IC Tester for RAM chips

[Dopy25]

I have a Tandy 1000SX that is giving me RAM errors on boot no matter how many chips I swap out. I have made sure to check the jumpers and everything should be ok. 

 

I am wondering if an IC tester would be helpful here. I purchased parts to make this one:

https://www.instructables.com/Smart-IC-Tester/

 

Everything is in route, but what are the chances this will tell me my ram is good or not?

 

Thanks in advance. 

[DanBoris]

Lo

On 9/5/2024 at 12:15 PM, Dopy25 said:

I have a Tandy 1000SX that is giving me RAM errors on boot no matter how many chips I swap out. I have made sure to check the jumpers and everything should be ok. 

 

I am wondering if an IC tester would be helpful here. I purchased parts to make this one:

https://www.instructables.com/Smart-IC-Tester/

 

Everything is in route, but what are the chances this will tell me my ram is good or not?

 

Thanks in advance. 

Looking at the database of supported components for that tester I don't see any RAM. You may be able to write your own test definition, but it could be tricky to do this for a DRAM especially if you are trying to do a compressive test. You may be better off this this..

 

https://americanretro.shop/rct-assembled-version/

[Dopy25]

16 minutes ago, DanBoris said:

Lo

Looking at the database of supported components for that tester I don't see any RAM. You may be able to write your own test definition, but it could be tricky to do this for a DRAM especially if you are trying to do a compressive test. You may be better off this this..

 

https://americanretro.shop/rct-assembled-version/

I very much appreciate the information, but a $500 tester is not something I would be interested in at this time. I am sure it is fully capable of testing the RAM I have, as well as everything else. 

 

I read the following comment on Instructables:

Quote

I thought I could add such a function to this tester and it worked. So far I have tests for two types of DRAM 4164 (64Kx1) and 41464/4464 (64Kx4). DRAM tests can only be done in manual mode for now, by entering the corresponding memory number. Pictured are the 41464 memory tests. Apart from the additional tests, the tester still has the original functionality.

 

Someone was able to do it. I guess I can see how it might not be very thorough but I'm hoping it will give me something. 

 

Thanks for the information!

 

Do you know of any other RAM testers that might cost a TON less than the one you linked? That one costs about as much as a fully working Tandy.

[DanBoris]

On 9/6/2024 at 2:47 PM, Dopy25 said:

I very much appreciate the information, but a $500 tester is not something I would be interested in at this time. I am sure it is fully capable of testing the RAM I have, as well as everything else. 

 

I read the following comment on Instructables:

 

Someone was able to do it. I guess I can see how it might not be very thorough but I'm hoping it will give me something. 

 

Thanks for the information!

 

Do you know of any other RAM testers that might cost a TON less than the one you linked? That one costs about as much as a fully working Tandy.

I have seen simple DRAM testers built from an Arduino. You could probably adapt the one you are buying to do this with some different software. Here is an example:

 

https://retrofixer.it/en/dram-tester/

[mr_me]

On 9/6/2024 at 2:47 PM, Dopy25 said:

Someone was able to do it. I guess I can see how it might not be very thorough but I'm hoping it will give me something. 

 

Thanks for the information!

 

Do you know of any other RAM testers that might cost a TON less than the one you linked? That one costs about as much as a fully working Tandy.

 

This one is cheaper.

https://store.backbit.io/product/chip-tester/

Edited September 8 by mr_me

[Dopy25]

14 hours ago, mr_me said:

 

This one is cheaper.

https://store.backbit.io/product/chip-tester/

This was 100% absolutely my first thought but it's sold out and waiting for the new version.