Arch Linux

aklt

Member

Registered: 2011-11-18

Posts: 15

[solved] Memtest on installation CD

HI,

I have had some problems with arch installation on my new SSD and what I thought
may be problems with the disk may be memory problems.

Running the memtest tool on the intsallation CD causes a lot of errors to be reported,
but I am wondering if this is correct.  I have 8GB of ram (sweet) which test ok until the
memtest tool tries to test the range 8192 - 9214M, which is more ram tan I have.

The line in the top right corner of the memtest program is:

    Testing: 8192M - 9214M 7911M

I am wondering why this range is tested at all?  Is my motherboard set up wrongly?

I have a ASUS P8H67-M PRO motherboard (new B3 revision) and running with
defaults (no overclocking).

Any help would be appreciated!

Last edited by aklt (2011-11-19 16:25:52)

graysky

Wiki Maintainer

From: :wq

Registered: 2008-12-01

Posts: 10,597

Website

Re: [solved] Memtest on installation CD

If you're getting memtest errors, either you have the memory incorrectly setup in the BIOS (timing or voltage) or you have physical damage to the memory itself.  Doublecheck the voltage and timings of your modules and that they are setup correctly.  Re-run.  if errors occur, it is likely bad memory.

Since you're not overclocking the machine, I assume that means you're running @ defaults frequencies/voltages so you may assume the system bus is fine.  If you have 2x4 MB then remove one module and repeat the test.  If it's 4x2 MB, do the same in an attempt to identify the "bad" module(s).

---

CPU-optimized Linux-ck packages @ Repo-ck  • AUR packages • Zsh and other configs

aklt

Member

Registered: 2011-11-18

Posts: 15

Re: [solved] Memtest on installation CD

Hi,

Thanks for your quick reply.

Just did what you suggested, and Indeed it seems that one of the
4GB memory blocks has problems, the other one is being tested
now with no errors reported so far.

The memory in question is Corsair XMS3 1333MHz 4GB with timings 9-9-9-24
which were found correctly by the mortherboard.

I wonder that this happened since I have only had the memory for ~9 months :-(

Is the bad memory module now uselessw, or is there some way to reuse the good
parts of it?

I have had an SSD disk die because of bad sectors being reported on this system.  I
guess these bad sectors were due to the bad memory module,

Regards

graysky

Wiki Maintainer

From: :wq

Registered: 2008-12-01

Posts: 10,597

Website

Re: [solved] Memtest on installation CD

Most if not all memory, certainly Corsair brand, comes with a lifetime guarantee.  Simply contact them and get an RMA for a replacement.  I've had many examples one multiple systems of memory just going bad.  Dunno why.  Always had an easy time getting a replacement.  If you're satisfied, make your thread as [solved].

Last edited by graysky (2011-11-18 20:53:57)

---

CPU-optimized Linux-ck packages @ Repo-ck  • AUR packages • Zsh and other configs

aklt

Member

Registered: 2011-11-18

Posts: 15

Re: [solved] Memtest on installation CD

I've now installed a new system on my disk and everything seems to work.

I'll see if I can get a new RAM module.

Thanks!