====================
= MemTest-86 v3.5 =
= 3 Jan, 2008 =
= Chris Brady =
====================
Table of Contents
=================
1) Introduction
2) Licensing
3) Installation
4) Serial Port Console
5) Online Commands
6) Memory Sizing
7) Error Display
Trouble-shooting Memory Errors
9) Execution Time
10) Memory Testing Philosophy
11) Memtest86 Test Algorithms
12) Individual Test Descriptions
13) Problem Reporting - Contact Information
14) Known Problems
15) Planned Features List
16) Change Log
17) Acknowledgments
1) Introduction
===============
Memtest86 is thorough, stand alone memory test for Intel/AMD x86 architecture
systems. BIOS based memory tests are only a quick check and often miss
failures that are detected by Memtest86.
For updates go to the Memtest86 web page:
http://www.memtest86.com
2) Licensing
============
Memtest86 is released under the terms of the Gnu Public License (GPL). Other
than the provisions of the GPL there are no restrictions for use, private or
commercial. See:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html for details.
3) Linux Installation
============================
Memtest86 is a stand alone program and can be loaded from either a disk
partition or from a floppy disk.
To build Memtest86:
1) Review the Makefile and adjust options as needed.
2) Type "make"
This creates a file named "memtest.bin" which is a bootable image. This
image file may be copied to a floppy disk or may be loaded from a disk
partition via Lilo or Grub image from a hard disk partition.
To create a Memtest86 bootdisk
1) Insert a blank write enabled floppy disk.
2) As root, Type "make install"
To boot from a disk partition via Grub
1) Copy the image file to a permanent location (ie. /boot/memtest.bin).
2) Add an entry in the Grub config file (/boot/grub/menu.lst) to boot
memtest86. Only the title and kernel fields need to be specified.
The following is a sample Grub entry for booting memtest86:
title Memtest86
kernel (hd0,0)/memtest.bin
To boot from a disk partition via Lilo
1) Copy the image file to a permanent location (ie. /boot/memtest.bin).
2) Add an entry in the lilo config file (usually /etc/lilo.conf) to boot
memtest86. Only the image and label fields need to be specified.
The following is a sample Lilo entry for booting memtest86:
image = /boot/memtest.bin
label = memtest86
3) As root, type "lilo"
If you encounter build problems a binary image has been included (precomp.bin).
To create a boot-disk with this pre-built image do the following:
1) Insert a blank write enabled floppy disk.
2) Type "make install-precomp"
4) Serial Console
=================
Memtest86 can be used on PC's equipped with a serial port for the console.
By default serial port console support is not enabled since it slows
down testing. To enable change the SERIAL_CONSOLE_DEFAULT define in
config.h from a zero to a one. The serial console baud rate may also
be set in config.h with the SERIAL_BAUD_RATE define. The other serial
port settings are no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit. All of the features
used by memtest86 are accessible via the serial console. However, the
screen sometimes is garbled when the online commands are used.
5) Online Commands
==================
Memtest86 has a limited number of online commands. Online commands
provide control over caching, test selection, address range and error
scrolling. A help bar is displayed at the bottom of the screen listing
the available on-line commands.
Command Description
ESC Exits the test and does a warm restart via the BIOS.
c Enters test configuration menu
Menu options are:
1) Test selection
2) Address Range
3) Memory Sizing
4) Error Report Mode
5) Show DMI Memory Info
6) ECC Mode
7) CPU Selection Mode
Redraw Screen
9) Adv. Options
SP Set scroll lock (Stops scrolling of error messages)
Note: Testing is stalled when the scroll lock is
set and the scroll region is full.
CR Clear scroll lock (Enables error message scrolling)
6) Memory Sizing
================
The BIOS in modern PC's will often reserve several sections of memory for
it's use and also to communicate information to the operating system (ie.
ACPI tables). It is just as important to test these reserved memory blocks
as it is for the remainder of memory. For proper operation all of memory
needs to function properly regardless of what the eventual use is. For
this reason Memtest86 has been designed to test as much memory as is
possible.
However, safely and reliably detecting all of the available memory has been
problematic. Versions of Memtest86 prior to v2.9 would probe to find where
memory is. This works for the vast majority of motherboards but is not 100%
reliable. Sometimes the memory size is incorrect and worse probing the wrong
places can in some cases cause the test to hang or crash.
Starting in version 2.9 alternative methods are available for determining the
memory size. By default the test attempts to get the memory size from the
BIOS using the "e820" method. With "e820" the BIOS provides a table of memory
segments and identifies what they will be used for. By default Memtest86
will test all of the ram marked as available and also the area reserved for
the ACPI tables. This is safe since the test does not use the ACPI tables
and the "e820" specifications state that this memory may be reused after the
tables have been copied. Although this is a safe default some memory will
not be tested.
Two additional options are available through online configuration options.
The first option (BIOS-All) also uses the "e820" method to obtain a memory
map. However, when this option is selected all of the reserved memory
segments are tested, regardless of what their intended use is. The only
exception is memory segments that begin above 3gb. Testing has shown that
these segments are typically not safe to test. The BIOS-All option is more
thorough but could be unstable with some motherboards.
The second option for memory sizing is the traditional "Probe" method.
This is a very thorough but not entirely safe method. In the majority of
cases the BIOS-All and Probe methods will return the same memory map.
For older BIOS's that do not support the "e820" method there are two
additional methods (e801 and e88) for getting the memory size from the
BIOS. These methods only provide the amount of extended memory that is
available, not a memory table. When the e801 and e88 methods are used
the BIOS-All option will not be available.
The MemMap field on the display shows what memory size method is in use.
Also the RsvdMem field shows how much memory is reserved and is not being
tested.
7) Error Information
======================
Memtest has three options for reporting errors. The default is an an error
summary that displays the most relevant error information. The second option
is reporting of individual errors. In BadRAM Patterns mode patterns are
created for use with the Linux BadRAM feature. This slick feature allows
Linux to avoid bad memory pages. Details about the BadRAM feature can be
found at:
http://home.zonnet.nl/vanrein/badram
The error summary mode displays the following information:
Error Confidence Value:
A value that indicates the validity of the errors being reported with
larger values indicating greater validity. There is a high probability
that all errors reported are valid regardless of this value. However,
when this value exceeds 100 it is nearly impossible that the reported
errors will be invalid.
Lowest Error Address:
The lowest address that where an error has been reported.
Highest Error Address:
The highest address that where an error has been reported.
Bits in Error Mask:
A mask of all bits that have been in error (hexadecimal).
Bits in Error:
Total bit in error for all error instances and the min, max and average
bit in error of each individual occurrence.
Max Contiguous Errors:
The maximum of contiguous addresses with errors.
ECC Correctable Errors:
The number of errors that have been corrected by ECC hardware.
Errors per DIMM slot:
Error counts are reported for each memory module installed in the system.
Use the “Show DMI Memory Info” runtime option for detailed memory module
information.
Test Errors:
On the right hand side of the screen the number of errors for each test
are displayed.
For individual errors the following information is displayed when a memory
error is detected. An error message is only displayed for errors with a
different address or failing bit pattern. All displayed values are in
hexadecimal.
Tst: Test number
Failing Address : Failing memory address
Good: Expected data pattern
Bad: Failing data pattern
Err-Bits: Exclusive or of good and bad data (this shows the
position of the failing bit(s))
Count: Number of consecutive errors with the same address
and failing bits
In BadRAM Patterns mode, Lines are printed in a form badram=F1,M1,F2,M2.
In each F/M pair, the F represents a fault address, and the corresponding M
is a bitmask for that address. These patterns state that faults have
occurred in addresses that equal F on all "1" bits in M. Such a pattern may
capture more errors that actually exist, but at least all the errors are
captured. These patterns have been designed to capture regular patterns of
errors caused by the hardware structure in a terse syntax.
The BadRAM patterns are `grown' increment-ally rather than `designed' from an
overview of all errors. The number of pairs is constrained to five for a
number of practical reasons. As a result, handcrafting patterns from the
output in address printing mode may, in exceptional cases, yield better
results.
Trouble-shooting Memory Errors
================================
Please be aware that not all errors reported by Memtest86 are due to
bad memory. The test implicitly tests the CPU, L1 and L2 caches as well as
the motherboard. It is impossible for the test to determine what causes
the failure to occur. Most failures will be due to a problem with memory.
When it is not, the only option is to replace parts until the failure is
corrected.
Once a memory error has been detected, determining the failing
module is not a clear cut procedure. With the large number of motherboard
vendors and possible combinations of simm slots it would be difficult if
not impossible to assemble complete information about how a particular
error would map to a failing memory module. However, there are steps
that may be taken to determine the failing module. Here are three
techniques that you may wish to use:
1) Removing modules
This is simplest method for isolating a failing modules, but may only be
employed when one or more modules can be removed from the system. By
selectively removing modules from the system and then running the test
you will be able to find the bad module(s). Be sure to note exactly which
modules are in the system when the test passes and when the test fails.
2) Rotating modules
When none of the modules can be removed then you may wish to rotate modules
to find the failing one. This technique can only be used if there are
three or more modules in the system. Change the location of two modules
at a time. For example put the module from slot 1 into slot 2 and put
the module from slot 2 in slot 1. Run the test and if either the failing
bit or address changes then you know that the failing module is one of the
ones just moved. By using several combinations of module movement you
should be able to determine which module is failing.
3) Replacing modules
If you are unable to use either of the previous techniques then you are
left to selective replacement of modules to find the failure.
4) Avoiding allocation
The printing mode for BadRAM patterns is intended to construct boot time
parameters for a Linux kernel that is compiled with BadRAM support. This
work-around makes it possible for Linux to reliably run on defective
RAM. For more information on BadRAM support
for Linux, sail to
http://home.zonnet.nl/vanrein/badram
Sometimes memory errors show up due to component incompatibility. A memory
module may work fine in one system and not in another. This is not
uncommon and is a source of confusion. The components are not necessarily
bad but certain combinations may need to be avoided.
I am often asked about the reliability of errors reported by Mestest86.
In the vast majority of cases errors reported by the test are valid.
There are some systems that cause Memtest86 to be confused about the size of
memory and it will try to test non-existent memory. This will cause a large
number of consecutive addresses to be reported as bad and generally there
will be many bits in error. If you have a relatively small number of
failing addresses and only one or two bits in error you can be certain
that the errors are valid. Also intermittent errors are always valid.
All valid memory errors should be corrected. It is possible that a
particular error will never show up in normal operation. However, operating
with marginal memory is risky and can result in data loss and even
disk corruption. You can be sure that Murphy will get you if you know
about a memory error and ignore it.
Memtest86 can not diagnose many types of PC failures. For example a
faulty CPU that causes Windows to crash will most likely just cause
Memtest86 to crash in the same way.
9) Execution Time
==================
The time required for a complete pass of Memtest86 will vary greatly
depending on CPU speed, memory speed and memory size. Memtest86 executes
indefinitely. The pass counter increments each time that all of the
selected tests have been run. Generally a single pass is sufficient to
catch all but the most obscure errors. However, for complete confidence
when intermittent errors are suspected testing for a longer period is advised.
10) Memory Testing Philosophy
=============================
There are many good approaches for testing memory. However, many tests
simply throw some patterns at memory without much thought or knowledge
of memory architecture or how errors can best be detected. This
works fine for hard memory failures but does little to find intermittent
errors. BIOS based memory tests are useless for finding intermittent
memory errors.
Memory chips consist of a large array of tightly packed memory cells,
one for each bit of data. The vast majority of the intermittent failures
are a result of interaction between these memory cells. Often writing a
memory cell can cause one of the adjacent cells to be written with the
same data. An effective memory test attempts to test for this
condition. Therefore, an ideal strategy for testing memory would be
the following:
1) write a cell with a zero
2) write all of the adjacent cells with a one, one or more times
3) check that the first cell still has a zero
It should be obvious that this strategy requires an exact knowledge
of how the memory cells are laid out on the chip. In addition there is a
never ending number of possible chip layouts for different chip types
and manufacturers making this strategy impractical. However, there
are testing algorithms that can approximate this ideal strategy.
11) Memtest86 Test Algorithms
=============================
Memtest86 uses two algorithms that provide a reasonable approximation
of the ideal test strategy above. The first of these strategies is called
moving inversions. The moving inversion test works as follows:
1) Fill memory with a pattern
2) Starting at the lowest address
2a check that the pattern has not changed
2b write the patterns complement
2c increment the address
repeat 2a - 2c
3) Starting at the highest address
3a check that the pattern has not changed
3b write the patterns complement
3c decrement the address
repeat 3a - 3c
This algorithm is a good approximation of an ideal memory test but
there are some limitations. Most high density chips today store data
4 to 16 bits wide. With chips that are more than one bit wide it
is impossible to selectively read or write just one bit. This means
that we cannot guarantee that all adjacent cells have been tested
for interaction. In this case the best we can do is to use some
patterns to insure that all adjacent cells have at least been written
with all possible one and zero combinations.
It can also be seen that caching, buffering and out of order execution
will interfere with the moving inversions algorithm and make less effective.
It is possible to turn off cache but the memory buffering in new high
performance chips can not be disabled. To address this limitation a new
algorithm I call Modulo-X was created. This algorithm is not affected by
cache or buffering. The algorithm works as follows:
1) For starting offsets of 0 - 20 do
1a write every 20th location with a pattern
1b write all other locations with the patterns complement
repeat 1b one or more times
1c check every 20th location for the pattern
This algorithm accomplishes nearly the same level of adjacency testing
as moving inversions but is not affected by caching or buffering. Since
separate write passes (1a, 1b) and the read pass (1c) are done for all of
memory we can be assured that all of the buffers and cache have been
flushed between passes. The selection of 20 as the stride size was somewhat
arbitrary. Larger strides may be more effective but would take longer to
execute. The choice of 20 seemed to be a reasonable compromise between
speed and thoroughness.
12) Individual Test Descriptions
================================
Memtest86 executes a series of numbered test sections to check for
errors. These test sections consist of a combination of test
algorithm, data pattern and caching. The execution order for these tests
were arranged so that errors will be detected as rapidly as possible.
A description of each of the test sections follows:
Test 0 [Address test, walking ones, no cache]
Tests all address bits in all memory banks by using a walking ones
address pattern. Errors from this test are not used to calculate
BadRAM patterns.
Test 1 [Address test, own address]
Each address is written with its own address and then is checked
for consistency. In theory previous tests should have caught any
memory addressing problems. This test should catch any addressing
errors that somehow were not previously detected.
Test 2 [Moving inversions, ones&zeros]
This test uses the moving inversions algorithm with patterns of all
ones and zeros. Cache is enabled even though it interferes to some
degree with the test algorithm. With cache enabled this test does not
take long and should quickly find all "hard" errors and some more
subtle errors. This section is only a quick check.
Test 3 [Moving inversions, 8 bit pat]
This is the same as test 1 but uses a 8 bit wide pattern of
"walking" ones and zeros. This test will better detect subtle errors
in "wide" memory chips. A total of 20 data patterns are used.
Test 4 [Moving inversions, random pattern]
Test 4 uses the same algorithm as test 1 but the data pattern is a
random number and it's complement. This test is particularly effective
in finding difficult to detect data sensitive errors. A total of 60
patterns are used. The random number sequence is different with each pass
so multiple passes increase effectiveness.
Test 5 [Block move, 64 moves]
This test stresses memory by using block move (movsl) instructions
and is based on Robert Redelmeier's burnBX test. Memory is initialized
with shifting patterns that are inverted every 8 bytes. Then 4MB blocks
of memory are moved around using the movsl instruction. After the moves
are completed the data patterns are checked. Because the data is checked
only after the memory moves are completed it is not possible to know
where the error occurred. The addresses reported are only for where the
bad pattern was found. Since the moves are constrained to a 8MB segment
of memory the failing address will always be lest than 8MB away from the
reported address. Errors from this test are not used to calculate
BadRAM patterns.
Test 6 [Moving inversions, 32 bit pat]
This is a variation of the moving inversions algorithm that shifts the data
pattern left one bit for each successive address. The starting bit position
is shifted left for each pass. To use all possible data patterns 32 passes
are required. This test is quite effective at detecting data sensitive
errors but the execution time is long.
Test 7 [Random number sequence]
This test writes a series of random numbers into memory. By resetting the
seed for the random number the same sequence of number can be created for
a reference. The initial pattern is checked and then complemented and
checked again on the next pass. However, unlike the moving inversions test
writing and checking can only be done in the forward direction.
Test 8 [Modulo 20, random pattern]
Using the Modulo-X algorithm should uncover errors that are not
detected by moving inversions due to cache and buffering interference
with the the algorithm. A 32 bit random pattern is used.
Test 9 [Bit fade test, 90 min, 2 patterns]
The bit fade test initializes all of memory with a pattern and then
sleeps for 90 minutes. Then memory is examined to see if any memory bits
have changed. All ones and all zero patterns are used. This test takes
3 hours to complete. The Bit Fade test is not included in the normal test
sequence and must be run manually via the runtime configuration menu.
13) Problem Reporting - Contact Information
===========================================
Due to the growing popularity of Memtest86 (more than 200,000 downloads per
month) I have been inundated by, questions, feedback, problem reports and
requests for enhancements. I simply do not have time to repond to ANY Memtest86
emails. Bug reports and suggestions are welcome but will typically not be
responded to.
*** NOTE: *** The Keyword MEM86 must appear in the subject of all emails or
the message will be automaticly deleted before it gets to me. This thanks to
spam and viruses!
Problems/Bugs:
Before submitting a problem report please check the Known Problems section
to see if this problem has already been reported. Be sure to include the
version number and also any details that may be relevant.
Chris Brady, Email:
bugs@memtest86.com
With some PC's Memtest86 will just die with no hints as to what went wrong.
Without any details it is impossible to fix these failures. Fixing these
problems will require debugging on your part. There is no point in reporting
these failures unless you have a Linux system and would be willing to debug
the failure.
Enhancements:
If you would like to request an enhancement please see if is already on
the Planned Features List before sending your request. All requests will
be considered, but not all can be implemented. If you are be interested in
contributing code please contact me so that the integration can be
co-ordinated.
Chris Brady, Email:
enhance@memtest86.com
Questions:
Unfortunately, I do not have time to respond to any questions or provide
assistance with troubleshooting problems. Please read the Troubleshooting
and Known Problems sections for assistance with problems. These sections have
the answers for the questions that I have answers to. If there is not an
answer for your problem in these sections it is probably not something I can
help you with.
14) Known Problems
==================
Sometimes when booting from a floppy disk the following messages scroll up
on the screen:
X:8000
AX:0212
BX:8600
CX:0201
DX:0000
This the BIOS reporting floppy disk read errors. Either re-write or toss
the floppy disk.
Memtest86 can not diagnose many types of PC failures. For example a
faulty CPU that causes Windows to crash will most likely just cause
Memtest86 to crash in the same way.
There have been numerous reports of errors in only test 5 on Athlon
systems. Often the memory works in a different system or the vendor insists
that it is good. In these cases the memory is not necessarily bad but is
not able to operate reliably at Athlon speeds. Sometimes more conservative
memory timings on the motherboard will correct these errors. In other
cases the only option is to replace the memory with better quality, higher
speed memory. Don't buy cheap memory and expect it to work with an Athlon!
Memtest86 supports all types of memory. If fact the test has absolutely
no knowledge of the memory type nor does it need to. This not a problem
or bug but is listed here due to the many questions I get about this issue.
Changes in the compiler and loader have caused problems with
Memtest86 resulting in both build failures and errors in execution. A
binary image (precomp.bin) of the test is included and may be used if
problems are encountered.
15) Planned Features List
=========================
This is a list of enhancements planned for future releases of Memtest86.
There is no timetable for when these will be implemented, if ever.
- Testing in 64 bit mode with 64 data patterns
- Concurrent testing with multiple CPUs
- Option to write error information to a floppy disk.
16) Change Log
==============
Enhancements in v3.5 (3/Jan/2008)
Limited support for execution with multiple CPUs. CPUs are selected
round-robin or sequential for each test.
Support for additional chipsets. (from Memtest86+ v2.11).
Additions and corrections for CPU detection including reporting of L3 cache.
Reworked information display for better readability and new information.
Abbreviated iterations for first pass.
Enhancements to memory sizing.
Misc fixes.
Enhancements in v3.4 (2/Aug/2007)
A new error summary display with error confidence analysis.
Support for additional chipsets. (from Memtest86+ v1.70).
Additions and corrections for CPU detection.
Support for memory module information reporting.
Misc bug fixes.
Enhancements in v3.3 (12/Jan/2007)
Added support for additional chipsets. (from Memtest86+ v1.60)
Changed Modulo 20 test (#8) to use a more effective random pattern rather
than simple ones and zeros.
Fixed a bug that prevented testing of low memory.
Added an advanced menu option to display SPD info (only for selected
chipsets).
Updated CPU detection for new CPUs and corrected some bugs.
Reworked online command text for better clarity.
Added a fix to correct a Badram pattern bug.
Enhancements in v3.2 (11/Nov/2004)
Added two new, highly effective tests that use random number patterns
(tests 4 and 6).
Reworked the online commands:
- Changed wording for better clarity
- Dropped Cache Mode menu
Updated CPU detection for newer AMD, Intel and Cyrix CPUs.
Reworked test sequence:
- Dropped ineffective non cached tests (Numbers 7-11)
- Changed cache mode to "cached" for test 2
- Fixed bug that did not allow some tests to be skipped
- Added bailout for Bit fade test
Error reports are highlighted in red to provide a more vivid error
indication.
Added support for a large number of additional chipsets. (from Memtest86+
v1.30)
Added an advanced setup feature that with new chiset allows memory timings
to be altered from inside Memtest86. (from Memtest86+ v1.30)
Enhancements in v3.1 (11/Mar/2004)
Added processor detection for newer AMD processors.
Added new "Bit Fade" extended test.
Fixed a complile time bug with gcc version 3.x.
E7500 memory controller ECC support
Added support for 16bit ECC syndromes
Option to keep the serial port baud rate of the boot loader
Enhancements in v3.0 (22/May/2002) Provided by Eric Biederman
Testing of more than 2gb of memory is at last fixed (tested with 6Gb)
The infrastructure is to poll ecc error reporting chipset regisets,
and the support has been done for some chipsets.
Uses dynamic relocation information records to make itself PIC
instead of requiring 2 copies of memtest86 in the binary.
The serial console code does not do redundant writes to the serial port
Very little slow down at 9600 baud.
You can press ^l or just l to get a screen refresh, when you are
connecting and unconnecting a serial cable.
Netbooting is working again
LinuxBIOS support (To get the memory size)
Many bugfixes and code cleanup.
Enhancements in v2.9 (29/Feb/2002)
The memory sizing code has been completely rewritten. By default
Memtest86 gets a memory map from the BIOS that is now used to find
available memory. A new online configuration option provides three
choices for how memory will be sized, including the old "probe" method.
The default mode generally will not test all of memory, but should be more
stable. See the "Memory Sizing" section for details.
Testing of more than 2gb of memory should now work. A number of bugs
were found and corrected that prevented testing above 2gb. Testing
with more than 2gb has been limited and there could be problems with a
full 4gb of memory.
Memory is divided into segments for testing. This allow for frequent
progress updates and responsiveness to interactive commands. The
memory segment size has been increased from 8 to 32mb. This should
improve testing effectivness but progress reports will be less frequent.
Minor bug fixes.
Enhancements in v2.8 (18/Oct/2001)
Eric Biederman reworked the build process making it far simpler and also
to produce a network bootable ELF image.
Re-wrote the memory and cache speed detection code. Previously the
reported numbers were inaccurate for intel CPU's and completely wrong
for Athlon/Duron CPU's.
By default the serial console is disabled since this was slowing
down testing.
Added CPU detection for Pentium 4.
Enhancements in v2.7 (12/Jul/2001)
Expanded workaround for errors caused by BIOS USB keyboard support to
include test #5.
Re-worked L1 / L2 cache detection code to provide clearer reporting.
Fixed an obvious bug in the computation of cache and memory speeds.
Changed on-line menu to stay in the menu between option selections.
Fixed bugs in the test restart and redraw code.
Adjusted code size to fix compilation problems with RedHat 7.1.
Misc updates to the documentation.
Enhancements in v2.6 (25/May/2001)
Added workaround for errors caused by BIOS USB keyboard support.
Fixed problems with reporting of 1 GHZ + processor speeds.
Fixed Duron cache detection.
Added screen buffer so that menus will work correctly from a serial
console.
The Memtest86 image is now built in ELF format.
Enhancements in v2.5 (14/Dec/00)
Enhanced CPU and cache detection to correctly identify Duron CPU
and K6-III 1MB cache.
Added code to report cache-able memory size.
Added limited support for parity memory.
Support was added to allow use of on-line commands from a serial
port.
Dropped option for changing refresh rates. This was not useful
and did not work on newer motherboards.
Improved fatal exception reporting to include a register and stack
dump.
The pass number is now displayed in the error report.
Fixed a bug that crashed the test when selecting one of the extended
tests.
Enhancements in v2.4
The error report format was reworked for better clarity and now
includes a decimal address in megabytes.
A new memory move test was added (from Robert Redelmeier's CPU-Burn)
The test sequence and iterations were modified.
Fixed scrolling problems with the BadRAM patterns.
Enhancements in v2.3
A progress meter was added to replace the spinner and dots.
Measurement and reporting of memory and cache performance
was added.
Support for creating BadRAM patterns was added.
All of the test routines were rewritten in assembler to
improve both test performance and speed.
The screen layout was reworked to hopefully be more readable.
An error summary option was added to the online commands.
Enhancements in v2.2
Added two new address tests
Added an on-line command for setting test address range
Optimized test code for faster execution (-O3, -funroll-loops and
-fomit-frame-pointer)
Added and elapsed time counter.
Adjusted menu options for better consistency
Enhancements in v2.1
Fixed a bug in the CPU detection that caused the test to
hang or crash with some 486 and Cryrix CPU's
Added CPU detection for Cyrix CPU's
Extended and improved CPU detection for Intel and AMD CPU's
Added a compile time option (BIOS_MEMSZ) for obtaining the last
memory address from the BIOS. This should fix problems with memory
sizing on certain motherboards. This option is not enabled by default.
It may be enabled be default in a future release.
Enhancements in v2.0
Added new Modulo-20 test algorithm.
Added a 32 bit shifting pattern to the moving inversions algorithm.
Created test sections to specify algorithm, pattern and caching.
Improved test progress indicators.
Created popup menus for configuration.
Added menu for test selection.
Added CPU and cache identification.
Added a "bail out" feature to quit the current test when it does not
fit the test selection parameters.
Re-arranged the screen layout and colors.
Created local include files for I/O and serial interface definitions
rather than using the sometimes incompatible system include files.
Broke up the "C" source code into four separate source modules.
Enhancements in v1.5
Some additional changes were made to fix obscure memory sizing
problems.
The 4 bit wide data pattern was increased to 8 bits since 8 bit
wide memory chips are becoming more common.
A new test algorithm was added to improve detection of data
pattern sensitive errors.
Enhancements in v1.4
Changes to the memory sizing code to avoid problems with some
motherboards where memtest would find more memory than actually
exists.
Added support for a console serial port. (thanks to Doug Sisk)
On-line commands are now available for configuring Memtest86 on
the fly (see On-line Commands).
Enhancements in v1.3
Scrolling of memory errors is now provided. Previously, only one screen
of error information was displayed.
Memtest86 can now be booted from any disk via lilo.
Testing of up to 4gb of memory has been fixed is now enabled by default.
This capability was clearly broken in v1.2a and should work correctly
now but has not been fully tested (4gb PC's are a bit rare).
The maximum memory size supported by the motherboard is now being
calculated correctly. In previous versions there were cases where not
all of memory would be tested and the maximum memory size supported
was incorrect.
For some types of failures the good and bad values were reported to be
same with an Xor value of 0. This has been fixed by retaining the data
read from memory and not re-reading the bad data in the error reporting
routine.
APM (advanced power management) is now disabled by Memtest86. This
keeps the screen from blanking while the test is running.
Problems with enabling & disabling cache on some motherboards have been
corrected.
17) Acknowledgments
===================
Memtest86 was developed by Chris Brady with the resources and assistance
listed below:
- The initial versions of the source files bootsect.S, setup.S, head.S and
build.c are from the Linux 1.2.1 kernel and have been heavily modified.
- Doug Sisk provided code to support a console connected via a serial port.
- Code to create BadRAM patterns was provided by Rick van Rein.
- Tests 5 and 8 are based on Robert Redelmeier's burnBX test.
- Screen buffer code was provided by Jani Averbach.
- Eric Biederman provided all of the feature content for version 3.0
plus many bugfixes and significant code cleanup.
- Major enhancements to hardware detection and reporting in version 3.2,
3.3 pnd 3.4 rovided by Samuel Demeulemeester (from Memtest86+ v1.11, v1.60
and v1.70).
