RAM test software

[Charlieman]

I'm looking for something to test the RAM in my PowerMac 8600. At least one of the DIMMs is flaky, making the system unstable, but there are a lot of relatively small DIMMs in there (16MB, 32MB, 64MB, all matched pairs). Rather than spend all week swapping memory in and out, I'd like to try a software tester that will identify the bad module. Any suggestions?

 

[pee-air]

You will likely be forced to manually determine which module is bad. I know of several utilities to test memory, but neither tests specific modules. All tests confirm or deny the presence of bad memory, without saying which memory module is at fault.

The only way I can think of to isolate the bad memory module is to run the test in repetition with only one installed memory module. Conversely, you could run the test repetition after removing one memory module until the test reveals no fault.

 

[Bolle]

remove the mobo and psu and put everything together outside the case. it makes it easier than having to remove and put back in place the mobo everytime you put in/get out another ram stick. but be sure to ground the mobo to the enclosure of the psu when running the machine outside the case.

 

[equill]

My remembrance of DIMM First Aid is that it will report the status of individual cards, and in some detail.

You can see the form of its report here.

de

 

[Charlieman]

Thanks for the tips so far.

Bolle: The 8600 has a MUCH better case design than the other PCI PowerMacs, an the DIMMs are relatively accessible.

Equill: Nice try, but DIMM First Aid only works with the G3 onwards with a different DIMM type.

 

[equill]

...Equill: Nice try, but DIMM First Aid only works with the G3 onwards with a different DIMM type.

You are very right. I first used it on CRT iMacs with SDRAM. Good idea/poor recall.

de

 

[equill]

Googling turned up nothing for the pre-OS X seeker after truth and DRAM, but there is an alternative take on your problem. If cleaning the edge-connectors (M & F) and reseating, followed by many cycles of RAMometer passes your cards as a whole, surely there is no need to try interrogation of individual cards?

It is one of the tenets of production testing of RAM cards that chips are well-tested by their makers (the scrupulous ones, at least) before they ever get onto cards. Barring catastrophic events after that, most problems with cards lie in the external (to the chips) traces, and perhaps the auxiliary components, if not in the main logic board or card connectors. A mass test after reasonable efforts to eliminate the board and connectors is far easier to perform with available software, and if it clears all components, ends your travails. It is probable that there never will now be freely available software (for Mac) made to test DRAM at the bit, address and control line level.

de