Summary of Contents for Innoventions RAMCHECK LX
- Page 1 ® Owner’s Manual FOR USE WITH * RAMCHECK LX Base Tester * RAMCHECK LX DDR4 * RAMCHECK LX DDR3 * RAMCHECK LX DDR2 * RAMCHECK LX DDR1 ® “INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FROM INVENTIVE MINDS”...
- Page 2 OWNER’S MANUAL For use with RAMCHECK LX Base Tester RAMCHECK LX DDR4 RAMCHECK LX DDR3 RAMCHECK LX DDR2 RAMCHECK LX DDR1 (281) 879-6226 www.innoventions.com www.memorytesters.com...
- Page 3 RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 4: Table Of Contents
2. GETTING STARTED ..........................7 2.1 AC LINE CONNECTION AND INITIAL SETUP ................7 2.2 THE DEMO MODE ..........................7 2.3 OVERVIEW OF OPERATION ......................8 3. RAMCHECK LX USER INTERFACE ....................10 3.1 THE KEYBOARD ..........................10 3.2 SCREEN DISPLAYS .........................10 3.3 LED INDICATORS ..........................11 3.4 AUDIBLE SIGNALS .........................11... -
Page 5: Quick Setup
PREFACE QUICK SETUP If you hate to read manuals and cannot wait to use your RAMCHECK LX with its various options, here is a quick short cut: Connect the power supply to RAMCHECK LX and to the AC line. Adapters may be ... - Page 6 Copyright 1996, 2018 by INNOVENTIONS, Inc. All rights reserved. RAMCHECK LX, RAMCHECK, SIMCHECK and SIMCHECK II were invented by Dr. David Y. Feinstein and its patent is licensed to INNOVENTIONS, Inc. Special credits: Hardware and Software Development: Dr. David Y. Feinstein. R&D Assistants: Calvin Mikeska Jr. and Jose Nunez.
- Page 7 PREFACE ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY RAMCHECK LX and its optional adapters are warranted in entirety against any defects of material or workmanship which may develop for any reason whatsoever, except abuse and normal wear and tear of external test sockets, within a period of ONE YEAR following the date of purchase by the original purchaser.
-
Page 8: Introduction
1. INTRODUCTION RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL 1. INTRODUCTION RAMCHECK LX is the next generation memory tester from the company that pioneered the portable RAM testing industry. The RAMCHECK LX product line is based on a powerful stand-alone processor, up-to-date high speed circuitry and advanced FPGA devices to provide enhanced testing capabilities. - Page 9 All the memory chips on the module are tested simultaneously to detect errors that are caused by interference among the chips. RAMCHECK LX is not merely a go/no-go tester. It provides clear indications of faulty bits within a module, as well as other important repair related information.
- Page 10 SPD editing and programming. To protect your investment and ensure the RAMCHECK LX provides you with the most recent features, please download our regularly updated firmware every few months.
-
Page 11: Getting Started
2. GETTING STARTED 2.1 AC LINE CONNECTION AND INITIAL SETUP RAMCHECK LX comes with a universal power supply, which can be used in domestic or international markets. Connect the output plug of the enclosed AC adapter to the power jack at the rear of RAMCHECK LX. -
Page 12: Overview Of Operation
100MHz. The right screen demonstrates the and capabilities. testing of EDO & FPM devices. RAMCHECK LX is testing the module at the 5V-voltage level, identifies its size as being 16Mx72 and states that it operates in Fast Page Mode. - Page 13 RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL 2. GETTING STARTED A dynamic graphic representation of the individual bytes and the HEX test patterns is shown as the test progresses. Every memory cell of the DUT is fully tested several times to detect “stuck at” type failures. The BASIC TEST is followed by a few structure screens.
-
Page 14: Ramcheck Lx User Interface
RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL 3. RAMCHECK LX USER INTERFACE This section introduces you to the various aspects of the RAMCHECK LX user interface. It outlines the use of the keyboard, explains the screen display and the audio signals, and it illustrates some of the menus you will encounter. -
Page 15: Led Indicators
RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL 3. RAMCHECK LX USER INTERFACE and other information are determined by RAMCHECK LX at the start of the BASIC test and during most other tests. These results are immediately posted on the screen for your review. We also use animation characters to give you a relative indication of several tests’... - Page 16 3. RAMCHECK LX USER INTERFACE RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL 3.5.2 HORIZONTAL SCROLL MENU The horizontal scroll menu allows you to move through a horizontal window of options. Pressing either the or the keys will show the available choices of this menu. When the display shows your selection, press F1 to enter your choice.
- Page 17 RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL 3. RAMCHECK LX USER INTERFACE 3.5.6 ERROR DISPLAY MENU The error display menu is present upon detection of a fault in the data bits of the DUT. It provides explicit error information as well as numerous other details associated with the detected error.
-
Page 18: Ramcheck Lx Operation
4.1 INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF MODULES CAUTION INSERTION: Make sure the Module Power red LED on the front of the RAMCHECK LX 1. Do not insert or is off (if not - press ESC). RAMCHECK LX adapters use vertically mounted... -
Page 19: Standby Mode
F4 -allows you to view the Test Log, to view any modified setup of RAMCHECK LX, or to access the SPD management program. The Test Log is a unique feature of RAMCHECK LX. It is actually a scrollable list of all the results obtained during the last test. - Page 20 The frequency list is 800MHz, 667MHz, 533MHz, 466MHz, and 400MHz for DDR2 devices), dependent on the unless you have set up RAMCHECK LX to test at a fixed frequency by either DUT and is subject to Setup or the Change-on-the-fly feature.
- Page 21 RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL 4. RAMCHECK LX OPERATION If RAMCHECK LX encounters such a legitimate variation, it will flash a short warning message as in the following screen: But it will not stop the test, as this module will work perfectly in all motherboards that support the 4K-refresh feature.
- Page 22 4. RAMCHECK LX OPERATION RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL Finally, we demonstrate the legacy EDO/FPM test results with a 168-pin buffered module using one bank and two RAS control lines. All the test results are The Test Log stored in the Test Log.
- Page 23 Many other types of errors may be detected by RAMCHECK LX. The following screen shows an Address Column error in address line A0 (pin 12) of Bank 1, Group 1.
- Page 24 Thereafter, subsequent test phases will be conducted at the selected speed, as displayed on the screen with an "@" marker. Please note that when modules are detected as being 3V devices (e.g. SDRAM), RAMCHECK LX will not allow you to alter the voltage using the changed-on-the-fly feature. Next Phase: If an error is detected, the defective bit(s) are identified and you can use ...
-
Page 25: Extensive Test
RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL 4. RAMCHECK LX OPERATION FOR MOST short execution time. SCREENING TESTS. Most defective modules will be detected 4.2.3 EXTENSIVE TEST during this test. The EXTENSIVE test is an extremely comprehensive test! Module behavior is tested under varying voltage conditions, including numerous test functions, thereby achieving a remarkably high reliability level. - Page 26 LX DOES NOT exceed any allowable voltage/current rating! Temperature stress test (Chip-Heat Mode): In this phase, RAMCHECK LX tests memory chips at the actual higher operating temperature experienced inside a computer. Being able to test at the proper temperature is extremely important because some memory problems are not seen until the chip is warmed up.
-
Page 27: Auto-Loop Test
RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL 4. RAMCHECK LX OPERATION be slower than the value obtained with the BASIC test. Next Phase: If an error is detected during the EXTENSIVE test, the defective bit(s) are identified and the display waits for your acknowledgment. Press ESC after review to return to Standby Mode. - Page 28 AUTO-LOOP is designed to detect pattern sensitivity problems, as it tests the modules under many different patterns. 20 minutes or more are sufficient to detect most pattern sensitivity problems. Notice that the AUTO-LOOP mode makes RAMCHECK LX an excellent instrument for continuous burn-in procedure. PAGE 24...
-
Page 29: Advanced Tests
Repair bad modules faster. 5.2 ACCESSING SETUP MODE You can enter the RAMCHECK LX’s Advanced SETUP mode only from the STANDBY mode by first pressing F2. The setup graphic screen will appear momentarily. Thereafter, the menu offers four selections:... -
Page 30: Setup Parameters
These selections are detailed below. You return to the STANDBY mode by pressing ESC. If the current setup was changed, you will see a message notifying you that the new setup is stored in RAMCHECK LX’s non-volatile memory. 5.3 SETUP PARAMETERS... - Page 31 SDRAM devices Use the and keys to scroll through the available frequencies. use frequency setup. RAMCHECK LX will now run modules strictly at the 667MHz level. The Legacy EDO/FPM range of frequencies automatically changes to fit the current RAMCHECK devices use access LX configuration.
-
Page 32: Testflow
The other mode is the "SPEED LIMIT" where RAMCHECK LX fails a unit that is slower than the preset speed limit. If the unit tests slower than the preset speed, the test terminates with a "SPEED ERROR: ABOVE LIMIT"... -
Page 33: Configuration
The CONFIGURATION setup menu allows you to change the RAMCHECK configuration. DUT TYPE SETUP: 5.5.1 DUT TYPE SETUP You can force RAMCHECK LX to test only DUT of specific types. For → → example, you may force it to test only DIMMs with 144 pins. By selecting this configuration, RAMCHECK LX will report an error whenever you test a →... -
Page 34: View Setup List
Support department to have this information when you encounter a problem or require a major upgrade. Once you review this Product Information on RAMCHECK LX, make sure it is connected to your PC. First open the Realtime Interface (See Section 6), and then press F2 on the RAMCHECK... -
Page 35: Pc Program
LX to obtain the password for firmware download. A Realtime interface between RAMCHECK LX and the PC so that you can control RAMCHECK LX from your PC and also view, save, and print test results from the Test Log. -
Page 36: Ramcheck Lx Downloader
Use the enclosed USB cable to connect the RAMCHECK LX to an available button to activate the USB port on your PC. Turn on the RAMCHECK LX and then activate the USB connection. PC Communications program. You can now verify the USB connection by pressing the find RAMCHECK LX button on the PC program. - Page 37 FTP download, your older "rclxf.bin" firmware file remains intact. If you abort the firmware Downloader program, your RAMCHECK LX will not be upgraded, but the firmware file "rclxf.bin" will be updated. Please note that this process replaces your previous firmware file and keeps only one backup as "rclxf.bak".
-
Page 38: Realtime Interface
ESC and allow RAMCHECK LX to reset with the new program. In case of error, please press the Re-send button. If it still fails you may want to turn RAMCHECK LX off and then on again and repeat the process. Firmware upgrade... -
Page 39: Ramcheck Lx Setup
The test log will also reflect the new settings. 6.3 RAMCHECK LX SETUP You may also select to enter setup mode, and press to send setup data to RAMCHECK LX. You can setup RAMCHECK LX on your PC and store setup parameters in PAGE 35... -
Page 40: Ramcheck Lx Diagnostics
RAMCHECK LX menu to transfer your setup changes to RAMCHECK LX where they are automatically saved. Once the new setup is transferred, RAMCHECK LX will respond with a message indicating that the new setup data has been saved in the RAMCHECK LX non-volatile setup memory. -
Page 41: Ramcheck Lx Options
RAMCHECK DIMMCHECK 100 p/n INN-8668-5 https://www.memorytesters.com/ramcheck/rc100.htm Direct Printer Interface p/n INN-8558-4 https://www.memorytesters.com/ramcheck/p_int.htm RAMCHECK LX RAMCHECK LX DDR4, RAMCHECK LX DDR3, RAMCHECK LX system DDR2, RAMCHECK LX DDR1, and other configurations are described configurations: on the website: https://www.memorytesters.com/products.htm PAGE 37... -
Page 42: On-Line Resources
APPENDIX G: SPECIFICATIONS Provides product specifications for RAMCHECK LX. 8.2. MANUAL ADDENDA Updated on-line version of this RAMCHECK LX manual as well as important manual addenda for the DDR4, DDR3, DDR2 and DDR1 adapters. 8.3. ON-LINE TECH SUPPORT RESOURCES Please visit http://www.innoventions.com/ap_note.htm to review the applications notes regarding memory testing. -
Page 43: Index
RAMCHECK LX OWNER’S MANUAL INDEX INDEX FINAL TEST, 8 firmware, 2, 4, 10, 14, 31, 32 Firmware upgrade, 32 frequency, 4, 11, 15, 16, 19, 22, 26, 27, 35 Access Time, 19, 22, 25, 27, 34 from clock, 17 RAS, 26, 27... - Page 44 RAMCHECK, 4, 8, 15 Sync Chip Adapter, 37 RAMCHECK LX, 4 RAMCHECK LX DDR1, 4 RAMCHECK LX DDR2, 4, 37 RAMCHECK LX DDR2/DDR1, 37 RAMCHECK LX DDR3, 4, 37 Temperature stress test. See Chip-Heat mode RAMCHECK LX DDR4, 4, 37...
-
Page 45: Contact Technical Support
RAMCHECK OWNER’S MANUAL CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT You can reach INNOVENTIONS Tech Support at 1-281-879-6226 M-F 9-5 Central Time. Please direct technical support e-mail to support@innoventions.com. Please review Section 8 for a list of our on-line resources that may resolve the problem you encountered.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the RAMCHECK LX and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers