How to Check Your RAM Memory

Random-access memory (RAM) is the temporary data stored on a computer. It is considered to be the main memory available to the software and programs running on the machine. The more RAM a computer has, the less it needs to read from the hard drive. Information stored in RAM memory is held only as long as the computer is running, and disappears when it is turned off. You can determine your computer's RAM memory by following a basic procedure.

Instructions

Checking RAM on Windows OS

1. 

   Start your computer and wait for Windows to load.

2. Click once on the Windows "Start" button.

3. 

   Select the "Computer" option from the menu.

4. 

   Click once on the "System Properties" button.

5. 

   Check the "Memory (RAM)" listing under the "System" section. RAM is measured in both megabytes and gigabytes. Use the link in Resources to convert MB to GB, or vice versa, to determine the amount of available RAM on your computer.

Checking the Usage of RAM on Windows OS

1. Simultaneously press the "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Delete" buttons. You can also right-click once on the Windows taskbar.

2. Click once on the "Start Task Manager" button. If you are using the taskbar, select the "Task Manger" option. Note that the Task Manager window will float on top of the other windows. To change this, click once on "Options" and un-check the "Always On Top" option.

3. Click once on the "Performance" tab of the Task Manager window.

4. 

   Check the "Memory" box and the "Physical Memory" sections for the amount of RAM in use on your computer. Both of these sections show the real-time usage of RAM.

5. 

   Click once on the "Resource Monitor" button on the Task Manager window. This will launch a new window that will show you a detailed list of processes and the specific amount of RAM they are using.

6. 

   Click on the arrow to the right of the "Memory" section on the Resource Monitor window to view a list of programs and their RAM usage.

Testing RAM on Windows OS

1. Download the free Windows Memory Diagnostic (see Resources). According to the Microsoft website, this program will run on most Windows operating systems.

2. Follow the directions that apply to your OS. The test is designed to be completed quickly, and should take less than 30 minutes.

3. Reboot your computer, with the CD-ROM or disk on which you installed Windows Memory Diagnostic in the drive.

4. View the interface that will appear, and begin the first test pass. Note that you will need to agree to the end-user license for Microsoft software.

5. Review the results of the test run on the interface. The Windows Memory Diagnostic will continue to run pass after pass until you cancel or exit the program.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Indiana University IT Services
• MB-to-GB Converter
• Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic