Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
1.
of this writing, this was described as Precompiled Bootable ISO, accessed
via the Download (Pre-build & ISO) link. Usually the ISO is compressed
as a zip file, so double-click to unpack it once it's downloaded.
2.
Start Disk Utility (open Finder, select Applications, and then double-click
Disk Utility in the
UTILITIES
folder), and on the menu, click Images→Burn.
In the file browser window, select the ISO image you downloaded (it'll
probably be in your Downloads folder), and click the Burn button.
3.
Insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW disc as prompted, and click the Burn
button in the dialog.
4.
Once the burning has finished (it'll take less than a minute), reinsert the
disc, and then restart the computer (Apple menu→Restart).
5.
Before the Apple logo appears, press and hold down
C
. This will force the
computer to boot from the CD rather than from the hard disk.
6.
For the basic memory test, which is good enough for all but certain
specialized cases, MemTest86 is entirely automated and will start after a
few seconds. It's simply a matter of waiting for it to finish, which could
take a few hours. Keep an eye on the PASS figure at the top of the
This will slowly creep from 0 percent to 100 percent. Note that when the
test has reached 100 percent, the test will automatically restart and will
continue to do so until you quit MemTest86. This allows “burn-in” testing
to take place, whereby components can be stressed over a long period of
time. Once a test run-through is complete, however, the program will
display a “Pass complete” message at the bottom of the screen.
7.
Keep an eye on the Errors column during testing, in the row in the middle
of the screen. This displays a total of any errors that are found. Errors
are also reported in the lower half of the screen, highlighted in red, along
with details of the exact fault. Anything other than zero errors at the end
of the test means that the memory is faulty. Modern computers are very
good at tolerating minor RAM faults, and you might even experience years
of unhindered computing, but ideally you should consider replacing the
RAM as soon as possible.
8.
To restart the computer at any time or when the test has finished, hit
ESC
(top left of the keyboard). If this doesn't work, hold down the power key
on the computer for five seconds to force the computer to turn off. Press
