How Do You Get Memtest86's Test Reports?

I am testing my PC's RAM with MemTest86 due to frequent BSODs--but I can't figure out how to configure (if that's what you do) the program before execution so that its Report is saved (in this case) in the MemTest86 thumb drive?

I also want to be able to stop the program at some point before it finishes (Whew!) to see what it has reported thus far.

System Specs:
OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, Service Pack 1, 64 bit
Processor: AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor, AMD64 Family 21 Model 2 Stepping 0
Processor Count: 8
RAM: 16353 Mb
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, -1 Mb
Hard Drives: C: 255 GB (126 GB Free); D: 0 GB (0 GB Free); E: 48 GB (43 GB Free); F: 1784 GB (1288 GB Free); H: 289 GB (207 GB Free); I: 465 GB (258 GB Free);
Motherboard: ASRock, 970A-G/3.1
Antivirus: Microsoft Security Essentials, Enabled and Updated

 

First, because there are several similar programs with very similar names, lets make sure you are using the right on. It should be MemTest86. This is the one that remains under constant development. Allow the diagnostics to run for several passes or even overnight. You should have no reported errors – not even one.

As far as I know, unless you specify the number of passes, or you manually stop it, it will keep running. That is, it does not finish then stop on its own.

As far as a report, you only get what is displayed on the screen with the free version.

 

Yes, I'm using MemTest86. Thanks for the info about the free version's limitations.

 

No problem. Note the Pro version's testing is only a tiny bit more comprehensive - but the differences don't affect the vast majority of home users.

As seen here, the main differences are how you can automate testing and save reports - again features the vast majority of home users don't need.

Just remember, while software-based RAM diagnostic tools are good, none are 100%conclusive. If they report any errors, even one, the RAM is bad. But it is not uncommon for them to report no problems, yet the RAM still fails in use, and/or when paired with other RAM. So, swapping in all new RAM is often the best test - but of course, not everyone has a bunch of spare RAM laying around so you might try running with just a single RAM stick to see if it fails. Repeat process with remaining modules, hopefully identifying the bad stick through a process of elimination. Just be sure to unplug the computer from the wall and touch bare metal of the case interior BEFORE reaching for the RAM to discharge any destructive static in your body.

To conclusively test your RAM, you need to use sophisticated and very expensive test equipment, like this $4,450 RAMCheck LX Memory Tester or swap in known good RAM and see what happens. BTW, I am certain that tester has been discontinued (and no DDR4 successor is offered) simply because it is much cheaper to keep spare RAM around to swap in. So no one is buying those testers.

 

I did run the free version of MemTest86 last week for up to 10 hours. It didn't finish (I had to use the PC for other tasks), but the still-running Test 6 reported up to 40 errors in Slot 1.

 

Yeah, that's not good. You should have no errors at all.

 

Just purchased the Pro version of MemTest86. Will run shortly.

Meantime, does Major Geeks allow for uploading of zipped Minidumps (per BSODs) for analysis?

 

Yes, but rather use this program.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/whocrashed_free_home_edition.html
The log is smaller and easier to analyze.

 

Thanks.

 

I went to unzip the Pro version of MemTest86 to prepare a USB flash drive for booting, but it's impossible to tell which file in the program is for that setup; the file names are all truncated.

 

Never used the pro versions so can't help you there. Anything here help?

 

It doesn't name the USB setup file--but I'll look over all of it for some hints, Thanks.

 

Since you paid for this version, it seems to me you are entitled to tech support. Note the email address for help near the bottom of this page.

 

Thanks. I just emailed them.

 

Let us know what they say.

 

"If you are making a USB drive on Windows, then you'll need the memtest86-pro-usb.zip file.
(the other files are for making CDs on Windows, or making CDs or USB drives on Linux)"

Not all that helpful, as the file titles are truncated with dots after the first few letters.

 

Finally was able to set up MemTest86 Pro in bootable flash drive. Will run it pretty soon.

Thanks for your help.

 

Sharing what you did will be helpful to all.

 

Roger that. Will do.

 

I have a WhoCrashed report to post now--but what formats are supported for uploading?

 

Thanks! Whocrashed report attached for analysis....

 

I booted up MemTest86 via the flash drive--and the "free" version interface popped up, as opposed to the more user-friendly interface of the Pro version.

I will contact PassMark about this....

 

PassMark author tells me that the v. 5 (or later) versions of MemTest86--only Pro versions that will save the final diagnostic Report--are executable only by systems that support UEFI. (UEFI is included in the Pro USB flash drive version).

How can I tell if my system supports UEFI, and what kind of settings changes must I make in order to boot from UEFI?

Here again are my system specs:

OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, Service Pack 1, 64 bit
Processor: AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor, AMD64 Family 21 Model 2 Stepping 0
Processor Count: 8
RAM: 16353 Mb
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, -1 Mb
Hard Drives: C: 255 GB (126 GB Free); D: 0 GB (0 GB Free); E: 48 GB (43 GB Free); F: 1784 GB (1288 GB Free); H: 289 GB (207 GB Free); I: 465 GB (258 GB Free);
Motherboard: ASRock, 970A-G/3.1
Antivirus: Microsoft Security Essentials, Enabled and Updated

Also, any reactions to the WhoCrashed Report I posted yesterday?

Thanks.

 

It does.

https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/970A-G3.1/
I suggest you download the manual from the above link for future reference.

The report shows multiple issues.
First sort out running MemTest86.

 

Have hard copy of that manual. I'll consult it.

 

Family emergency. And thunderstorms.

 

Family emergency dealt with OK now.

Ran MemTest86 via USB/UEFI OK--but PC case soon began overheating terribly (and fan seemed to be feeble). Figured it was the high temperature in the room (98 degrees F) feeding into the case.

So, will double-check fan tomorrow and run AC for next MemTest86 attempt.

 

MemTest86 run completed this AM. Over 10 hours.

How do I post its .html report here for examination?

 

Put it in an archive (zip; 7z; rar) and upload it.

 

MemTest86 diagnostic results, attached

 

I fear that .html file was actually a link to it in my USB flash drive--so I've attached a .txt version of it here....

 

The results clearly show FAIL.

 

I gather that, Thanks.

But do the test results pinpoint exactly where the failures happen?

 

I suggest you try over here.
https://www.passmark.com/forum/memtest86

 

There are three sticks. We're going to start testing each stick beginning tomorrow PM with MT86 Pro.

 

And any thoughts on the earlier Whocrashed report?

 

The report shows multiple issues (post #25).
Let's first sort out the memory else we might try and fix something that's caused by the faulty RAM.

 

You are correct. I actually have only two memory sticks. Last night we took out one, then ran MemTest, which reported no errors.

Tonight we'll run MemTest on the other stick and see what transpires....

 

Also, is it a good things to have dual channel memory activated?

 

When you have two identical RAM sticks, dual channel is automatic.
This might be able to be changed in the BIOS.
Some motherboards support dual channel even if the sticks are not identical.

 

Switched memory sticks, ran MemTest86 again, which reported many errors (See attached MT86 report).

OK. But is that faulty stick the only cause of my many BSODs, based on my earlier posted Whocrashed crash dump analysis?

 

Will try that.

 

After re-installing the "good" memory stick, I managed to edit and save a 14-minute video,
but when trying to burn the footage to DVD, I got hit with a BSOD with this error
message:

Page_Fault_in_Nonpaged_Area

 

Minidump Zip file of the above BSOD attached....