Windows 7: Run Memory Diagnostic Tool [How To]

By Rich on January 13, 2009 (10 Comments)

Memory (RAM) can become corrupted and not work properly. Usually, a replacement is needed to fix the problem, but before you replace your hardware, you should use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. This tool is available in both Windows Vista and Seven.

Learn, in this guide, how to run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool in Windows 7 or Vista.

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Running Windows Memory Diagnostic

To run Windows Memory Diagnostic, do the following:

Click the Start button, type mem, and click on Windows Memory Diagnostic
When the Windows Memory Diagnostic screen loads, click Restart now and check for problems
You computer will restart
The memory diagnostic will run and may take some time (or a crap-load of time depending on your patience!)
Windows will restart and report any errors to you

After sharing this feature with Windows Vista users, many of them reported a more responsive system after the test.

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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Comments

pau fexas
Thanks, I hope this one works, the previous ones I’ve tried (some using boot disks and others using linux) for some reason never seemed to work, they’d just get stuck and not show any progress. Maybe I was doing something wrong but I don’t think so.
- Mike
  I jsut ran on win7 Pro, i thought the same thing, but after waiting about 1-4 mins, a little pop up will appear in the system tray, saying no memory errors were deteced, then drift away (like “windows has installed new updates”
pau fexas
Thanks, I hope this one works, the previous ones I’ve tried (some using boot disks and others using linux) for some reason never seemed to work, they’d just get stuck and not show any progress. Maybe I was doing something wrong but I don’t think so.
pau fexas
Thanks, I hope this one works, the previous ones I’ve tried (some using boot disks and others using linux) for some reason never seemed to work, they’d just get stuck and not show any progress. Maybe I was doing something wrong but I don’t think so.
Devilsangel
didnt help my computer any other ideas?
http://richr.org/ Rich
It all depends on what error messages you receive or symptoms you experience. Let us know in the forums and we'll help you out.
Fbi Gov Irs
ran the test, walked away, came back, windows was loaded, no report. so… is one required to sit and stare at the screen so not to miss a report during windows log on? where in the heck is my report?
- http://richr.org/ Rich
  I recommend trying again. The tool states: “Windows will restart your computer automatically. Test results will be displayed again after you log on.”
- Icarules
  same problem, even though I stayed and stared, I never saw the report….
Gianfranco
On a Acer 4810TG I’m running the test from .. 9 hours and I arrived at 89% of the total.
Is there a mistake or it takes such an incredible time to end .. (still pending, No error reported until now).
Thanks

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