Vista - Memory Diagnostics Tool

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Use the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Vista

Information

This will show you how to open and use the Memory Diagnostics Tool to allow you to check your computer for problems with the RAM memory. For more information, see: Microsoft Online Crash Analysis: Windows Memory Diagnostic Users Guide

NOTE

If you had changed your boot screen, then you will need to temporarily uncheck the No GUI boot to be able to see what is happening when the Memory Diagnostics Tool is running at boot up. For how, see: How to Enable or Replace the Hidden Aurora Boot Screen in Vista

RELATED LINKS:

Here's How:

1. Start the Memory Diagnostics Tool.
NOTE: Use either Method One, Method Two, or Method Three below for how to open it, then return to step 2 here.

2. When the computer restarts you will see this. (See screenshot below step 4)

3. Press ESC to exit the Memory Diagnostics Tool.

4. Press F1 to make any changes to the test options.

5. Press the TAB key to switch between option categories and the arrow keys to select the particular option. (See screenshot below)

6. Press F10 to apply any changes in the options.

7. Press ESC to cancel any changes not applied and return to the screenshot under step 4.

8. When the tests are complete, the tool will automatically reboot your computer, and the next time you log on to Vista the results of the test will be displayed as below only if problems were found now.
NOTE: If errors are found, the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool will attempt to determine which particular memory module in your computer is causing these errors. If that information is available, it will be stated in the results. If bad memory is found then you will need to remove that memory and replace it.

METHOD ONE:
How to Start From the Desktop

1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View)

2. Click on the Administrative Tools icon and click Memory Diagnostics Tool.
A) Go to step 3.

OR

1. Open the Start menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type MdSched and press Enter.

3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

4. Click on the choice you want to do. (See screenshot below)

5. Restart the computer to run the test.

6. It will take a while to finish. (5 minutes or so)

METHOD TWO:
How to Start From the Windows Boot Manager

1. Boot into the Advanced Boot Options screen.

2. Press Esc on your keyboard while you’re in the Advanced Boot Options screen.

3. Press Tab on your keyboard to move to the Tools section of the boot manager screen. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This will highlight Windows Memory Diagnostics.

4. Press Enter to start the Memory Diagnostics.

METHOD THREE:
From System Recovery Options

1. Boot into the System Recovery Options screen.

2. Click on the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool option. (See screenshot below)

3. Click on Restart now and check for problems and wait for your computer to restart. (See screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

**Brink** · 09-20-2007

Updated to include multiple ways to start Memory Diagnostics Tool.

Shawn

**chuckbam** · 07-31-2008

I just keep the OS DVD in a drive. complete system backups and system restore is very EZ to get to. If you have the room for an extra DVD drive, that is the way to go.

**Martin S** · 12-01-2008

I ran this tool after a bsod indicated an issue with memory. The result confirms an issue but other than a message to contact the manufacturer tells me nothing else in the way of details. Am I missing something?

Any help appreciated

Martin

**chuckbam** · 12-01-2008

You can test your DIMMs one at a time to find the bad stick.

**Brink** · 12-01-2008

Hi Martin,

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do with a bad memory stick other than replace it. You will just need to narrow it down to which RAM stick is bad by testing them one at a time as Checkbam suggested.

You might reset the BIOS back to factory default settings if you have made any modifications to the RAM timings, or tried to overclock the RAM any. Afterwards, run the memory test again to see if you get the same report. This can easily cause problems with RAM if the settings were not properly set.

Sorry,

Shawn

**Martin S** · 12-02-2008

Thank you Shawn and Chuckbam.

Presumably I remove one of my three RAMs at a time, and rerun the tool until I don't get a bad report.

Is it normal that the only time I get the bsod is when I play a particular game? Otherwise there are no "symptoms".

Martin

**Brink** · 12-02-2008

It would be better to remove all but one stick, then retest on one stick at a time to see of you still get a bad report of one of them.

If you only get this memory issue with a game, then it may only be a problem with the game trying to access a memory level it should not have instead. See if running the game with Compatibility Mode can resolve the issue with it.

**jfar** · 01-24-2009

Hi Shawn, I ran the test and while i was watching I saw that it said [ no probs found ] so when it finished there was no result or small icon on the task bar ,am I missing something, also I have four gigs of ram but, in msconfig, in the tool section where you can change your Number of processors to show four or whatever the box beside Maximum memory,that only shows 3072 Hoping you can Help Thanks.

**Brink** · 01-24-2009

Hello Jfar,

Actually you should have the Maximum Memory box unchecked there. If you have a 32-bit Vista, then that would be the maximum amount of RAM that you can use. Only a 64-bit OS can use your full 4GB or more.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

09-20-2007
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Memory Diagnostics Tool Updated to include multiple ways to start Memory Diagnostics Tool. Shawn
My System Specs

07-31-2008
chuckbam Vista Ultimate 64-bit 76 posts	Re: Memory Diagnostics Tool I just keep the OS DVD in a drive. complete system backups and system restore is very EZ to get to. If you have the room for an extra DVD drive, that is the way to go.
My System Specs

12-01-2008
Martin S Vista Home Premium 32bit 10 posts	Re: Memory Diagnostics Tool I ran this tool after a bsod indicated an issue with memory. The result confirms an issue but other than a message to contact the manufacturer tells me nothing else in the way of details. Am I missing something? Any help appreciated Martin
My System Specs

12-01-2008
chuckbam Vista Ultimate 64-bit 76 posts	Re: Memory Diagnostics Tool You can test your DIMMs one at a time to find the bad stick.
My System Specs

12-01-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Memory Diagnostics Tool Hi Martin, Unfortunately there is nothing you can do with a bad memory stick other than replace it. You will just need to narrow it down to which RAM stick is bad by testing them one at a time as Checkbam suggested. You might reset the BIOS back to factory default settings if you have made any modifications to the RAM timings, or tried to overclock the RAM any. Afterwards, run the memory test again to see if you get the same report. This can easily cause problems with RAM if the settings were not properly set. Sorry, Shawn
My System Specs

12-02-2008
Martin S Vista Home Premium 32bit 10 posts	Re: Memory Diagnostics Tool Thank you Shawn and Chuckbam. Presumably I remove one of my three RAMs at a time, and rerun the tool until I don't get a bad report. Is it normal that the only time I get the bsod is when I play a particular game? Otherwise there are no "symptoms". Martin
My System Specs

12-02-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Memory Diagnostics Tool It would be better to remove all but one stick, then retest on one stick at a time to see of you still get a bad report of one of them. If you only get this memory issue with a game, then it may only be a problem with the game trying to access a memory level it should not have instead. See if running the game with Compatibility Mode can resolve the issue with it.
My System Specs

01-24-2009
jfar Operating System : Windows (TM) Vista Ultimate Professional 6.00.6001 Service Pack 1 21 posts	Re: Memory Diagnostics Tool Hi Shawn, I ran the test and while i was watching I saw that it said [ no probs found ] so when it finished there was no result or small icon on the task bar ,am I missing something, also I have four gigs of ram but, in msconfig, in the tool section where you can change your Number of processors to show four or whatever the box beside Maximum memory,that only shows 3072 Hoping you can Help Thanks. Last edited by jfar; 01-24-2009 at 09:51 PM..
My System Specs

01-24-2009
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Memory Diagnostics Tool Hello Jfar, Actually you should have the Maximum Memory box unchecked there. If you have a 32-bit Vista, then that would be the maximum amount of RAM that you can use. Only a 64-bit OS can use your full 4GB or more. Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

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