Memtest86+ v4.1 for ram testing, v4.2 and up requires Pentiums and up....you can make a bootable floppy or bootable cd. http://memtest.org/
added: It is open source so here is a good link to older versions up to 5.01 : http://web.archive.org/web/20131107050049/htt … ://memtest.org/

Horun wrote on 2025-04-27, 21:02:

Memtest86+ v4.1 for ram testing, v4.2 and up requires Pentiums and up....you can make a bootable floppy or bootable cd. http://memtest.org/
added: It is open source so here is a good link to older versions up to 5.01 : http://web.archive.org/web/20131107050049/htt … ://memtest.org/

Thanks for the older Memtest86+ versions download links. So Memtest86+ ver. 4.10 can run on 486/5x86 CPUs, right? But which versions are suitable for older 386, 286 and 8086/88 CPUs?

analog_programmer wrote on 2025-04-28, 05:08:

Thanks for the older Memtest86+ versions download links. So Memtest86+ ver. 4.10 can run on 486/5x86 CPUs, right? But which versions are suitable for older 386, 286 and 8086/88 CPUs?

memtest86+ v4.10 will run on 386, 486, Pentiums, P2, P3, P4 and up.
For XT and 286 you want something like Ramtest v3 "1988 Telemarketing Resources dba Brown Bag Software".
search for ramtest3.zip. hint http://archives.oldskool.org/ or http://cd.textfiles.com/
It is Shareware but w/o a specific time limit afaik, from the manual "RamTest is a copyrighted software program that thoroughly tests all types of memory in your IBM-PC or compatible computer.
It is distributed under the ShareWare concept. Under the ShareWare concept, you may freely copy this diskette and distribute it to others to evaluate. We suggest that the evaluation period be
limited to 30 days. If you continue to use RamTest, we ask that you respect our request to register the software with us."

Horun wrote on 2025-04-29, 01:36:

memtest86+ v4.10 will run on 386, 486, Pentiums, P2, P3, P4 and up.

Ok, thanks for the clarification.

Horun wrote on 2025-04-29, 01:36:

For XT and 286 you want something like Ramtest v3 "1988 Telemarketing Resources dba Brown Bag Software". search for ramtest3.z […]
Show full quote

For XT and 286 you want something like Ramtest v3 "1988 Telemarketing Resources dba Brown Bag Software".
search for ramtest3.zip. hint http://archives.oldskool.org/ or http://cd.textfiles.com/
It is Shareware but w/o a specific time limit afaik, from the manual "RamTest is a copyrighted software program that thoroughly tests all types of memory in your IBM-PC or compatible computer.
It is distributed under the ShareWare concept. Under the ShareWare concept, you may freely copy this diskette and distribute it to others to evaluate. We suggest that the evaluation period be
limited to 30 days. If you continue to use RamTest, we ask that you respect our request to register the software with us."

I can't find anything through browsing in these ftp-like links, but I have "memtest30.zip" and "memtest302.zip" downloaded from another sources. I also have some totally different "ramtest" software from 1986, but never tried these "ramtest" softwares.

Hey, and what about the other Memtest86 - the non-plus? Do you know if Memtest86(non-plus) have some old version which can run on a 16-bit CPU like 286?

All the memtest86 and 86+ versions require a 386 cpu or higher, even older ones. Ramtest3.zip http://cd.textfiles.com/phoenix2/24c/

Horun wrote on 2025-04-29, 16:26:

All the memtest86 and 86+ versions require a 386 cpu or higher, even older ones.

Thanks! That's what I've needed to know. So, for the RAM tests on systems with 286 and older CPUs I'll try to use these "ramtest" programs.