Testing ram in Windows

[Carl Price]

Because Himem.sys must be loaded to start Windows and because it aborts if there is an error, the default for the Himem.sys ram testing function is off. Therefore a pretty good (not great but good) ram test that everyone owns is not performed. To turn this on add the line "device=\path\himem.sys /testmem:on" to your config.sys file if one exists. If not, create it with this single line in it. Of course substitute your actual path in your computer for the \path\ parameter. Usually this is c:\windows\command. Please be aware that if himem thinks you do have bad ram, Windows will not load. You must then either replace the ram or boot into dos and rem the line out of your config.sys file.

If you do have bad ram you will get a message like this. ("ERROR: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable extended memory at address XXXXXXXXh.") Because of the Windows logo screen, you may not be able to see this message. In that case edit the msdos.sys. Add this line "logo=0". If the line is already there change the 1 to a zero. This will get rid of the logo so the messages are visible.

You now have a pretty good ram check every time you boot your computer.

[reboot]

If you don't want to turn off the logo permanently (Logo=0), just tap the ESC key to see what's going on.

[Hpro]

Yes and if it really is the RAM which is defect (it happend to me that once the Onboard Cache chip was defect and it produced exactly the same error) then you can use the EXCLUDE:********* command line in Config.sys and Disable the failing RAM ADDRESS this at least will let you use your computer untill you can buy or get or change the BAD RAM STICK..