Hardware

If a memory module has failed in a manner that you can find it with a multi-meter, typically, the failure is so catastrophic that the PC would not boot with that module in place.

Years back, (original IBM PC) you could check most devices with a meter and verify that they were functional. Now, with the amount of junctions on a single IC, all a meter will tell you is if an address or data line is shorted out.

There are a few dedicated RAM testers that write and read back data from the memory module. The cost and time to test, make them impractical for field service use.

It actually is cheaper and quicker to swap in RAM.

How often are you finding bad RAM?

I tend to find incompatible RAM much more often than bad RAM.

Either the RAM is not compatible with the motherboard, or the existing RAM.

I can't remember the last time I changed out ANY memory because it was bad!

If you need to check the RAM on a system, a more cost effective approach would be one of the diagnostic programs. Some will run off of a bootable floppy or CD.

Chas

I can Chas.
once, in 25 years. changed ram because of bad ram.. but, it was only first meg on the stick that was bad, not the entire stick. and cerebrus was able to revive it.

No don't use an ohm meter. A simpson 260 might actually damage ram.

If memory is bad enough to find with a ohm meter the computer probably will not boot.

Timing issues are the main problem associated with memory.

Read about it here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=101272

You need a Simm Tester

http://www.simmtester.com/
http://www.memorytester.com/ramcheckddronly.html
http://xtronics.com/memory/RAM-SE-VI.htm
http://tinyurl.com/ca9hu

Course these things are not cheap. You might try ebay.

This question was closed by the author