06. Checking System Memory with Windows
Memory Diagnostic Tool
Windows Vista is the first Windows operating
system to have a built in memory diagnostics tool.
This tool helps analyse your install system memory
(RAM) to ensure that everything is working as it
should be.
There are two methods of accessing the Memory
Diagnostics Tool:
From within the Vista Interface:
1/ Click the Start button.
2/ From the menu select Control Panel.
3/ In Control panel click the
Administrative Tools Icon.
4/ In the Administrative Tools
Window you will see a menu of items. Scroll down
this menu until you come to the Windows
Memory Diagnostics Tool and then click on
this option.
5 A new window will now appear with the following
options:
- Restart Now and check for problems
(recommended).
- Check for problems the next time I start my
computer.
6/ It is recommended that you choose the
'restart now and check problems option.'
7/ The Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool
will now start scanning your memory for problems.
8/ After the diagnostic tool has finished
checking the memory your PC will restart and details
of the memory check will be displayed via an icon in
the notification area.
9/ By default the memory check is set for
'standard'. If you want a more thorough
check you can change the scan option by pressing
F1. This will bring up the options
window. From here you can change the scan from
Standard to Basic
or Enhanced. Please note that the
Enhanced scan does take some time to complete.
Start Scan at Boot-up
This option is useful if you have a dual boot
system - i.e. you have more than one operating
system installed on your PC.
1/ Reboot your PC.
2/ At the Vista Boot Manager
screen press the TABbutton to
highlight the Windows Memory Diagnostics
Tool option.
3/ When this option is highlighted press
Enter.
4/ The Memory Diagnostics Tool
Window will now open and scanning of the memory will
start.
5/ Once scanning has completed your PC will
restart and details of the scan will be displayed
via an icon in the notification area on your
desktop.