Memtest running for over 10 hours???

Hi guys. I've been having a problem with one of my memory chips and when I contacted the manufacturer, they suggested that I run Memtest.

This progarm has been running for over 10 hours so far. Is this normal? :confused

 

Just yesterday, I read somewhere on http://www.memtest86.com/ that memtest86 runs indefinitely. So, you need to manually stop it.

Did it report any errors?

 

No errors, but how do I know when it's done?

 

I think MemTest keeps running for as long as you let it run. If it's been running for 10+ hours and not reported any problems then you are unlikely to have any problems. I believe the longer you leave it running the better because it may be something that only occasionally happens that affects your memory.

 

Take a look at how many cycles it has completed and if you have 3 then your memory is good. After 10 error free hrs., you can consider your memory as good. Just cancel the program or reboot depending on how you started it.

 

There are no memory errors according to that test. However, when I install the 2nd chip, the video gets whacked out.

I'll back up a little to give you a better idea of what's going on with my machine.

I built it about a year ago with all new components. It runs fine off of 1 2gb chip, but when I install the 2nd, the video distorts and gets lines through it.

I have tried both chips, 1 at a time and in different slots and it works perfectly with one and not the other.

I just got home to a whacked out video screen and when I removed the suspected bad chip, it is back to normal.

I have tried to switch them around a few times in the past as well and always the same results.

 

More than likely it's not a bad chip. If you can post what mobo and video card you have, maybe someone has a fix for you.

 

Here's what I'm running:
MSI - Micro Star International K9N6PGM2-V MCP61 AM2+ mATX Motherboard

AMD AMD® Boxed Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+

Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB 7,200RPM Serial ATA-300 Hard Drive OEM

Antec Basiq 500 Watt ATX 12V Power Supply

OCZ Technology Vista Performance 4GB DDR2-800 (PC-6400) DIMM Memory Kit (Two 2GB Memory Modules) Only using 1, the other is defective.

(2) Samsung 22x DVD±RW Burner with Dual/Double Layer Support OEM

I have tried the chips 1 at a time and in different slots. The 1 chip works perfectly, but the other one gives me problems.

 

Here's what I came up with. Ran Memtest86 v4.00 and the suspected bad module had these readings:
1:51 seconds/Errors 1024/Ecc errors 37606630

The other one came up with no errors after running for over 1 hour.

Does that indicate a bad module?

 

OMG, RMA that sucker with a copy of the memtest report. Strange that you just found this out.:confused I hope our resident memory expert has an idea.

 

Not running a server. Not even sure what the ECC errors stand for.

All I know is that I have tried everything to the best of my limited knowledge and I came up with the following conclusion:
Sumpthin' dun be broke.

 

Well, ECC normally stands for 'Error Correction' for server memory but I'm not sure with memtest, send the seller a copy of the report and see what they have to say, they might have shipped the wrong part. That's all I can offer. Good luck.

 

I bought this memory from Micro Center, when I built my system. A sales associate helped me with making sure everything would work together.

 

Well, some of those sales associates have limited knowledge is all I can say, more sales oriented than tech. I'm not saying this is the case here but do send the test. I've heard good things about MicroCenter and wish we had one in Canada.

 

I've dealt with a few different guys there and they all seem to be higher up on the food chain than the average sales associate.
I've even called my guy and he took the time to walk me through a situation once.
This guy seemed to really know his stuff. As for the warranty, it's OCZ and they have a lifetime warranty.
Just have to get past their introduction phase to get a RMA.