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Computer Support For Individuals And Small Business |
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1/10/11 |
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What To Do About A Slow Computer - Part 3 |
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Defective Memory |
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A new computer comes with a certain amount of Random Access Memory (RAM). In modern computers this is typically at least 2 gigabytes (2GB or "2 gigs"). On occasion a portion of the memory may become defective. The machine may still operate, but it will be significantly and noticeably slower most of the time, to the point of being almost unusable.
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Defective memory can also prevent the computer from booting or cause the dreaded "blue screen" (if you have experienced a blue screen, you know what it's like; if you haven't it is typically a solid blue screen with arcane white text, which often does not stay visible long enough for it to be read, and the computer stops working).
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If defective memory is suspected, first check to see if the full amount of the installed memory is being accessed. Do this by checking the basic information available in the System window for Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, as the case may be. |
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In concept, the simplest way to check for defective memory is to replace the memory cards with new ones, or ones known to be good. If the same symptoms persist, the computer is likely having a different problem. The difficulty in this method is finding the replacement cards as they must be of the same type (and there are a multitude of types of RAM). This also requires opening the computer case, physically taking out the old memory, and inserting the new.
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A similar approach would be to put the memory cards in a similar computer that uses the same type of memory to see if similar problems appear. Here again, finding another computer may be a problem.
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Another approach is to use memory testing software. These are not necessarily user-friendly, but can be effective if a person is willing to take the time to figure out how to use them.
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Memtest86 is one of the better ones. Windows Memory Diagnostics is another one. These links provide more information and a link to download.
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If the memory turns out to be defective, it can simply be replaced. Generally speaking, replacement memory is reasonably priced.
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