Problems in the system of a personal computer, laptop can be of various kinds. One of the most incomprehensible to beginners is that RAM does not work . How to understand that the root of the fault is in this? How to determine if the "RAM" is damaged? What to do when you are fully confident in the problem? We will answer these and other questions in detail in the article.
Key concepts
RAM - the "official" name of RAM. A chip located in a special socket on your computer or laptop. In the first case, its size is larger, in the second - smaller.
The RAM bar is the chip that represents the RAM. I must say that this is the most reliable component of the hardware of your PC. It breaks least often. Manufacturers establish a warranty period for strips of at least 4 years. The thing is the simplicity of the device microcircuit. It does not heat up, and therefore does not need a cooler (fan in a computer system). True, sometimes in powerful gaming PCs a radiator is installed to cool the RAM. He makes the bar "RAM" structurally stronger.
From here it can be revealed that different RAM will work differently. However, the causes of failure for all varieties are identical.
Causes of malfunctions
Why does random access memory not work? Note that the cause of the breakdown can only be physical. RAM does not harm software problems and computer, virtual viruses.
RAM does not work in the following cases:
- "Inborn" manufacturing defect.
- Mechanical damage.
- Faulty power supply.
- Wear.
- Static voltage.
- Subcooling or overheating of a component.
We suggest analyzing each of the causes of the problem in more detail.
Marriage
RAM does not work. Manufacturing defects are a rare reason here. In the general account - 1% of cases. Moreover, one "delinquent" manufacturer cannot be distinguished.
All manufacturers are required to test the chips before sending them to the implementation, they represent a long warranty period. Therefore, in this case, it is simple and easy to replace RAM in a service center under warranty.
Power Supply
RAM does not work due to problems with the power supply is also extremely rare. The motherboard, power supply in all computers are equipped with special controllers that do not allow to supply voltage more than required.
However, malfunctions do happen. They spoil the RAM bar. The problem can be detected with a voltmeter - a device that not every home has. Here you will have to change not only the "RAM", but also the faulty power supply.
Mechanical damage
And this, on the contrary, is the most common case. For example, when you tried to put the bar in place without calculating your strength. In this case, it may not be damaged by herself, but by her connector.
Static voltage
A rare, but still possible case. Its non-proliferation is due to the fact that the system unit and the laptop case are always closed in operation. Modern devices are also equipped with a special antistatic layer under the motherboard.
There are absolutely outlandish cases here: you walked on a carpet in rubber shoes, and then you began to sort out your hands in the "insides" of a computer.
Device wear
RAM does not work often and for this reason. Everything, as you know, is not forever. The device may fail in a couple of years, and in a decade. The integrity of the manufacturer and the operating conditions of the component directly affect this.
Overheating / Subcooling
Another rare, but still taking place, case. To incapacitate a device, extremely extreme temperatures are required: -45 ° , +100 ° .
By the way, in order to protect yourself from such a cause of breakdown, do not forget to periodically clean the computer or laptop from the inside from dust.
Common signs of breakage
Do I need to know at what frequency the RAM runs to make sure it is malfunctioning? No, a breakdown gives itself away simply:
- The system cannot start. Or it restarts endlessly.
- The system does not start at all. Often, attempts to turn on the PC are accompanied by a sound from the speakers of the device. This indicates that the system cannot determine the RAM, or that the latter (or its connector) is badly damaged.
Signs for Windows
We’ll tell you how to find out about the breakdown of the RAM bar for users of the most common operating system:
- "Blue screen of death" with technical information. Moreover, the error code is always different, so there is no need to "google" it. By the way, a blue screen also appears in the case when the strap is not fully inserted into the connector.
- PC malfunctions. In relation to those programs, applications, games that use RAM in their operation. Ends with an error message. Or "crash" into the blue screen.
Symptoms for Linux
It is important to note the following symptoms:
- Crashes in the browser and other applications. A message appears with a system error code. But you cannot view it - an error occurs during this action.
- The system cannot boot. Sometimes, again, an error message appears.
Testing problem
We examined why the RAM does not work. It is also possible to independently determine that the problem is in it. To do this, download the freely available Memtest86 utility program from the official website of the developer on digital media. Let's say on the "flash drive".
Before you can diagnose with Memtest86, you need to do the following:
- Reset settings in BIOS. For different PC models, it opens when the system starts with a specific key: F1-12, Delete, etc.
- Select the Set to Default option. Save the settings and reboot the system.
- Open the case of the system unit or laptop. Find the “RAM” bar among other components. Appearance - a rectangular microcircuit fixed by clamps.
- Pull out the bar, carefully inspect it. If the contacts are dirty, then it is easy to give them their former appearance with the help of a stationery eraser.
- Return the bar to the connector, close the case.
- After that, turn on the computer and start from the external drive Memtest86.
- After starting, the utility will immediately begin to check RAM. How to find out how RAM works? In the upper left half of the program window, the characteristics of the central processor will appear, in the upper right - the stage and percentage of the scan. After this information is a description of the installed RAM. This information must be photographed or recorded. After all, if you have to change the bar, then you should purchase an identical one.
- During the check, did Memtest86 detect at least one error (text highlighted in red)? Most likely, RAM needs to be replaced.
- For fidelity, turn off the computer, open the case, rearrange the bracket to another connector. Start the system again and start conducting Memtest86. If the program again found an error (or even several), then there is only one conclusion: the microcircuit needs to be replaced. If there are no errors in this case, it is the connector. Do not use the defective or entrust its repair to the master.
What to do in case of breakage?
As you can see, it is not always necessary to understand how dual-channel RAM works in order to install: the component is broken. What to do in this case?
There is only one way out - buying a new RAM bar. If the contacts are worn, the connectors are defective, then, perhaps, you will do without an acquisition - a computer master will help you. The chip itself cannot be repaired. Note that the comparative cost of the device is small - 1-2 thousand rubles (taking into account the duration of operation). Finally, we advise you to buy a RAM with a warranty period of at least 2 years.
RAM breakdown is a rare, but nevertheless, situation. Now you know how to determine if the "RAM" is faulty, what to do in such a situation.