Testing memory ...noobish questions

My computer is acting up ...and from reading and searching it sounds as if my memory may be failing. I have found downloadable programs that say the test memory, but am always cautious about downloading things I've never heard of.

My questions are.

1. Is there a good reliable free or trial program to test memory? If so what is the name?

2. If not, how does a computer idiot go about testing memory?

Editing to add another question... exactly what kind of memory would I be buying if my memory is bad. I went to tigerdirect and found there are a lotta different kinds. I dont know what to search for.

Thank you in advance for your time.

 

An easy way to find reputable software for testing your memory is to look here on Major Geeks. All the software listed here is checked before a link to it is posted so you can be sure it's free of spyware and other malware. This page has links to software for testing memory:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads26.html

Also, the easiest way to make sure you buy the right memory to replace what you have is to take the memory that you already have with you. Take the good and the bad memory with you and the shop people should be able to help you get the right kind. The two things to look for are does it match physically (same length, same slots in the same places) and the speed of the memory which is possibly going to be 133 or 166 depending how old your computer is. Also, you need to know what is the most Mb of RAM your motherboard can take if you want to buy bigger (in mb) RAM chips and the manual will have that information in it. If you don't have a manual, you can probably find one on the internet easily enough. You need the model number of the motherboard which is printed on it, and possibly comes up on your screen somewhere as your computer boots up.

Make sure that the RAM is placed into something that will prevent static electricity from zapping it if you take it out with you and make sure that you ground yourself by touching something metal after you take your case cover off; the power supply is usually good. If you don't have something you know to be safe to put your RAM in to prevent problems with static electricity, you can always use a glass jar carefully. Anything that you know doesn't conduct electricity and plastic bags aren't a good choice.

 

Thank you so much for answering....but ...if I live in a little hicktown, far from everything...and always have to order parts online or from catalogs....I guess I could ask the sales rep on the phone

 

http://www.crucial.com/

click on the "scan my system" button

you don't have to order your memory from here, but it will tell you exactly what kind to get.

i recommend http://www.newegg.com/

 

The Crucial link from gimster is good. Here is a link to Everest: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html Neat little program that will tell you a lot about what is in your computer. Here is a link to MemTest http://www.majorgeeks.com/MemTest_d350.html

Post back if you have any problems testing your RAM.

E