The possibilities of each new operating system from Microsoft are growing. And numerous built-in utilities are constantly appearing, with which the user can easily monitor and check all his equipment for errors, system failures, trying to detect possible malfunctions in time. This allows, if necessary, to replace the failed part of the PC, avoiding the moment when the system unit will either simply not turn on or the OS will not boot.
Few people know about the built-in utilities and additional features of the OS, even among experienced Windows users. And so we want to talk in more detail about such an important function as checking the RAM.
What is RAM Memory
This is an essential part of the system unit. Responsible for storing data that is directly used in the work. In particular, it contains executable machine code, intermediate data that is processed by a processor or coprocessor. Also called RAM (random access memory). The speed of the entire computer depends on the speed and volume that are installed on the PC.
If the RAM will be absent (or will be faulty), then the computer will not be physically possible. There will not even be an initial boot to start loading the OS. Also, if errors are detected in the RAM, then during execution freezes or even arbitrary shutdowns and reboots can occur - because when accessing or reading from non-working sectors, an important part of machine code or information may be lost.
When Need to Check the RAM
Hanging up, unstable operation, unexpected blue screens with BSOD errors can hint at possible problems with RAM. It is possible that the user will not notice the error itself and will not even have time to read anything. The inscription itself can also be anything you like. For example, errors on a blue background can look like this (on the left side an error code that will catch the eye, on the right side the short code description itself):
- 0x0000000A - IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
- 0x00000012 - TRAP_CAUSE_UNKNOWN
- 0x00000021 - QUOTA_UNDERFLOW
- 0x0000002E - DATA_BUS_ERROR
- 0x0000007F - UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP
These five types of errors can indicate a memory problem.
However, after a similar type of error, a restart of the computer follows. Even if the error did not appear on the monitor, the OS writes information about it to the registry.
It is also worth checking the RAM at least occasionally - for example, when the computer is not needed for half an hour, you can check the memory. And spend for your own comfort and confidence once every two to three months. Especially if the computer is actively used, as well as even with an uninterruptible power supply, power surges or power outages occur at all. Moreover, this does not require the installation of additional programs or equipment. Everything you need is already in Windows 10 itself.
How to check RAM in Windows
- Launch the Control Panel (you can through the search on the computer, as well as through the Start menu);
- In the control panel, go to Administrative Tools.
- In the Administration pane, find the Windows Memory Diagnostic service.
- The service will ask you to choose one of two actions. You can immediately start checking the RAM, or you can check it at the next reboot (Check for problems the next time I start my computer). It is recommended to choose an immediate option.
It should be remembered that in order to check the RAM, the OS will need to reboot. That is, it will not be possible to carry out verification and at the same time continue to work with any programs. Therefore, you should save all your work, and it is recommended that you close all other programs.
- After that, the computer will restart. Shutdown itself can occur, including within a couple of minutes - the OS prepares all services for verification.
- The verification time depends on the size of the RAM, as well as speed and availability, and can be carried out within 10-40 minutes. In the event that errors were found in the memory or the memory itself is damaged, it will take longer to wait. You should not reboot if it suddenly seemed that the computer was frozen. In any case, you should wait until the check is completed. To know exactly in which state the RAM is.
During the test, you can select the parameters of the test itself. However, a simple untrained user does not need to go there. Disabling or using the cache or the type (basic / regular / wide) of the test sets of the main load are not carried. Of course, a person who is interested in the hardware structure of a computer can study the set of tests that are present in the description. But for most, even experienced users, they will not give anything new.
You should be aware that in the standard case, you use the usual test suite with a default cache (that is, in the same mode as it would during normal operation of a loaded OS).
Where are the results of checking the RAM
The result of the test is automatically displayed during the test itself. If no inscriptions followed, then the memory is in excellent condition. Unfortunately, sometimes it can happen that errors appear. Moreover, if the memory is in a disgusting state, then they will appear too often. So that it will not be possible to have time to read all about the verification. To read the errors again, you should not start the service again and again it is painful to wait for the text to appear.
After the check is completed, the OS will give out at boot all the required data in a readable form.
You can view them as follows:
- Go to the computer control (find the This computer icon, right-click on it and select Management):
- In the appeared window Computer Management select on the left side:
Utilities -> Event Viewers -> Windows Logs -> System
In the central largest part of the screen, all events will appear. The list can be loaded for a very long time. Need to wait. Sometimes the whole list (depending on the duration of the OS) can be loaded for about a couple of minutes.
In the window you need to find events that were relatively recent (all of them are sorted by default by time, where the last event is at the top). Or search the source MemoryDiagnostics-Results
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There will be two events in total. Because during the inspection, two passes were used. And the results will be divided into two parts. Even if the time does not differ for them (sometimes it differs due to the amount of recorded data when errors appear).
You can also see the "Details" at the top. However, this will be needed more if errors were nevertheless found. And at the same time, it is worthwhile to show the specialist exactly what errors were discovered.
RAM Test Result
According to the test results, it is already possible to determine what is wrong with the RAM. If errors occurred during the test, then it is worth consulting with specialists (in particular, try to go to the support service of the manufacturer). Or find out everything directly when you personally contact the service center.
It is worth saying that a memory check can sometimes show different data. That is, if there are errors, you should try to double-check all the data again with new testing.
If as a result of testing too many errors appear, then perhaps you should think about changing the RAM, upgrading your PC. If it turned out that slow operation or freezes are in no way connected with memory, then you should try to look for the source of the problem elsewhere.