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ForumsThe Crucial System Scanner is a freeware tool that scans your computer for what type and how much RAM it currently has in it and what your options are for installing more RAM.
Although the makers of this tool intended for it to be used to so you can buy the right type of RAM in their brand (Crucial). Its a really handy way to find out what type of RAM a certain motherboard can take. This tool can be an absolute godsend with laptop motherboards than tend to be a little sensitive to what type of RAM they can take.
Once run, this tool will very quickly open a command window, close it, pause for about 5 seconds and launch your browser with the results.
Screenshots:
Downloads:
Download from Official Site - 220kb
Amen!!! This is the best tool ever. It quickly tells me how much and what type of ram to use, it’s within a couple bucks of most of my distributors and the ram is shipped quickly… 2-3 days usually (except my last order which took a week) and the ram works! Well, most of the time… I’ve had 2 or 3 bad sticks of ram… but considering the volume of ram we buy… I’m not complaining at all.
I’ll still recommend crucial to family, friends and looks like competitors now too! LOL!!!
Oh yeah… tells me what type of ram we need without opening the case… forgot about that HUGE part. I love this tool.
Ill stick with just checking the BIOS to see what kind and how much RAM a system has….lol.
Jm Boyd, the BIOs doesnt always show the highest level of RAM memory and speed the motherboard can take which makes this tool useful.
Well…yes the BIOS does provide that information if you know how to look for it. But for the sake of argument and to keep me from the lightly explanation of how it’s done, let’s say you’re right.
Just for grins and giggles, I ran Crucial System Scanner on an old machine that I know the specifics on very well. The machine supports a max of 2 gigs of PC-3200, which is exactly what it has in it. After running it I found that the tool does indeed tell you the max amount and types of RAM a motherboard can take and how much RAM the machine currently has. What it fails to do is tell you the type and speed of the memory CURRENTLY installed in that machine. Which would be some pretty handy information. Especially when it recommended that I “upgrade” to 2 gigs of PC-3200/
Last time I checked installing what you already had was NOT an upgrade, and that’s exactly what I would be doing right now if I used this tool and didn’t know any better. Crucial System Scanner is a “marketing” tool for selling people memory…not a technician’s tool.
If you want a portable tech tool that actually works….go to
http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html and get System Information for Windows (SIW). It is a real tech tool that provides you EXTREMELY detailed info on the entire system (not just limited memory info), it does not require an internet connection, and it doesn’t’ try to sell you anything that you already have.
SIW has been a Computer Repair Tool of the Week in the past and its a great little tool. As far as I can tell SIW doesnt tell you the max RAM speed that the motherboard can handle.
Dont forget that alot of the techs on this site and forums are relatively new as they just quit their day job. This site caters to them too.
In fact, many of the repair tools that appear on this site *I* personally dont need. I can fix most virus/spyware/adware issues with Hijack This, Process Explorer and Autoruns. As you would probably know, these tools are very powerful if you know what what you are looking for. These wont hold your hand and tell you what is bad or good, you have to know what is out of place based on your own years of experience. Not all of our readers have that knowlege yet as they are just starting out and need simple tools like this one.
Wow Boyd, sounding a little elitist and bitter there. Lighten up a bit.
I suggest you look at WSI again an notice where it says “supported frequencies” in the Memory section. This is where it tells you the supported speeds of the memory slots.
An no I’m not being “elitist and bitter” i just see no reason in recommending “marketing tools” instead of actual working tools. But hey…justify it as you see fit….
And Bryce…I agree that most of the tools you recommend here are very handy and useful to new techs and experienced guys alike.
This one just missed the mark because it is more of a marketing gimmick than a tool.
Thank for sharing. I love checking out these tools that you recommend every week.
Interesting tool… but wait!
Figured I would give it a shot and run it on my laptop… although it told me what kind of ram my computer can handle, it was wrong on how much it can handle… nice tool, but I think I will stick to double checking by visiting the computer manufacturers websites before trusting it!
No. Not for me–requires and internet connection & allows 3rd party into my system.
Ok this is interesting. I ran the program and I have 0 meg’s installed and both my slots are empty? OK it said I did have 1 meg installed in the side pannel (even though it said non on the left) it said the max allowed was 2 (that was right on) it also gave the proper type allowed. Now at the top it said I was at the max? I only have 1 gig in this thing and it allows for up to 2 (witch it stated bellow).
I like the tool but it needs work.