What is memtest.exe ? Is it a Virus ?

MemTest.exe is a windows software that checks the integrity of computer memory (RAM). It analyzes the accuracy of  RAM by storing and retrieving data from the memory. 100 % accuracy is expected from a good memory. MemTest.exe is not a virus, It is a built-in memory diagnostic tool in Windows Operating System.

4 Reasons Why Your RAM May Be Damaged or Failing

A computer’s memory has a huge impact on the performance of the system. If your RAM is damaged, it can lead to a lot of issues in your PC.

The following are 4 reasons why your RAM may be damaged or failing:

  1. Overheating: The heat produced by the computer can damage the RAM and make it stop working. This is why you should keep your computer in a cool place, such as an air-conditioned room.
  2. Power surge: A power surge can also damage or kill your RAM, especially if it is not properly grounded.
  3. Dirty contacts: Dirt and dust on the contacts of the RAM can cause it to malfunction. You need to clean these contacts with a soft cloth before using them again.

What are the symptoms of faulty RAM?

Faulty RAM can lead to a number of issues, including system instability and crashes.

Symptoms of faulty RAM include:

  • Frequent BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) errors
  • Slow boot time
  • System instability and crashes
  • Freezing or lagging when using the computer for longer periods of time
  • Randomly restarting or shutting down without warning

What is the best way to test for faulty RAM?

When a computer crashes, the first thing you should do is run a memory diagnostics program to see if the RAM is faulty. The second thing you should do is check and make sure that the RAM is seated properly. If it is not seated properly, then it will not work. you may also try to out the RAM in another memory slot. In case your PC is not booting at all then you may remove the RAM from your PC and connect it to another computer to see if the problem persists. Run a memory test on that computer and see if it returns a 100% success rate.

How To Run memtest.exe During Windows setup?

  1. Connect Windows bootable USB flash drive or insert Windows DVD into DDV drive of your computer
  2. Boot PC from the inserted media (USB/DVD).
  3. When you see the setup window, Press SHIFT key + F10 Key to open command prompt
  4. Find out the which drive letter is assigned to the bootable disk and enter the following command
<drive letter>:\boot\memtest.exe

After determining the drive letter (eg: D:\ , E:\ , G:\ etc), run the command

<drive letter>:\boot\memtest.exe.

For eg: 

T:\boot\memtest.exe

What can I do to fix a faulty RAM?

You have to buy a new suitable RAM from an authorized dealer and install it into your PC/Laptop.

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