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MemTest86 and Memtest86+ are memory test software programs designed to test and stress test an x86 architecture computer's random-access memory (RAM) for errors, by writing test patterns to most memory addresses, reading back the data, and comparing for errors. [6]
Memory diagnostic software programs (e.g., memtest86) are low-cost or free tools used to check for memory failures on a PC. They are usually in the form of a bootable software distribution on a floppy disk or CD-ROM. The diagnostic tools provide memory test patterns which are able to test all system memory in a computer.
In computing, serial presence detect (SPD) is a standardized way to automatically access information about a memory module.Earlier 72-pin SIMMs included five pins that provided five bits of parallel presence detect (PPD) data, but the 168-pin DIMM standard changed to a serial presence detect to encode more information.
Computer memory stores information, such as data and programs, for immediate use in the computer. [2] The term memory is often synonymous with the terms RAM, main memory, or primary storage. Archaic synonyms for main memory include core (for magnetic core memory) and store. [3]
Displays memory usage. It is capable of displaying program size and status, memory in use, and internal drivers. It is an external command. The command is available in MS-DOS versions 4 and later and DR DOS releases 5.0 and later. [1] On earlier DOS versions the memory usage could be shown by running CHKDSK.
A modern PC with a bus rate of around 1 GHz and a 32-bit bus might be 2000x or even 5000x faster, but might have many more gigabytes of memory. With boot times more of a concern now than in the 1980s, the 30- to 60-second memory test adds undesirable delay for a benefit of confidence that is not perceived to be worth that cost by most users.
The typical personal computer tests itself at start-up because it's a very complex piece of machinery. Since it includes a computer, a computerized self-test was an obvious, inexpensive feature. Most modern computers, including embedded systems, have self-tests of their computer, memory and software.
Stress testing, in general, should put computer hardware under exaggerated levels of stress in order to ensure stability when used in a normal environment. These can include extremes of workload, type of task, memory use, thermal load (heat), clock speed, or voltages. Memory and CPU are two components that are commonly stress tested in this way.