MemTest86+/HD Interperatations

Experienced a small problem coming out of standby a couple of times (PC doesn't finish coming out and screen stays black), so I ran MemTest86+ and a hard drive read test on each hard drive. MemTest86+ turned up 2 errors in 12 passes, but they were different clusters. The return said it was each time a 80 bit cluster. One was in pass 3 test 7 and the other in pass 7 test 3. Should I be concerned enough to test individual sticks or be looking for RAM or is the RAM good for the short term?

The results of the hard drive tests for the main 2 hard drives are attached. The C:\ (main drive) does show more wear than the other one, but I'm not sure whether I'm in the danger zone or not with either or both of these drives.

I don't have a history with interperating these results, so thanks for any experienced input...

 

As you didn't post info about your computer, I'm sort of shooting in the dark. Any time that you see a memory error is cause for concern. I would check each stick individually, were it me. I've seen this before in systems that were maxed in memory, but would perform great with less than max.

For hard drives, I generally go with the manufacturers hard drive diagnostics!

 

Test the RAM individually, for 7+ passes each in the first slot - if they all test good, put 1 in the 2nd slot and test again (same for slots 3/4). Any error means the stick or slot is bad.

You ran a speed test on the HDDs, you want to run something that checks the SMART and other internally stored data, I use Hard Disk Sentinel: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/hard_disk_sentinel.html

 

Thanks for the informations...

Apologies. I didn't say the specs:

2.13 GHz core 2 duo
4 GB RAM PC2-6400 (400 MHz/DDR2 800) 4x1GB-System is 8 GB max RAM but I use XP 32 bit, so only 3.5 GB is used
2x250 GB Seagate HD

Info
System was purchased in used but pristine condition about 3 years ago. It looked like it hadn't even been turned on before. I have used the PC I would say in the range of heavily for video and for browser based QuakeLive gaming. All the equipment above was in the PC when it was purchased. I believe the manufacture date was somewhere around 2006 or 2007.

Thanks for the tips. I will try a better HD test for starters, then move on to the RAM tests...

Just one question. Does a single error on a RAM stick mean the stick should be replaced. If so, should I look for the error to appear more than once in the same location during testing as confirmation. PC seems to be running fine other than just these couple of hiccups...

 

Ran the SeaTools tool from Seagate on the internal HDs. Screenshot of results below. It says pass. I looked at the log, and there wasn't a record of any fixes, just the pass.

BTW, the test program I ran before Seatools I clicked on a SMART icon to select the type of test I would be running. I chose "Read" from a list of tests, but I don't know if that included a SMART test. Both these drives passed the Seatools SMART test that I ran before the long fix tests in the picture. I was surprised how fast that test went.

The previous test program I ran had some graphical output that was useful to see. satrow, do you know if Hard Drive Sentinel has that kind of output?

The screenshot is to show the types of tests I can run using Seatools. Don't know if Hard Drive Sentinel would be better overall?

 

If the RAM is setup correctly in the BIOS, any error in Memtest86+ will mean there's a fault.

HDS gives a large amount of data, including historical and current session, actual speeds and can run tests. Most of the data available is reasonably accessible, not too hard to translate, unlike some others.

 

satrow, what is the longest lasting RAM that you have run across? I haven't messed with the BIOS settings for the RAM, and what's in there is stock from the factory. I assume the setup is correct.

Not sure this stock RAM was any good in the first place, so I would like to find some really high grade stuff. Had some Super Talent in an older machine. I think it was pretty good. I just know of Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, and GSkill of whatever else is out there. Haven't used any of those, though...

I'll look into HDS. Sounds like a good program to have...

 

Kingston and Crucial (Micron) effectively design, fabricate and sell their own memory; in my book, that puts them as high as anyone, providing you use their memory configurators to ensure compatibility. I'm pretty sure Puget, who build some pretty expensive boutique machines, use Kingston RAM exclusively with very close to 0% returns per annum.

If you can find any at a reasonable price and it works in your 'board, the Green Samsung DDR3 low voltage is excellent (again, designed and fabricated in house), that was my last personal memory purchase.

Now that I have better than a Core2Duo, I run HDS at boot, I'd rather have it running than not.

 

Yes, I noticed the Samsung is cheap. I saw some on ebay for about $40 delivered, but it's from Hong Kong->long wait. I have used it before.

If I buy the Samsung, it comes in a 4x1GB set, which is what I have now. Is it better to go 4x1GB or 2x2GB?

I do have my eye on upgrading to Windows XP 64 bit at some point, and I am hoping the price for it will fall after support ends. I know XP 64 will support 8 GB (16/32?) which is the max for the motherboard here. That in mind, I guess I will go with 2x2GB, but I hope the performance is similar...

 

I don't think the 4x1GB is in the same series, the 2x2GB might be though. This is my kit, it cost me ~£44 but when it first started shipping, it was ~35? That's what market pressure does to good components : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-017-SA&tool=3

If the 2x2GB isn't the same spec. and very close in model#, it isn't the good stuff, better to go with Crucial/Kingston to be safe.

 

OK...thanks for the input. That looks like nice RAM for the price, but I'm stuck with DDR2 for this PC. Been looking around, and I am sure I will find something. Crucial wants $61 for 2x2 GB. That's a good price, but I can get the Samsung for $37 delivered. Probably not the quality of the Samsung you have.

Not sure about the series you mentioned. If you mean will the 2 GB sticks work with the 2 sticks of the RAM I have in dual channel, I don't think so, but I don't know. Anyway, I can get by with either the 2x2GB or the 4x1GB setup on this PC for now. Later I can add 4 GB when I add XP Pro 64 bit or change out all the RAM then for 8 GB if I have the 4x1GB setup.

Looking into all the options

Thanks again