgrading your RAM, consider adding more sticks or choosing ones with a higher clock speed. When your RAM is faster, so is your computer. RAM can create a bottleneck that prevents other components from reaching their full potential.

Upgrading your RAM is one way to improve your computer that doesn’t take a lot of effort, so even failing RAM doesn’t have to be bad – if it means your computer gets better overall. 

6 Symptoms and Signs of a RAM Problem

RAM or Random Access Memory is the main memory of any computer. The main work of RAM is to store temporary data for the computer. Many people mistake RAM for permanent data storage. But, it is actually temporary data storage. All the data in RAM is temporary.

RAM is a very important component of your computer. You can ignore your broken Smartphone screen for a long time. But, you simply can’t ignore your computer RAM. It also has the highest failure rate among all other computer components. If your RAM is not working properly, then apps won’t run smoothly on your computer. Your operating system will work very slowly. Also, your web browser will become slower. It will take more time to open. But, most people don’t know if their computer is suffering from any RAM problem. Some common symptoms of a RAM problem are:

  1. Diminishing Performance of your System

If your computer performance is diminishing over time, then your computer probably has memory issues. Your computer will boot up at a normal speed. But, after using it for a while it will become slow. This problem mostly happens due to slow RAM. Try using heavy apps like Photoshop or play heavy games like PUBG. If your RAM is not working properly, then you will see a sudden decrease in the performance of your computer.

Sometimes these problems arise due to leakage of memory also. Thus, many people don’t know how to test this problem. One thing you can do is restart your computer. But, this time don’t open any apps on your computer. If you are facing similar problems without any software running, then your RAM is facing some problems.

  1. Frequent Crashes

Your computer can crash due to many reasons. But, it is important to pinpoint the exact reason. If these crashes are occurring randomly, then your RAM is facing some problems. For example, if your computer is crashing on opening heavy apps, then your hardware is probably failing. But if these crashes are occurring without any prior warning, then your RAM is not working properly.

  1. Corrupted Files

If you are suddenly seeing your data files getting corrupted, then your system is suffering from RAM problem. This problem will only accelerate in the future. You will start seeing more and more files getting corrupted. Hence, this problem will only get worse with time. The main reason behind this problem is that your RAM is changing your hard drive structure. It is degenerating old files in your hard disk. Soon your computer won’t boot once your main drive files get corrupted.

  1. Video Card is not loading

If you’ve ever turned on a computer, then you must have heard a loud beep. This loud beep indicates that your computer has recognized your media and video hardware. If you don’t hear this beep during the boot process, then your computer is suffering from RAM problem. Your operating system will also show you an on-screen message after the booting process.

If your computer is only suffering from this problem, then there is no guarantee that your RAM is malfunctioning. Sometimes these problems can occur due to corrupted video cards. On a Mac computer, a triple loud beep during the startup signifies that a RAM problem has occurred.

  1. Incorrect RAM Display

You can easily check the amount of RAM in your system.

If you are using Windows, then you can follow below steps to check the RAM of your system:

  1. Open Control Panel in your computer.
  2. Navigate to the System section of Control Panel.
  3. You will see the amount of RAM installed in your systems.

If you are using Mac, then you can follow below steps to check the RAM of your system.

  1. Click on Apple icon and after that open click on the about this Mac.
  2. After that, click on the Overview tab.
  3. You will see an overview of your Mac stats, including the amount of RAM installed in your system.

If your system is showing less RAM, then your laptop computers might have memory issues.

  1. Your system will freeze

If your windows computer is freezing for minutes at a time, then your system might be facing RAM problems. It may take even 3-4 minutes to open a browser like Chrome. This problem might be occurring due to malware or virus. Thus, first, you should check your computers with antivirus. If this problem still persists, then your RAM is probably facing problems.

  • Sometimes power surges can damage your computer components like RAM or hard disk. Make sure to plug your computer into a surge protector. This will protect your cheap computer components from getting damaged.
  • Even excessive heat can damage your computer components. Sometimes individual components can overheat, or even heat from other components can cause damage to other components.
  • If you have accidentally restarted any computer part, then it may cause damage to your RAM due to excessive heat.
  • Sometimes your memory module may have a fault that slipped through quality control. These errors can get worse over time. This is the most common reason behind a damaged RAM.

Even if one or two memory slots on your motherboard are not working properly, then it will hinder your RAM performance. This can also damage your memory stick in the long run.

There are various methods using which you can diagnose RAM problems. If you think that your computer is facing some memory problem, then you can follow the below methods to make it clear:

  • The easiest way to Diagnose RAM Error is by using the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool. It is provided by Windows. First, open Control Panel in your computer. After that, search for Windows Memory Diagnostic and open it. You can run the test immediately by restarting your computer. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a Status field. If any problem is detected, then you will see it in the Status field.
  • If you have two memory sticks, then you can take out one stick of RAM at a time. This is the ideal method to check for memory problems. After removing one stick, you can restart your computer. If your computer is working properly, then one of your RAM stick is not working properly. You can get it replaced.

If your computer is suffering from memory problems then you should check your RAM sticks for dirt. Most times your RAM stops working due to excessive dust. Hence, it is a good idea to clean your RAM every once in a while. If the problem still persists, then you should take professional help. You can get your RAM replaced in around $75. Sometimes the problem is with RAM modules. In such cases, it is always good to take professional help.

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What is the effect of RAM on a computer and in games?

When assembling or buying a computer, you should pay attention to even minor details that, as you may think, do not matter. For example, in a store, a manager might argue that the more RAM a computer has, the faster it will run. Is this really true or is the manager just trying to get more money out of you?

Random Access Memory or RAM (Random Access Memory) is a volatile part of the computer memory system that stores machine code while the computer is running, as well as input, output, and intermediate data processed by the processor. RAM really affects the increase in the speed of your computer when performing certain processes, and therefore is one of the main components. RAM stores part of the data that needs to be processed. The better the performance of RAM, the faster this or that task that the user sets will be completed.

In practice, increasing the amount of RAM does improve PC performance. For example, if you like to open dozens of tabs in browsers, you simply cannot help but notice the increase in response speed when increasing the amount of RAM, say, from 4 GB to 8 GB. The same can be said about launching applications. True, the increase in performance may not be so obvious, moreover, it depends not only on the amount of memory, but also on its type. For example, the performance of a DDR3 board is slightly higher than that of a DDR2 board, but in reality it is not always possible to feel this difference.

Thus, answering the question about the amount of RAM, we can say this: the more RAM, the better. But it is worth noting that a lot depends on your preferences. If you plan to use the computer only for work (browsers, programs like Word, etc.), 4-8 GB of memory is enough, there is simply no point in using more. If the computer is gaming, then it is better to get a memory capacity of 8-16 GB with a margin for powerful toys.

It was written above that if we are talking about a gaming computer, then you should not save on RAM. Why? Because for the full operation of the toy, a large amount of RAM may be required, which you can read about in the characteristics of the toy.

Let’s say you have 2 GB of RAM installed and the game requires 3 GB. What will happen?

When a toy is loaded, all textures, locations and other data are unloaded from the hard disk into RAM, and only then, if necessary, loaded into the memory of the video card, which processes this data and displays it on the screen. Since in our case there is a shortage of RAM, not all data is placed in RAM, some of it is moved to virtual memory (the paging file, which I already talked about), from where it is loaded. The problem is that RAM is many times faster than a hard drive, and therefore, when creating new locations or levels, users can expect slowdowns and lags lasting several seconds, and sometimes more. And all this happens due to lack of RAM. Therefore, the game itself will load even if there is not enough RAM, but stuttering will spoil all the fun of the gameplay.

That’s why you shouldn’t skimp on RAM on a gaming PC.

How to find out if the dual-channel memory mode is working on a computer: instructions

Good afternoon dear friend. Today I will tell you on the blog itswat.ru about how to find out if the dual-channel RAM mode is working, why it is better to install two sticks of RAM on a computer or laptop instead of one. You will learn the features of the location of the RAM on the motherboard and the advantages of two or three-channel «RAM». And also I will tell you how to find out if you have activated the dual-channel memory mode.

Table of contents of the article:

1. Fundamentals
2. Programs for determining RAM modes
2.1. We learn the necessary information through AIDA 64
2.2. Via CPU Z
3. How to install memory sticks correctly to make multi-channel mode work

  • See also: How to find out what kind of RAM is on the computer through system information and the Aida64 program >>>

Fundamentals

Even at school in computer science they teach that the use of parallelism in the operation of electronic computers increases productivity. Two sticks of memory of 8 GB each provide more opportunities for revealing performance than one RAM with 16 GB.

Dual-channel RAM in games improves performance by 10 percent. In working with sound, rendering drawings, video editing, this figure rises to 30 percent.

Let’s see how to find out if this mode is activated on your computer or laptop.

  • See also: What is the difference between the types of RAM — DDR, DDR2, DDR3 or DDR4 and how to find out which one is on a laptop >>>

Programs for determining RAM modes

To find out which memory mode is running on the computer, you do not need to go into the BIOS or look for documents on the PC. It will be enough to download one of the following utilities:

  • AIDA 64;
  • CPU-Z.

If you do not know how to work with programs, the instructions below will help you deal with them.

Find out the necessary information through AIDA 64

How to work with AIDA 64:

  1. Download and install the program.
  2. Run it.
  3. In the menu on the left side of the window, find the item «System board».
  1. Click on it with the left mouse button and go to the right side of the window.
  2. In it, find the item «System board».
  1. Click on it.
  2. Open the parameters of the motherboard of a computer or laptop.
  3. Find the sub-item «Properties of the memory bus». Immediately below it you will see «Tyre Type». And opposite is an inscription indicating which of the modes is activated.

If “ Single DDR 3” is written, then this means that single-channel mode is running, if “ Dual ”, then dual-channel mode.

Via CPU Z

CPU-Z is another simple utility to familiarize yourself with computer settings and RAM modes.

  1. Download and install the CPU-Z application.
  2. Run the .exe file.
  3. A window will open in which you will find many tabs. We will only need a tab called «Memory».
  4. You click on it.
  5. On the right you will see an item called «Channel». Opposite it will be the inscription «Single» or «Dual» depending on which mode is enabled.

However, not all motherboards support Dual Channel RAM technology. Modern motherboards have four RAM slots. Only the correct installation of RAM strips in them will solve problems with multi-channel.

  • See also: How to find out the manufacturer of RAM chips using the command line or third-party programs >>>

How to install memory sticks correctly to make multi-channel mode work

If you look at the motherboard, you will see that the manufacturer has developed special slots for RAM sticks.